User:Sparafucil/Cinq-Mars
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| Operas by Charles Gounod |
|---|
Sapho (1851, rev. 1884) |
Cinq-Mars is an opera in four acts by Charles Gounod to a libretto by Paul Poirson & Louis Gallet looosly adapted from Alfred de Vigny's historical novel. It was first performed at the Opéra-Comique on April 5, 1877.
The plot faithfully follows the external events of failed revolt of the French nobility against Richelieu's consolidation of power, but supplies a secret love affair between Cinq-Mars and a princess. Whereas de Vigny's character yearned to become her social equal, the opera's hero enters politics only on learning of a planned marriage between Marie and the king of Poland. After the conspiracy is discovered, she is given a chance to save him by agreeing to the match, but her sacrifice is in vain: before their escape plans can be put into effect, the hour of execution is suddenly moved forward.
The work work's reception was luke warm: "If [it] adds nothing to the glory of Gounod, neither does it diminish it." [1] Some critic seized on the straddling of the genres of grand opéra and opéra comique; a second edition (Léon Grus, n.d.) contains recitatives for the very few spoken scenes as well as an act III cantabile for de Thou written for the La Scala production.
[edit] Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, April 5, 1877 (Conductor: - ) |
|---|---|---|
| Le Marquis de Cinq-Mars | 1re. ténor d'opéra | Dereims |
| Le Conseiller de Thou | 1re. baryton | Stéphanne |
| Père Joseph, an emissary of Cardinal Richelieu | 1re.basse | Giraudet |
| Le Vicompte de Fontrailles | 1re. baryton d'opéra comique | Barré |
| Le Roi (Louis XIII of France) | basse chantant | Maris |
| Chancellor | basse | Bernard |
| De Montmort | ténor | Lefèvre |
| De Montrésor | basse | Teste |
| De Brienne | baryton | Collin |
| De Monglat | ténor | Chenevière |
| De Château-Giron | baryton | Villars |
| Eustache, a spy | basse | Davoust |
| Princesse Marie de Gonzague | première chanteuse falcon | Chevrier |
| Marion Delorme | première chanteuse légère | Frank-Duvernoy |
| Ninon de l'Enclos | soprano | Périer |
