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Véronique (operetta)
Encyclopedia
Véronique is an opéra comique
or operetta in three acts composed by André Messager
. The French
libretto was by Georges Duval and Albert Vanloo
. Véronique is Messager’s most enduring operatic work and was widely performed in France, London and elsewhere in the fifty years after its premiere.
, Paris, on 10 December 1898. Messager's most successful operetta, it was revived frequently in France during the first part of the 20th century. Revivals played at the Théâtre des Folies-Dramatiques
on 30 January 1909, the Théâtre de la Gaîté-Lyrique on 1 March 1920, for which Messager composed a new waltz (with Edmée Favart
, Périer and Tarriol-Baugé), and at the Théâtre Mogador
on 17 April 1943 (with Suzanne Baugé, Maurice Vidal and Hélene Lavoisier), in a grand production that, according to Richard Traubner
, "overpowered its fragility".
After a one-off charity performance at the Opéra-Comique
on 7 February 1925 with Favart, Baugé and Tarriol-Baugé, conducted by Albert Wolff, the work received its first production at the Opéra-Comique in 1978-79 (with Danielle Chlostawa and François le Roux
) and 1980-81 (with Marie-Christine Pontou and Gino Quilico
). More recently it was mounted at the Théâtre du Châtelet
in January 2008, directed by Fanny Ardant
.
The opera was given in Vienna and Cologne (as Brigitte) in 1900, then Riga in 1901, Berlin in 1902; Lisbon in 1901, Geneva in 1902, London in 1903, and Milan in 1904 (in Italian) and Bucharest in 1907. In 1903 Lady Gladys de Grey brought a French cast to give Véronique at the Coronet, Notting Hill Gate
.
Louis Beydts
's 1931 opérette Moineau has many reminiscences of Véronique, including a swing song which almost quotes Messager.
in London beginning on May 18, 1904, where it enjoyed a run of 496 performances, and in New York opening in October 1905. The London production was produced by George Edwardes
and had an English adaptation by Henry Hamilton
and lyrics by Lilian Eldée, with alterations and additions by Percy Greenbank
. It starred Rosina Brandram
, in her last role (later replaced by Lottie Venne
), as Ermerance, Sybil Grey
as Aunt Benoît, Lawrence Rea (later replaced by Hayden Coffin) as Florestan, George Graves
(later replaced by John Le Hay
) as Coquenard, Kitty Gordon
as Mdme. Coquenard, and Ruth Vincent
in the title role. Costumes were by Percy Anderson
. It also toured in Britain and America and was revived, including a production at the Adelphi Theatre
. The New York production featured Vincent, Rea, Gordon and Le Hay.
With the success of the London run of Véronique, chef Auguste Escoffier
created a new dish for London's Carlton Hotel: Sole Véronique.
The action takes place in and around Paris
during the reign of Louis Philippe
, in 1840.
’
The lifestyle of Vicomte Florestan, a dashing but feckless young aristocrat, has left him in severe debt. His uncle, fed up with paying off Florestan's debts, has made him promise to get married or go to prison as a bankrupt. Florestan has chosen the arranged marriage; he will be presented to Hélène de Solanges, the wealthy heiress chosen as his fiancée, that evening at a court ball. Florestan has been having an affair with Agathe Coquenard, the wife of the owner of the florist shop where the action takes place. Old Monsieur Coquenard, who flirts with the flower shop girls, is hoping that, despite his incompetence with a sword, his nomination to be a captain in the Garde Nationale will arrive soon.
Just arrived in Paris, Hélène (who has never met Florestan) and her aunt, the Countess Ermerance de Champ d’Azur, now visit the shop to buy their corsages
for a ball the countess is giving to celebrate her niece's engagement. Hélène is not pleased to be entering an arranged marriage. Their servant Séraphin is also eagerly anticipating his marriage and wants to slip away to his wedding feast. Florestan arrives at the shop (guarded by Loustot to ensure he does not run off) and flirts with the shop girls. Hélène and Ermerance overhear a conversation where Florestan breaks off his liaison with Agathe, in the process learning that he is Hélène's intended husband. When Florestan complains that he must leave Agathe for a simple girl from the provinces, Hélène vows to take revenge on him, although she finds him handsome.
To celebrate the last day of his bachelorhood, Florestan invites the entire staff of Coquenard’s shop for a party in Romainville
. Hélène and Ermerance disguise themselves as working girls using the names Véronique and Estelle. Coquenard finally receives his national guard nomination, and in his excitement he hires Véronique and Estelle as shop assistants. "Véronique" succeeds in gaining Florestan's attention, to the annoyance of Madame Coquenard, whose husband also shows interest in the new flower girl. Florestan invites Véronique and Estelle to join the party.
Séraphin and his bride Denise are celebrating their wedding in a rustic setting. Monsieur Coquenard meanwhile flirts with Hélène's aunt, and Loustot is much taken by Agathe. The vicomte passionately expresses his love for Véronique, who gently mocks him, feigning shyness. Following a donkey ride and courting on a swing, Florestan decides that he is in love with Véronique and that he won't attend the ball that night; he sends away the carriages. Séraphin now recognizes ‘Véronique and Estelle’, but they order him to keep quiet.
Now, to complete the trick, Hélène and Ermerance borrow their servant's cart to return to Paris, leaving a letter for Florestan from Véronique apologizing for her departure and suggesting that they might meet again soon. He swears that he will go to prison rather than risk marriage with his unknown fiancée. Loustot arrests him.
Ermerance reflects on her wooing by Coquenard, while Hélène anticipates seeing Florestan again and being introduced to him as herself. Captain Coquenard and his wife have mysteriously been invited to the court ball. They meet Estelle and Véronique, and realize who they are. Agathe tells Hélène that, in love with Véronique, Florestan decided on jail rather than marry a stranger. Hélène swiftly pays off his debts to effect his release.
When he arrives at the ball, Agathe mocks Florestan and reveals to him that Véronique is Hélène, but his embarrassment makes him reject Hélène. There is soon a reconciliation however, and in general rejoicing the marriage is sealed.
Act I
Act II
Act III
Extracts were recorded in 1907 by Jean Périer and Anne Tariol-Baugé, the original Florestan and Agathe. There are also celebrated recordings of extracts by Yvonne Printemps
, with Jacques Jansen
and orchestra directed by Marcel Cariven, reissued on Gramo LP, DB 5114.
Complete recordings:
Messager: Véronique - Studio Orchestra
Messager: Véronique - Lamoureux Concert Association Orchestra
Messager: Véronique - Lamoureux Concert Association Orchestra
, Pierre Bertin
and Noël Roquevert
among the cast.
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...
or operetta in three acts composed by André Messager
André Messager
André Charles Prosper Messager , was a French composer, organist, pianist, conductor and administrator. His stage compositions included ballets and 30 opéra comiques and operettas, among which Véronique, had lasting success, with Les p'tites Michu and Monsieur Beaucaire also enjoying international...
. 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 Georges Duval and Albert Vanloo
Albert Vanloo
Albert Vanloo was a Belgian librettist and playwright.Vanloo lived in Paris as a child and was attracted to the theatre. As a young student he began writing plays and opéra comique libretti, notably with Eugène Leterrier who remained his main collaborator until the latter's death in 1884...
. Véronique is Messager’s most enduring operatic work and was widely performed in France, London and elsewhere in the fifty years after its premiere.
Performance history
Véronique was first performed at Théâtre des Bouffes ParisiensThéâtre 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...
, Paris, on 10 December 1898. Messager's most successful operetta, it was revived frequently in France during the first part of the 20th century. Revivals played at the Théâtre des Folies-Dramatiques
Théâtre des Folies-Dramatiques
The Théâtre des Folies-Dramatiques was a theatre in Paris in the 19th and 20th centuries. Opened first in 1832 in the site of the old Théâtre de l'Ambigu-Comique on the Boulevard du Temple, under Frédérick Lemaître it became a noted venue for the genre of mélodrame.In 1862, the theatre moved to the...
on 30 January 1909, the Théâtre de la Gaîté-Lyrique on 1 March 1920, for which Messager composed a new waltz (with Edmée Favart
Edmée Favart
Edmée Favart was a French soprano who had a varied and major career in opera and opéra comique and left many recordings of songs from roles she performed on stage.-Life and career:...
, Périer and Tarriol-Baugé), and at the Théâtre Mogador
Théâtre Mogador
Théâtre Mogador founded in 1913 and designed by Bertie Crewe, is a Parisian music hall theatre located at 25, rue de Mogador in the 9th district. It seats 1,800 people on three tiers.In 1913 financier Sir Alfred Butt rented an area in Paris...
on 17 April 1943 (with Suzanne Baugé, Maurice Vidal and Hélene Lavoisier), in a grand production that, according to Richard Traubner
Richard Traubner
Richard Traubner is an American journalist, author, operetta scholar and historian, and lecturer on theatre and film. His book on the history of operetta was first published in 1983 and won the 17th annual ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award. Traubner is a frequent contributor to Opera News, The New York...
, "overpowered its fragility".
After a one-off charity performance at the Opéra-Comique
Opéra-Comique
The Opéra-Comique is a Parisian opera company, which was founded around 1714 by some of the popular theatres of the Parisian fairs. In 1762 the company was merged with, and for a time took the name of its chief rival the Comédie-Italienne at the Hôtel de Bourgogne, and was also called the...
on 7 February 1925 with Favart, Baugé and Tarriol-Baugé, conducted by Albert Wolff, the work received its first production at the Opéra-Comique in 1978-79 (with Danielle Chlostawa and François le Roux
François le Roux
François le Roux is a French baritone. Le Roux began vocal studies at 19 with François Loup, winning prizes in Barcelona and Rio de Janeiro. He was a member of the Lyon Opera Company from 1980 to 1985, before appearing in many international houses, making his Paris Opéra debut in 1988 as Valentin...
) and 1980-81 (with Marie-Christine Pontou and Gino Quilico
Gino Quilico
Gino Quilico, OC is a Canadian lyric baritone of Italian descent and the son of Canadian baritone Louis Quilico and Lina Pizzolongo.-Early life:...
). More recently it was mounted at the Théâtre du Châtelet
Théâtre du Châtelet
The Théâtre du Châtelet is a theatre and opera house, located in the place du Châtelet in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, France.One of two theatres built on the site of a châtelet, a small castle or fortress, it was designed by Gabriel Davioud at the request of Baron Haussmann between 1860 and...
in January 2008, directed by Fanny Ardant
Fanny Ardant
Fanny Marguerite Judith Ardant is a French actress. She has appeared in more than fifty motion pictures since 1976. Ardant won the César Award for Best Actress in 1997 for her performance in Pédale douce.-Early life:...
.
The opera was given in Vienna and Cologne (as Brigitte) in 1900, then Riga in 1901, Berlin in 1902; Lisbon in 1901, Geneva in 1902, London in 1903, and Milan in 1904 (in Italian) and Bucharest in 1907. In 1903 Lady Gladys de Grey brought a French cast to give Véronique at the Coronet, Notting Hill Gate
Notting Hill Coronet
The Notting Hill Coronet is a cinema, originally built as a theatre, in Notting Hill Gate in London, England.The Coronet was designed as a theatre by leading architect W. G. R. Sprague at a cost of £25,000 and opened in 1898. It was described in The Era as a "theatre of which the whole country may...
.
Louis Beydts
Louis Beydts
Louis Beydts was a French composer, music critic and theatre director, born 29 June 1895 in Bordeaux and died on 15 August 1953 at Caudéran in Gironde.-Life and career:...
's 1931 opérette Moineau has many reminiscences of Véronique, including a swing song which almost quotes Messager.
Adaptations in England and America
Véronique was produced in French at the Coronet Theatre in 1903. It then was given in English at the Apollo TheatreApollo Theatre
The Apollo Theatre is a Grade II listed West End theatre, on Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster. Designed by architect Lewin Sharp for owner Henry Lowenfield, and the fourth legitimate theatre to be constructed on the street, its doors opened on 21 February 1901 with the American...
in London beginning on May 18, 1904, where it enjoyed a run of 496 performances, and in New York opening in October 1905. The London production was produced by George Edwardes
George Edwardes
George Joseph Edwardes was an English theatre manager of Irish ancestry who brought a new era in musical theatre to the British stage and beyond....
and had an English adaptation by Henry Hamilton
Henry Hamilton (playwright)
Henry Hamilton was an English playwright, lyricist, and critic. He is best remembered for his musical theatre pieces....
and lyrics by Lilian Eldée, with alterations and additions by Percy Greenbank
Percy Greenbank
Percy Greenbank was an English lyricist, best known for his contribution of lyrics to a number of successful Edwardian musical comedies in the early years of the 20th century. His older brother, lyricist Harry Greenbank, had a brilliant career in the 1890s that was cut short by his death at the...
. It starred Rosina Brandram
Rosina Brandram
Rosina Brandram was an English opera singer and actress primarily known for creating many of the contralto roles in the Savoy operas with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company....
, in her last role (later replaced by Lottie Venne
Lottie Venne
Lottie Venne was a British comedienne, actress and singer of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, who enjoyed a theatre career spanning five decades. Venne began her stage career in musical burlesque before moving into farce and comedy. She appeared in several works by each of F. C. Burnand and W. S...
), as Ermerance, Sybil Grey
Sybil Grey
Sybil Grey was a British opera singer during the Victorian era best known for creating a series of minor roles in productions by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, including roles in several of the famous Gilbert and Sullivan operas, between 1880 to 1888...
as Aunt Benoît, Lawrence Rea (later replaced by Hayden Coffin) as Florestan, George Graves
George Graves (actor)
George Windsor Graves was an English comic actor. Although he could neither sing nor dance, he became a leading comedian in musical comedies, adapting the French and Viennese opéra-bouffe style of light comic relief into a broader comedy popular with English audiences of the period...
(later replaced by John Le Hay
John Le Hay
John Le Hay was the stage name of John Healy was an Irish-born singer and actor best remembered for his portrayal of the comic baritone roles in the Savoy Operas.-Early career:...
) as Coquenard, Kitty Gordon
Kitty Gordon
Kitty Gordon was an actress both on stage and in silent film.Her first professional stage appearance was at the Princes Theatre in Bristol in 1901 in the touring production of San Toy....
as Mdme. Coquenard, and Ruth Vincent
Ruth Vincent
Ruth Vincent was an English opera singer and actress, best remembered for her performances in soprano roles of the Savoy Operas with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in the 1890s and her roles in the West End during the first decade of the 20th century, particularly her role as Sophia in Tom...
in the title role. Costumes were by Percy Anderson
Percy Anderson
Percy Anderson was an English stage designer and painter, best known for his work for the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree's company at His Majesty’s Theatre and Edwardian musical comedies.-Life and career:...
. It also toured in Britain and America and was revived, including a production at the Adelphi Theatre
Adelphi Theatre
The Adelphi Theatre is a 1500-seat West End theatre, located on the Strand in the City of Westminster. The present building is the fourth on the site. The theatre has specialised in comedy and musical theatre, and today it is a receiving house for a variety of productions, including many musicals...
. The New York production featured Vincent, Rea, Gordon and Le Hay.
With the success of the London run of Véronique, chef Auguste Escoffier
Auguste Escoffier
Georges Auguste Escoffier was a French chef, restaurateur and culinary writer who popularized and updated traditional French cooking methods. He is a legendary figure among chefs and gourmands, and was one of the most important leaders in the development of modern French cuisine...
created a new dish for London's Carlton Hotel: Sole Véronique.
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, 10 December 1898 (Conductor: André Messager) |
|---|---|---|
| Evariste Coquenard, Captain in the National Guard and a florist | 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... |
Paul Regnard |
| Agathe Coquenard, his wife | 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... |
Anne Tariol-Baugé |
| Florestan, Vicomte de Valaincourt | baritone | Jean Périer Jean Périer Jean Périer was a French operatic baritone and actor. Although he sang principally within the operetta repertoire, Périer did portray a number of opera roles; mostly within operas by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Giacomo Puccini... |
| Hélène de Solanges, a maid of honor at the Bourbon Court/Véronique | soprano | 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... |
| Ermerance, Countess de Champ d'Azur/Estelle, her aunt | mezzo-soprano Mezzo-soprano A mezzo-soprano is a type of classical female singing voice whose range lies between the soprano and the contralto singing voices, usually extending from the A below middle C to the A two octaves above... |
Léonie Laporte |
| Aunt Benoît | mezzo-soprano | Bonval |
| Denise, her niece, fiancée of Séraphin | soprano | Madeleine Mathyeu |
| Monsieur Loustot, baron de Merlettes | 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... |
Maurice Lamy |
| Séraphin, Hélène and Ermerance's groom | tenor | Brunais |
| Octave, Florestan's friend | ||
| Felicien, Florestan's friend | ||
| Céleste | soprano | Maud d’Orby |
| Sophie | soprano | Landoza |
| Héloise | soprano | Lérys |
| Irma | soprano | Raymonde |
| Elisa | soprano | Raimond |
| Zoe | soprano | Fritigny |
| An orderly of the national reserve, waiters, florists, and others. | ||
Synopsis
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
during the reign of Louis Philippe
Louis-Philippe of France
Louis Philippe I was King of the French from 1830 to 1848 in what was known as the July Monarchy. His father was a duke who supported the French Revolution but was nevertheless guillotined. Louis Philippe fled France as a young man and spent 21 years in exile, including considerable time in the...
, in 1840.
Act 1
A florist's shop under the sign of the ‘Temple de FloreFlora (mythology)
In Roman mythology, Flora was a goddess of flowers and the season of spring. While she was otherwise a relatively minor figure in Roman mythology, being one among several fertility goddesses, her association with the spring gave her particular importance at the coming of springtime...
’
The lifestyle of Vicomte Florestan, a dashing but feckless young aristocrat, has left him in severe debt. His uncle, fed up with paying off Florestan's debts, has made him promise to get married or go to prison as a bankrupt. Florestan has chosen the arranged marriage; he will be presented to Hélène de Solanges, the wealthy heiress chosen as his fiancée, that evening at a court ball. Florestan has been having an affair with Agathe Coquenard, the wife of the owner of the florist shop where the action takes place. Old Monsieur Coquenard, who flirts with the flower shop girls, is hoping that, despite his incompetence with a sword, his nomination to be a captain in the Garde Nationale will arrive soon.
Just arrived in Paris, Hélène (who has never met Florestan) and her aunt, the Countess Ermerance de Champ d’Azur, now visit the shop to buy their corsages
Corsage (bodice)
Corsage refers to the bodice of a dress. In the 19th century, corsage was a common term for a woman's bodice or jacket.In modern usage, corsage is often confused with a corset, but a corset is tighter...
for a ball the countess is giving to celebrate her niece's engagement. Hélène is not pleased to be entering an arranged marriage. Their servant Séraphin is also eagerly anticipating his marriage and wants to slip away to his wedding feast. Florestan arrives at the shop (guarded by Loustot to ensure he does not run off) and flirts with the shop girls. Hélène and Ermerance overhear a conversation where Florestan breaks off his liaison with Agathe, in the process learning that he is Hélène's intended husband. When Florestan complains that he must leave Agathe for a simple girl from the provinces, Hélène vows to take revenge on him, although she finds him handsome.
To celebrate the last day of his bachelorhood, Florestan invites the entire staff of Coquenard’s shop for a party in Romainville
Romainville
Romainville is a commune in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.-History:On 24 July 1867, a part of the territory of Romainville was detached and merged with a part of the territory of Pantin and a part of the territory of Bagnolet to create the commune of...
. Hélène and Ermerance disguise themselves as working girls using the names Véronique and Estelle. Coquenard finally receives his national guard nomination, and in his excitement he hires Véronique and Estelle as shop assistants. "Véronique" succeeds in gaining Florestan's attention, to the annoyance of Madame Coquenard, whose husband also shows interest in the new flower girl. Florestan invites Véronique and Estelle to join the party.
Act 2
The Tourne Bride restaurant in Romainville later that daySéraphin and his bride Denise are celebrating their wedding in a rustic setting. Monsieur Coquenard meanwhile flirts with Hélène's aunt, and Loustot is much taken by Agathe. The vicomte passionately expresses his love for Véronique, who gently mocks him, feigning shyness. Following a donkey ride and courting on a swing, Florestan decides that he is in love with Véronique and that he won't attend the ball that night; he sends away the carriages. Séraphin now recognizes ‘Véronique and Estelle’, but they order him to keep quiet.
Now, to complete the trick, Hélène and Ermerance borrow their servant's cart to return to Paris, leaving a letter for Florestan from Véronique apologizing for her departure and suggesting that they might meet again soon. He swears that he will go to prison rather than risk marriage with his unknown fiancée. Loustot arrests him.
Act 3
A salon in the Tuileries.Ermerance reflects on her wooing by Coquenard, while Hélène anticipates seeing Florestan again and being introduced to him as herself. Captain Coquenard and his wife have mysteriously been invited to the court ball. They meet Estelle and Véronique, and realize who they are. Agathe tells Hélène that, in love with Véronique, Florestan decided on jail rather than marry a stranger. Hélène swiftly pays off his debts to effect his release.
When he arrives at the ball, Agathe mocks Florestan and reveals to him that Véronique is Hélène, but his embarrassment makes him reject Hélène. There is soon a reconciliation however, and in general rejoicing the marriage is sealed.
Musical numbers
- Ouverture
- Choeur "Quelle fraîcheur délicieuse" et couplets d'Agathe
- Trio : (Hélène, Ermerance, Séraphin) "Ah! la charmante promenade"
- "Bonjour, Monsieur Séraphin" (Séraphin, choeurs)
- Air (Florestan) "Vrai Dieu! mes bons amis"
- Couplets (Loustot) "Quand j'étais Baron de Merlettes"
- Quatuor "Alors tout est fini" (Hélène, Ermerance, Florestan, Agathe)
- "Petite dinde! Ah quel outrage" (Hélène)
- "Mes voitures sont à la porte"
- "Allure martiale, Energique maintien" (Florestan)
- "Pardon, je suis indiscrète… Depuis c’matin, cherchant d’l’ouvrage" (Véronique, choeurs)
- Ensemble, "C'est Estelle et Véronique" (Hélène) et Final I
Act II
- Choeur - Ronde du Tourne Bride (Agathe)
- Duetto de l'âne (Florestan et Véronique)
- Duo de l'escarpolette (Florestan et Véronique)
- Ronde "Lisette avait peur du loup" (Agathe)
- Couplets ‘Une grisette mignonne’ (Florestan)
- Choeur
- La lettre "Adieu je pars" (Florestan), et Final II "Puisque l'ingrate Véronique"
Act III
- Choeur "Chut, chut, faisons silence", et Romance "D’un magasin la simple demoiselle" (Ermerance)
- Couplets "Voyons ma tante" (Hélène)
- Choeur et duo (Agathe, Coquenard) "Aux Tuileries"
- Quartuor "Oh! Ciel" (Hélène, Agathe, Ermerance, Coquenard)
- Couplets "Ma foi, pour venir de province" (Agathe)
- Duetto "Eh bien! par ordre, procédons" (Hélène et Florestan)
- Final III
Recordings
Yvonne Printemps
Yvonne Printemps was a French singer and actress.-Biography:Born Yvonne Wigniolle, she made her debut at the age of 12 in a revue at La Cigale in Paris. She was dancing at the Folies Bergère at age 13...
, with Jacques Jansen
Jacques Jansen
Jacques Jansen was a French baryton-martin singer, particularly associated with the role of Pelléas but also active in operetta and on the concert platform, and later as a teacher.-Life and career:Jansen had a wide musical and artistic education; after studying the violin in Paris, he took lessons...
and orchestra directed by Marcel Cariven, reissued on Gramo LP, DB 5114.
Complete recordings:
Messager: Véronique - Studio Orchestra
- Conductor: Pierre DervauxPierre DervauxPierre Dervaux was a French operatic conductor, composer, and pedagogue. At the Conservatoire de Paris, he studied counterpoint and harmony with Marcel Samuel-Rousseau and Jean and Noël Gallon, as well as piano with Isidor Philipp, Armand Ferté, and Yves Nat...
- Principal singers: Géori BouéGéori BouéGeorgette "Géori" Boué is a French soprano, particularly associated with the French repertory, especially Thais. She was born in Toulouse.- Life and career :...
(Véronique/Hélène), Roger BourdinRoger BourdinRoger Bourdin was a French baritone, particularly associated with the French repertory. His career was largely based in France.- Life and career :...
(Florestan), Geneviève Moizan (Agathe), Max de Rieux (Loustot), Marcel Carpentier (Coquenard), Mary Marquet (Estelle/Ermerance), Robert Destain (Séraphin) - Recording date: 1955
- Label: Accord 4658642 (CD)
Messager: Véronique - Lamoureux Concert Association Orchestra
- Conductor: Jules Gressier
- Principal singers: Nadine Renaux (Agathe), Freda Betti (Estelle/Ermerance), Aimé Doniat (Séraphin), Michel RouxMichel RouxMichel Roux is a French-born chef and restaurateur working in Britain.Born in Charolles, Saône-et-Loire, Roux moved to Paris with his family after the war, where they set up a charcuterie...
(Coquenard), Martha AngeliciMartha AngeliciMartha Angelici , was a French operatic soprano of Corsican origin, particularly associated with the French lyric repertoire....
(Véronique/Hélène), Camille MauraneCamille MauraneCamille Maurane, born Camille Moreau , was a French baritone singer. His father was a music teacher and he started singing as a child in the Maîtrise Saint-Evode in Rouen...
(Florestan), Claude Devos (Loustot) - Recording date: circa 1962
- Label: Pathé (LP)
Messager: Véronique - Lamoureux Concert Association Orchestra
- Conductor: Jean-Claude Hartemann
- Principal singers: Andréa Guiot (Agathe), Denise Benoit (Estelle/Ermerance), Jacques Pruvost (Séraphin), Jean-Christophe Benoit (Coquenard), Mady MespléMady MespléMady Mesplé is a French opera singer, the leading high coloratura soprano of her generation in France, sometimes heralded as the successor to Mado Robin.-Biography:...
(Véronique/Hélène), Michel DensMichel DensMichel Dens was a French baritone, particularly associated with the French repertory, both opera and operetta....
(Florestan), Anne Tallard (Denise) - Recording date: January 1969
- Label: EMI (CD)
Film version
A film of the operetta (in French) was made by Robert Vernay in 1949, with Giselle Pascal, Jean DesaillyJean Desailly
Jean Desailly was a French actor. He was a member of the Comédie-Française from 1942 – 1946, and later participated in about ninety movies.Desailly was married to the French actress Simone Valère....
, Pierre Bertin
Pierre Bertin (actor)
Pierre Bertin was a French actor. In 1948 he starred in the film The Lame Devil under Sacha Guitry.-External links:...
and Noël Roquevert
Noël Roquevert
Noël Roquevert was a French film actor. He appeared in over 180 films between 1932 and 1972.He was born in Doué-la-Fontaine, France and died in Douarnenez, France.-Selected filmography:* Le Corbeau...
among the cast.