Significant French Operas

Fiesta

Opera in 1 act

Music by Darius Milhaud

Libretto by Boris Vian

First Performance: West Berlin, October 3, 1958

Cast:
Mercedes                                         Mezzo soprano
Naufrage                                         ? buffo
Nunez                                              Bass
Julio                                                  Mime (child)
Fernan                                              Mime (guitarist)
Mario                                                Tenor
Pedro                                                Baritone
Esteban                                            Bass
Pia                                                    Soprano
Maria                                               Mezzo soprano
Conchita                                           Contralto
Caracas, Alberto, Cortezm
Raphael, Raquel                                Supers

Background

Synopsis

     Onto the beach where the townsfolk lounge and drink, a small boat floats, bearing a shipwrecked man. The villagers bring him back to life and give him wine and fruit. Mercedes, who has been watching with her lover, the guitarist Fernan, makes up to the stranger, encouraging him to kiss and fondle her after she dances. Fernan stabs the interloper and walks away, followed by Mercedes, calling after him. Mario, Pedro, and Esteban chant a merry dirge, and leave the corpse to be taken back to the sea.

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Last updated: January 09, 2008