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Les Cloches de Corneville
Opera comique in 3 acts
Music by Jean-Robert Planquette
Libretto by Clairville & Gabet
First Performance: Folies-Dramatiques, Paris, April 19, 1877
Cast:
Marquis de Villeroi
Serpolette
Gaspard
Germaine
Sheriff
Jean Grenicheux
Chorus:
Background
Synopsis
The
first act presents an attractive picture of villiage life with the annual
fair at Corneville. The old Marquis de Villeroi has returned after a long
absense from his estates, and the village population is therefore
celebrating this event. Everybody is at the fair, old gossips and rustic
lovers in particular. Their tongues wag most about Serpolette, a pert
village beauty, and Gaspard, an old miser, whom folks envy and curse
because of his wealth for which he is said to have sold himself to the
evil one. It is mainly because of old Gaspard's cruel treatment of his
niece, Germaine, that he is hate and despised. He wants to force her to
marry the sheriff, an elderly and unattractive person, whereas she herself
inclines much more to Jean Grenicheux, a bold young fisherman, who once
rescued her from drowning. As servants are hired at the fair, Germain and
Jean both engage themselves to the marquis, hoping in this way to escape
the sordid plans of old Gaspard.
The Marquis has resolved to restore
thoroughly his château, fallen into decay during the many years of his
absence, and popularly believed to be haunted, so that the villagers have
held it in great fear. At the beginning of the second act the marquis has
therefore given orders that the whole of the immense building be
completely overhauled. In doing this Gaspard, the old miser, who had
purposely fostered the notion of spooks in the cellars because he has
there kept his bags of gold, is found gloating over his treasures. The
sudden interruption, together with the grief of being found out and
perhaps losing all his gold, weigh so much on his mind that he runs off
into the cold night a shrieking maniac.
The last act is presented at the banquet
hall of the château, which now has been entirely restored and
embellished. The marquis is feasting the whole village, and joy runs high
among his guests. Serpolette is most conspicuous, and Jean, who formerly
scorned her, assiduously is wooing her, for after the flight of Gaspard
documents were found among his papers which seem to prove that she is the
heiress to the miser's wealth. Gaspard himself has all this time been
strolling about bereft of reason. The marquis on his part has fallen in
love with Germaine, although she fills but the place of a servant in his
household. The day comes, however, when the miser recovers his senses, and
then everything changes, for it is then show that, after all, Germaine is
his niece and rightful heiress, and so the marquis may wed her. Serpolette
steps down from her height and contents herself with an ordinary husband.
Libretto
Links
Last updated: January 22, 2008