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L’Attacque du moulin
Lyric drama in 4 acts
Music by Alfred Bruneau
Libretto by Louis Gallet,
after Emile Zola
First Performance: Opéra-Comique, Paris, November 23, 1893
Cast:
Françoise Soprano
Dominique Tenor
Merlier Baritone
French Captain Tenor or baritone
Enemy Captain Baritone or bass chantante
The role of the Enemy Captain should be played by a Bass
chantante.
A. Bruneau.
Marcelline Mezzo soprano
The Sentinel Tenor
The Drummer Bass
Geniviève Soprano
Young Man Baritone
Chorus: (French soldiers, emeny soldiers, peasants, young men &
women)
Ballet: Country dances?
Background
Synopsis
The scene of the
first act is laid in the mill of Father Merlier, shortly before the
outbreak of the war of 1870-71. The housekeeper, (something
missing?)Franchette, to her young lover, Dominic. Old Merlier has become
reconciled to the match, although at first he was strongly oppossed to it.
He indulges in pleasant speculation as to the prospective new management
of the mill by the young couple. Swarms of guests are arriving, and all of
them give joy to the lovers. Dancing is begun, and toasts to the happy
couple are being proposed when a drum is heard. It is officially declared
that war has commenced, whereupon the guests disperse in affright.
The second act happens byu one month
thereafter. It is the very day when the wedding of Francehtte and Dominic
was to be celebrated, but instead fighting is going on around the mill. A
detachment of French soldiers have occupied the mill, and the Prussians
are attacking it from without. Merlier, the miller, has been wounded while
defending his homestead. Dominic, a skilled marksman, has scored many a
hit. After a brave defense the French captain orders his men to retreat by
way of the near-by forest. They go off in that direction. Franchette comes
in with a knife in her hands. She explains that she carries it for
self-protection. The Prussian troops now take possession of the mill.
Their commander wants to know why Dominic has not gone with his company.
Dominic in reply says he is not a Frenchman and did not belong to the
company. He says he is Flemish, and only fought out of friendship for the
family. Whereupon the Prussian captain, saying that he is a freebooter,
declares his life forfeit and orders him shot for joining in the fight,
but offers to pardon him if he will lead the Prussian troops through the
woods. Dominic indignantly refuses. Alone in prison Dominic in a moving
song bids farewell to life and home. Franchette, climbing to his window,
points out to him a way of escape and gives him the details.
In the third act Dominic, after claiming out
of his window, is discovered by the snetry, whom in the ensuing scuffle he
stabs and mortally wounds. He has used Franchette's knife in doing so, and
has dropped that before he escapes. Soldiers rush in and make Merlier and
his daughter prisoners. Merlier is held responsible for the murder of the
sentry. Although the miller knows the hiding place of Dominic, his future
son-in-law, he resolves not to give up the latter to the enemy, as has
been demanded, and rather to suffer the death penalty himself in order not
to destroy Franchette's happiness. He informs the Prussian commanding
officier that he is ready to undergo the full penalty. Franchette is
unable to bear the strain and falls unconscious to the ground.
The fourth act opens again in the place
before the mill. It is dawm. Marcelline, the housekeeper, looks about her
and notes the Prussian wrapped in slumber. Franchette appears, and a
trumpet signal is heard telling of an appraoching body of French soldiers.
Dominic steals into the yard in disguise. He has wandered about the woods
all night, unquiet regarding the fate of his friends. His sweetheart dares
not tell him the truth. Just then Merlier and the Prussian captain enter,
and Merlier, in an aside, implores his daughter not to reveal the facts,
for fear than Dominic will spoil his plan. So they all purposely mislead
Dominic. He thinks all is well. French bugles are heard again, and Merlier,
in order to save at least his daughter and her betrothed, orders Dominic
to run and advise the approaching French troops to come to the rescue. He
bids farewell to his daughter, reminding her of happy days. Franchette
thinks the Prussian captain has relented, and is calmed. The French
soldiers appear at the same time as the Prussians, and just when the mill
and its inhabitants seem safe at last, the Prussian commander gives orders
to shoot Merlier, who falls riddled with bullets.
Libretto
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Last updated: January 22, 2008