Si j'étais roi

• The King (baritone )
• Princess Nemea, his daughter (Soprano)
• Prince Kadoor ( bass)
• Zephoris, a fisherman (tenor )
• Zelide, sister of Zephoris (soprano )
• Pifear, another fisherman (tenor )
• Zizell, the beach Vogt ( bass)
• The personal physician of the King ( baritone)
• A maid (soprano )
• Courtiers, servants, soldiers, fishermen (chorus )

If I were King ( original French title " Si j'étais roi ") is a comic opera ( opéra comique ) in three acts, which belongs to the French romance. The composition is by Adolphe Adam; wrote the libretto Adolphe d' Ennery and Jules -Henri Brésil. The work was premiered on September 4, 1852 at the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris. In Germany, the opera was first performed on January 21, 1904 in Breslau. Occasionally one has it played under the title " King for a Day " in the German language area.

Action

The opera is set in the early 16th century in a fantastic kingdom that has access to the sea.

Act I

Even many years have passed since saved the lives of the poor fisherman Zephoris a girl. Without his courageous intervention would have had to drown the creature. It is still not succeeded, find out their name and residence. He would like to return it namely the precious ring that had slipped her at the rescue operation from the finger.

Right now the king is coming past his hut. In his wake Zephoris discovered a face that reminds him of the beauty of that time, and he was not mistaken: It is she! In addition, she is also the daughter of the king. In his naivety itself Zephoris applies the companion of the Princess, Prince Kadoor, and tell him of his long past experience. This tells him to keep quiet if he had valued his life. He then orders his servant, Zephoris to steal the ring. He cherishes the thought to get with the help of the ring the princess to wife, because he himself can pretend to be their savior is. He secretly plans to overthrow the king and after his marriage to tear themselves the domination. This intention has seen through Zephoris, and from then on he guards the ring like his eyeball.

When the high and mighty are gone, he writes, "If I were King ... 'in the sand, goes to sleep and dreams of what he would do.

Shortly afterwards, the king trail again past Zephoris ' hut. When he noticed the sleeping fisherman and the scribbled by him in the sand words, he has an idea: He orders to bring him to his castle. When he wakes up the next day, he will one day show what he can as a "king".

Second Act

Zephoris thinks he was dreaming when he is treated like a king after his awakening from the court. But in the dream we may indeed do everything. Because the king at the same time the supreme commander of the army and his kingdom is being besieged by the Portuguese, he devises a plan to expel the enemies. And lo and behold - the plan succeeds! He also reveals that his adversary, Prince Kadoor, has secretly conspiring with the enemies. Even the state of fishing he has not forgotten: By decree, he ordered that they get more rights. Princess Nemea he reveals that she owed her life not Kadoor but him. As proof, he shows her the ring. At this moment, it falls to the Princess the scales from your eyes. Now you know that she has been deceived all the time from Kadoor. For him, she feels now only contempt; her heart is beating for Zephoris. This will take advantage of the opportunity and conduct equal marriage to his sweetheart in the way, but these thoughts hit from the king's point of view the biscuit from. That's enough to him! It can Zephoris administer a sleeping pill and bring him back to his hovel.

Act Three

After waking up Zephoris affects a very terrible heartache. Not even his beloved sister Zelide able to calm him down. Suddenly he discovered Prince Kadoor, which plays with a few armed helpers to his hut. Zephoris is aware, resulting in his opponent shields. He must now fearing for his life. Fortunately, seamless and Princess Nemea. She manages to avoid the worst.

Meanwhile, the king has learned by yourself which villains he has hosted under its roof. He can arrest Kadoor and shows him his kingdom. The poor fisherman, to whom he has so much to be grateful, he rises to the nobility and gives him his daughter to wife.

Music

The work is one of those serene, typical French operas that are obvious to even the untrained listener very easily. It makes him no higher claims, but that does not mean that the work was undemanding. It just wants a good time, and he succeeds also. Among the musical highlights " not characteristic her stand, her name " include the overture, Zephoris ' romance in the first act aria Nemeas "You are the happy prince " in the second act and the finale " Give thanks to the Almighty God " in the third act

• Opera by Title
• Opera in French
• Opera by Adolphe Adam
• Opera of the 19th century
• Opéra comique
• Music 1852