La vie parisienne
- Baroness Christine of Gondremark (soprano )
- Baron of Gondremark whose husband, landowner from Sweden (baritone )
- Raoul de Gardefeu (Tenor)
- Gabrielle, glove -maker ( Koloratursoubrette )
- Jean Frick, a shoemaker ( Tenorbuffo )
- Metella, a loose woman (Alt )
- Pompa di matadors, a wealthy Brazilians ( Tenorbuffo )
- Pauline, maid (soprano )
- Bobinet Chicard (Tenor)
- Mme Quimper Karadec, a widowed landlady (mezzo- soprano)
- Mme Folle - Verdure, whose niece (mezzo- soprano)
- Joseph Partout, waiter (Tenor)
- Urbain, servant ( bass)
- Clara (soprano )
- Leonie (Alt )
- Louise ( Old )
- Prosper, servant (Tenor)
- Gontram Chaumiere (baritone )
- Travelers and railway officials
- Porter and guests
- Servants and waiters
" Parisian Life " is a French comic opera ( operetta ) in five acts of the composer Jacques Offenbach and the librettists Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy. Experienced its world premiere this operetta on October 31, 1866 at the Théâtre du Palais -Royal in Paris. On the very day three months later, on 31 January 1867 the German -language premiere was in Vienna Carl theater on the stage. With " Orpheus in the Underworld" and " The Beautiful Helen " heard " Parisian Life " to Offenbach's most popular operettas.
Genesis
1867, the sixth World Exhibition was held in Paris. For the city itself, it was the second, so that one had learned from the experience that had been gained in 1855 with the first. Thus, the Parisian entertainment theater could adjust very quickly to the event. Jacques Offenbach and his librettist were both from the Théâtre du Palais -Royal commissioned to write an opéra bouffe, which should be the event justice from the substance ago. The team made quickly to work and was finished in the year before the World's Fair. The premiere was therefore already go on 31 October 1866 the stage. The theater director was looking forward to the event with mixed feelings. He feared the piece would provoke a scandal because of its frivolous character. But that he should not be right. The premiere turned into a great success.
Action
The Playboy Raoul de Gardefeu and Bobinet Chicard to be friends, but then have fallen out because of a common love affair. Now they are back in love with the same girl who bred Metella. Each of them is waiting for their arrival. Hardly has entered the train, appeared already on the Beautiful. But Bobinet Gardefeu and are disappointed when they discover that Metella is accompanied by another gentleman and acts as if she would not know the two Cavaliers. This circumstance causes but that they now want to settle their dispute and again make common cause.
Gardefeus gaze falls on the guide of the Paris Grand Hotel. He recognizes him as Joseph Partout, which was once home his servant. They come together this week. It learns Gardefeu that Partout a Swedish baron, and his wife Christine Gondremark expected. Immediately comes Gardefeu the idea to swap its role with Partout. A great tip had its effect.
Baron Gondremarck is raring to experience in Paris something savory. His wife, however, it pulls more to the opera, where currently a famous singer guesting should. It also intends to visit two friends: Madame Quimper Karadec and their niece, Madame Folle - Verdure.
Yet another visitor, but only in the fifth act is to make an appearance again, has wound up in Paris: it's the filthy rich Brazilians Pompa di matadors. He puts his wealth formally showcased by just so throws money around.
The shoemaker Jean Frick and the glove -maker Gabrielle arrive to deliver goods ordered by Gardefeu. Shortly after, Gardefeu comes with the Swedish couple. This he tries to hoodwink, at his estate if it were a branch of the Grand Hotel. Already upon arrival at the station has begun to hit his heart for the beautiful baroness, and now he dreams of that soon follows the opportunity to do with it an affair.
As Gondremark Gardefeu asks for the guest panel and this is aware that he indeed has no high-ranking guests, it comes the bright idea to persuade the shoemaker and the glove -maker to bring a few of their friends and play genteel gentlemen. Meanwhile, plans Bobinet, tomorrow evening at the home of his aunt currently absent, Madame Quimper Karadec to have held a similar event.
Finally the so long awaited by the Swedish Baron Metella is added. ( She had been writing recommended to him by a friend who had once dwelt in Paris. ) Jealous Metella must find that Gardefeu has his eye on the Swede. When their husband now wants to pander to her, she comforts him on the morrow.
Gardefeu invites to supper and announces the guests: a major, behind the mask, the Schuster Frick hides, the disguised glove -maker Gabrielle as a widow of a recently deceased Colonel, as well as several other " highly placed gentlemen ". Soon there is a lively atmosphere. The grieving widow can no longer hold. She climbs on the table and strikes up a merry Tyrolean song which the stunned Sweden so captivates that they believe that it was a typical French chanson.
Bobinet an admiral's uniform worn somewhere distended, in which he is hatched, and maid Pauline mimes his wife, the " admiral ". The preparations for the reception of the Swedish baron running at full speed. As on the previous day many simple artisans and servants have again disguised as noble gentlemen. As Gondremark arrives, he feels again in the circle of loud high -ranking personalities. It also does not take long before the champagne flows freely, and the festival degenerates into a real orgy. The Swede revels in happiness, enjoying the typical " Parisian flair ."
Christine of Gondremark comes back from their visit to the opera. Gardefeu she has eagerly awaited. But as soon as it has entered the salon, the bell rings again. Madame Quimper Karadec and her niece found out that her friend, the Swedish baroness, has found in this house accommodation. Therefore covet the two ladies to be admitted. They report the Baroness, her journey was a hasty end. At the sight of what had happened in her apartment, she had taken almost fainted. Therefore, they would have equal notified the police.
Christine of Gondremark describes during their opera visit, she got a letter from Metella, on whose contents she was shocked; for therein it is stated that she and her husband had been led to both the guide and the hotel offshoot of the nose. But now they intend to do the same Gardefeu. - Quickly swap Christine and Madame Quimper Karadec their clothes.
Gardefeu holds the moment propitious to finally approach the Baroness can. When trying to kiss her, she quickly airs her veil, and Gardefeu falls at the sight of the old woman of fright in the limbs. This immediately disappears in the bedchamber of the Baroness.
Finally, Baron Gondremark returns from his nightly foray into the " annex " back. When he tries to kiss his supposed wife sleeping, she wakes up. Both stare at each other in horror.
The already known from the first act of her Brazilian Pompa di matadors has invited to a huge party, and all the people we have so far been known for coming. Baron Gondremark is suddenly three masked ladies compared to that drive fun of him. As he is only using one of them alone, this takes off her mask and he recognizes her as the old lady he had almost kissed last night.
Gondremark now know about Gardefeus jokes about it. In his rage he is unstoppable. Almost it gets to the point that he intends to duel with Gardefeu. Luckily Bobinet has the gift to calm the fighting cocks.
In the end, all reconcile and enjoy the exuberant Parisian life.
Music
The orchestra consists of two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, two batteries, percussion and strings. Even in the lively overture suggests that Offenbach has poured a whole cornucopia of imaginative and lively melodies here, what the work today ensures success. Be mentioned as musical highlights:
- After Paris, the masses pour
- Olé, here I come from Brazil
- Come in, you girls so petite and blonde
- In this city with her charms
- Roasts and cakes I cut on
- The car is not overused
- A seam is in the back split open
- Come, bring about, all eat with
- I am stunned with joy
- Now in with joyful senses
- Heissassa, the Parisian life, joy, cheerfulness is dominion there!
Complete recordings (selection)
- Delair, Benoit, Valere, Renaud, Bertin, Paredes, Granval, Jean -Louis Barrault, Compagnie Renaud- Barrault, Large Symphony Orchestra conducted by André Girard, 1959
- Trempont, Sénéchal, Mesplé, Crespin, Coeurs et Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse under Michel Plasson EMI 1976
- Brokmeier, Dallapozza, Fox, Holm, Kreile, Bakker, Rothenberger, Shepherd, Finke, Schary, Wewel, Chorus of the Bavarian Radio, Munich Radio Orchestra conducted by Willy Mattes - EMI 7243 5 65360 2 9
- Schramm, della Casa, Hallstein, Mira, Wisniewska, Chryst, Schirrmacher, Waechter, Gruber, Alexander, Katona, shock, Unger, Mercker, Böhme, de Kowa, choir of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Berlin Symphony Orchestra under Franz Allers
Filming
Christian - Jaque filmed operetta in 1977 in a French- German co-production. Under his direction, played and sang Bernard Alane, Jean -Pierre Darras, Martine Sarcey, Evelyne Buyle and Claire Vernet the lead roles. The lexicon of international film says: " Conventional and critical staged costume drama, which does not reach Jacques Offenbach's funny lively satire on the frivolous Paris at that time. Christian - Jaque very disappointed. "