Les noces d'Olivette
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Les noces d'Olivette is an opéra comique in three acts composed by Edmond Audran, with a libretto by Alfred Duru and Henri Charles Chivot. The work premiered in Paris on 13 November 1879 at the Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens.[1]
It went on to play for 466 performances entitled Olivette at the Strand Theatre in London from 1880-1881 in an English language adaptation by H. B. Farnie and starring Florence St. John.[2] Olivette opened at the Bijou Opera House in New York City on 25 December 1880. It also played at the American Theatre in New York City beginning on 13 March 1899.[3]
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[edit] Roles
- Captain De Merimac, of the Corvette "Cormorant"
- Valentine, officer in the Rousillon Guards, his nephew
- Duc des Ifs, cousin and heir presumptive to the Countess of Rousillon
- Coquelicot, his foster brother and valet
- Marvejol, Seneschal to the Countess of Rousillon and Maire of Perpignan
- Olivette, daughter of the Seneschal
- Bathielde, Countess of Rousillon
- Veloutine, maid to Olivette
- Postiche, barber and innkeeper
- Moustique, De Merimac's cabin boy
- Pages of the Countess
- Piou-Piou
- La Baronne de Vertpre
- Maids of Honor, midshipmen on board the "Cormorant", sailors, and maids at the "Mainbrace Tavern".
[edit] Synopsis
- Act I
In the town of Perpignan, Olivette, is engaged to a sea-captain, De Merimac. Olivette has just returned from the convent where she fell in love with Valentine, nephew of De Merimac. When the the captain arrives, Olivette, who has been described, as an "angel of sweetness and obedience " tells him to leave as she will not marry him. The captain is not worried, for he is sure he has it in his power to force her to marry him. The countess of Rousillon has promised him anything he wants. The captain had previously rescued her champanzee from a watery grave. He writes to her asking her to order the marriage. The captain is unexpectedly called off on a three month voyage and is unable to go through with the nuptials. The countess, who is also in love with Valentine, has come to Perpignan to be near him. She requests the marriage according to the captain's instructions and Valentine, pretending to be the elder De Merimac, quietly weds Olivette himself.
- Act II
The countess gives a ball in honor of the wedding. Valentine is having a difficult time impersonating both his uncle and himself by frequent changes of clothing. The captain returns from his voyage, and is recognized as the bridegroom. Valentine, coming in suddenly and dressed as the old man, is confronted by the captain and forced to explain. The Captain declares that Olivette is his rightful bride.
- Act III
Olivette plans to get rid of the Captain with a conspiracy. The countess thwarts the plan by declaring her intention to marry Valentine. The Countess is imprisoned on De Merimac's ship, "The Cormorant". When Olivette and Valentine, disguised as sailors, are making their getaway, Valentine is seized. Olivette manages to set the Countess free and puts on the countess' clothes, passing her own on to the countess's maid Veloutine. The fickle Duke courts Olivette, thinking that she is the Countess. The Duke boasts of his success so loudly that both the Captain and Valentine disown Olivette until she is able to prove an alibi. Eventually, things are straightened out, the marriage of Valentine and Olivette is upheld, the countess finally acknowledges the Duke's advances, and the Captain is left to console himself.
