''La part du diable'' ("The Devil's share" also known by the English title ''Carlo Broschi'') is an opéra comique by

Daniel Auber Daniel-François-Esprit Auber (; 29 January 178212 May 1871) was a French composer and director of the Paris Conservatoire. Born into an artistic family, Auber was at first an amateur composer before he took up writing operas professionally when ...

to a libretto by

Eugène Scribe Augustin Eugène Scribe (; 24 December 179120 February 1861) was a French dramatist and librettist. He is known for writing "well-made plays" ("pièces bien faites"), a mainstay of popular theatre for over 100 years, and as the librettist of ma ...

, loosely based on an incident from the life of the singer Farinelli. It premiered at the Opéra-Comique on 16 January 1843. The original production starred Sophie Anne Thillon and Celeste Darcier alternating in the role of Casilda.

Roles

Synopsis

The minstrel Carlo Broschi has hidden his sister Casilda in a convent to protect her from the machinations of the clergy who wish to make a present of her for the king

Ferdinand VI , house = Bourbon-Anjou , father = Philip V of Spain , mother = Maria Luisa of Savoy , birth_date = 23 September 1713 , birth_place = Royal Alcazar of Madrid, Madrid, Spain , death_date = , death_place = Villavic ...

. She is in love with an unknown cavalier- likewise too highborn to have any lawful intentions toward her, in Carlo's opinion. Carlo happens upon the King, who is possessed by melancholy, and succeeds in cheering him with a song (It was in fact Ferdinand's predecessor

Philip V Philip V may refer to: * Philip V of Macedon (221–179 BC) * Philip V of France (1293–1322) * Philip II of Spain, also Philip V, Duke of Burgundy (1526–1598) * Philip V of Spain Philip V ( es, Felipe; 19 December 1683 – 9 July 1746) was ...

for whom Farinelli was engaged as

music therapist Music therapy, an allied health profession, "is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music th ...

). As a reward, he is invited to the court, where he encounters his sister's lover, Raphael d'Estuniga. Raphael is so despondent over his thwarted passion that he is ready to sell his soul, so Carlo introduces himself as Satan, ready to lend aid for half of his takings. Casilda appeals to Carlo for protection; she has been kidnapped by the priests and brought to the king, who, only recently having recovered his sanity, takes her for a ghost. Carlo leaves to speak with the queen (this role was created by

Louise-Rosalie Lefebvre Louise-Rosalie Lefebvre (18 June 1755 – 22 September 1821), also known as Madame Dugazon, was a French operatic mezzo-soprano, actress and dancer. Born in Berlin as the daughter of a dancing master at the court of Frederick II of Prussia, s ...

) and leaves the lovers alone. Raphael, who has obtained an office due to Carlo's influence and also has had uncommon luck at gambling, is so confident of supernatural aid that he is nonplussed at the king's entrance, even when the latter orders his death. Carlo attempts to smooth things over by telling the king Raphael is her husband, but the Grand Inquisitor exposes the fabrication, enraging the king against Carlo as well. Things can only be put right by Carlo's revealing all and reminding the king that the queen still suspects nothing. Carlo, who so far has never hesitated in claiming his 50%, tells his future brother-in-law that this time his share will be Casilda's happiness.

References

Notes Sources
The Standard Opera Glass
at Google books {{DEFAULTSORT:Part Du Diable, La 1843 operas French-language operas Operas by Daniel Auber Operas Opéras comiques Opera world premieres at the Opéra-Comique Libretti by Eugène Scribe