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Music Text

Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy; original German version by Richard Genée; new German version by Stefan Troßbach; new English version by W.S. Gilbert, revised by Richard Duployen (F,G,E)

Scoring

8S,S(M),2M,7T,buffoT,2T(Bar),2Bar,BBar; 2 speakers; chorus;
2(II=picc).1.2.1-2.2.1.0-timp.perc-strings;
Viennese orchestration: 2(II=picc).2.2.2-4.2.3.0-timp.perc-strings

Abbreviations (PDF)

Publisher

Boosey & Hawkes / Bote & Bock

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

Availability

World Premiere
10/12/1869
Théâtre des Variétés, Paris
Company: unknown

World premiere of version
11/07/2004
Kleines Haus, Gelsenkirchen
Immo Karaman, director
Conductor: Cosima Sophia Osthoff
Company: Ensemble Musiktheater im Revier

Roles

FALSACAPPA, robber-chief Tenor
FIORELLA, his daughter Soprano
FRAGOLETTO, a young tenant Soprano or light Mezzo Soprano
PIETRO, Falsacappa's confidant Tenor
robber lieutenants: CARMAGNOLA Tenor or high Baritone
DOMINO Tenor or high Baritone
BARBAVANO Baritone or Bass Baritone
peasant girls, later robber brides: FIAMETTA Soprano
ZERLINA Soprano
BIANCA Mezzo Soprano
CICINELLA Mezzo Soprano
DUKE OF MANTUA (The Prince) Tenor
ANTONIO, his treasurer Buffo Tenor (Falsettist)
THE CAPTAIN of the troups of Mantua Baritone
PRINCESS OF GRANADA Soprano
ADOLPHE OF VALLADOLID, her page Tenor
COUNT OF GLORIA-CASSIS, her chamberlain Tenor
BARON OF CAMPO-TASSO Tenor
Steward Baritone
DUCHESS Soprano
MARQUISE Soprano
PIPO, landlord Tenor
PIPA, his wife Soprano
PIPETTA, their daughter Soprano
A herald speaking role
An official speaking role
Robbers, soldiers, peasant women, kitchen staff, royal household of Mantua, Spanish retinue
Time and Place

Wild mountainous area; a rural inn; a palace. In earlier times

Synopsis

Everybody steals according to their position in society.
Antonio





The chief of a band of robbers, Falsacappa, is under pressure to succeed. His last coup was a long time ago and his gang is beginning to get bored. Suddenly an interesting opportunity comes their way: a messenger from Granada who bears information about the forthcoming wedding of the Princess of Granada and the Duke of Mantua. As a result of the marriage the duke is supposed to pay back an old debt worth millions. The messenger has been ordered to bring a portrait of the princess to the duke, but Falsacappa secretly swaps this with one of his daughter Fiorella, and releases the messenger. The delegation from Granada is taken by surprise at the border. Dressed in the costumes of the Spaniards, and with Fiorella as the princess, the robbers enter Mantua. Although the fraud succeeds, Falsacappa's plan fails. There is no treasure. Mantua's treasurer Antonio, who is the cleverer robber, has long since misappropriated the millions owed by the duke. With the arrival of the real Spaniards who have managed to free themselves, the scam is revealed. The robbers are consoled by the duke's offer that they enter the civil service and exchange their robber's clothes for police uniforms.

Moods

Comic, Poetic

Subjects

Links

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