 THE THREE GRACES
Music by Franz Lehár:
English Book and lyrics by Ben Travers
Originally "La Danza delle libellule"
Empire Theatre, London 1924 (3 months
The pre-history of this piece is rather curious. In the middle
of the first world war, Lehár wrote one of his most decidedly
unsuccessful operettas, Der Sterngucker (The Star Gazer)
to a libretto by the brilliant and young author, Fritz Löhner
(aka Beda), and it was only the fact that some of its music appealed
to an Italian producer, Carlo Lombardo, that Lehár was persuaded
to reuse much of its music, setting it to a new book partly written
by Lombardo, which became Der Libellentanz. The story line
may have been Lombardo's own invention. It was first performed
in Milan in September, 1922, and was subsequently given an English
translation by the well-loved playwright, Ben Travers: but its
most enduring success has been, and still is, in Italy, under the
title
"La Danza delle libellule"
Story:
M. Piper has bought a castle at Nancy: he invites friends to
skate in the park and then to perform, in the castle's theatre.
a play he has written. His friends Gratin, the hotelier, and
Pommery the champagne-maker have flirtatious wives who, all ex-chorus
girls, are good friends with Hélène, the young
widow Clicquot.
When Charles (Duke of Nancy, but dressed for hunting and calling
himself 'Mr. Nimrod') arrives, he gets on famously with Hélène.
Bouquet. a Parisian actor engaged for the play, arrives and immediately
interests Toutou (the hotelier's wife), who tells her friends
about her appetite for love. Because Charles appears indifferent
to tier charms. Toutou says he must leave her hotel: Bouquet's
flirting is more to her liking. General consternation that Charles
is being thrown out, but he is unruffled and promises to attend
the play in evening dress, as the Duke himself may be coming
.. . ....
In the theatre, 'Mr Nimrod's' scandalous behaviour is discussed
and on arrival he is put under 'house arrest'; he is forced to
declare his identity and, after general apologies, is offered
the role of Adonis in the play. Hélène, who is Venus,
is desperately trying to conceal her attraction to Charles by avoiding
him, but finally they try a scene together. Several more scenes
are rehearsed to comic effect, including Toutou and Bouquet's duet
and later their well-known 'Apache' song. Though mutually attracted,
Charles and Hélène quarrel violently; Piper eventually
asks him to leave, but Charles calmly produces a court order,
restoring all his property to him, and the others have to leave
instead!
In Act 3, Charles has sent a message via Bouquet (now his
secretary) that 'Adonis awaits his goddess for tea!" Hélène
comes, ostensibly to prevent Toutou or Charlotte turning up, but
really because she is now in love with Charles. They meet, but
part yet again; Toutou and Bouquet have a flirtation while trying
unsuccessfully to escape the moonlight and then, after much confusion
and complication, Charlotte and Toutou are reunited with their
husbands, and Charles and Hélène finally find one
another. |
Dared I Say
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