Don Quichotte(Don Quixote) is anoperain five acts byJules Massenetto a FrenchlibrettobyHenri Caïn.It was first performed on 19 February 1910 at theOpéra de Monte-Carlo.
| Don Quichotte | |
|---|---|
| OperabyJules Massenet | |
 Poster byGeorges Rochegrossefor the first Paris production, at theGaîté-Lyriquein 1910 | |
| Librettist | Henri Caïn |
| Language | French |
| Based on | Le chevalier de la longue figure byJacques Le Lorrain |
| Premiere | 19 February 1910 |
Massenet'scomédie héroïque,like many dramatized versions of the story of Don Quixote, relates only indirectly to the novelDon QuixotebyMiguel de Cervantes.The immediate inspiration wasLe chevalier de la longue figure,a play by the poetJacques Le Lorrainfirst performed in Paris in 1904. In this version of the story, the simple farm girl Aldonza (Dulcinea) of the original novel becomes the more sophisticated Dulcinée, a flirtatious local beauty inspiring the infatuated old man's exploits.
Composition history
editConceiving originallyDon Quichotteto be a three-act opera, Massenet started to compose it in 1909 at a time when, suffering from acute rheumatic pains, he spent more of his time in bed than out of it, and composition ofDon Quichottebecame, in his words, a sort of "soothing balm". In order to concentrate on that new work, he interrupted composition of another operaBacchus.[1]Despite its five acts, there is under two hours of music in the opera.
Massenet identified personally with his comic-heroic protagonist, as he was in love withLucy Arbellwho sang Dulcinée at the first performance. He was then 67 and died just two years later. The role of Don Quichotte was one of the most notable achievements of the RussianbassFeodor Chaliapin,for whom the role was specifically conceived. The opera was one of six commissioned from Massenet byRaoul Gunsbourgfor theOpéra de Monte-Carlo.
Performance history
editDon Quichottewas premiered in Monte Carlo on 19 February 1910,[2]followed by stagings in Brussels that May, and Marseille and Paris in December 1910. Its première at theOpéra-Comiquein October 1924 was followed by over 60 performances during the succeeding quarter of a century; Arbell sang in the 1924 and 1931 runs, and Chaliapin appeared there in 1934, while the conductors includedMaurice Frigara,Paul BastideandRoger Désormière.[3]
In 1912 it was presented at theFrench Opera Housein New Orleans (27 January), and theLondon Opera House(17 May).[4]On 15 November 1913 the work was presented in Philadelphia. The Chicago premiere of the work (by theChicago Grand Opera Company) took place at theAuditorium Theatreon 27 January 1914 and featuredVanni MarcouxandMary Gardenin the lead roles.[5]Marcoux reprised the title role in Chicago withCoe Gladeduring the inaugural season of the ChicagoCivic Opera Housein December 1929.[5]Don Quichottereceived its premiere in Budapest in 1917, and theOpéra-Comiquein Paris presented it in 1924 with Marcoux in the title role, Arbell and Fugère; Chaliapin sang it there in 1934.[6]TheMetropolitan Operain New York City performed it nine times in 1926, but after devastating reviews of those performances in particular, and criticisms of Massenet's music in general byLawrence Gilmanin theHerald Tribune,the opera has never been revived at the Met.[7]It was performed by the Opera Company of Boston (staged and conducted by Sarah Caldwell) in 1974 (with Noel Tyl, Donald Gramm, and Mignon Dunn), and the New York City Opera in 1986.[7][8]
Besides frequent and periodic revivals at Monte Carlo and in France, it was also shown with great success in Italy (Cataniain 1928, Turin in 1933 (Teatro Regio), Bologna in 1952, Venice in 1982, Florence in 1992). The Polish premiere was at the Kraków Opera in 1962, andBaltic State Operapremiere was in 1969.Nicolai Ghiaurovsang the title role to great acclaim atLyric Opera of Chicagoin 1974 and again in 1981,[citation needed]and Lyric Opera mounted the work again in 1993 withSamuel Ramey,Jean-Philippe LafontandSusanne Mentzer.[citation needed]The first revival in Britain since 1912 was given byEnglish National Operain October 1994, withRichard Van Allanas Quixote.[9]The production was presented again in 1996.[10]
More recently, it was staged in Paris in 2000 (withSamuel Rameyin the title role), in San Diego in 2009 starringFerruccio FurlanettoandDenyce Graves,in 2010 in Brussels withJosé van Damand in Palermo withFerruccio Furlanettoand Arutjun Kotchinian. The opera was performed at theSeattle Operain February/March 2011 withJohn Relyeain the title role. In 2012 theMariinsky Theatreof Saint Petersburg staged a new production, also featuring Furlanetto.[citation needed]TheLyric Opera of Chicagomounted a newly-staged production in 2016 with sets and costumes from the San Diego production.,[11]and the work was also staged byOpera Australiain Sydney in March 2018.[12]
Roles
edit| Role[13] | Voice type | Premiere cast, 19 February 1910[14] Conductor:Léon Jehin |
|---|---|---|
| La belle Dulcinée (The beautifulDulcinea) | contralto | Lucy Arbell |
| Don Quichotte (Don Quixote) | bass | Feodor Chaliapin |
| Sancho (Sancho Panza) | baritone | André Gresse |
| Pedro (travesti) | soprano | Brienz |
| Garcias (travesti) | soprano | Brielga |
| Rodriguez | tenor | Edmond Warnéry |
| Juan | tenor | Charles Delmas |
| Chief of the Bandits | spoken | Delestang |
| Two valets | baritones | Thiriat & Borie |
| Four bandits | spoken | |
| Chorus:Gentry, Friends of Dulcinée, Ladies, Bandits, Crowds. | ||
Synopsis
edit- Place: Spain[15]
Act 1
editA square in front of Dulcinée's house
A festival is being celebrated. Four hopeful admirers of Dulcinée serenade her from the street. Dulcinée appears and explains philosophically that being adored is not enough, "Quand la femme a vingt ans" (When a woman is twenty). She withdraws and a crowd, largely of beggars, acclaim the arrival of the eccentric knight Don Quichotte (riding on his horse Rossinante) and his comic squire Sancho Panza (on a donkey). Delighted by their attention, Don Quichotte tells a reluctant Sancho to throw them money. After the crowd disperse, Don Quichotte himself serenades Dulcinée, "Quand apparaissent les étoiles" (When the stars begin to shine) but he is stopped by Juan, a jealous admirer of the local beauty. A sword fight follows, interrupted by Dulcinée herself. She is charmed by Don Quichotte's antique attentions, chides Juan for his jealousy and sends him away. The old man offers her his devotion and a castle. She suggests instead that he might retrieve a pearl necklace of hers stolen by Ténébrun, the bandit chief. He undertakes to do so, and Dulcinée quickly rejoins her men friends.
Act 2
editIn the countryside
A misty morning, Don Quichotte and Sancho enter with Rossinante and the donkey. Don Quichotte is composing a love poem. Sancho delivers a grand tirade against their expedition, against Dulcinée, and against women in general. "Comment peut-on penser du bien de ces coquines" (How can anyone think anything good of those hussies). The mists disperse revealing a line of windmills that Don Quichotte takes for a group of giants. To Sancho's horror, Don Quichotte attacks the first one, only to be caught up in one of the sails and hoisted up in the air.
Act 3
editIn the mountains
Dusk, Don Quichotte believes they are getting close to the bandits. Sancho goes to sleep while Don Quichotte stands guard. The bandits suddenly appear and after a brief fight take the knight prisoner. Sancho escapes. Surprised by the defiance of the old man, the bandits give him a beating and intend to kill him, however Don Quichotte's prayer "Seigneur, reçois mon âme, elle n'est pas méchante" (Lord receive my soul, it is not evil) moves Ténébrun, the bandit chief, to mercy. Don Quichotte explains his mission "Je suis le chevalier errant" (I am the Knight-errant), and the necklace is returned to him. The bandits ask for the blessing of the noble knight before he leaves.
Act 4
editThe garden of Dulcinée's House
Music and dancing, a party is in progress, but Dulcinée is melancholy, "Lorsque le temps d'amour a fui" (When the time of love has gone). Rousing herself, she snatches a guitar and sings "Ne pensons qu'au plaisir d'aimer" (Think just of the pleasures of love). All retire to dinner. Sancho and Don Quichotte arrive. While waiting for Dulcinée, Sancho asks for his reward to which Don Quichotte responds with vague promises of an island, a castle, riches. Dulcinée and her party greet the knight and he returns the necklace to universal acclaim. However, when he asks her to marry him he is greeted with hysterical laughter. Taking pity, Dulcinée tells the others to leave, apologizes "Oui, je souffre votre tristesse, et j'ai vraiment chagrin à vous désemparer" (I share your sorrow and am truly sorry) but explains that her destiny, her way of life, is different from his. She kisses him on the forehead and leaves. But the company return to make fun of the old man. Sancho vigorously upbraids them, "Riez, allez, riez du pauvre idéologue" (Laugh, laugh at this poor idealist) and takes his master away.
Act 5
editA mountain pass in an ancient forest
A clear starry night, Don Quichotte is dying. He remembers once promising Sancho an island as his reward, and offers him an isle of dreams, "Prends cette île" (Take that isle). Nearing death, Don Quichotte looks up at a star shining brightly above and hears the voice of Dulcinée calling him to another world. Then he collapses as Sancho weeps over his body.
Noted arias
edit- "Quand la femme a vingt ans" (Dulcinée) – act 1
- "Lorsque le temps d'amour a fui" (Dulcinée) – act 4
- "Riez, allez, riez du pauvre idéologue" (Sancho) – act 4
- "O mon maître, o mon grand!... Ecoute, mon ami" (Sancho, Don Quichotte) – act 5
References
edit- ^Massenet, Jules (1970).My Recollections.New York: Greenwood Reprinting. p. 272.ISBN0-404-04229-5.
- ^Milnes 1992.
- ^Don Quichotte - Massenet page at the Encyclopédie de l'art lyrique français websiteaccessed 13 November 2022.
- ^"Don Quichotte:Massenet's Opera in London ".The Manchester Guardian,18 May 1912, p. 12
- ^abRobert C. Marsh, "150 Years of Opera in Chicago".
- ^Wolff, Stéphane.Un demi-siècle d'Opéra-Comique (1900–1950)Paris: André Bonne, 1953.
- ^abLaurence Gilman,Cast of the Met premiere ofDon Quichotteplus Lawrence Gilman, review from theTribuneon archives.metoperafamily.org
- ^Donal Henahan,"Opera: Massenet'sDon Qucichotteis revived ",The New York Times,August 3, 1986
- ^Milnes, Rodney."Knight of pure spectacle",The Times,10 October 1994, p. 14
- ^Milnes, Rodney."Opera",The Times,4 September 1996, p. 34
- ^"Don Quichotte",2016–17 season
- ^Don QuichotteArchived2019-04-10 at theWayback Machine,2018 performance details,Opera Australia
- ^Massenet 1910,p.8;Macdonald 2001,p. 552;Milnes 1992,p. 1227, lists Sancho Panza as abass-baritonerole, Dulcinée as amezzo-soprano,and Le chef des bandits as a baritone.
- ^Casaglia, Gherardo (2005)."Don Quichotte,19 February 1910 ".L'Almanacco di Gherardo Casaglia(in Italian).
- ^This synopsis by Simon Holledge was first published on operajaponica.org and appears here by permission.
Sources
- Macdonald, Hugh(2001). "Jules Massenet". InAmanda Holden(ed.).The New Penguin Opera Guide.New York: Penguin Putnam. pp. 542–554.ISBN0-14-029312-4.
- Massenet, Jules (1910).Don Quichotte, comédie héroique en cinq actes, poème de Henri Cain, d'après Le Lorrain(piano–vocal score). Paris: Heugel.
- Milnes, Rodney(1992). "Don Quichotte".InStanley Sadie(ed.).The New Grove Dictionary of Opera.Vol. 1. London: Macmillan. pp. 1226–1228.ISBN978-1-56159-228-9.
Further reading
edit- Upton, George P.; Borowski, Felix (1928).The Standard Opera Guide.New York: Blue Ribbon Books. pp. 193–194.
- Kobbé, Gustav(1976).The Complete Opera Book.New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, pp. 875–876.
- Warrack, Johnand West, Ewan (1992),The Oxford Dictionary of Opera,782 pages,ISBN0-19-869164-5.
External links
edit- Don Quichotte:Scores at theInternational Music Score Library Project
- Don Quichotte,Vocal score (piano reduction), French and English libretto
- Review of 2009 San Diego production
