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Music Text

Libretto by Hermann Salomon von Mosenthal, after a story by Mélesville (Anne Honoré Joseph Duveyrier) (G)

Scoring

S,M,T,Bar,B; chorus;
2.picc.2.2.2-4.3.3.1-timp.perc-strings;
On-stage: 0.picc.0.0.2.2-2.2.0.0-SD

Abbreviations (PDF)

Publisher

Boosey & Hawkes / Bote & Bock

Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.

Availability

World Premiere
22/12/1875
Berlin
Company: Unknown

Roles

GONTRAN DE L'ANCRE, a young nobleman Lyric tenor
NICOLAS PARISET, host on the mill Character baritone
CHRISTINE, his sister Lyric soprano
THERESE, his cousin and bride Mezzo soprano
BOMBARDON, sergeant Buffo bass
Soldiers, Peasants, Peasants' wives
Time and Place

1812 and 1815, a village near Melun

Synopsis



To prevent her brother Nicolas being called up by Napoleon’s troops, Christine promises to marry the man who goes in his place. Gontran de l’Ancre, a knight, takes over the duty, without, however, revealing his identity to Christine. As a token of her fidelity and a sign of recognition, she sends the unknown man a golden cross. Gontran, having been badly wounded in battle, gives the cross to the sergeant Bombardon who takes it to Christine. At first Christine believes him to be the rescuer of her brother, but is then informed by Bombardon of Gontran’s fate. The confusion of her feelings reaches its climax when, a short time later, Gontran returns as an invalid. Above all, Christine feels bound to her vows, but duty and liking are eventually united.

Moods

Romantic

Subjects
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