''La jolie fille de Perth'' (''The Fair Maid of Perth'') is an opera in four acts by

Georges Bizet Georges Bizet (; 25 October 18383 June 1875) was a French composer of the Romantic era. Best known for his operas in a career cut short by his early death, Bizet achieved few successes before his final work, '' Carmen'', which has become ...

(1838–1875), from a libretto by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and

Jules Adenis Jules-Adenis de Colombeau (28 June 1823 – 1900) was a 19th-century French opera librettist, playwright, and journalist. Adenis was born in Paris and studied at the Collège royal de Bourbon (now the Lycée Condorcet). Colombeau was initially emp ...

, after the 1828 novel '' The Fair Maid of Perth'' by

Sir Walter Scott Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet (15 August 1771 – 21 September 1832), was a Scottish novelist, poet, playwright and historian. Many of his works remain classics of European and Scottish literature, notably the novels '' Ivanhoe'', '' Rob Roy ...

. Many writers have reserved severe criticism for the librettists for their stock devices and improbable events, while praising Bizet's advance on his earlier operas in construction of set pieces and his striking melodic and instrumental ideas. It was first performed at the

Théâtre Lyrique The Théâtre Lyrique was one of four opera companies performing in Paris during the middle of the 19th century (the other three being the Opéra, the Opéra-Comique, and the Théâtre-Italien). The company was founded in 1847 as the Opér ...

(Théâtre-Lyrique Impérial du Châtelet), Paris, on 26 December 1867.

Performance history

Although commissioned by Léon Carvalho in 1866 and completed by Bizet by the end of that year (with the soprano lead intended for Christine Nilsson), the dress rehearsal took place in September 1867 and the first performance three months later. Hugh Macdonald: "''La jolie fille de Perth''". In: '' The New Grove Dictionary of Opera'', Macmillan, London and New York, 1997. It was next revived in Paris on 3 November 1890 at the Éden-Théâtre for eleven performances. & . '' Les Annales du Théâtre et de la Musique'', 16th edition, 1890. G. Charpentier et Cie, Paris, 1891. ''La jolie fille de Perth'' was performed in Brussels in 1868 and Geneva in 1885; in German it was given in Weimar and Vienna in 1883, and in English in Manchester and London in 1917. It was staged at the Wexford Festival in 1968, the

Théâtre Impérial de Compiègne The Théâtre Impérial de Compiègne is a theater in Compiègne, France. Origins The Emperor Napoleon III decided to construct a theater in Compiègne to entertain his court in 1866. He chose the location and the architect of the building, Ga ...

in 1998 and the Buxton Festival in 2006, and recorded by the BBC in Manchester for the Bizet centenary in 1975.

Roles

Synopsis

:Place: Perth, Scotland :Time: 14th century

Act 1

''The workshop of Henry Smith the armourer'' Workmen sing in the forge, on the eve of the Carnival. Alone, Smith muses on whether the coquettish Catherine Glover will consent to be his Valentine. Mab, Queen of the Gypsies enters hurriedly, seeking refuge in Smith's workshop from pursuing noblemen. When Catherine arrives unexpectedly, Mab hides in an adjoining room. Catherine, her father the glove-maker and his apprentice Ralph enter. Catherine sings of the joys of winter, and the two men retire to leave her and Smith alone. Smith gives his beloved a rose brooch in advance of St Valentine's Day. However, a stranger now enters and asks Smith to straighten the blade of his dagger. He is the Duke of Rothsay, who proceeds to flirt with Catherine, infuriating Smith, who is about to land a blow on the Duke when Mab comes from her hiding-place to protect him. Glover returns to a scene of confusion; Catherine throws away the rose, but Mab picks it up to return it later.

Act 2

''A square in Perth'' Later that evening the watch, including Glover, are on their rounds. They are scared off by revellers, who gather beneath Catherine's window. Mab joins them and dances. The Duke asks her to bring Catherine, masked, to a ball at his palace that night. Although Mab initially laughs at the Duke's fickleness, she agrees, but swears vengeance. As the stage empties, Smith enters and serenades his sweetheart, unsuccessfully. As midnight strikes, Ralph enters, drunk and in despair at not being loved. As the Duke's steward asks him where Catherine Glover lives, a lady like her gets into a litter and is driven away. Coming to his senses, Ralph sends Smith after the litter; when the real Catherine deigns to reply to her lover's serenade he is gone.

Act 3

''Night-time festivities at the Duke's palace.'' The Duke tells his friends that his latest conquest will shortly arrive and a masked lady appears, but will only unmask for him. Alone together, Mab removes her domino, then flees, leaving her lover only Catherine's enamelled rose she had been wearing on her bodice. Next Smith arrives to a deserted ballroom, lamenting Catherine's infidelity. Soon it is morning, and time for the Duke's audience. While Smith hides, the Duke receives Glover, who invites him to his daughter's approaching wedding. The Duke is surprised, and Smith bursts in and accuses Catherine of betrayal. She protests, and he forgives her, but then notices that the Duke has her enamelled rose, confirming all his suspicions.

Act 4

''1st tableau – a wild spot'' A few hours later; Smith is seated by a tree, his head in his hands. Ralph and some artisans try to convince Smith of Catherine's innocence. Ralph agrees to meet Smith in a duel to decide her honour. Catherine now comes on the scene and Smith says he will allow himself to be killed to restore her honour to her. ''2nd tableau – the main square in Perth'' Mab comes to let Catherine know that the Duke intervened to prevent the duel between Smith and Ralph. However, Glover informs Mab that his daughter has lost her mind – Catherine appears and sings a distracted ballad. To shock her back to her senses, Mab decides to appear at her window and sing a reply to Smith's serenade. Catherine regains herself, swoons in the arms of Smith, and revives believing that it was all a dream, and all prepare for a joyous St Valentine's Day.

Suite

An orchestral suite of movements from the opera (sometimes titled 'Scènes bohémiennes') was published, with concert performances and later recordings. The movements are ''Prélude'' (to act 1), ''Sérénade'' (from "Viens, ma belle, je t'attends" for Smith in act 2), ''Marche'' (from the opening of act 2, "Bon citoyens"), and ''Danse bohémienne'' (Divertissement from act 2).

In film

At the beginning of the Soviet time loop movie '' Mirror for a Hero'' (1988), there is the Russian version of Smith's Sérénade by Gennady Pishchayev.

Recordings

*1943 (live radio broadcast) Toscanini and the NBC Symphony Orchestra 19 September 1943. *1949

Gwen Catley Gwendoline Florence Catley (9 February 190612 November 1996) was an English lyric coloratura soprano who sang in opera, concert and revues. She often sang on radio and television, and made numerous recordings of songs and arias, mostly in English ...

– Catherine Glover; Richard Lewis – Harry Smith; Trefor Jones – Duke of Rothsay; Norman Walker – Ralph; Lorely Dyer – Mab, Queen of the Gypsies; Owen Brannigan – Simon Glover; David Holman – A Nobleman; BBC Theatre Chorus, Chorus Master John Clements;

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) is a British symphony orchestra based in London, that performs and produces primarily classic works. The RPO was established by Thomas Beecham in 1946. In its early days, the orchestra secured profitable ...

conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham. (An English version, (trans. by

Paul England Paul England (28 March 1929 – 17 June 2014) was an Australian racing driver. He worked for the Repco company and raced his own 138 Holden-powered grey motor Ausca sports racing car that used a fiberglass body based on the A6GCS Maserati. E ...

, broadcast live on 5–6 June 1949 by the BBC, issued by ''Beulah'' (1-2PD23) in 2000.) *1985 June Anderson – Cathérine Glover; Alfredo Kraus – Henri Smith;

Gino Quilico Gino Quilico OC (born April 29, 1955) is a Canadian operatic baritone. Quilico was born in Flushing, New York City in 1955, the son of baritone Louis Quilico and pianist Lina Pizzolongo. He studied at the University of Toronto Opera School fro ...

– Le Duc de Rothsay; José van Dam – Ralph; Chœurs de Radio-France, Nouvel Orchestre Philharmonique, conductor Georges Prêtre. ''EMI'' 747 559-8

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Jolie Fille De Perth, La Operas by Georges Bizet French-language operas 1867 operas Operas Operas set in Scotland Opera world premieres at the Théâtre Lyrique Operas based on works by Walter Scott Operas based on novels