Ciboulette

Operetta in 3 acts and 4 scenes. Libretto by Robert de Flers and Francis de Croisset; music by Reynaldo Hahn.

Presented at Théâtre Marigny, Paris - 2 October, 1926

Story:

The scene is set in Paris in 1867.

Act I - Scene 1. A room in the -Smoking Dogs tavern in the general market at Les Halles.

Antonin enters with Zénobie, who soon leaves him to join Roger, a handsome captain. Duparquet (formerly Rodolphe in La Vie de Boheme) is in a mood for confidences. Zénobie returns : she wants to get rid of Antonin, who accepts on the condition the Captain pay all Zénobie's bills...

Scene 2 : The heart of Les Halles market at dawn.

Market-gardeners are unloading their vegetables. Enter Ciboulette. Old Mother Pingret tells her that she will marry a man found in a cabbage, after causing him to leave a woman capable of going white instantly, and after receiving a formal proposal in a tambourine! Ciboulette comforts Antonin for losing Zénobie. He lies down in Ciboulette's cart, falls asleep, and the vegetables are loaded back on top of him!

Act lI - Inside a farmhouse at Aubervilliers.

Eight fiancés are waiting for Ciboulette on the square outside the church. She arrives with Duparquet : we have had a good trip... Antonin suddenly appears from under the cabbages on the cart, amazed to be in the country. The fiancés take his presence rather badly. The arrival of Zénobie and her friends is announced : Ciboulette takes Antonin to the cellar, and has an argument with Zénobie, who instantly turns white: the second condition has been fulfilled! Antonin returns, and reproaches Ciboulette for her attitude; this saddens her all the more as he is leaving... Duparquet confesses that he was once a famous lover, Rodolphe. He offers to introduce Ciboulette to Olivier Metra, the great composer of waltzes. Thinking that if she becomes a great artist, Antonin will be at her feet. Ciboulette agrees and becomes Conchita Ciboulero.

Act III - An evening at Olivier Metra's studio.

Duparquet has brought along Antonin who has broken with Zénobie. Antonin talks of killing himself, once he has written a letter to Ciboulette_ The latter arrives disguised in her new costume. Antonin courts her without recognizing her. When she sings, he falls into her arms at the very moment his letter is brought to her in a tambourine!

Discography:

Cast recording starring Mady Mesplé, José van Dam and Nicolai Gedda with the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra - EMI Classics - 7243 5 66159 2 2