''Dédé'' is an

opérette This is a glossary list of opera genres, giving alternative names. "Opera" is an Italian word (short for "opera in musica"); it was not at first ''commonly'' used in Italy (or in other countries) to refer to the genre of particular works. Most co ...

musical comedy Musical theatre is a form of theatre, theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, ...

in three acts with music by Henri Christiné and a French libretto by

Albert Willemetz Albert Willemetz (14 February 1887 – 7 October 1964) was a French librettist. Career Albert Willemetz was a prolific lyricist. He invented a new type of musical, with a humorous and "sexy" style. He was the author of more than 3000 songs, inc ...

. It marked an important milestone in developing the career of

Maurice Chevalier Maurice Auguste Chevalier (; 12 September 1888 – 1 January 1972) was a French singer, actor, and entertainer. He is best known for his signature songs, including " Livin' In The Sunlight", " Valentine", " Louise", " Mimi", and " Thank Heaven f ...

Performance history

''Dédé'' opened at the Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens, Paris on 10 November 1921, almost exactly three years after Christiné's hit '' Phi-Phi'', and although ''Dédé'' did not manage that long a run, this was mainly due to a change of theatre (there were nearly 400 performances at the Bouffes, and 60 more at the Scala in Paris. Its London run was at the

Garrick Theatre The Garrick Theatre is a West End theatre, located in Charing Cross Road, in the City of Westminster, named after the stage actor David Garrick. It opened in 1889 with ''The Profligate'', a play by Arthur Wing Pinero, and another Pinero play, ...

from 17 October 1922 (50 performances), with Joseph Coyne in the lead role. Revivals took place 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 of Paris, 8th arrondissement. It was originally built to designs of the architect Charles Garnie ...

in 1942, again in Paris in 1973 and in Lyon in 1993.’L'encyclopédie multimedia de la comédie musicale théâtrale en France (1918-1940)’ (http://comedie-musicale.jgana.fr/index.htm), accessed 17.08.09. In recent years it has been produced in Brussels, Cannes, Marseille, Metz, Reims (broadcast on

France 3 France 3 () is a French free-to-air Public broadcasting, public television network. The second flagship network of France Télévisions, it broadcasts a wide range of general and specialized programming. France 3 is structured as a Region ...

), and on tour by Opéra Éclaté. A

film adaptation A film adaptation transfers the details or story of an existing source text, such as a novel, into a feature film. This transfer can involve adapting most details of the source text closely, including characters or plot points, or the original sou ...

of the piece was released in 1935, starring

Albert Préjean Albert Préjean (; 27 October 1894 – 1 November 1979) was a French actor, primarily in film. He served in World War I, and was decorated with the Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honour. With Lysiane Rey, he was the father of Patr ...

and

Danielle Darrieux Danielle Yvonne Marie Antoinette Darrieux (; 1 May 1917 – 17 October 2017) was a French actress of stage, television and film, as well as a singer and dancer. Beginning in 1931, she appeared in more than 110 films. She was one of France's g ...

. A complete sound recording was made in 1953, with Chevalier in his original role, and another from Decca/RCA in 1973, complete with dialogue. According to Roger Nichols, "the mood throughout is one of civilized charm and gaiety, as one can tell from the titles of the songs", citing 'Elle porte un nom charmant' ('She has a charming name'), 'Dans la vie faut pas s'en faire' ('In life one mustn't take things to heart'), and 'Tous les chemins mènent à l'amour ('All roads lead to love').Nichols, Roger. The Harlequin Years - Music in Paris 1917-1929. Thames and Hudson, London 2002, p108.

Roles

Synopsis

Setting: A Parisian shoe shop ''Le pied meurtri'' (''The Bruised Foot'') in 1921

Act I

André de la Huchette (known as Dédé), is attempting to woo Odette, a beautiful woman he met at a dance. Monsieur Chausson, Odette's husband, has problems with his business, and Dédé has bought it as an ideal place to carry on a liaison with Odette, not aware that Monsieur Chausson is her husband. The sales girls are all dancers at the

Casino de Paris The Casino de Paris, located at 16, rue de Clichy, in the 9th arrondissement, is one of the well known music halls of Paris, with a history dating back to the 18th century. Contrary to what the name might suggest, it is a performance venue, not ...

in the evenings. Dédé tries to get Odette to tell him all about herself and she pretends to be the wife of the Préfet de Police. Denise overhears all this. Maître Leroydet comes to the shop every day pretending to be looking for comfortable shoes, but in fact courting Denise, the shop's head seamstress, who herself is in love with Dédé. Robert d’Auvergne, Dédé's friend, has lost his fortune gambling in Monte Carlo; when Dédé calls to see Odette he finds Robert and to help him out makes him manager of the shop.

Act II

Unaware that the Préfet is not married, Denise in her jealousy sends an anonymous letter to him, where she reveals his supposed wife's adultery. Meanwhile, the shoe workers union calls a strike, and a delegation come to demand that Dédé close his shop, but the strikers are distracted by the sales girls. Odette finds herself alone with Dédé but sees her husband looking through the shop window and hides. With a crowd in the shop, the police inspector comes looking for the strikers. Dédé and his friends think that the Préfet himself has come looking for his wife. So to divert attention, Denise appears scantily dressed as Dédé's mistress. While Dédé and Robert hold the fort, Odette escapes from the shop; the police officer states who he is why he is there. Dédé now wonders who Odette really is.

Act III

Dédé realises that he will be happy with Denise and asks for her hand. As the shop is now no use to him, he presents it to Chausson. Robert turns his attentions to Odette. He convinces her, and when Odette learns of Dédé's generosity, she gets Chausson to keep Robert as manager.

Musical numbers

* Overture ''Act I'' : * Chœur des vendeuses « Ah la drôle de boutique » * Couplets « J’avais tout çà » (Leroydet) * Couplets « Et voilà comme cet excellent jeune homme » (Denise) * Chœur des vendeuses et entrée de Dédé » Voici des lis » * Couplets « Dans la vie faut pas s’en faire » (Robert) * Couplets « Elle porte un nom charmant » (Dédé) * Duo » Tango, lorsque tu nous tiens » (Odette, Dédé) * Finale I : « Pour bien réussir dans la chaussure » (Les vendeuses, Robert), « Quelle est cette poule », « C’est la femme du Préfet de Police » ''Act II'' : * Entr’acte * Ensemble « Voici, Messieurs » (Robert, les vendeuses) * Couplets « Je m’donne » (Robert) * Duetto « Oh Madame, je vous trouve exquise » (Robert, Dédé) * Duo « Si j’avais su évidemment » (Denise, Robert) * Ensemble « Au nom de la Fédération » (les délégués syndicaux) * Couplets « Le désir, déjà » (Odette) * Finale II : Ensemble « Quelle drôle de boutique » (tous) ''Act III'' : * Chœur « Bonheur inattendu » (les vendeuses) * Couplets » C’est un plaisir si grand » (Odette) * Duo « J’ose pas » (Odette, Robert) * Duo « Tous les chemins mènent à l’amour » (Denise, Dédé) * Finale III (All)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dede Compositions by Henri Christiné French-language operas Operas Opérettes 1921 operas