 THE BELLS OF CORNEVILLE
An Opéra-comique in 3 acts, 4 scenes; Music by Robert Planquette;
adapted and arranged by Max Morris
New Libretto and Lyrics by Geoffrey Wilson (from the French of Gabet and
Clairville)
Théàtre des Folies-Dramatiques, Paris - 19 April, 1877
St. James Theatre, New York - 30 November, 1878 (21 perfs)
Folly Theatre, London - 28 February, 1878
THE STORY
(Late 17th century France)
In rural Normandy, during the reign of Louis XIV, lives a miserly
farmer called Gaspard. Two girls, about the same age, belong to his
household - Germaine, his supposed niece and likely to inherit his
money, and Serpolette, a waif he has adopted, details of whose birth
remain a mystery. Gaspard wants Germaine to marry the Bailie, the chief
local official. She, however, has vowed to wed no one but the man who
has recently rescued her from drowning. Grenicheux, a feckless young
fisherman, takes credit for the deed and Serpolette becomes vexed when
he starts paying more attention to Germaine. A colourful stranger arrives
in Corneville. His sea captain's uniform conceals the fact that Henri
is the son of the Marquis of Corneville, exiled twenty years previously.
Germaine tells him of the legend of the long closed-up chateau, reputedly
haunted. Its bells will only peal forth again when the rightful master
returns.
At the hiring fair, Henri takes into his service Germaine,
Serpolette and Grenicheux, all eager to get away from Gaspard. Along
with them, some of his crew and the coerced Bailie, Henri enters the
chateau by night. Then he reveals he is the lawful owner of Corneville.
A portfolio of papers seems to prove that Serpolette is really a Viscountess,
heiress to the Lucenay fortune. Henri becomes convinced that Germaine
is the girl he rescued from drowning. Shortly afterwards Gaspard arrives
in what he thinks is a still, empty chateau to gloat over the gold
he has hidden there. It is he who has made the villagers believe that
the chateau is haunted. Suddenly Henri and his companions, clad in
armour, frighten Gaspard out of his wits. A month later Henri is established
in the remodelled chateau. He orders Grenicheux to own up to Germaine
that he did not save her but not to reveal the name of her true rescuer.
Germaine overhears. When Henri asks her to marry him, she replies that
she feels a marquis should not marry his servant. Fortunately Gaspard
recovers his reason and produces a paper he has stolen which proves
Germaine is the Lucenay heiress and Serpolette only a Gypsy foundling.
Henri is delighted no barrier of rank remains and that he is free to
marry Germaine. He forgives the now abject Gaspard as Serpolette accepts
her fate and agrees to make do with Grenicheux, on her terms. The Bells
of Corneville can therefore ring out once more.
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MUSICAL NUMBERS
New English translation by Geoffrey Wilson.
Overture
ACT I
- Introduction
a. Chorus … "Now to the fair" … Gertrude,
Jeanne, Manette, Suzanne, Serpolette and Chorus
b. Solo … "They say" … Serpolette, with Recorder, Assessor, Notary
Public and Chorus.
- Solo … "Perhaps I am a Royal foundling" … Serpolette
- Solo … "Light Breezes Blowing" … Grenicheux
- Duet "Though when he saved me" Germaine and Grenicheux
- Solo … "Corneville's ancient sires" … Germain
with Chorus
- Solo … "I've ploughed the seas" … Henri
- Ensemble … "Oh, what a great disgrace" … Germaine, Serpolette,
Grenicheux, Gaspard, Bailie and Chorus
- Solo … "I'm in a pretty pickle" … Grenicheux
- Finale … "The time has come" … All
Entracte
ACT II
- Scene
a. Chorus … "Now aloft we carry our flares" … Germaine, Henri
and Sailors
b. Trio … "Let's close our eyes" … Serpolette, Grenicheux and
Bailie
c. Solo … "Courage! Let's be brave" … Serpolette,
with Grenicheux and Bailie
- Solo … "I tried my best to be heroic" … Germaine
- Solo … "My head, my wig" … Bailie
- Solo … "Ancestors of Mine" … Henri, with Germaine, Serpolette,
Grenicheux and Bailie
- Solo … "Do we hear right?" … Serpolette, with Germaine,
Grenicheux, Henri and Bailie
- Duet … "At last kind Fate" … Germaine and Henri
- Chorus … "Hail Our Volunteer" … Germaine, Serpolette, Grenicheux,
Henri, Bailie and Sailors
- Finale … "There in That Cupboard" … All
Entracte and Dance
ACT III
- Solo … "Here's A Merry Ditty" … Gaspard
- Chorus and Solo … "Have You Seen?" … Serpolette
and Chorus
- Solo … "Apples Are Full Of Juice" … Serpolette,
with Chorus
- Solo … "The Raging Sea" … Grenicheux
- Duet … "The Girl You Saved" … Germaine
and Henri
- Finale … "Though You Have Played" … All
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