Giroflé-Girofla

• Giroflé and Girofla, twin sisters - double role! - ( Soubrette )
• Marasquin, the fiancé of Giroflé (Tenor)
• Mourzouk, the fiancé of Girofla (baritone )
• Aurora, mother of twins (Alt )
• Don Bolero, whose husband and father of twins ( Tenorbuffo )
• Paquita ( soubrette )
• Pedro ( Tenorbuffo )
• Two cousins ​​of the twins (mezzo- soprano)
• Captain of the pirates ( baritone)
• Admiral Matamoros ( silent role )
• Wedding guests, servants, pirates ( chorus)

Giroflé - Girofla is a comic opera ( opéra bouffe - ) in three acts by Charles Lecocq Alexandre. The libretto was written Albert Vanloo and Eugène Leterrier. The work was premiered on March 21, 1874 at the Théâtre des Fantaisies - Parisiennes in Brussels. In France, the work went for the first time on 11 November 1874 in Paris on the stage. The German premiere took place at Vienna's Carl- Theater on January 2, 1875.

Orchestra

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

Action

The opera takes place in a southern Spanish port city in the late 18th century.

Act I

Don Bolero d' Alcarazas is governor of the province, and thus an important man. He has therefore already get many titles bestowed with which he likes to brag; but he constantly puts in great need of money. He and his wife Aurora have two daughters who are identical twins. For today a double wedding is planned. Preparations are in full swing. Giroflé to marry marasquin and Girofla be the wife of the Moorish princes Mourzouk. Is especially proud of the bride's father on his future son marasquin; because his father is his biggest backers, with whom he is deeply in debt. Don Bolero speculates that it at least a part of its debt is taken as soon as the wedding is complete.

On time at the agreed time arrives the son of the banker. Don Bolero proposes to postpone the ceremony until Mourzouk also have found their way here; Marasquin but is in a great hurry, because call him urgent business. So one goes hastily into the chapel, reciting from the wedding ceremony. Meanwhile, his brother's wife Girofla is kidnapped by pirates. The wedding ceremony is hardly done since also been approaching the Moorish prince with a large entourage. Now he is to be convinced that the marriage could not take place. But as fate would have it, tolerates Mourzouk no delay. Well good advice, because the bride is indeed gone. Because it but this should not be said, jumping unceremoniously Giroflé for her sister one. Externally, the two differ eh not as good as. The deception succeeds: Giroflé occurs on the same day the second time down the aisle.

Don Bolero and his better half have - hardly Giroflas kidnapping had been noticed - Admiral Matamoros sent to follow the pirates and bring back her daughter safely. Now the two are in despair. What to do when the second daughter should not be back until midnight? Giroflé can not possibly share her wedding night with two men?

Second Act

In the great hall of the house is feasting. Strange thing is that neither of the two brides can be seen. Don Bolero and his Aurora took precautions: To ensure that Giroflé can not giveaways at the ceremony, they have summarily locked up in her room. Your sons- they convey the impression that the marriages were the brides added so that now they necessarily would need some rest.

The hiding game is suddenly displaced by a more spectacular event: A messenger delivers Don Bolero a message from Amiral Matamoros, in which he asks his client urgently to make once a ransom of 10,000 piastres loose, otherwise is Giroflas liberation can not be achieved. With a heavy heart is the master of the house to a demand.

Giroflé holds it up to boredom in her room any longer. Why should they sit here alone, while the others celebrate? Simply breaks out. In their flight they met two cousins, who invite them to have a drink. Happy to take the girl to the invitation. But it is not only with a drink. The proposed small drink developing into a bender. Swaying slightly and mumbling something she returns to the parental home and appear at the wedding party. Some of these are only a little shocked, but when Giroflé are a fun drinking song to the best show all reconciled. Giroflés " husbands " have always looked too deeply into their glasses, so they see the girl twice. So you do not even notice that only one of the two brides is present at the celebration.

When the clock toward midnight shows Mourzouk and marasquin have reached their bed severity. They withdraw to their rooms and wait longingly for their young wedded wife. The happiness of the wedding night beckons but only one of them, namely marasquin. The Moorish prince, however, need to practice renunciation. He should come to no stupid thoughts and possibly hiring something, Don Bolero moves in front of his room just the bolt to.

Act Three

The large consumption of alcohol did not cause last night at Mourzouk that he would soon like to slumber. There was an even the opposite. After he had been waiting in vain for his lovely wife, grabbed him by the anger. He suggested in his chamber everything to pieces, the door lock broke up and left the house. As want him to visit his in-laws in the morning, they face a shambles. They begin to realize that they need to finish their game of hide. Now give a marasquin pure wine and ask him humbly to have one last time to play their sister his wife Giroflé. Fortunately marasquin shows understanding and agrees. Giroflé has always taken a liking to the theater and is looking forward to again show her acting talent.

As Mourzouk has again become halfway sober, he returns to the house of his parents and wants to see his wife. Once again confronts him Giroflé. Something makes Mourzouk suspicious. He can practically smell that something must be wrong. He foments a quarrel. However, before this escalates, seam rescue in the form of Admiral Matamoros. The " Hero of the Sea" announced to brag how he had succeeded as wild daredevil who teach the pirates a military defeat. He also boasts a " trophy " as evidence: it is the rescued Girofla. With a mischievous smile, she submits to her beloved Mourzouk around the neck. Finally, this can lead his real bride to the altar.

Music

Of the approximately 50 operettas, composed by Lecocq, though, "La Fille de Madame Angot " his most successful, but " Giroflé - Girofla " is considered his best work. The score is worked through elegant, the instrumentation masterfully, the main roles characterized musically outstanding. As musical highlights were highlighted:

• Song of Don Bolero: In me you see the Father, what was possible, which he did,
• Paquitas pirate ballad,
• Giroflés drinking song: Flaming floods, shining sea.

• Operetta by Title
• Operetta of the 19th century
• Music 1874