La Périchole

• La Périchole, street singer (soprano )
• Piquillo, street singer (tenor )
• Don Andrès de Ribeira, viceroy of Peru ( baritone)
• Count Miguel de Panatellas, chief chamberlain (Tenor)
• Don Pedro de Hinoyosa, mayor of Lima ( baritone)
• Guadalena, first cousin (soprano )
• Verginella, second cousin (mezzo- soprano)
• Mastrilla, third cousin (soprano )
• Marquis de Tarapote (voice)
• Manuelita, Frasquinella, Brambilla, Ninetta, ladies ( sopranos and mezzo- sopranos )
• Two notaries (tenor / baritone)
• Marquis de Satarem, old prisoner (voice)
• People, courtiers, servants, guards (chorus )

La Périchole ( the German title " The Street Singer ", even in the German-speaking rarely used ) is a comic opera ( opéra bouffe - ) in three acts (four scenes ) by Jacques Offenbach. The libretto was written by Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on the historical liaison between Manuel de Amat y Juniet, 1761-1776 Viceroy of Peru and his mistress, the actress La Perricholi, whose real name is Micaela Villegas ( 1748-1819 ). Premiere was on October 6, 1868 at the Théâtre des Variétés in Paris. Here Offenbach's favorite singer Hortense Schneider excelled once again in the title role.

Orchestra

Two flutes, one oboe, two clarinets, one bassoon, two horns, two trumpets, a trombone, percussion and strings

Action

Act I

Image: the main square of Lima

Before the "Give to the three cousins ​​" celebrating the birthday of a crowd Andrès de Ribeira, the viceroy of Peru. Because this is a burning interest in the way the common people so think about him, he has gone incognito among the people.

The Street Singer pair Périchole and Piquillo enters the space and tries to elicit his art to the people a bit of cash. But before the two come to collect them steal some acrobats the show. While Piquillo intends at a different location to try his luck again, Périchole fall eyes from fatigue. The Viceroy discovered the sleeping woman and is charmed by her beauty. Immediately, he cherishes the decision to advertise their favor. When she wakes up, he offers her a job as a maid of honor in his palace at. Périchole suspects the opportunity to finally once again eat their fill, and accepts the offer. Your loved one she writes a farewell letter which she leaves to her sleeping place.

Mayor Pedro de Hinoyosa and Count Miguel de Panatellas, the chief chamberlain, are also present at the festival. The viceroy instructed his chamberlain to look for a husband for his new housekeeper, because the etiquette forbids adjust unmarried ladies as staff at the court. The mayor, he tells you to look for a notary who is willing to perform the marriage ceremony within two hours.

After Piquillo Péricholes has read farewell letter, he puts his money into alcohol. In a drunken state, he is discovered by the Lord Chamberlain. This is believed to have found in him the right person for Péricholes marriage. Because Piquillo everything is just matter, he needs to not be persuaded long. A problem may only be Périchole to convince them of the necessity of a marriage of the Lord Chamberlain 's view. But at this point is wrong Miguel de Panatellas; for the girl, of course, recognizes her lover and is immediately ready to marry him. Piquillo but is so drunk that he does not realize who his wedded wife.

Second Act

Image: Palace of the Viceroy

The next day, gossiping four ladies with Marquis de Tarapote, the chancellor, on the recent conquest of their Lord. Piquillo comes in and wants to know how he came to the palace. A blackout prevents him to remember. Now he, what happened yesterday learns he is to be the husband of a complete stranger to him who holds the viceroy as a playmate. The ladies drive a bad game with him, they put him to ridicule. Then, when even Périchole will be officially presented at court, he feels betrayed. He freaks out and throws Périchole before the eyes of the Viceroy to the ground. But once he is seized and transported under lock and key.

Act Three

Image: In the dungeon

The floor opens. Rises out an old man. For twelve years he has drilled with a simple pen knife from one cell to the other. He adapts to it, to pierce another wall in the next twelve years. When he hears noises, he will disappear as he came.

Périchole has achieved is that it is allowed to visit her husband in prison. Only believes Piquillo, Périchole wanted to mock him, but soon he has to realize that she, sincerely loves him, only him. It has even happened to rescue him with the help of the closer. This however turns out to be the disguised Viceroy. Consequence is that Périchole now must also languish in prison. No sooner has the viceroy to leave the cell, increasing again the old prisoners from below. With a seductive vocals Périchole Don Andrès calls back into the dungeon. The three prisoners take him by surprise and can escape.

Image: the main square of Lima

The three escaped prisoners have recourse in the " Tavern on the three cousins ​​" found. Although they feel safe here, but the Viceroy Reaver them are already on their heels. When the three cousins ​​sing a waltz song, Don Andrès de Ribeira emerges itself. Périchole and Piquillo - knowing nothing about it - enter in their street singer divide the space, followed by the old prisoners. You agree to a song about her fate in the dungeon. Here, the Viceroy is transfigured as a philanthropist. When then also turns out that the old prisoner who has long missed Marquis de Satarem is, Don Andrès remains nothing else to exercise than generosity. He even declared that Périchole may keep all jewelry, with which he wanted yesterday " buy ". Now Périchole and Piquillo have safe hands and can together lead a happy marriage.

Media

• Total recording with Régine Crespin, Alain Vanzo, Jules Bastin, Gerard Friedmann, Jacques Trigeau, Aime Besancon, Paul Guigue, Rebecca Roberts, Eva Saurova, Germaine Baudoz, Ine Master, the Choir of the Opéra du Rhin and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Strasbourg under the direction by Alain Lombard, ERATO 1977.
• Total recording with Teresa Berganza, José Carreras, Gabriel Bacquier, choir and orchestra du Capitole de Toulouse under the direction of Michel Plasson EMI 1991.