Chérubin
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| Operas by Jules Massenet |
|---|
La grand'tante (1867) |
Chérubin is an opera in three acts by Jules Massenet to a French libretto by Francis de Croisset and Henri Cain after de Croisset's play of the same name. It was first performed at the Opéra in Monte Carlo on February 14, 1905, with Mary Garden in the title role.
The story is a light-hearted addition to Beaumarchais' Figaro plays, the action taking place soon after that of The Marriage of Figaro, and imagines festivities in celebration of Chérubin's first military commission and seventeenth birthday. A farcical romp ensues, brought on by Chérubin lusting after each of the female characters and inspiring general confusion.
The piece contains some of Massenet's most shimmering, charming music and has spawned a few contemporary revivals, and a 1991 recording.
Contents |
[edit] Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, February 16, 1892 (Conductor: - ) |
|---|---|---|
| Chérubin | mezzo-soprano | |
| Le Philosophe | bass | |
| L'Ensoleillad | soprano | |
| Nina | soprano | |
| Le Comte | baritone | |
| La Comtesse | soprano | |
| Le Baron | baritone | |
| La Baronne | mezzo-soprano | |
| Le Duc | tenor | |
| Ricardo | tenor | |
| L'Aubergiste | baritone | |
| Officier | bass |
[edit] Noted arias
- Act I - Chérubin: "Je suis gris!"
- Act I - Nina: "Lorsque vous n'aurez rien à faire"
- Act III - L'Ensoleillad: "Vive amour qui rêve, embrase, et fuit"
[edit] Selected recordings
- Chérubin, with Frederica von Stade, Samuel Ramey, Dawn Upshaw, June Anderson, cond. by Pinchas Steinberg (1991) (RCA 09026-60593-2)
