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Les saltimbanques

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Les saltimbanques
Opéra-comique by Louis Ganne
The composer c. 1900
TranslationThe Acrobats
LibrettistMaurice Ordonneau
LanguageFrench
Premiere
30 December 1899 (1899-12-30)

Les saltimbanques (The Acrobats) is an opéra-comique in three acts, libretto by Maurice Ordonneau, music by Louis Ganne, first performed at the Théâtre de la Gaîté, Paris, on 30 December 1899. In the third act a ballet entitled Les Bohemiennes was danced by Julia Duval, Briant, the women of the corps de ballet and a troupe of acrobats, Les Manzoni.

Roles

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Role Voice type Premiere cast,[1]
30 December 1899
(Conductor: Perpignan)
Suzanne soprano Jeanne Saulier [fr]
Marion soprano Lyse Berty [fr]
Paillasse tenor Paul Fugère [fr]
Madame Bernandin Jane Evans
Grand Pingouin baritone Lucien Noel
André de Langeac baritone Etienne Perrin
Malicorne baritone Vauthier
Comte des Etiquettes Bernard
Bernandin Dacheux
Le baron de Valengoujon Jallier
Saltimbinques

Synopsis

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Suzanne was abandoned as a child and taken in by Malicorne, director of a circus. She is friend with Paillasse (who loves her), Grand-Pingouin (who is also attracted to her), and Marion (who is Grand-Pingouin's lover). Suzanne is pursued by soldiers but rescued by a young officer, André, and the attraction between them is immediate. The brutal Malicorne abuses Suzanne one time too many, and she escapes with Paillasse, Grand-Pingouin, and Marion.

Suzanne and her friends have formed a little troupe called "Les Gigoletti". They are invited to perform at the Castle of the Count des Étiquettes, who is André's uncle. However, Malicorne happens to be there as well, recognises them and wants them arrested on the pretext they own him money. The Count pays the sum just as André arrives.

Suzanne sings a song she has learned in childhood, which is in fact a song the Count has composed and that nobody knows. From this song, it is discovered that she is his long lost daughter. Being of high birth, she and André can be married, but she also feels sorrow that she will be leaving her friends.

Discography

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References

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  1. ^ Stoullig E. Les Annales du Théâtre et de la Musique, 25eme edition, 1899. Librairie Paul Ollendorff, Paris, 1900, p240-242.

Sources

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  • Le guide de l'opéra, R. Mancini & J.J. Rouveroux, (Fayard, 1986) ISBN 2-213-01563-5
  • Pristine Classical, https://www.pristineclassical.com/products/paco031