La poupée (The Doll) is an opéra comique in a prelude and three acts composed by Edmond Audran with a libretto by Maurice Ordonneau. The libretto was based on E.T.A. Hoffmann's Der Sandmann, about a friar who falsely promises to marry his rich uncle's daughter to fool his uncle into giving money to the monastery; the scheme involves creating a doll that looks like the daughter. The uncle's daughter, however, turns the scheme on its head and fools the friar into marrying her by substituting herself for the doll.[1]
The opera opened at the Théâtre de la Gaîté, Paris, on 21 October 1896.[2] Along with Miss Helyett (1890), La poupée was one of Audran's late successes. It then played at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London, opening on 24 February 1897, with an English libretto in two acts by Arthur Sturgess, running for a very successful 576 performances. It starred Courtice Pounds and Willie Edouin, and Edna May later played in the piece.[2]
On 11 September 1897, a single matinee performance of La Poupée at the Prince of Wales Theatre launched a British provincial tour with a new company.[3] It also had a Broadway production in 1897[2] and was made into a film in 1920.[4]
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2018)
Maxime and his fellow monks are penniless and starving. A new member of the monastery, Lancelot, asks his rich uncle for aid. The uncle will assist the friars, but only if Lancelot gets married. The monks scheme to trick the uncle by using one of puppet master Hilarius's dolls, pretending that it is Lancelot's wife. Hilarius's newest puppet was made to look similar to Alesia, his daughter. At the wedding, however, Alesia masquerades as the doll, because she loves Lancelot. Lancelot does not discover that he has married the real Alesia until the wedding is over. Now he must leave the monastery with his wife, but the friars receive the generous sum of money from his uncle.
^Grove Online 2008-05-16 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 14 October 2007. (Requires subscription)
^ abcTraubner, Richard (2003). Operetta: A Theatrical History (Revised ed.). New York: Routledge. p. 95. ISBN0-415-96641-8.
^Wearing, J. P., The London Stage 1890–1899: A Calendar of Productions, Performers, and Personnel, Rowman & Littlefield (2013), p. 354 ISBN0-8108-9281-2
^Goble, Alan. "Poupee, La", Complete Index to World Film, accessed 11 April 2020
^Wosk, Julie. My Fair Ladies: Female Robots, Androids, and Other Artificial Eves, Rutgers University Press (2015), p. 64, accessed December 23, 2016 ISBN0813563399
Referencesedit
Synopsis and information about La Poupée
External linksedit
List of longest running plays in London and New York
Information about the 1897 New York production from the IBDB database
poupée, 1962, film, film, doll, opéra, comique, prelude, three, acts, composed, edmond, audran, with, libretto, maurice, ordonneau, libretto, based, hoffmann, sandmann, about, friar, falsely, promises, marry, rich, uncle, daughter, fool, uncle, into, giving, m. For the 1962 film see La poupee film La poupee The Doll is an opera comique in a prelude and three acts composed by Edmond Audran with a libretto by Maurice Ordonneau The libretto was based on E T A Hoffmann s Der Sandmann about a friar who falsely promises to marry his rich uncle s daughter to fool his uncle into giving money to the monastery the scheme involves creating a doll that looks like the daughter The uncle s daughter however turns the scheme on its head and fools the friar into marrying her by substituting herself for the doll 1 programme for 1897 London production Contents 1 Productions 2 Roles 3 Synopsis 4 Musical numbers from English language adaptation 5 Adaptations 6 Notes 7 References 8 External linksProductions editThe opera opened at the Theatre de la Gaite Paris on 21 October 1896 2 Along with Miss Helyett 1890 La poupee was one of Audran s late successes It then played at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London opening on 24 February 1897 with an English libretto in two acts by Arthur Sturgess running for a very successful 576 performances It starred Courtice Pounds and Willie Edouin and Edna May later played in the piece 2 On 11 September 1897 a single matinee performance of La Poupee at the Prince of Wales Theatre launched a British provincial tour with a new company 3 It also had a Broadway production in 1897 2 and was made into a film in 1920 4 Roles editRole Voice type Premiere Cast Conductor Father Maxime baritone Lucien NoelLancelot a monk tenor Paul FugereChanterelle tenor Paul BertLoremois Chanterelle s friend tenor BienfaitBalthazar a monk tenor JaltierAgnelet a monk tenor BernardBenoit a monk bass GeoffroyBasilique a monk bass FumatHilarius tenor DacheuxMadame Hilarius soprano Gilles RainbaultAlesia Hilarius s daughter soprano Mariette SullyGuduline BrandonHenriPierre Hilarius s assistantJacquesMarieSynopsis editThis section needs expansion You can help by adding to it December 2018 Maxime and his fellow monks are penniless and starving A new member of the monastery Lancelot asks his rich uncle for aid The uncle will assist the friars but only if Lancelot gets married The monks scheme to trick the uncle by using one of puppet master Hilarius s dolls pretending that it is Lancelot s wife Hilarius s newest puppet was made to look similar to Alesia his daughter At the wedding however Alesia masquerades as the doll because she loves Lancelot Lancelot does not discover that he has married the real Alesia until the wedding is over Now he must leave the monastery with his wife but the friars receive the generous sum of money from his uncle Musical numbers from English language adaptation editOvertureAct I Scene 1 The MonasteryNo 1 Opening Chorus and Song Lancelot Alas with lean and empty scrip the Brotherhood are now returning No 1a Exit of Chorus Yes though we re poor in luck of late and all our hearts are full of sorrow No 2 Song Father Maxime Soon you are to see life and much adventure No 3 Bell Chorus with Father Maxime and Lancelot Hark how the bell is ringing here we come with speed Act I Scene 2 Hilarius s WorkshopNo 4 Workmen s Chorus We are workmen waiting for our payment automatic dolls we make No 4a Exit of Chorus reprise We are workmen waiting for our payment No 5 Song Alesia With careless eye I saw him there and love took rest within my heart No 6 Song Lancelot If in a cell your life is pass d nought of temptation you will see No 7 Trio Alesia Lancelot and Hilarius I can dance and sing and chatter though my speech is rather disjointed No 8 Duet Alesia and Lancelot I love you very dearly my hand and heart at your feet I lay No 9 Finale Act I Come let us now to work our task we never shirk Act II Scene 1 Chanterelle s Country HouseNo 9a Entr acte No 10 Opening Chorus Now we appear neighbours and friends news that we hear none can disparage No 11 Duet Chanterelle and Loremois This wicked world I ve wander d round mid pleasant scenes and others not No 12 Trio Alesia Chanterelle and Loremois Ah Lancelot is not yet here perhaps tis Chanterelle I see No 13 Quartette Chanterelle Loremois Lancelot and Hilarius Though manners change a girl so strange No 14 Duet Lancelot and Alesia Happy world such maidens possessing if like to thee No 15 Ensemble Here are the wedding guests who come to see the bridegroom and the blushing bride No 16 Chorus After them we go Follow them stop them in their flight Bring them back ere fall of night Act II Scene 2 Another part of the MonasteryNo 17 Chorus Tis night and brother Lancelot has not returned from his adventure to keep the vow of his indenture No 18 Song Father Maxime A jovial monk am I contented with my lot The world without this gate I flout No 19 Chorus of Monks Oh strange device so nearly true to life tis worth the price he s paid for such a wife No 20 Song Alesia A poor little dummy am I but still my intellect is shining No 21 Exit of Monks Creature false and frail as that she s representing not in strength we fail not a whit we relent No 22 Duet Alesia and Lancelot Was it a kiss Sweetest caress Token of bliss and happiness No 23 Finale Act II And now I mean to leave this place to start another kind of life Supplementary numbersNo 24 Extra Song Lancelot I went to town a simple youth as many more have done No 25 Extra Song Alesia Tis the Springtime of love with all its store of gladness Adaptations editErnst Lubitsch filmed an adaptation of the story under the title Die Puppe The Doll 5 Notes edit Grove Online Archived 2008 05 16 at the Wayback Machine accessed 14 October 2007 Requires subscription a b c Traubner Richard 2003 Operetta A Theatrical History Revised ed New York Routledge p 95 ISBN 0 415 96641 8 Wearing J P The London Stage 1890 1899 A Calendar of Productions Performers and Personnel Rowman amp Littlefield 2013 p 354 ISBN 0 8108 9281 2 Goble Alan Poupee La Complete Index to World Film accessed 11 April 2020 Wosk Julie My Fair Ladies Female Robots Androids and Other Artificial Eves Rutgers University Press 2015 p 64 accessed December 23 2016 ISBN 0813563399References editSynopsis and information about La Poupee Song list with links to cast list and other informationExternal links editList of longest running plays in London and New York Programme from the original London production of La Poupee Information about the 1897 New York production from the IBDB database Portal nbsp Opera Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title La poupee amp oldid 1157859154, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
