Les cloches de Corneville

Le Cloches de Corneville (known in English as The Chimes of Normandy or The Bells of Corneville) is an opera bouffe (or operetta) in three acts, composed by Robert Planquette to a libretto by H. B. Farnie and R. Reece. It was first produced in Paris at the Folies-Dramatique opening on April 19 1877 and running for 408 performances. It was then produced at the Folly Theatre in London, opening on February 28 1878 (transferring to the Globe Theatre on 31 August 1878 as The Chimes of Normandy and running for a record-setting 705 performances. There was also a brief New York run in 1878. In 1917 it was still popular enough in Britain to be produced there as a silent feature film (under its French title). directed by Thomas Bentley.

Le Cloches de Corneville was very popular work and survived until the 1940s in Britain and still receives some performances today. It was probably the most popular French operetta of all time. The storyline is similar to that of La Dame blanche and Martha.

. It was Planquette's first full operetta score and has been praised for its fine melodies, strong rhythms, good choral writing and complex orchestral colour.

Synopsis

Because of old miser Gaspard's cruel treatment of his niece, Germaine, he is despised in the village of Corneville. He wants to force her to marry the elderly sheriff, but she fancies Jean Grenicheux, a bold young fisherman who once rescued her from drowning. Germain and Jean both engage themselves to the Marquisde de Corneville, who is just returned from exile, hoping in this way to escape the sordid plans of old Gaspard.

The Marquis has resolved to restore his immense castle, which was badly neglected in his absence. Old Gaspard had purposely fostered rumors that the cellars of the castle are haunted, because he has secreted treasures there. When he is discovered, he goes mad and runs off. Serpolette, the village beauty, claims to be a Marchioness, maintaining that some papers found in the château verify that she is of noble origin.

After the renovation of the château, the Marquis is feasting the whole village, and joy runs high among his guests. Jean is now courting Serpolette. The Marquis has fallen in love with Germaine, although she is but a servant in his household. Old Gapard recovers his senses and reveals that Germaine is the rightful heiress, and so the Marquis may wed her.

Roles

Serpolette, the good-for-nothing.
Germaine, the lost Marchioness.
Gertrude,
Jeanne, village maidens, belles of Corneville.
Manette,
Suzanne,
Henri, the Marquis of Corneville.
Jean Grenicheux, a fisherman.
Gaspard, a miser.
The bailiff.
Registrar.
Assessor.
Notary.
Villagers and attendants of the Marquis.

Musical numbers

Admired in the score are Serpolette's song, "I may be princess"; Grenicheux's barcarole, "On Billow Rocking"; Germaine's solo with chorus, "Legend of the Bells"; Henri's waltz rondo, "With joy my heart has often bounded" ; "Cider song," sung by Serpolette and a chorus; and the final number, "Ah, love, the minstrel thou."

External links