Erminie is a comic opera in two acts composed by Edward Jakobowski with a libretto by Claxson Bellamy and Harry Paulton, based loosely on Charles Selby's 1834 English translation of the French melodrama, Robert Macaire. The piece opened at the Grand Theatre, Birmingham, England, on 26 October 1885 before transferring to the Comedy Theatre in London on 9 November 1885 and playing for a total of 154 performances.

Dramatis Personæ

MIDI Files

• Overture

ACT I   -   The Village Fête in Pontvert, France.

• No. 1 - Introduction, Chorus & Ensemble - "Around in a whirl we skip, dance and twirl; let each boy and girl make merry..."
• No. 1a - Exit (Reprise) - "Around in a whirl we skip..."
• No. 2 - Chorus & Ensemble - "Vive le Marquis! vive le Marquis! Welcome, welcome to the fête..."
• No. 2a - Exit (Reprise) - "At village feast here meeting you..."
• No. 3 - Song - Erminie & Chorus - "Ah, when love is young, all the world seems gay!  Tra la la la la la la la la..."
• No. 4 - Duett - Erminie & Eugène - "There is a sweet remembrance of the past, a treasur'd dream, a dream I fondly store..."
• No. 5 - Entrance of Soldiers & Chorus - "All for glory the soldier's life; from the conflict scorning e'er to flee..."
• No. 6 - Song - Marquis & Chorus - "Dull is the life of the soldier in peace, with hateful routine until war brings release..."
• No. 6a - Exit (Reprise) - "All for glory the soldier's life..."
• Nos. 7 & 7a - Entrance & Duett - Ravannes & Cadeaux - "We're a philanthropic couple, be it known..."
• No. 8 - Dream Song - Erminie - "At midnight on my pillow lying, by daily toil oppress'd..."
• No. 9 - Concerted Piece - "The blissful pleasure I profess of such a meeting overjoys me..."
• No. 10 - Finale Act I - "Away to the chateau, away from the throng, where bridegroom and bride will be plighted ere long..."

ACT II   -   The Ballroom in the Marquis de Pontvert's Chateau.

• No. 10a - Entr'acte
• No. 11 - Introduction, Chorus, Ensemble & Song - Marie - "Here on lord and lady waiting, court gallants and nobles all..."
• No. 11a - Exit (Reprise) - "Here on lord and lady waiting..."
• No. 12 - Song - Eugène - "Darkest the hour ere light of dawn beameth; deepest the gloom ere the storm clouds divide..."
• No. 13 - Chorus & Song - Erminie - "Joy attend our Erminie, hers be ev'ry earthly bliss..."
• No. 14 - Song - Erminie - "A lover in his mirror gaz'd, with visage wan, and glare half-craz'd, to see if thinner he had grown..."
• No. 15 - Song - Cadeaux & Whistling Chorus - "I'm not a free agent, like any of you, there's them as looks arter my fate..."
• No. 16 - Vocal Gavotte - "Join in pleasure, dance a measure, fondly treasure hours so bright..."
• No. 17 - Lullaby - Erminie & Chorus - "Dear mother, in dreams I see her, with lov'd face sweet and calm..."
• Nos. 18 & 19 - Supper Chorus & Scene Change - "Come to supper, let's repair..."
• No. 20 - Concerted Piece (unaccompanied) - "'Tis growing late, yes, 'tis growing late, and time to end the fête..."
• No. 21 - Finale Act II - "Should we gain your favours, ev'ry heart is gay..."

MIDI Files

External link

Erminie at Wikipedia

Page modified 26 November 2016