Pomme d’api (OEK critical edition)

Libretto by Ludovic Halévy and William Busnach (F)

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Paris, the house of Rabastens; a salon with fireplace and a kitchen on the ground floor, Gustave’s room above on the first floor

Pomme d’api (little red apple) is the nickname of Gustave’s mistress. Young Gustave, however, is very worried because his uncle, the pensioner Rabastens, has made his bill of exchange invalid. Rabastens, an old philanderer but a staunch bachelor at the same time, has decided that Gustave should look for someone else rather than continuing his relationship with Pomme d’api. Rabastens himself is enchanted with his new housemaid Catherine, who, as Gustave soon discovers, is no other than his beloved Pomme d’api. Rabastens offers to make Catherine his mistress, but a dinner finally brings about the denouement. Rabastens realises that he has no chance against the young people’s love.

Comic