26/03/2011

le docteur Miracle


At the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto there are only a few performances in French and when this happens, it looks like a special occasion. Last night, the public acclaimed George Bizet’s operetta Le docteur Miracle (1856) with a refreshing cast of young singers: Jennifer Taverner (Laurette), Maciej Bujnowicz (Podestat), Danielle MacMillan (Véronique), Zachary Finkelstein (Silvio, Pasquin, Docteur), under the baguette of maestro Uri Mayer conducting the Glenn Gould School's Orchestra. The set and costume design were magnificent, all to make you believe in the miracle of music, of singing and acting.

Bizet composed Le docteur Miracle at age 18 to enter a competition organized by Jacques Offenbach for the promotion of the theatre des Bouffes-Parisiens.


Synopsis
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In 1856 Jacques Offenbach announced a competition for an opéra comique, the winning entry of which would be played at his theatre, the Bouffes-Parisiens. The libretto, by Léon Battu and Ludovic Halévy, is based on Sheridan's play Saint Patrick's Day. Settings by Bizet and Charles Lecocq were awarded a shared first prize and the two works were staged alternately in April 1857 with the same cast in both, each work receiving 11 performances. Bizet's opera was not revived until 1951.


A 'podestat' (a mayor or magistrate) wishes to protect his daughter Laurette from the attentions of a soldier, Silvio. Disguised as a servant, Silvio makes an omelette for the family. He is discovered and sent away, but leaves a message that the omelette was poisoned and that only Dr. Miracle can cure them. Draped in black and speaking Latin, the doctor extracts the promise of Laurette's hand in exchange for the cure. Laurette agrees to the sacrifice, upon which the doctor reveals himself as Silvio in disguise.

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