Mam'selle Napoléon is musical comedy by Jean Richepin with lyrics by Joseph Herbert and music by Gustav Luders which opened at the Knickerbocker Theatre, New York, on 8 December 1903.

Dramatis Personæ

MIDI Files

• Overture

ACT I   -   The Artists' Foyer at the Comedie Française.

• No. 1 - Opening Chorus - "Powdered and rouged in theatrical frippery, Thespis' disciples will spout, rant and skippery, ballet entrancing will daintily trippery..."
• No. 2 - Trio - Miche, Flûte and Mme. Philippard - "Life's no blooming airy bubble as the poets say ... Launched upon a sea of trouble, from our natal day. ..."
• No. 3 - Ensemble - M'lle Mars and Chorus - "Hit enormous she has made in the role that she essayed; grace poetic, pow'r magnetic o'er her hearers cast a spell..."
• No. 4 - Quintet - Mars, Flora, Philippard, Noel and Choupille - "Flowers, ribbons, feathers, laces all arranged in proper places. Mamselle's wig, her hat and shoes..."
• No. 5 - Song - M'lle Mars and Chorus - "Once a cockatoo with a top-knot blue, who lived in a gilded mansion, was loved by a wee little chimpanzee..."
• No. 6 - Duet - Miche and Flûte - "Honesty's a policy that's easier to teach than to practice you will find.  It's easier to pick up ev'ry article in reach than allow it..."
• No. 7 - Duet - Mars and Noel - "Cease to repine, dearest, I'm thine, bound heart to heart for ever;  not even fate can separate, trusting thee, doubting thee never..."
• No. 8 - Finale Act I - "Mon cher monsieur Fouché, attend me I beseech you at subtle art of play.  I'm sure that I can teach you the art of simulation..."

ACT II   -   Kiosk on the Lake at the Chateau de Compiegne.

• No. 9 - Opening Scene - "Slaves of the woodland King - off'ring we duly bring.  Tribute we're forced to pay - to him at close of day.  Should we his mandate scorn..."
• No. 10 - Trio - Miche, Flûte and Mme. Phillipard - "I offer my heart unto you - too-whoo - to you, dear, I offer my heart;  and nothing but bliss will accrue..."
• No. 11 - Song - Mars - "Under his paws, a lion great a little mouse did capture one day.  Just as the lion was going to kill it, the poor little mouse to him did say..."

ACT III   -   Interior of Grand Opera House, Paris, 1815.   Opera Ball in progress.

• No. 12 - Opening Chorus - "Gaily, gaily tread a measure;  laugh and dance and loudly sing.  Now the time for folly, pleasure, though the morrow sorrow bring..."
• No. 13 - Chorus - "Nothing attracts a girlie's eye like uniform and lace.  Nothing will make a girlie sigh like military grace.  Quickly to window girlies fly..."
• No. 14 - Duet - Flûte, Miche and Chorus - "If you would succeed in your set and be 'utter', example pray take from the fly known as butter, so don't be sedate..."
• No. 15 - Song - Choupille and Chorus - "All hail Guignol, Guignol, all hail Guignol!" etc.  "Ecoutez, Mesdames et Messieurs.  All in this unique collection..."
• No. 16 - Song - Noel - "'Midst battle's din and roar, my fondest thoughts return to one whom I adore.  Love's flame my heart doth burn..."
• No. 17 - Dance Ensemble - "Saint and prude may conclude our behavior shocking.  Masculine eye should e'er behold maiden demurely chaste and cold..."
• No. 18 - Song - Mars and Chorus - "There are girls and are girls in the world as you know, each clime has its different type.  While some love the dark..."
• No. 19 - Finale Act III - "Two royal dolls in Toyland did puppet kingdom rule. While one made kingdom Joyland, the other such a fool was blessed with no opinion..."

ACT IV   -   Tableau I.   A Glade in the wood at Dauphine.   The Ambush at the Mill.

• No. 20 - Song - Noel and Grenadiers - "Night fades, 'tis the glorious morning, awake! awake!  Bright sun horizon adorning, awake! awake!  We bless the kind fate..."

ACT IV   -   Tableau II.  "On to Paris."

• No. 21 - Finale Act IV - "When France fought and bled and her future was dread, when her enemies held her enchained;  when alien band confiscated her land..."

 MIDI files

American Musical Theatre

Page modified 1 February 2017