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L’Île du Tulipatan
Opera bouffe in 1 act
Music by Jacques Offenbach
Libretto by
Henri Civot
& Alfred Duru
First Performance: Bouffes Parisiens, Paris, September 30, 1868
Cast:
Cacatois XXII Baritone
Romboidal Tenor
Alexis Soprano
Theodorine Contralto
Hermosa Tenor
Chorus: SSTTB
Background
Synopsis
Romboidal
complains to his wife Theodorine that their daughter Hermosa behaves
omre life a tomboy than like a well brought-up girl, and, proving his
point, Hermosa enters singing the praises of noise, especially military
ones. When her father berates her for not demurely practicing her sewing
and piano, she answers that she far prefers the warlike ring of the
hunting horn. Romboidal is pursuing his obviously justified lecture when
a valet announces the visit of the ruler of the island. Cacatois XXII
cuts short the pompous welcoming speech of his minister and complains in
turn about the effeminate tendencies of his son Alexis, promptly
confirmed as the prince enters, weeping over the loss of one of his
birds which has flown from his cage. Upset though he is, Cacatois
decides to stay for lunch and goes off with Romboidal, leaving the
children alone.
Singing further of her martial passions, and imitating the sound of
the trombone, the drum and the cello, Hermosa tells Alexis that he must
court her. The youth timidly agrees to tell his father that he wants to
marry Hermosa, and, when Romboidal enters, goes with him to find
Cacatois. Theodorine comes in, and tells Hermosa that she can no longer
keep her weighty secret. When her only child, a son was born, fearful of
losing him in the army, she registered him as a girl. Hermosa is not a
girl, but a boy, and there can therefore be no question of her/his
marrying prince Alexis. Hermosa is left alone to digest this startling
piece of news, when Romboidal in turn comes in, pulls her/him aside and
says that he has kept his secret too long and that the attachment of
Hermosa for Alexis makes it necessary for him to admit the truth:
Cacatois XXII, having had two daughters, was desperately hoping for a
male heir when his last child was born while he was away at the wars. To
make him happy, Romboidal cabled him the birth of not a daughter, as was
the case, but a son. Alexis is therefore a girl, unbeknownst to his/her
father, and Romboidal thinks it's very odd that Hermosa leaves the room
seemingly overjoyed at this news. Alexis has overheard the confession
and comes on stage dressed as a girl, to the terror of Romboidal, who
begs him not to give him away. Hermosa reenters dressed as an officer;
the two lovers recognize each other, but are forced to rush off
hurriedly as their parents return. The ruler tells Romboidal that he has
consented to let his son Alexis marry Hermosa. Romboidal says this is
impossible, and finally confesses the deception to Cacatois. Theodorine
now adds her secret, begging forgiveness, and, as duly expected, Hermosa
and Alexis are happily united, as Cacatois decides to get married again
in hopes of producing a male heir.
Libretto
Links
Last updated: January 09, 2008