Bob’s World of J. Massenet Le Jongleur de Notre-Dame


	Bob’s World of

e ongleur de otre-ame

Miracle en 3 actes

Libretto by Maurice Léna

Music by Jules Massenet

First Performance: Opéra de Monte Carlo, 18 February1902

First Cast:

Jean, tenor	Nicolas Maréchal
Boniface, baritone	Maurice Renaud
Le Prieur, bass	M. Soulacroix
Un Moine poète, tenor	M. Berquier
Un Moine peintre, baritone	Juste Nivette
Un Moine musicien, baritone	M. Grimaud
Un Moine sculpteur, bass	M. Cuperninck
Deux voix d'anges, soprano	Marguerite de Buck Marie Girard
Conductor	Léon Jehin

Anatole France’s Le Jongleur de Notre-Dame

     Act I. Jean, a poor juggler, tries to collect money in a lively spring market-day fair, but attracts no attention until he sings a sacrilegious drunkard's song, which enrages the populace and horrifies the Prior. Jean reluctantly abandons his freedom, urged by the Prior, only when he is promised food along with salvation. He follows the Prior and the cook Boniface into the Abbey.
     Act II. The monks, including a painter, a poet, a musician, and a sculptor, quarrel over the best way to glorify the Virgin. Jean is sad because he knows no way. Boniface reassures him by saying that even his vegetables and spices honor her.
     Act III. In the deserted chapel, Jean kneels before the statue of the Virgin, telling her he will do homage to her through his performance. He proceeds to juggle until the Prior and the monks enter and denounce him. The statue of the Virgin comes alive, and blesses her juggler, who dies happily at her feet.