Composer

:

André Messager

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Operetta

Compose Date

:

1919

Average_duration

:

96:43

Monsieur Beaucaire is an opera composed by André Messager, with a libretto by Frederick Lonsdale and Adrian Ross. The opera premiered on April 22, 1919, at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London. The plot is based on a novel by Booth Tarkington, which tells the story of a French nobleman, Monsieur Beaucaire, who disguises himself as a barber in order to win the heart of a beautiful English lady, Lady Mary Carlisle. The opera is set in the 18th century, in the court of King Louis XV of France. Monsieur Beaucaire is a dashing and charming nobleman who is admired by all the ladies of the court. However, he is also a bit of a rogue, and his reputation is tarnished when he is caught cheating at cards. To escape the scandal, he decides to leave France and travel to England. In England, Monsieur Beaucaire falls in love with Lady Mary Carlisle, a beautiful and wealthy young woman. However, Lady Mary is engaged to Lord Burnham, a pompous and arrogant English nobleman. Monsieur Beaucaire decides to disguise himself as a barber in order to get closer to Lady Mary and win her heart. The rest of the opera follows Monsieur Beaucaire's attempts to woo Lady Mary while keeping his true identity a secret. He faces many obstacles along the way, including Lord Burnham's jealousy and Lady Mary's own doubts about his true intentions. However, in the end, Monsieur Beaucaire's charm and wit win the day, and he is able to reveal his true identity and win Lady Mary's love. The music of Monsieur Beaucaire is characterized by its light and playful tone, with many catchy melodies and lively dance numbers. The opera is divided into three acts, each with its own distinct musical style and mood. The first act is set in the court of King Louis XV and features many lively dance numbers and comic scenes. The second act takes place in England and is more romantic in tone, with many beautiful arias and duets. The final act brings the two worlds together, with a grand finale that features all the characters in a joyful celebration of love and happiness. Overall, Monsieur Beaucaire is a charming and entertaining opera that showcases the talents of its composer and librettists. Its catchy melodies and playful tone make it a favorite of audiences around the world, and it remains a popular choice for opera companies and performers to this day.

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