La fille du regiment

The Daughter of the Regiment (French: La fille du régiment) is a comic opera in two acts. The French libretto was written by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and Jean-François Bayard, and the music was composed by Gaetano Donizetti. The opera is famous for the tenor aria "Ah! mes amis, quel jour de fête!" which features nine high Cs. The opera was first performed on 11 February 1840 by the Paris Opéra-Comique at the Salle de la Bourse. It was performed at the Metropolitan Opera in 1902/03, with Jenny Lind as the title role of Marie.

Roles

  • Marie, a vivandière - coloratura soprano
  • Tonio, a young Tyrolean - tenor
  • Sergeant Sulpice - bass
  • Marquise of Birkenfeld - contralto
  • Hortensius, a butler - bass
  • Corporal - bass
  • Peasant - tenor
  • Duchess of Krakenthorp - spoken role
  • Notary - spoken role
  • French soldiers, Tyroleans, servants of the Duchess

Story

Act 1

The Marquise of Berkenfeld and her butler, Hortensius, are on their way to Austria during the French occupation of Tyrol. They pause in their journey because a skirmish has broken out. The Marquise learns that the French troops have retreated. She comments on the rude manners of the French people ("Pour une femme de mon nom"). The sergeant of the 21st regiment, Sulpice, assures everyone that his men will restore peace and order. He is joined by Marie, the "daughter" of the regiment — an orphan adopted by the soldier. She is their vivandière, a canteen girl. Sulpice questions her about a young man they saw with her. She explains that he is Tonio, a Tyrolean who once saved her life. Troops of the 21st arrive with a prisoner. It is Tonio. He has been looking for Marie, who steps in to save him. He toasts to his new friends, and Marie sings the regimental song ("Chacun le sait"). Tonio is ordered to follow the soldiers, but escapes and returns to declare his love to Marie. She admits to Tonio that she can marry only a soldier of the 21st.

The Marquise asks Sulpice for an escort to her castle. When Sulpice hears the name Berkenfeld, he remembers a letter he found near the young Marie on the battlefield. The Marquise admits that she knew the girl's father. She says that Marie is the long-lost daughter of her sister. The girl was previously left in the care of the Marquise, who then lost her. The Marquise is shocked by the girl's rough manners. She decides to take her niece to her castle and give her a proper education. Tonio has enlisted so that he can marry Marie ("Ah, mes amis"), but Marie has to leave both her familial regiment and the man she loves ("Il faut partir").

Act 2

The Marquise has arranged a marriage between Marie and the Duke of Krakenthorp. At the Marquise's castle, Sulpice is recovering from an injury. He is supposed to be helping the Marquise with her plans. The Marquise gives a singing lesson to Marie. She slips in phrases of the regimental song with Sulpice's encouragement. The Marquise loses her temper in response (Trio: "Le jour naissait dans la bocage").

Marie is left alone. She thinks money and position are meaningless ("Par le rang et l'opulence"). She hears soldiers marching in the distance, and is delighted when the whole regiment comes in the room. She leads them in singing a patriotic tribute ("Salut à la France"). Marie is reunited with the enlisted Tonio, who asks her hand in marriage. The Marquise is unmoved by the young man's declaration that Marie is his whole life ("Pour me rapprocher de Marie"). She says her niece is engaged to another man, and dismisses Tonio. The Marquise and Sulpice are left alone, and she confesses the truth to him: Marie is her illegitimate daughter. She abandoned Marie long ago, fearing social disgrace.

Hortensius announces the arrival of the wedding party, led by the groom's mother, the Duchess of Krakenthorp. Marie refuses to leave her room. Sulpice tells her that the Marquise is her mother. The surprised girl says she cannot oppose her mother's wishes, and agrees to marry the Duke. She is about to sign the marriage contract when the soldiers of the 21st, led by Tonio, storm in to rescue their "daughter." The guests are horrified to learn that Marie was a canteen girl. However, they change their opinion when she tells them that she can never repay the debt she owes the soldiers. The Marquise is so moved by her daughter's goodness of heart that she gives her permission to marry Tonio. Everyone joins in a final "Salut à la France".

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