Les noces d'Olivette is an opéra comique in three acts composed by Edmond Audran, with a libretto by Alfred Duru and Henri Charles Chivot. The work opened at the Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens in Paris on 13 November 1879. Renamed Olivette, an English adaptation by H. B. Farnie opened at the Strand Theatre, London, on 18 September 1880 where it went on to play for 466 performances.
Dramatis Personæ
CAPITAINE DE MERRIMAC, of the Corvette "Cormorant" |
VALENTINE, Officer in the Rousillon Guards, his nephew |
MARVEJOL, Seneschal to the Countess of Rousillon and Maire of Perpignan |
POSTICHE, Barber and Innkeeper |
DUC DES IFS, Cousin and Heir Presumptive to the Countess of Rousillon |
COQUELICOT, his Foster Brother and Valet |
OLIVETTE, Daughter of the Seneschal |
BATHILDE, Countess of Rousillon |
VELOUTIN, Maid to Olivette |
SANSTEURE DE JOYEUX FOLLESAMOURS |
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Pages of the Countess |
PIOU-PIOU | |
LA BARONNE DE VERTPRE |
MDLLE. DE CERNAY MDLLE. DE MONTJOIE MDLLE. DE LENOIR |
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Maids of Honour |
MOUSTIQUE, Merrimac's Cabin Boy
L'ECUREUIL MISTIGRIS LARTIMON |
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Midshipmen on board the "Cormorant" |
BOUSSOLE LOUP-DE-MER |
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Sailors |
CATOU NICHETTE BLEUETTE |
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Maids at the "Mainbrace Tavern" |
ACT I - The Seneschal's House at Perpignan, on the shore of the Mediterranean.
- No. 1 - Opening Chorus and Air - Marvejol - "Just fancy what is said, Olivette's to be wed!"
- No. 1a - Tyrolienne Song - Olivette - "The convent slept, all save I - I and the night wind low murm'ring by, full soft it sang..."
- No. 2 - Marine Madrigal - Merimac and others - "You shall be a clipper built yacht, clean in the run and rakish and taut! ..."
- No. 2a - Chorus - "See, our countess now is nearing, our countess honored and sublime..."
- No. 3 - Valse Song - The Countess - "O heart! wherefore so light, tell me, wherefore so gay? ..."
- No. 4 - Song - The Countess - "O woman's fickle, let me own, and constant but in treason; she's loyal to caprice alone..."
- No. 5 - Couplets - Duke - "If in a state of exhilaration you came home and dimly saw two ladies waiting an explanation..."
- No. 6 - Serenade - Valentine - "In quaint and mystic word, light and shade on the sward, love! are now intertwining..."
- No. 7 - Concerted Piece - "Your partisans brave soldiers handle, and seize the author of this scandal! ..."
- No. 8 - Finale Act I - "Speak, Sir Captain, you've our permission, though the nature of your petition we think we well know!"
ACT II - Ballroom of the Palace of Rousillon.
- No. 9 - Entr'acte and Opening Scene - "Soon the bride we'll be admiring, fairest on her wedding night! ..."
- No. 10 - Quintette - Countess, Olivette, Valentine, Duke and Marvejol - "It is he! It is he! It is he! ..."
- No. 11 - Air - Countess - "When lovers around woman throng, and vows of homage and passion are heard..."
- No. 12 - Duet - Valentine and Merimac - "What! she your wife? you do but chaff! ... No, no, Olivette I have wedded! ..."
- No. 13 - Song - Olivette - "I do think Fate (upon my life) has treated us in manner scrubby, for wedded, still I am no wife..."
- No. 14 - Duet - Countess and Olivette - "Like carrier dove I'll swift be flying to where he waits for love and me..."
- No. 15 - Finale Act II - "What joy in honeymooning! The minstrels now are tuning..."
ACT III - Interior of the "Mainbrace Tavern". The "Cormorant" at Anchor.
- Entr'acte
- No. 16 - Chorus and Song - Midshipmen - "Hillo! Hillo! Just tumble up in the old caboose!"
- No. 17 - Romance - Countess - "Nearest and dearest, from ye I sever, but time nor ocean can divide..."
- No. 18 - Legend - Olivette and Chorus - "In the North Sea liv'd a whale..."
- No. 18½ - Exit of Sailors - "The fish being loaded, then and there exploded! ..."
- No. 19 - Bolero - Merimac - "Where balmy garlic scents the air (for much is eaten by the many)..."
- No. 20 - Laughing Quartette - Olivette, Valentine, Merimac and Duke - "No! no! 'tis you are the deceiver! ..."
- No. 21 - Marche Militaire
- No. 22 - Finale Act III - Countess, Olivette and Chorus - "All is ended, comme il faut..."
- External Links
- Les noces d'Olivette at Wikipedia
- Vocal Score at IMSLP
Page modified 4 February 2017