Erminie

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Erminie is a comic opera in two acts composed by Edward Jakobowski (1858 - 1927) with a libretto by Claxson Bellamy and Harry Paulton, based on Charles Selby's Robert Macaire. It opened at the Grand Theatre, Birmingham, England on 26 October 1885 and transferred to the Comedy Theatre in London on 9 November 1885, starring Florence St. John who, being pregnant, ceded the role to Marie Tempest in December. On 18 February 1886, the piece moved to the Gaiety Theatre, London and then toured the British provinces.^[1]

A Broadway production was extraordinarily successful, opening at the Casino Theatre on 10 May 1886 and running for 571 performances.^[2] It starred Francis Wilson as as Cadeaux and DeWolf Hopper. Erminie enjoyed many UK, U.S. and foreign productions and was revived on Broadway in 1893, 1899, 1903 and in 1921 with Wilson and Hopper again assuming their 1886 roles.^[3]

A minor planet, 705 Erminia, is named after the work.

1 Roles and original London cast
2 Synopsis
3 Musical numbers
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Roles and original London cast

Marquis de Pontvert - Fred Mervin
Eugène Marcel (the Marquis' secretary) - Henry Bracy
Vicomte Ernest de Brissac - Horace Bolini
Captain Delaunay (a young officer) - Kate Everleigh
Sergeant - A. D. Pierrepoint
Dufois (the Landlord of the Lion d'Or) - George Marler
Simon (a Waiter) J. W. Bradbury
Henri - Stanley Betjeman
Pierre - Lottie Leigh
Chevalier de Brabazon (the Marquis' guest) - Percy Compton
Ravannes (a thief) - Frank Wyatt
Cadeau (a thief) - Harry Paulton
Cerise Marcel (Erminie's companion) - Violet Melnotte
Javotte (Erminie's maid) - K. Munroe
Marie - Edith Vane
Clementine - Delia Merton
Princesse de Gramponeur - M. A. Victor
Erminie de Pontvert - Florence St. John
M. St. Brice - Nellie Gordon
M. D'Auvigne - Kitty Graham
M. De Nailles - Marie Huntley
M. de Sangres - Violet Leigh
Mme. St. Brice - Lillie Teesdale
Mme. de Lage - Ada Maxwell
Mme. de Brefchamp - Ethel Selwyn
Mme. de Chateauln - Millie Gerard
Antoinette - Madge Bruce
Charlotte - Emilie Campbell
Jeanette - Anita Marzan
Mignon - Florence Dudley
Rosalie - Carrie Solomon
Niniche - Helen Gwynne
Nanine -Mary Webb
Fanchette - Sylvia Southgate

[edit] Synopsis

Erminie is the daughter of the Marquis de Pontvert. She and Ernst, a young nobleman, are about to be betrothed and have never met each other. Erminie, however, is in love with her father's secretary, Eugene, and Ernst is in love with Cerise Marcel, who is Eugene's sister and Erminie's friend. On his way to the betrothal ceremony, Ernst runs into a pair of crafty "philanthropists" (thieves), Ravannes and Cadeau, who steal his wardrobe and tie him to a tree. They disguise Ravennes as Ernst and Cadeau as a Baron and go to the Lion d'Or for the betrothal, saying that they were waylaid by thieves. Cadeaux gets drunk, however, and his bad manners nearly spoil the scheme. Ernst eventually escapes his bonds and arrives late and in disordered attire at the Lion d'Or. Seeing Ernst, Ravennes cries "Seize the villain," claiming that Ernst is the thief who attacked them earlier in the day.

Ravennes, still disguised as Ernst, pretends sympathy for Erminie's love for Eugene and promises to help her in securing happiness. At the same time, she unwittingly helps him to rob the house. Eventually, however, the plan fails, the robbers are arrested, and both pairs, Eugene and Erminie, and Ernst and Cerise, are happily united.

[edit] Musical numbers

Act I - The Village Fête in Pontvert, France.

No. 1 - Introduction, Chorus & Ensemble - "Around in a whirl we skip, dance and twirl; let each boy and girl make merry..."
No. 1a - Exit (Reprise) - "Around in a whirl we skip..."
No. 2 - Chorus & Ensemble - "Vive le Marquis! vive le Marquis! Welcome, welcome to the fête..."
No. 2a - Exit (Reprise) - "At village feast here meeting you..."
No. 3 - Song - Erminie & Chorus - "Ah, when love is young, all the world seems gay! Tra la la la la la la la la..."
No. 4 - Duett - Erminie & Eugène - "There is a sweet remembrance of the past, a treasur'd dream, a dream I fondly store..."
No. 5 - Entrance of Soldiers & Chorus - "All for glory the soldier's life; from the conflict scorning e'er to flee..."
No. 6 - Song - Marquis & Chorus - "Dull is the life of the soldier in peace, with hateful routine until war brings release..."
No. 6a - Exit (Reprise) - "All for glory the soldier's life..."
Nos. 7 & 7a - Entrance & Duett - Ravannes & Cadeaux - "We're a philanthropic couple, be it known..."
No. 8 - Dream Song - Erminie - "At midnight on my pillow lying, by daily toil oppress'd..."
No. 9 - Concerted Piece - "The blissful pleasure I profess of such a meeting overjoys me..."
No. 10 - Finale Act I - "Away to the chateau, away from the throng, where bridegroom and bride will be plighted ere long..."

Act II - The Ballroom in the Marquis de Pontvert's Chateau.

No. 10a - Entr'acte
No. 11 - Introduction, Chorus, Ensemble & Song - Marie - "Here on lord and lady waiting, court gallants and nobles all..."
No. 11a - Exit (Reprise) - "Here on lord and lady waiting..."
No. 12 - Song - Eugène - "Darkest the hour ere light of dawn beameth; deepest the gloom ere the storm clouds divide..."
No. 13 - Chorus & Song - Erminie - "Joy attend our Erminie, hers be ev'ry earthly bliss..."
No. 14 - Song - Erminie - "A lover in his mirror gaz'd, with visage wan, and glare half-craz'd, to see if thinner he had grown..."
No. 15 - Song - Cadeaux & Whistling Chorus - "I'm not a free agent, like any of you, there's them as looks arter my fate..."
No. 16 - Vocal Gavotte - "Join in pleasure, dance a measure, fondly treasure hours so bright..."
No. 17 - Lullaby - Erminie & Chorus - "Dear mother, in dreams I see her, with lov'd face sweet and calm..."
Nos. 18 & 19 - Supper Chorus & Scene Change - "Come to supper, let's repair..."
No. 20 - Concerted Piece (unaccompanied) - "'Tis growing late, yes, 'tis growing late, and time to end the fête..."
No. 21 - Finale Act II - "Should we gain your favours, ev'ry heart is gay..."