''Monsieur Beaucaire'' is a romantic opera in three acts, composed by

André Messager André Charles Prosper Messager (; 30 December 1853 – 24 February 1929) was a French composer, organist, pianist and conductor. His compositions include eight ballets and thirty opéra comique, opéras comiques, opérettes and other stage wo ...

.Wagstaff J. "Monsieur Beaucaire", ''The New Grove Dictionary of Opera.'' Macmillan, London and New York, 1997. The libretto, based on the 1900 novel by

Booth Tarkington Newton Booth Tarkington (July 29, 1869 – May 19, 1946) was an American novelist and dramatist best known for his novels ''The Magnificent Ambersons'' (1918) and '' Alice Adams'' (1921). He is one of only four novelists to win the Pulitze ...

, is by

Frederick Lonsdale Frederick Lonsdale (5 February 1881 – 4 April 1954) was a British playwright known for his librettos to several successful musicals early in the 20th century, including '' King of Cadonia'' (1908), ''The Balkan Princess'' (1910), ''Betty'' (1 ...

, with lyrics by

Adrian Ross Arthur Reed Ropes (23 December 1859 – 11 September 1933), better known under the pseudonym Adrian Ross, was a prolific writer of lyrics, contributing songs to more than sixty British musical comedies in the late 19th and early 20th centuries ...

. The piece premiered at the Prince of Wales Theatre in

Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1.145 million in the city proper, 2.92 million in the West ...

, England, on 7 April 1919, before opening at the

Prince's Theatre The Shaftesbury Theatre is a West End theatre, located on Shaftesbury Avenue, in the London Borough of Camden. Opened in 1911 as the New Prince's Theatre, it was the last theatre to be built in Shaftesbury Avenue. History The theatre was d ...

in London under the management of

Frank Curzon Frank Curzon (17 September 1868 – 2 July 1927) was an English actor who became an important theatre manager, leasing the Royal Strand Theatre, Avenue Theatre, Criterion Theatre, Comedy Theatre, Prince of Wales Theatre and Wyndham's Theatre, am ...

on 19 April 1919 and transferring to the

Palace Theatre Palace Theatre, or Palace Theater, is the name of many theatres in different countries, including: Australia *Palace Theatre, Melbourne, Victoria *Palace Theatre, Sydney, New South Wales Canada *Palace Theatre, housed in the Robillard Block, Mo ...

on 29 July 1919, for a successful run. ''Monsieur Beaucaire'' was also produced on

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

in 1919-20 and enjoyed many revivals and international tours. The French premiere was delayed by difficulties in finding a suitable theatre; it opened at the

Théâtre Marigny The Théâtre Marigny is a theatre in Paris, situated near the junction of the Champs-Élysées and the Avenue Marigny in the 8th arrondissement. It was originally built to designs of the architect Charles Garnier for the display of a panoram ...

, Paris on 21 November 1925, with a French adaptation by

André Rivoire André Rivoire (5 May 1872 – 19 August 1930) was a French poet and playwright whose work was defined by the delicate precision of his observation. Life and work Rivoire was born in Vienne, Isère, in eastern France. He studied at the Lycée ...

and Pierre Veber, and starring Marcelle Denya, Renée Camia, and

André Baugé André Gaston Baugé (4 January 1893, Toulouse - 25 May 1966, Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, Clichy-la-Garenne) was a French baritone, active in opera and operetta, who also appeared in films in the 1930s.Steane JB. André Baugé. In: ''The New Grove Dic ...

. In 1955, it entered the repertoire of the

Opéra-Comique The Opéra-Comique is a Paris opera company which was founded around 1714 by some of the popular theatres of the Parisian fairs. In 1762 the company was merged with – and for a time took the name of – its chief rival, the Comédie-Italienne ...

in Paris, with

Jacques Jansen Jacques Jansen (né Toupin; born Paris, 22 November 1913 – 13 March 2002) was a French ''baryton-martin'' singer, particularly associated with the role of Pelléas in the opera by Debussy, but also active in operetta and on the concert platfor ...

and

Denise Duval Denise Duval (23 October 192125 January 2016) was a French soprano, best known for her performances in the works of Francis Poulenc on stage and in recital. During an international career, Duval created the roles of Thérèse in ''Les mamelles de T ...

. In 1925 the composer stated that he began work on ''Monsieur Beaucaire'' following a meeting with impresario

Gilbert Miller } Gilbert Heron Miller (July 3, 1884 – January 3, 1969) was an American theatrical producer. Born in New York City, he was the son of English-born theatrical producer Henry Miller and Bijou Heron, a former child actress. Raised and educated in ...

in 1916. Messager's son said that most of it was composed during the summer of 1917 in

Étretat Étretat () is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in the Normandy region of Northwestern France. It is a tourist and farming town situated about northeast of Le Havre, at the junction of the D 940, D 11 and D 139 roads. It is located on ...

. Messager's career in London, which included a six-year stint as music director at

Covent Garden Covent Garden is a district in London, on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit-and-vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist si ...

, concluded with ''Monsieur Beaucaire'', his second and last opera in English. As well as considerable use of the waltz-time, there are several neo-classical touches in the score. Some of the most popular songs are "I do not know", "Red Rose", and "Philomel".

Roles and original cast

*Monsieur Beaucaire – Marion Green *Philippe Molyneux – John Clarke *Frederick Bantison – Lennox Pawle *Rakell – Spencer Trevor *François – Yvan Servais *Duke of Winterset – Robert Parker *Beau Nash – Robert Cunningham *Townbrake – Dennis King *Captain Badger – Percy Carr *Joliffe – Harry Frankiss *Bicksitt – Leigh Ellis *The Marquis de Mirepox – Yvan Servais *Lucy – Alice Moffat *Countess of Greenbury – Violet Jerome *Girl – Renée Morrell *Lady Mary Carlisle –

Maggie Teyte Dame Maggie Teyte (born Margaret Tate; 17 April 188826 May 1976) was an English operatic soprano and interpreter of French art song. Early years Margaret Tate was born in Wolverhampton, England, one of ten children of Jacob James Tate, a succ ...

Synopsis

;Act I The setting is

Bath Bath may refer to: * Bathing, immersion in a fluid ** Bathtub, a large open container for water, in which a person may wash their body ** Public bathing, a public place where people bathe * Thermae, ancient Roman public bathing facilities Plac ...

in the early 18th century. Beaucaire is posing as a barber employed by the French Ambassador. He is actually the Duc d'Orleans, the son of the King of France, a fact only known to his valet and his friend, Molyneux. Beaucaire is in love with Lady Mary Carlisle, who is herself courted by the Duke of Winterset. Beaucaire hosts a card game, where a number of gentlemen lose most of their money to him. In the second round, Beaucaire plays Winterset for high stakes. At the climax of the hand, Beaucaire exposes Winterset as a cheat. Winterset threatens to kill his opponent, but Beaucaire reveals that they are observed by his servants and the noble Molyneux. As the price of Beaucaire's silence, Winterset takes him to Lady Rellerton's ball to introduce him to Lady Mary. Molyneux is in love with Lady Mary's cousin Lucy and courts her at the ball. Beaucaire charms the company, and Lady Mary asks to be left alone with him. He begs the rose in her hair. She says that he must earn it by escorting the aged Countess of Greenbury to supper. To obtain revenge, Winterset persuades Captain Badger, a famous swordsman, to quarrel with Beaucaire, who challenges him to a duel. They fight on the terrace and, to everyone's surprise, Beaucaire is the victor. He takes the old Countess into supper and receives his rose from Lady Mary. ;Act II At a "Pastoral Fete" at Mr. Bantison's house outside Bath, Lady Mary is still smitten with Beaucaire, although she has many suitors. Lucy finally gets Molyneux alone, to get him to promise to be hers alone for the evening, when he is summoned away by Beaucaire. Lucy accuses him of going to another woman but he denies it in a romantic song. But the summons is a trick of Winterset. Once Molyneux has gone, he denounces Beaucaire as the barber. One by one all of the suitors attack Beaucaire, and are all wounded. An assault by the massed servants of his opponents threatens to defeat Beaucaire, when Francois and his fellow servants join in the battle and repulse the attackers. Lady Mary, believing herself deceived, storms off. Beaucaire is seriously wounded. ;Act III A week later, it has been announced that the French Ambassador will attend the pump room that evening, and guards have been placed to prevent Beaucaire from attending. His previously defeated opponents sing of how they bear "The Honours of War". Molyneux is still having trouble with Lucy but manages to convince her to arrange a secret meeting between Mary and Beaucaire. Beaucaire explains the situation to her, and asks if the identity of a lover truly matters? Lady Mary agrees. Winterset and his followers enter, followed by the Ambassador. Everyone is amazed when the Ambassador enters and kneels to the presumed barber, hailing him "A Son of France". The King of France is dead, and, out of danger, Beaucaire reveals himself as the Duke of Orleans and announces that Mary will be his future Duchess, to everyone's delight.

Musical numbers

;PrologueMessager, André. *"Voyageur's Song" – Chorus *"Red Rose" – Monsieur Beaucaire *"Going to the Ball" – Philip Molyneux, Beaucaire, and Duke of Winterset ;Act I *"The Beaux and the Belles of Bath" – Opening Chorus *"A Little More" – Lucy and Molyneux *"Come with Welcome" – Chorus *"I do not know" – Lady Mary Carlisle *"Who is this?" – Chorus *"English Maids" – Beaucaire *"Lightly, Lightly" – Lady Mary and Beaucaire *"No Offence" – Molyneux, Beaucaire, Captain Badger, and Winterset *Act I Finale – Company ;Act II *"Pastoral Fete" – Chorus *"When I was King of Bath" – Beau Nash *"That's a Woman's Way" – Lucy *"Philomel" – Lady Mary *"Honour and Love" – Molyneux *"Say No More" – Lady Mary and Beaucaire *Act II Finale – Company ;Act III *"Have you heard?" – Opening Chorus *"The Honours of War" – Rakell, Townbrake, Joliffe, Badger, Frederick Bantison, and Bicksitt *"We are not speaking now" – Lucy and Molyneux *"Under the Moon" – Beaucaire *"What are Names?" – Lady Mary and Beaucaire *"Way for the Ambassador" – Chorus *"A Son of France" – Marquis de Mirepoix *Act III Finale – Company ;Supplemental *"Gold and Blue and White" – Beaucaire

Critical reception

Reviewing the premiere, ''

The Times ''The Times'' is a British daily national newspaper based in London. It began in 1785 under the title ''The Daily Universal Register'', adopting its current name on 1 January 1788. ''The Times'' and its sister paper ''The Sunday Times'' (fou ...

'' concluded, "If ''Monsieur Beaucaire'' avoids being an opera it enlists some of the best talents of the Opera. Miss Maggie Teyte, surrounded by half a dozen lovers on the stage, may be sure of as many hundreds in the auditorium, and Mr. Marion Green, every inch the Noble Personage, has a voice to match. Miss Alice Moffat and Mr. John Clarke together make the subsidiary lovers attractive, and Mr. Robert Parker is the very image of courtly vice. It Is rare to get so much good singing where good acting must have been the first requirement in making up the cast. There is a chorus which adds to its beautiful dresses the power of producing quite a beautiful sound, and an orchestra which, under Mr. Kennedy Russell, lets us enjoy the best that Mr. Messager can give." In ''

The Observer ''The Observer'' is a British newspaper published on Sundays. It is a sister paper to ''The Guardian'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', whose parent company Guardian Media Group Limited acquired it in 1993. First published in 1791, it is the w ...

'',

Ernest Newman Ernest Newman (30 November 1868 – 7 July 1959) was an English music critic and musicologist. ''Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians'' describes him as "the most celebrated British music critic in the first half of the 20th century." His ...

, having made some mild criticisms of the score and some harsher ones of the libretto, concluded that the piece was "a delightful entertainment, that one can picture oneself going to see a number of times." In ''

The Manchester Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...

'',

Samuel Langford Samuel Langford (1863 - 8 May 1927) was an influential English music critic of the early twentieth century. Trained as a pianist, Langford became chief music critic of ''The Manchester Guardian'' in 1906, serving in that post until his death. ...

praised the work, with reservations about the clichéd libretto, but regretted that there was not more music.

Recording history

A series of 78rpm records were made by

British Columbia British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...

in London in 1919 at the time of the creation, with Marion Green, Maggie Teyte, Alice Moffat, and John Clarke, with the Prince's Theatre Orchestra conducted by Kennedy Russell. Various excerpts were recorded in Paris in 1925 and 1930 by French singers after staged performances. Extended extracts were recorded in Paris in 1952, with

Martha Angelici Martha Angelici (22 May 1907 – 11 September 1973), was a French operatic soprano of Corsican origin, particularly associated with the French lyric repertoire. Angelici was born in Cargèse. While still very young she moved with her family ...

, Liliane Berton,

Michel Dens Michel Dens (22 June 1911 in Roubaix – 19 December 2000 in Paris) was a French baritone, particularly associated with the French repertory, both opera and operetta. Born Maurice Marcel, the son of a journalist, he studied at the Academy of ...

, René Lenoty, and Gilbert Moryn, conducted by Jules Gressier. On 27 March 1958, French Radio broadcast a complete performance (since issued on CD) with

Lina Dachary Lina Dachary was a French soprano born in 1922 and died in 1999. She was particularly noted for her prolific radio appearances in operetta.

Willy Clément Willy Clément (born in Cairo on 19 July 1918, died in Paris on 7 March 1965) was a French baritone who was noted in light baritone roles and operetta.Caubert A. Portrait - notes for INA memoire vive CD 064, Paris, 2006. Life and career Clément c ...

, Nicole Broissin, René Lenoty, Lucien Lovano, Henri Bedex, Jacques Pruvost, Georges Foix, Marcel Enot, and André Balbon, with the Choeurs and Orchestre Radio Lyrique de la RTF, conducted again by Jules Gressier.

Other adaptations of the Tarkington novel

A "

romantic comedy Romantic comedy (also known as romcom or rom-com) is a subgenre of comedy and slice of life fiction, focusing on lighthearted, humorous plot lines centered on romantic ideas, such as how true love is able to surmount most obstacles. In a typica ...

" was made from the novel by

Evelyn Greenleaf Sutherland Evelyn Greenleaf Sutherland (September 15, 1855 – December 24, 1908) was an American journalist, author and playwright. Early life A sixth-generation Bostonian, Sutherland was born on September 15, 1855, in Cambridge, Massachusetts to James a ...

. It played first on Broadway from December 1901 to January 1902, directed by and starring

Richard Mansfield Richard Mansfield (24 May 1857 – 30 August 1907) was an English actor-manager best known for his performances in Shakespeare plays, Gilbert and Sullivan operas, and the play '' Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde''. Life and career Mansfield was born ...

. It opened in London on 25 October 1902 at the

Comedy Theatre The Harold Pinter Theatre, known as the Comedy Theatre until 2011,

, produced by

William Greet William Greet (1851 – 25 April 1914) was a British theatre manager from the end of the 19th century and into the 20th century. Originally a business manager for other theatre licensees in the 1880s, he branched out as an independent manager ...

and

Lewis Waller William Waller Lewis (3 November 1860 – 1 November 1915), known on stage as Lewis Waller, was an English actor and theatre manager, well known on the London stage and in the English provinces. After early stage experience with John Lawrence To ...

under the management of

and directed by Guy Waller. The cast included Waller as Monsieur Beaucaire and Grace Lane as Lady Mary Carlisle. In addition, there was a silent film, '' Monsieur Beaucaire'', with

Rudolph Valentino Rodolfo Pietro Filiberto Raffaello Guglielmi di Valentina d'Antonguolla (May 6, 1895 – August 23, 1926), known professionally as Rudolph Valentino and nicknamed The Latin Lover, was an Italian actor based in the United States who starred ...

in 1924, and a 1946 comedy film that featured

Bob Hope Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003) was a British-American comedian, vaudevillian, actor, singer and dancer. With a career that spanned nearly 80 years, Hope appeared in more than 70 short and feature films, with 5 ...

. An episode from the novel was incorporated into the screenplay of the 1930 film ''

Monte Carlo Monte Carlo (; ; french: Monte-Carlo , or colloquially ''Monte-Carl'' ; lij, Munte Carlu ; ) is officially an administrative area of the Principality of Monaco, specifically the ward of Monte Carlo/Spélugues, where the Monte Carlo Casino is ...

''.Classic Movie Musicals
''Monte Carlo''
accessed May 1, 2010

Notes

References

* ttp://perso.orange.fr/anao/oeuvre/mbeaucaire.html French webpage with information about the opera and recordings

External links

MIDI files and cast list of the 1919 productionInformation about the Broadway productionPhotos from ''Monsieur Beaucaire''
{{Authority control 1919 operas English-language operas Operas Operas by André Messager Operas set in England Booth Tarkington Frederick Lonsdale