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Music Text

Libretto by Adolphe Jaime and Etienne Tréfeu; new German version; new English version by Richard Duployen (F,G,E)

Scoring

S,3T,Bar;
2(II=picc).1.2.1-2.2.1.0-timp.perc-strings

Abbreviations (PDF)

Publisher

Boosey & Hawkes / Bote & Bock

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

Availability

World Premiere
12/02/1857
Paris
Company: unknown

World premiere of version
02/08/2002
Bruniquel
Frank T'Hézan, director
Conductor: Jean-Christophe Keck
Company: Cie de la Tour Brunehaut

Roles

CROQUEFER (MUNCHIRON), an immodest and faithless knight Tenor
BOUTEFEU (FIRESTONE), his squire, stubborn servant Tenor
MOUSSE-À-MOZRT (BEAT-TO-DEATH), knight, incomplete Baritone
FLEUR-DE-SOUFRE (SULPHURBLOSSOM), his daughter Soprano
RAMASSE-TA-TÊTE (SKULLSMASHER), nobleman, Munchiron's nephew Tenor
Armed men, female cooks
Time and Place

Platform of a half-ruined tower. In former times

Synopsis

Munchiron, a knight of very sorrowful countenance, swallows his last remaining sabre. He will probably not need it any longer: his enemy Beat-to-Death, whose daughter Sulphurblossom he has taken away, is likely to fight only to a very limited degree, for in the battle against the unbelievers he has already lost a number of crucial body parts, among them his tongue. When Beat-to-Death nevertheless throws down the gauntlet, Munchiron's nephew Skullsmasher appears to save him. Munchiron offers Beat-to-Death two alternatives: either Sulphurblossom will be killed or she will marry him. The forced reconciliation is achieved, though it is sabotaged by subversive elements on both sides. The wine has been poisoned – accidentally with castor oil. The deployment of the troops heralds a collective bout of diarrhoea, in the course of which Munchiron's sabre and Beat-to-Death's tongue are rediscoverd. It all ends happily with the composer and his librettist sending their greetings from the lunatic asylum.

Moods

Comic

Subjects
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