THE GRAND DUCHESS OF GEROLSTEIN

Music by Jacques Offenbach: Book and lyrics by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy.

Théâtre des Variétés, Paris - 12 April, 1867
Théâtre Français, New York - 24 September, 1867

Theatre Royal, Drury Lane 18 November, 1867 (Book and lyrics adapted by Charles Lamb Kennedy

One of a series of great Offenbach operettas, this is the hilarious tale of a sultry grande Dame who rules the tiny Duchy of Gerolstein. Having a keen eye for attractive young men, she promotes a certain Private Fritz to the rank of General in no time at all. But Fritz has a fiancée, and ideas of his own - and in the end the Grand Duchess has to settle for the absurdly foppish, but politically expedient, Prince Paul. Colourful and amusing characters, lots of comedy, and irresistible music.

Principals: 6 female, 11 male (some only singing with chorus)

Instrumentation:

flute, oboe, 2 clarinets, bassoon, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, percussion, harp, strings.

Instrumentation: Professional Version:

2 flutes, oboe, 2 clarinets, bassoon, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, 3 percussion, strings

 

Adaptation for amateur performance by John Grimsey, Phil Park and Ronald Hanmer.

Professional Version: English by Geoffrey Dunn

Vocal Score and Libretto on hire only