''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 c ...

musical comedy Musical theatre is a form of 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, movement ...

in three acts with music by

Henri Christiné Henri Marius Christiné (27 December 1867 – 25 November 1941) was a French composer of Swiss birth. The son of a French Savoyard watchmaker, Christiné was born in Geneva, Switzerland. He began by teaching at the lycée in Geneva, while pur ...

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 perhaps best known for his signature songs, including " Livin' In The Sunlight", "Valentine", " Louise", "Mimi", and "Thank Heav ...

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 ''Phi-Phi'' is an opérette légère in three acts with music by Henri Christiné and a French libretto by Albert Willemetz and Fabien Solar. The piece was one which founded the new style of French comédie musicale, the first to really use the ...

'', and although ''Dédé'' did not manage that long a run, this was mainly due to a change of theatre. 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. It was originally built to designs of the architect Charles Garnier for the display of a panoram ...

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 television channel and part of the France Télévisions group, which also includes France 2, France 4, France 5 and France Info. It is made up of a network of regional television services prov ...

), and on tour by

Opéra Éclaté Opéra Éclaté is a small-scale opera company based in Colomiers, Midi-Pyrénées, France. It was founded in 1985 by Oliver Desbordes, who remains its director, while also undertaking stage direction of many productions. In 1998-99, Opéra Éclat� ...

. A film adaptation of the piece was released in 1935, starring Albert Préjean 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,Traubner R. ''Operetta, a theatrical history.'' Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1983. and another from Decca/RCA in 1973, complete with dialogue.

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.

References

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