Le mystère de l'écureuil bleu
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| Title: | The secret of the blue squirrel |
| Original title: | Le mystère de l'écureuil bleu |
| Shape: | “Web-Opéra”, Opéra-comique |
| Original language: | French |
| Music: | Marc-Olivier Dupin |
| Libretto : | Ivan Grinberg |
| Premiere: | 1) February 21, 2016 2) February 23, 2018 |
| Place of premiere: | 1) Transmission on the Internet 2) Opéra-Comique Paris |
| Playing time: | approx. 1 ½ hours |
| Place and time of the action: | Opéra-Comique Paris, present |
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Le mystère de l'écureuil bleu (German: The secret of the blue squirrel ) is an opera-comique (original name: "Web-Opéra", "Internet Opera") by Marc-Olivier Dupin (music) with a libretto by Ivan Grinberg . It was created as an opera film to bridge a lengthy renovation period of the Paris Opéra-Comique , which was made available on the Internet from February 21, 2016. The scenic world premiere took place after the reopening of the opera house on February 23, 2018.
action
"Y - 7" - "7 days"
Seven days before the grand opening gala of the Opéra-Comique , director Saint-Germain discusses the final details of his clothing with the costume maker Zineb. At the same time, he has to make it clear to the lighting technician on the phone that he can only expect payment after the opening. Then Adèle, his star singer, rushes in and explains that there is no way she can perform with the tenor Léon. Saint-Germain tries to make it clear to her that he cannot find an adequate replacement in such a short time and that his patron Pel & Mel is not ready to spend money on every whim of the diva. But Adèle cannot be appeased. When the patron calls, she snatches the phone and describes Léon as a cheater who can't sing at all. Pel & Mel reacts differently than expected: He throws Adèle out. Saint-Germain cannot do anything about that either. He fears for his gala. Then his nephew Barnabé comes in, theater machinist and Zineb's friend, whom everyone just calls Bébé. When Saint-Germain explains his dilemma to him, he suggests that the choir singer Margot appear as a substitute. She knows all of Adèle's roles and arias and can easily take on her. Saint-Germain, however, fears Adele's reaction. After he goes out, Zineb Bébé creates a jealous scene because he has only been bothering about Margot lately, forgetting her own birthday, but building a cage for Margot's squirrel.
"Y - 6" - "6 days"
Margot appears to audition at Saint-Germain. She brought the cage with her squirrel Zampa . She is very enthusiastic about the possible commitment. Your lecture from the beginning of the third act by Louise also convinces Saint-Germain. But Adèle interrupts the conversation and arrogantly challenges Margot to a duet. This (“On va la jeune hindou” from Lakmé ) lets Saint-Germain's last concerns evaporate. Together, the two should be the highlight of the gala evening. He calls the patron to tell him the news.
"Y - 5" - "5 days"
Margot enthusiastically tells Bébé, who works in Schnürboden, about her audition. After she's gone, Adèle sneaks in, deeply veiled. She killed Margot's squirrel and dyed it blue and puts it in the piano. Shortly afterwards, Léon comes. He doesn't know about her moods yet, believes that Saint-Germain has betrayed her and wants to comfort her. They sing a duet together. When Zineb arrives, Adèle quickly withdraws. Léon tells her about Adèle's strange behavior that he doesn't know how to explain. Zineb realizes that Léon is drawn to Adèle and warns him of their insidiousness. Léon finds out that Zineb can also sing excellently. They flirt and sing an excerpt from Carmen . Léon discovers the dead squirrel in the piano. Bébé comes in and identifies it as Margot's pet, Zampa. He suggests calling the police. Saint-Germain, who has just arrived, does not want to cause a stir so shortly before the gala and prefers to call in a private security expert. Margot returns in search of her squirrel and learns of its death. Everyone mourns the animal. Saint-Germain remains determined to host the gala. He wants to tell the audience at the last moment that Adèle has become ill. Margot as a substitute now has the chance to become a new star. Only now does Léon find out from Bébé that Adèle had refused to perform with him. Léon cannot understand their behavior.
"Y - 4" - "4 days"
Adèle has not given up yet. She disguises herself and introduces herself to Saint-Germain as the security expert "Al Sirbec", who wants to solve the murder of the squirrel. After some haggling, they agree on payment. Zineb and Margot come for a fitting while Margot enumerates their roles: Louise, Manon, Margot, Carmen, La dame blanche, Mélisande, Lakmé, Olympia and Madeleine. Zineb forbids Margot to get too close to her fiancé Bébé. But Margot is not interested in him, she just wants to sing.
"Y - 3" - "3 days"
Adèle meets Léon, who accuses her of treason. Suddenly a piece of decoration falls down and hits Léon's head. Bébé, Zineb and Margot rush over to look after him. Adèle disappears unseen. Fortunately, Léon is not badly injured. However, he struggles with a swoon and fantasizes about Adèle. Now Saint-Germain is hurrying up too. Adèle returns in her disguise as Sirbec and pretends to be investigating the case. She sends everyone out except Saint-Germain and then accuses him of having sabotaged the ropes herself to kill Adèle. Saint-Germain firmly denies this. He loves Adèle like mad. Eventually he tries to bribe Sirbec. But he doesn't want any money, he just wants to sing. He takes off his disguise and reveals himself to him as Adèle. Saint-Germain promises that she will sing an aria by Manon at the gala. On the phone, the patron threatens to visit his accountants on Monday.
"Y - 2" - "2 days"
On a tour of the empty tailor's workshop, Saint-Germain is overwhelmed by fears. He begins to tailor the dress intended for Manon's aria for Adèle. Zineb catches him doing it and gets angry. Léon appears with a bouquet of flowers that he wants to give Zineb. Although confused at first, she eventually lets him kiss her. Just as he is about to ask for her hand formally, Bébé walks in. He is not at all unhappy about this development, because it frees him up for Margot, who is just coming to the fitting. Zineb tells her that Adèle should take part in the gala again. Bébé can't wait to declare his love for Margot.
"Y - 1" - "1 day"
Margot is looking forward to her hoped-for success at the gala. Saint-Germain calls everyone together to hear a statement from Adele. She admits all her deeds and asks the others for forgiveness. Margot gives her a new squirrel as a replacement for Zampa, which she calls " Kleinzack ". She renounces an appearance at the gala, but wants to be there in her mind. After she leaves, Bébé informs his uncle that three packs of gunpowder and a fuse have been stolen. That could destroy the whole opera house. Saint-Germain misses its security officer Sirbec. But then he comes and suggests a theatrical effect: Since Margot is supposed to sing the Manon aria, she also needs her costume. She should approach the dress to try it on; then it go up in flames. Saint-Germain is confused. Sirbec goes on to explain that he has two problems: Adèle and no money. The solution is to murder Adèle and torch the theater. This also removes the debts. At that moment, Pel & Mel called to tell Saint-Germain that he would no longer support him. He now wants to convert the theater into a parking garage. Saint-Germain goes mad. Zineb calls on Bébé to take over his duties as director in order to save the house. But he thinks that only Adèle is capable of doing this. Adèle takes off her disguise and predicts a "super gala". Pel & Mel enthusiastically agrees. Everyone celebrates the Opéra-Comique.
orchestra
The following instruments played in the chamber ensemble of the opera film:
- Woodwinds : flute , oboe , clarinet , bass clarinet , bassoon
- Brass : two horns , trumpet , trombone , tuba
- Timpani , drums
- harp
- accordion
- Strings (solo): violin , viola , violoncello , double bass
- Incidental music : piano
Work history
The Paris Opéra-Comique was closed from July 2015 to February 2017 for a total renovation. To bridge this time, an opera film called "Web-Opéra" ("Internet Opera") was created in the form of an Opéra-comique , which has the reopening itself in the form of a crime comedy and was made available on the Internet from February 21, 2016 . The music is by Marc-Olivier Dupin , the libretto by Ivan Grinberg.
The actors in the opera film were Sandrine Buendia (Adèle, Al Sirbec) Armelle Khourdoïan (Margot) Jean-Jacques L'Anthoën (Léon) Safir Behloul (Bébé) Marion Tassou (Zineb) Ronan Debois (Saint-Germain) and Stuart Silk (Pel & Mel, Patron). The chamber ensemble Les Frivolités Parisiennes played under the direction of the composer. The production came from the librettist Grinberg. François Roussillon was responsible for the TV direction.
The production also received positive reviews internationally. The reviewer of Opernwelt magazine called Dupin a “master in the field of film and theater music” and referred to the “elegant and charming music”, the “masterful style copies and parodies” based on composers such as Léo Delibes , Gustave Charpentier and Jules Massenet contained, whereby the young actors of the Opera Academy show "from their best side". Cinzia Rota wrote on classicagenda.fr that the work is a crime thriller for children (recommended from the age of eight) and a scavenger hunt (“Game of clues”) through the history of the Opéra-Comique with many allusions for adults in music and text. The libretto combines modern language with that of past centuries. His characters are believable and well-defined.
From February 23, 2018, the opera was also played live in the reopened Salle Favart of the Opéra-Comique. Anna Reinhold took on the role of Adèle and Patrick Kabongo of Bébé. The rest of the cast remained unchanged. It was a co-production with the Théâtre Impérial de Compiègne.
Web links
- The secret of the blue squirrel at the Paris Opéra-Comique on Arte Concert , video available until April 22, 2018
- Program of the Opéra-Comique (PDF, French)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Information on the work of the opera film on the Opéra-Comique website , accessed on April 18, 2018.
- ↑ a b c Le Mystère de l'écureuil bleu - Opéra-comique. Livret d'Ivan Grinberg. Créé sur le web le 21 février 2016. Event information on the staged performance on the Opéra-Comique website , accessed on 19 April 2018.
- ↑ a b Cinzia Rota: Le Mystère de l'écureuil bleu: a tribute to opéra-comique. In: classicagenda.fr, February 27, 2018, accessed on April 19, 2018.
- ↑ The secret of the blue squirrel in the Paris Opéra-Comique ( memento of April 18, 2018 in the Internet Archive ) on Arte Concert , video no longer available.
- ↑ Mathias Nofze: crime comedy. In: Opernwelt from May 2016, p. 86.