The libretto is adapted from the original French libretto by Michel Carré with English lyrics by Frederic E. Weatherly and dialogue by Harry Greenbank. For the second version, new English lyrics were provided by Adrian Ross. The music was composed by André Messager [and Hope Temple (= Dotie Davis)].

The opera was produced at the Savoy Theatre from 3 July  to 11 August  1894 (41 performances), and then after extensive revision from 6 October to 6 December 1894 (61 performances).

Mirette, a gypsy, falls in love with Gerard, nephew of the local Marquise. The Marquise, however, is determined that Bianca, the cloistered daughter of a Baron, marry Gerard, and humiliates Mirette in order to get her out of the way. Mirette ends up with Picorin, one of the gypsies, and Gerard gets Bianca. Incidental humor is provided by Bobinet, another gypsy.

The emphasis in this opera is on romance. The story is clearly modelled on The Bohemian Girl and was written in English for Messager, who never produced it in France. Messager later acknowledged that his future wife, a songwriter known as Hope Temple, assisted in writing the music for this opera. Her name, however, does not appear on any published version. (See John Wagstaff, André Messager: a Bio-Bibliography.)

First Version (opened 3 July 1894)

• Introduction

• Notes on the Text.

• Libretto in Text (117K File) format.

• Opening Night Casts (Both versions, illustrated)

• Opening night review from the London Times, published July 5, 1894.

• Selection of Reviews compiled by Scott Farrell.

Second Version (opened 6 October 1894)

• Introduction

• Libretto
  • Word (228K File)
  • Word (63K ZIP File)
  • Text (119K File)

• Song Lyrics of Second Version
  • Text (63K File)

• Opening night review from the London Times, published October 8, 1894.

The Music

• MIDI Files

• Vocal Score (Revised Version) contribured by Ian Bond.

• Illustrated Music Cover

Page modified 10 February 2019