La jolie parfumeuse
Encyclopedia
La jolie parfumeuse is an opéra comique
in three acts of 1873 with music by Jacques Offenbach
. The French
libretto was by Hector Crémieux and Ernest Blum.
, Paris on 29 November 1873, where it ran for 200 performances, marking Offenbach’s first major success after the fall of the Empire
. The piece, which owes something to the 1850 opéra comique Les Porcherons by Sauvage and Grisat, enjoys a “farcical libretto of sexual quiproquos”.
The piece, written in seven weeks, derived much of its success from the performance of Théo in the title role; she returned, along with Daubray, for a revival in 1875 at the Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens
. The work was successfully revived again in 1892 at the Théâtre de la Renaissance (with Juliette Simon-Girard
as Rose and Simon-Max
as Poirot) and in 1898 at the Théâtre de la Gaîté
with Mariette Sully
.
It was seen at the Alhambra in London from 18 May 1874 with Kate Santley
, bowdlerized, as the libretto was « inadmissible in an English theatre ».
Outside France, La jolie parfumeuse was also produced (often in translation) in Brussels, Antwerp and Vienna in 1874, Berlin, New York, Birmingham and Milan in 1875, Mexico in 1876 and Stockholm in 1891, but did not remain in the repertory during the 20th century, despite broadcasts on French radio and a run at the Royal Academy of Music in 1973. The Neighbor's Chorus "Soyez donc bon homme" at the opening of act 3 remains a favorite of choral societies
, however.
Bavolet, a young clerk who works for the public prosecutor, and god-son of the rich financier La Cocardière, is to marry Rose, who works at the perfume-shop (and bears a striking resemblance to a new member of the ballet recently arrived from Toulouse).
The wedding celebrations are in full swing at the Cabaret des Porcherons.
Clorinde (a mistress of La Cocardière) is there with her dancer friends. When La Cocardière arrives at the celebration she teases him as it is clear he is taken with the perfume girl, Rose. He wriggles out of the situation and all toast the young couple.
Also present is Poirot (in reality a Swiss worker at the Hotel Saint-Florentin – although from Nogent
). He and La Cocardière scheme to get hold of the bride’s garter. Bavolet tells Rose that he is keeping the place of their wedding night a secret until later.
La Cocardière announces a band of blind musicians, and Verrouillaski, the ‘famous Polish painter’ (Poirot in disguise). They persuade Rose to stand on a table to have her portrait painted, during which La Cocardière gets hold of the garter. After another dance all prepare to depart. Bavolet explains to La Cocardière that as he does not want Rose to live in the little room above her shop, he has rented a room adjacent and made a door to join them both. He also asks La Cocardière if he will conduct his wife to the new home, and en route recount to her what her mother would have said to her on her wedding night if she had been alive. After a final dance, La Cocardière leads away Rose to whom Bavolet, surrounded by Poirot and his friends, waves kisses.
Germain, La Cocardière’s manservant, sings of the pleasant life he leads, and with Justine, Lise and other domestic servants sets the table for a meal.
La Cocardière and Rose enter, he assuring her that (despite the lavish furnishings) this is her new home – all paid for by Bavolet. Among the decorations she notices pictures of ballet dancers – including the new arrival from Toulouse.
To fulfil his commission La Cocardière attempts to kiss and embrace Rose, eventually blowing out the candles, but she evades him. He calls the maids to prepare Rose for bed, although she is ticklish. La Cocardière re-enters pretending to be Bavolet, but his big hands, ears and teeth make her feel like little red riding-hood.
Germain suddenly comes in to announce the arrival of Clorinde and her friends. La Cocardière hides Rose. Clorinde sings him a birthday song, but he is not pleased by the surprise visit nor the suggestion of a birthday supper. As La Cocardière tries to get rid of Rose and deal with the dancers, Bavolet and Poirot burst in. Having been to Bavolet’s rooms the young husband wants to know where his wife is, thinking she might have been taken ill en route or had an accident. Realising there is another woman in one of the adjoining rooms, he demands to know who it is. Bavolet rushes to open the door and Rose, beautifully dressed, emerges announcing herself as “Dorothée Bruscambille, native of Toulouse, and future pensionnaire of the Grand Opéra of Paris”. Despite all Bavolet’s questions she insists (in a Toulouse accent) that she is not Rose.
The others leave Bavolet and Rose alone and she tempts him with champagne, after they too disappear into a side room. As the act ends, other come back in, Rose and Bavolet can be seen in the room on the right, while in the left-hand room are Clorinde and La Cocardière. Poirot is on his knees in front of Arthémise.
The curtain rises on an empty shop, but people are rattling the shutters demanding entrance. La Julienne, women customers, grisettes, barbers, clerks crowd into the shop.
Poirot says that he will be an honourable man and marry ‘Bruscambille’ and sings his letter to the parents of the girl; Bavolet, somewhat hung-over, and thinking that he had been with the dancer, and that Rose had only come in at seven that morning, is mystified. As Poirot prepares to go and deliver his letter, Rose enters. Bavolet rushes to her but she silences him with her look.
After some plotting by Clorinde and Rose, La Cocardière enters the shop and while Rose tries to serve customers he tries to declare his love. Bavolet now confronts Rose but she refuses to answer him and he storms out. Rose now confronts La Cocardière, but when Clorinde comes in he hides in a cupboard. Rose asks what she can get for Clorinde who replies that she wants her partner and proceeds to search all the rooms of the shop for La Cocardière. La Julienne arrives hurriedly and says that a man – Bavolet – is going to throw himself in the Seine, but as Rose decides to go and find him Bavolet himself passes by and demands from the doorway where Rose spent the night. She replies in her false Toulouse accent and all becomes clear. La Cocardière is found hiding in the cupboard; Clorinde shows a ring and claims to be his wife. With a reprise of the first act finale all ends happily.
Opéra comique
Opéra comique is a genre of French opera that contains spoken dialogue and arias. It emerged out of the popular opéra comiques en vaudevilles of the Fair Theatres of St Germain and St Laurent , which combined existing popular tunes with spoken sections...
in three acts of 1873 with music by Jacques Offenbach
Jacques Offenbach
Jacques Offenbach was a Prussian-born French composer, cellist and impresario. He is remembered for his nearly 100 operettas of the 1850s–1870s and his uncompleted opera The Tales of Hoffmann. He was a powerful influence on later composers of the operetta genre, particularly Johann Strauss, Jr....
. The French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
libretto was by Hector Crémieux and Ernest Blum.
Performance history
The opera was premiered at the Théâtre de la RenaissanceThéâtre de la Renaissance
The name Théâtre de la Renaissance has been used successively for three distinct Parisian theatre companies. The first two companies, which were short-lived enterprises in the 19th century, used the Salle Ventadour, now an office building on the Rue Méhul in the 2nd arrondissement.The current...
, Paris on 29 November 1873, where it ran for 200 performances, marking Offenbach’s first major success after the fall of the Empire
Second French Empire
The Second French Empire or French Empire was the Imperial Bonapartist regime of Napoleon III from 1852 to 1870, between the Second Republic and the Third Republic, in France.-Rule of Napoleon III:...
. The piece, which owes something to the 1850 opéra comique Les Porcherons by Sauvage and Grisat, enjoys a “farcical libretto of sexual quiproquos”.
The piece, written in seven weeks, derived much of its success from the performance of Théo in the title role; she returned, along with Daubray, for a revival in 1875 at the Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens
Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens
The Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens is a Parisian theatre which was founded in 1855 by the composer Jacques Offenbach for the performance of opéra bouffe and operetta. The current theatre is located in the 2nd arrondissement at 4 rue Monsigny with an entrance at the back at 65 Passage Choiseul. In...
. The work was successfully revived again in 1892 at the Théâtre de la Renaissance (with Juliette Simon-Girard
Juliette Simon-Girard
Juliette-Joséphine Simon-Girard was a French soprano, principally in operetta. Her father was Philippe Lockroy, an actor at the Comédie Française, and her mother was Caroline Girard, of the Opéra-Comique.-Career:...
as Rose and Simon-Max
Simon-Max
Nicolas-Marie Simon Simon-Max, born Reims in 1852, died 1923, was a French tenor, mainly active in Paris in the field of opera-bouffe.After musical studies in Reims he made his debut in 1875 at the Théâtre de la Renaissance as Janio in La reine Indigo then on 9 September that year at the Théâtre...
as Poirot) and in 1898 at the Théâtre de la Gaîté
Théâtre de la Gaîté (rue Papin)
In 1862 during Haussmann's modernization of Paris the Théâtre de la Gaîté of the boulevard du Temple was relocated to the rue Papin across from the Square des Arts et Métiers....
with Mariette Sully
Mariette Sully
Mariette Sully was a Belgian soprano, born December 1874, died Paris, possibly in 1940, who was principally active in operetta.-Career:After leaving school she began working in the theatre, making her debut at the Casino in Nice in Lecocq’s La petite mariée...
.
It was seen at the Alhambra in London from 18 May 1874 with Kate Santley
Kate Santley
Kate Santley was an American-born English actress, singer, comedienne, and theatre manager. Her brother was the English baritone, Sir Charles Santley, famous in Wagner's Flying Dutchman among other roles.-Musical theatre career:...
, bowdlerized, as the libretto was « inadmissible in an English theatre ».
Outside France, La jolie parfumeuse was also produced (often in translation) in Brussels, Antwerp and Vienna in 1874, Berlin, New York, Birmingham and Milan in 1875, Mexico in 1876 and Stockholm in 1891, but did not remain in the repertory during the 20th century, despite broadcasts on French radio and a run at the Royal Academy of Music in 1973. The Neighbor's Chorus "Soyez donc bon homme" at the opening of act 3 remains a favorite of choral societies
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
, however.
Roles
| Role | Voice type Voice type A voice type is a particular kind of human singing voice perceived as having certain identifying qualities or characteristics. Voice classification is the process by which human voices are evaluated and are thereby designated into voice types... |
Premiere cast, 29 November 1873 (Conductor Conducting Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble... :) |
|---|---|---|
| Rose Michon | soprano Soprano A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody... |
Louise Théo Louise Théo Louise Théo , born in Paris, 1854, died there 24 January 1922, was a French singer who gained popularity in operetta in France from the 1870s to the end of the 19th century. She created several leading roles in works by Offenbach, and also toured to the USA.-Life and career:She began singing as a... |
| Bavolet | soprano | Laurence Grivot Laurence Grivot Laurence Grivot, born Marie Laurent, Versailles in 1843, died Thomery on 5 June 1890, was a French operetta singer and actress. She was the wife of Pierre Grivot.-Life and career:... |
| Clorinde | soprano | Fonti |
| La Julienne | mezzo-soprano | Pauline Lyon |
| Arthémise | soprano | Castello |
| Madelon | soprano | Jane Eyre |
| Justine | soprano | Guiotti |
| Lise | soprano | Godin |
| Mirette | soprano | E Alboudy |
| Poirot | tenor Tenor The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2... |
Bonnet |
| La Cocardière | baritone Baritone Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or... |
Daubray Daubray (actor) Michel René Thibaut, known by his stage-name Daubray, born Nantes 7 May 1837, died Paris 10 September 1892 was a leading French actor and singer in operetta, active mainly in Paris but who also appeared around Europe.-Life and career:... |
| Germain | baritone | Troy |
| Premier Garçon | Cosmes | |
| Deuxième Garçon | P Albert | |
| Four blind musicians “Trombone, Violon, Grosse Caisse, Clarinette” | Gaillard, Allard, Hardon, Derain | |
| Four maidservants | Anna, E Nœll, Jouvenceau, Mangin | |
| Two bridesmaids | R Capet, Debrat | |
| Waiters, people at the cabaret; customers, neighbours, grisettes, barbers, clerks. | ||
Act 1
The first act is set in a garden cabaret of Les Porcherons, with a band stand and a sign which reads ‘Noces et Festins, Salon de 100 Couverts’. In the background, shrubs and the entrance.Bavolet, a young clerk who works for the public prosecutor, and god-son of the rich financier La Cocardière, is to marry Rose, who works at the perfume-shop (and bears a striking resemblance to a new member of the ballet recently arrived from Toulouse).
The wedding celebrations are in full swing at the Cabaret des Porcherons.
Clorinde (a mistress of La Cocardière) is there with her dancer friends. When La Cocardière arrives at the celebration she teases him as it is clear he is taken with the perfume girl, Rose. He wriggles out of the situation and all toast the young couple.
Also present is Poirot (in reality a Swiss worker at the Hotel Saint-Florentin – although from Nogent
Nogent
Nogent is the name or part of the name of several communes in France:* Nogent, in the Haute-Marne département* Nogent-l'Abbesse, in the Marne département* Nogent-l'Artaud, in the Aisne département* Nogent-sur-Aube, in the Aube département...
). He and La Cocardière scheme to get hold of the bride’s garter. Bavolet tells Rose that he is keeping the place of their wedding night a secret until later.
La Cocardière announces a band of blind musicians, and Verrouillaski, the ‘famous Polish painter’ (Poirot in disguise). They persuade Rose to stand on a table to have her portrait painted, during which La Cocardière gets hold of the garter. After another dance all prepare to depart. Bavolet explains to La Cocardière that as he does not want Rose to live in the little room above her shop, he has rented a room adjacent and made a door to join them both. He also asks La Cocardière if he will conduct his wife to the new home, and en route recount to her what her mother would have said to her on her wedding night if she had been alive. After a final dance, La Cocardière leads away Rose to whom Bavolet, surrounded by Poirot and his friends, waves kisses.
Act 2
A salon in La Cocardière’s house with several doors leading off, and see-through mirrors making visible the interior of the two adjoining rooms.Germain, La Cocardière’s manservant, sings of the pleasant life he leads, and with Justine, Lise and other domestic servants sets the table for a meal.
La Cocardière and Rose enter, he assuring her that (despite the lavish furnishings) this is her new home – all paid for by Bavolet. Among the decorations she notices pictures of ballet dancers – including the new arrival from Toulouse.
To fulfil his commission La Cocardière attempts to kiss and embrace Rose, eventually blowing out the candles, but she evades him. He calls the maids to prepare Rose for bed, although she is ticklish. La Cocardière re-enters pretending to be Bavolet, but his big hands, ears and teeth make her feel like little red riding-hood.
Germain suddenly comes in to announce the arrival of Clorinde and her friends. La Cocardière hides Rose. Clorinde sings him a birthday song, but he is not pleased by the surprise visit nor the suggestion of a birthday supper. As La Cocardière tries to get rid of Rose and deal with the dancers, Bavolet and Poirot burst in. Having been to Bavolet’s rooms the young husband wants to know where his wife is, thinking she might have been taken ill en route or had an accident. Realising there is another woman in one of the adjoining rooms, he demands to know who it is. Bavolet rushes to open the door and Rose, beautifully dressed, emerges announcing herself as “Dorothée Bruscambille, native of Toulouse, and future pensionnaire of the Grand Opéra of Paris”. Despite all Bavolet’s questions she insists (in a Toulouse accent) that she is not Rose.
The others leave Bavolet and Rose alone and she tempts him with champagne, after they too disappear into a side room. As the act ends, other come back in, Rose and Bavolet can be seen in the room on the right, while in the left-hand room are Clorinde and La Cocardière. Poirot is on his knees in front of Arthémise.
Act 3
The interior of the perfume shop with a counter and on the right a staircase leading to the first floor.The curtain rises on an empty shop, but people are rattling the shutters demanding entrance. La Julienne, women customers, grisettes, barbers, clerks crowd into the shop.
Poirot says that he will be an honourable man and marry ‘Bruscambille’ and sings his letter to the parents of the girl; Bavolet, somewhat hung-over, and thinking that he had been with the dancer, and that Rose had only come in at seven that morning, is mystified. As Poirot prepares to go and deliver his letter, Rose enters. Bavolet rushes to her but she silences him with her look.
After some plotting by Clorinde and Rose, La Cocardière enters the shop and while Rose tries to serve customers he tries to declare his love. Bavolet now confronts Rose but she refuses to answer him and he storms out. Rose now confronts La Cocardière, but when Clorinde comes in he hides in a cupboard. Rose asks what she can get for Clorinde who replies that she wants her partner and proceeds to search all the rooms of the shop for La Cocardière. La Julienne arrives hurriedly and says that a man – Bavolet – is going to throw himself in the Seine, but as Rose decides to go and find him Bavolet himself passes by and demands from the doorway where Rose spent the night. She replies in her false Toulouse accent and all becomes clear. La Cocardière is found hiding in the cupboard; Clorinde shows a ring and claims to be his wife. With a reprise of the first act finale all ends happily.
External links
- Chouens vocal score at IMSLP