Don Bolero d'Alcarazas, a Spanish grandee.
Marasquin, banker.
Mourzook, a Moorish chief.
Giroflé, }
Girofla, } Don Bolero's twin daughters.
Aurore, their mother.
Pedro, the page.
Paquita.
Pirate Chief.
Godfather.
Godmother.
Fernand.
Guzman.
[Cousins, bridesmaids, pages, pirates, Moors, etc.]
The scene is laid in Spain; time, the last century.
The opening scene of "Giroflé-Girofla" which, with "La Fille de Madame
Angot," made the reputation of Lecocq as an opera-bouffe composer,
introduces Don Bolero d'Alcarazas, a Spanish grandee, and Aurore, his
wife, also their twin daughters, Giroflé and Girofla, who, being of
marriageble age, have been hastily betrothed, Giroflé to Marasquin, a
banker to whom Don Bolero is heavily indebted, and Girofla to Mourzook, a
Moorish chief who has made regular demands upon Don Bolero for money on
penalty of death. By the double marriage he expects to get rid of his
obligations on the one hand and avoid the payment of the enforced tribute
on the other. Giroflé is married as arranged, but Girofla, who was to
have been married the same day, is abducted by pirates before the
ceremony can be performed. When Mourzook arrives and finds he has no
bride, he is in a terrible rage, but is quieted down when, after a little
manoeuvring by Aurore, Giroflé is passed off on him as Girofla and is
thus to be married a second time.
In the second act the wedding festivities are going on and both
bridegrooms are clamoring for their brides. No word is heard from Admiral
Matamoras, who has been sent to capture the pirates. Don Bolero and
Aurore resort to all kinds of expedients to settle matters and pacify the
irate banker and the furious Moor, and besides have much trouble in
restraining Giroflé from flying to her Marasquin. At last she is locked
up. She manages to get out, however, and goes off with some of her
cousins for a revel. Her absence is explained by a report that the
pirates have carried her off also, which adds to the parents' perplexity
as well as to the fury of Marasquin and Mourzook. At last Giroflé appears
in a tipsy condition and is claimed by both. The act closes with the
report that Matamoras has been defeated, and that the pirates have
carried Girofla to Constantinople.
The third act opens on the following morning. The two would-be husbands
have been locked into their apartments. Marasquin has passed a quiet
night, but Mourzook has smashed the furniture and escaped through the
window from his chamber. The parents assure Marasquin that even if
Mourzook returns he will have to leave that afternoon, and suggest that
there can be no harm in letting him have Giroflé for his wife until that
time. Marasquin reluctantly consents, and when Mourzook returns and
Giroflé is presented to him as Girofla, a ridiculous love scene occurs,
which Marasquin contrives to interrupt by various devices. Finally the
return of Girofla is announced, and Matamoras with his sailors appears,
leading her by the hand. Explanations are made all round, the parents are
forgiven, and Mourzook is satisfied.
The music is lively throughout and oftentimes brilliant, and of a higher
standard than usually characterizes opera bouffe. The most taking numbers
are the ballad with pizzicato accompaniment, sung by Paquita, "Lorsque la
journée est finis" ("When the Day is finished"); the concerted ensemble,
"À la chapelle" ("To the Church"); the grotesque pirates' chorus, "Parmi
les choses délicates" ("Among the Delicate Things to do"), and the
sparkling duet for Giroflé and Marasquin, "C'est fini, le mariage" ("The
Marriage has been solemnized"), in the first act: the bacchanalian
chorus, "Écoutez cette musique" ("Listen to this Music"), leading up to a
dance; a vivacious and well-written quintette, "Matamoras, grand
capitaine" ("Matamoras, our Great Captain"); a fascinating drinking-song,
"Le Punch scintille" ("This Flaming Bowl"), and the andante duet "O
Giroflé, O Girofla," a smooth, tender melody, which is in striking
contrast with the drinking-music preceding it and that which immediately
follows the chorus of the half-tipsy wedding-guests, "C'ést le canon"
("It is the Cannon"): and the rondo, "Beau père une telle demand" ("Oh,
my Father, now you ask"), sung by Marasquin, and the duet for Mourzook
and Giroflé "Ma belle Giroflé" ("My Lovely Giroflé"), in the third act.
La Fille de Madame Angot.
[Opera bouffe, in three acts; text by Clairville, Sirandin, and Konig.
First produced at the Fantasies Parisiennes, Brussels, November, 1872;
in Paris at the Folies Dramatiques, February 23, 1873.]