Der Corregidor

Libretto by Rosa Mayreder after a novel by Pedro Antonio de Alarcon (G)

dramS,2M,charA,2T,buffoT,charBar,BBar,2B,buffoB; chorus;
3(III=picc).2.corA.2.bcl.2-4.3.3.1-timp.perc-harp-strings

Andalucia in the year 1804

The corregidor Don Eugenio de Zuniga has designs on Frasquita, the charming wife of the miller Lukas. Frasquita and Lukas make fun of the old lecher who swears vengeance furiously. He goes to the mayor, informing his wife that he will spend the night in the town hall. The mayor does him the favour of ordering Lukas there, too, and while he is on the way to the town hall, Don Eugenio approaches Frasquita undisturbed. But once more his plan fails. When Frasquita, who does not let herself be bribed by her nephew's appointment as court secretary, hurries away indignantly, he makes himself comfortable in the miller’s bed. Still sure of his success, he orders his servant to get Frasquita back. In the meantime, Lukas has seen through the conspiracy and has escaped from the town hall. At home he finds the corregidor's clothes in front of the bedroom, believes what he sees and sets out to recoup himself with the corregidora for the alleged infidelity of Frasquita. Don Eugenio, who, lacking his own clothes, takes on the miller's ones, is surprised by the returning Frasquita and the judge who are looking for Lukas in the mill. Frasquita senses Lukas’s designs, and all hurry to the corregidor's house. There the corregidora gives her judge a good talking-to, and the miller and his wife become reconciled and embrace each other.

Romantic