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Le Postillon de Longjumeau
Opera in 3 acts
Music by Adolph-Charles Adam
Libretto by
Adolphe De Leuven
& Brunswick
First Performance: Opéra-Comique, Paris, October 13, 1836
Cast:
Chappelou (St. Phar) High tenor
Bijou (Alcindor) High or low
bass
Marquis de Corcy Tenor
Madeleine (Mme La Tour) Lyric soprano
Rose Soprano
Boubon Chorus
member
Chorus: SATTB
Background
Synopsis
Act
I. In the village of Longjumeau. The postilion Chapelou, who possess a
fine voice, is celebrating his marriage with Madelaine, when the Marquis
do Corcy appears. A wheel of his carraige, is borken, and the smith,
Bijou, who is envious of Chapelou, hastens to repair it, in order to
disturb the feast, since Chapelou, as postilion, is compelled to drive.
De Corcy, the manager of the royal amusements, who is on a voyage of
discovery for a new tenor, hears Chapelou sing, and makes him such a
brilliant offer, that he leaves Madelaine and accompanies the marquis.
(Scene, chorus, Chapelou, Madelaine: "Prosperous and happy be this
hour"; Madelaine's song: "Dear husband, believe me"; Duet: "That is
wonderful"; Ensemble: "A happy pair"; Rondo of Chapelou-song of the
postilion: "Friends, hear the sotry"; Trexett and finale, marquis,
Chapelou, Bijou: "Do not turn away your luck"; Madelaine, Bijou and
chorus: "Come, sweetheart.")
Act II. A chamber in the garden. Chapelou has become a great singer
under the name of St. Phar. Bijou has also followed him, but remains a
member of the chorus. Madelaine, who has been living with her aunt,
returns as a rich heiress and wins St. Phar's love as Madame de Latour.
He has become a great admirer of the fair sex and promises her marriage,
but as he cannot keep his word, on account of his previous marraige with
Madelaine, he induces the opera singer Bourdon to array himself in the
garb of a priest, in order in this way to enjoy the love of Madame de
Latour. The Marquis de Corcy, who has suffered severely from the caprice
of St. Phar, also woos Madelaine. She has become aware of the trick and
engages a real priest. (Aria of Madelaine: "I will see him again";
Chorus and enxemble of the royal singers: "Oh, what misery"; Romance of
St. Phar: "From early dawn"; Aria of alcindor (Bijou): "By the chorus of
our stage"; Duet, St. Phar and Madame de Latour: "Oh most beautiful
women"; Chorus and finale: "My wishes are fulfilled.")
Act III. An apartment in the country house. The marquis discloses
the cheat of St. Phar, and when he and his associates have been duly
frightened, Madelaine reveals her identity to the happy Chapelou.
(Chorus and scene: "O what joy"; Aria of St. Phar, Alcindor, Bourdon:
"Hanged! hanged!" Duet, Madame de Latour and St. Phar: "You see me in
anguish"; Finale: "Quick, in the name of king.")
Libretto
Links
Last updated: January 22, 2008