Le Pré aux clercs

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Le Pré aux clercs (The Clerks' Meadow) is an opera in three acts by Ferdinand Hérold with a libretto by François-Antoine-Eugène de Planard that is based on Prosper Mérimée's Chronique du temps de Charles IX.

Contents 1 Performance history 2 Principal roles 3 Synopsis 4 Sources

[edit] Performance history

First performed in Paris, at the Opéra-Comique, on December 15, 1832. It was Herold's last completed opera, it was very successful at its appearance and enjoyed some 1000 performances in Paris during the following 40 years. It is now all but forgotten.

[edit] Principal roles

• Marguerite de Valois - mezzo-soprano
• Isabelle de Béarn - soprano
• Baron de Mergy - tenor
• Comte de Comminges - baritone

[edit] Synopsis

The action takes place in Paris, in 1572, at the time of the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre.

The Baron de Mergy and the Comte de Comminges are rivals for the love of Isabelle de Béarn, the ward of Marguerite de Valois. The two men fight a duel at the field know as Pré aux clercs and Comminges is killed. The Baron and Isabelle are reunited.

[edit] Sources

• The Complete Dictionary of Opera and Operetta, James Anderson, (Wings Books, 1993) ISBN 0-517-09156-9