Les cloches de Corneville (, The Bells of Corneville, sometimes known in English as The Chimes of Normandy) is an opéra-comique in three acts, composed by Robert Planquette to a libretto by Louis Clairville and Charles Gabet. It premeried in Paris in 1877.
The story, set at the turn of the 18th century, depicts the return of an exiled aristocrat to his ancestral castle, the machinations of the miserly steward to secure the family's fortune for himself, and the changing amorous pairings of the four juvenile leads. Aspects of the plot were criticised by contemporary critics as derivative of earlier operas.
The opera was Planquette's first full-length stage work, and although he later wrote twelve more, including Rip Van Winkle, which was a hit in London, he never equalled the international success of this first venture. It broke box-office records in Paris and London, where it set a new long-run record for musical theatre worldwide, and it was continually revived in Europe and the US during the rest of the 19th century. Since then it has remained in the repertoire for occasional productions in France.
Background There are conflicting accounts of the genesis of the piece. According to the Académie nationale de l'opérette, Gabet and Clairville had Planquette set their libretto, which they then offered, unsuccessfully, to various managements; it was initially rejected because of its similarity to Boieldieu's La dame blanche and Flotow's Martha. Excerpts from the score were published and sold well, with the result that Charles Cantin, manager of the Théâtre des Folies-Dramatiques, became interested in staging the piece."Les cloches de Corneville", Opérette – Théâtre Musical, Académie Nationale de l'Opérette. Retrieved 6 November 2018 The alternative account, in the Encyclopédie de l'art lyrique français, is that Cantin accepted the libretto and commissioned Hervé to set it. The authors were unwilling to introduce additional broad comedy effects called for by Hervé, and Cantin, who liked to encourage rising talent, turned to Planquette to set the piece."Cloches de Corneville, Les" , Encyclopédie de l'art lyrique français, Association l’Art Lyrique Français (in French). Retrieved 6 November 2018
Since 1867 the Folies-Dramatiques had presented a series of opéras bouffes and comiques; the principal composers were Hervé and Charles Lecocq. For the new opera Cantin assembled a strong cast. The leading lady of his company, Conchita Gélabert, had just left to retire into private life but was persuaded back, and Cantin had recently recruited an 18-year-old newcomer Juliette Girard, an alumna of the Conservatoire de Paris, who took the other soprano lead. The two tenor roles were taken by the popular Simon-Max and Ernest Vois. Although he wrote twelve more full-length operas, Planquette never equalled the success of this, his first stage work.
First production The opera was first presented at the Fantaisies-Parisiennes on 19 April 1877, and ran for 596 performances,"Le succès au théâtre", Le Figaro, 23 August 1891, p. 2 taking in more than 1.6 million francs at the box office,"The Drama in Paris", The Era, 29 August 1891, p. 9 equal to about 6,700,000 euros in 2015 terms."Historical currency converter", Historical Statistics. Retrieved 8 November 2018 It was clear well before the final curtain that the piece was a success. Several numbers were repeatedly encored, and the cast were widely praised for their acting and, on the whole, their singing.
Original cast RoleVoice typePremiere cast, 19 April 1877(Conductor: ) Gaspard, a miser baritoneAnge Milher Germaine, his niece sopranoConchita Gélabert Serpolette, a foundling sopranoJuliette Girard Henri, Marquis de Corneville tenorErnest Vois Jean Grenicheux, a fisher lad tenorSimon-Max The bailiff of Corneille baritoneFrançois-Louis Luco Gertrude, Jeanne, Manette and Suzanne et al, belles of Corneville Registrar, Assessor, NotaryVillagers and attendants of the Marquis
Synopsis Act 1 – Scene 1 – A wooded trail near Castle Corneville, in the time of Louis XIV
The miserly old Gaspard is steward to the exiled Marquises of Corneville. He maintains possession of the castle and the family's money by convincing the locals that it is haunted. He wants to force his niece, Germaine, to marry the old bailiff, because the latter has become suspicious of Gaspard and threatens to investigate his conduct of the Marquis's affairs. But Germaine feels under an obligation to Jean Grenicheux, an aristocratic young fisherman, who claims that he once rescued her from drowning. Gaspard has a maid named Serpolette, whom he found as a child abandoned in a field. She has grown into a pert beauty and is the object of gossip by the local women, who call her good-for-nothing. She too is enamoured of Grenicheux.
A stranger dressed as a sea captain arrives, whom Germaine attempts to turn away from the castle, saying it is haunted and telling him that the castle's bells will only ring again when the rightful master returns. The stranger is actually Henri, Marquis de Corneville, returning from exile. He has come to retake his castle and fields. He recalls his youth and particularly a young girl who fell into the sea. He pulled her out and never saw her again.
Act 1 – Scene 2 – The market of Corneville At the market, twice a year, people can hire domestic servants or coachmen. Germaine, Serpolette and Grenicheux all engage themselves to the mysterious Henri, hoping to escape old Gaspard.
Act 2 – A large hall in Castle Corneville Marquis Henri brings his new employees to the castle at night and reveals his true identity. He tries to reassure them about the ghosts. He has resolved to restore his immense castle, which has been badly neglected in his absence. He discovers a letter in the castle stating that the infant Vicomtesse de Lucenay was at one time in danger and so was entrusted to Gaspard to be brought up under a false name. Everyone thinks this must refer to Serpolette. Henri also finds himself becoming attracted to Germaine. She tells him the story about how Grenicheux saved her, and how she feels obliged to marry him. Henri realises that Germaine is the girl that he himself had rescued and that Grenicheux's claims to have done so are false.
Meanwhile, old Gaspard arrives at night in a boat to visit his gold, thinking the castle is empty. Henry and the others, clad in suits of armour, jump out, ring the bells of the castle and capture the old trickster. The shock drives the old man mad.
Act 3 – The grounds of Castle Corneville After the renovation of the castle and the ringing of the bells, Henri is recognised as the rightful master of the Castle of Corneville. He gives a feast for the whole village, and his guests rejoice. Gaspard, who has lost his reason, wanders from group to group, singing. Serpolette is assumed to be the Vicomtesse of Lucenay, because the page from the birth register of the village, noting the births of Serpolette and Germaine, has disappeared (Gaspard had stolen it). Grenicheux has become factotum to the Vicomtesse Serpolette and is now courting her.
Henri has fallen in love with Germaine, although she is only a servant in his household. He orders Grenicheux to confess his deception, but not to reveal the name of the actual rescuer. Germaine overhears their conversation. Henri asks Germaine to be his wife, but she demurs, believing that a servant cannot marry a Marquis. Gaspard, recovering his senses, remorsefully declares that his pretended niece is the rightful Vicomtesse de Lucenay (and Serpolette simply a gypsy orphan), and so the Marquis may wed Germaine. Henri forgives Gaspard, Serpolette takes Grenicheux, and all ends happily, as the bells of Corneville are set ringing.
Musical numbers
Overture Act 1, Scene 1: A forest near the village of Corneville 1. Chorus – "C’est le marché de Corneville" – "On dit, sans contredit" (This is Corneville market – They say, without a doubt) 2. Rondo – "Dans ma mystérieuse histoire" (In my mysterious history) – Serpolette 3. Chanson du mousse – "Va, petit mousse" (Go, little cabin boy) – Grenicheux 4. Duet – "Même sans consulter mon coeur" (Even without asking my heart) – Germaine, Grenicheux 5. Légende des cloches – "Nous avons hélas! perdu d'excellents maîtres" (Legend of the bells – We have, alas, lost excellent masters) – Germaine, chorus 6. Rondo-waltz – "J'ai fait trois fois le tour du monde" (I've been round the world three times) – Henri 7. Chorus – "C’est affreux, odieux" (It's awful, odious!) Act 1, Scene 2: The Fair of Corneville Entr'acte 8. Couplets – "Je ne sais comment faire" (I don't know how) – Grenicheux 9a. Chorus "Sur le marche de Corneville (On Corneville market) 9b. Chorus "Vous qui voulez des servantes" (You who want servants) 9c. Finale – "Jeune fille, dis-moi ton nom" (Tell me your name, young woman) Act 2 – A Hall in the Chateau of Corneville 10. Chorus – "À la lueur de ces flambeaux" (By the light of these torches) 10b. Air – "Ne parlez pas de mon courage" (Do not speak of my courage) – Germaine 10c. Trio – "Fermons les yeux" (Close your eyes – Serpolette, Grenicheux, Bailiff) 10d. Song – "Pristi, sapristi" (Serpolette) 11. Song – "J'avais perdu la tête et ma perruque" (I have lost my head and my wig) – Bailiff 12. Song – "Sous des armures à leur taille" (Wearing armour that fits them) – Henri, chorus 13. Ensemble and couplets – "Vicomtesse et marquise" (Viscountess and marquis) – Serpolette, Henri, chorus 14. Duet – "C'est elle et son destin le guide" (It is she, and her destiny guides her) – Germaine, Henri 15. Chorus and quintet – Gloire au valeureux Grenicheux" (Glory to the brave) – Grenicheux 16. Finale and couplets –"C'est là, c’est là qu'est la richesse" (This is where the money is) – Gaspard, Grenicheux, chorus Act 3 – A Park, with a statue and shrubbery Entr'acte and dance 17. Chanson des gueux – "Enfin, nous voilà transportés" (Song of the beggars – At last we are transported) – Gaspard 18. Chorus – "Regardez donc quel équipage" (Look what a crew) 18b. Song – "oui, c'est moi, c'est Serpolette" (Yes, it's me, it's Serpolette) – Serpolette 19. Chanson du cidre – "La pomme est un fruit plein de sève" (Cider song – The apple is a fruit full of juice) – Serpolette and chorus 20. Rondo-waltz – "Je regardais en l'air" (I have looked in the air) – Grenicheux 21. Romance and duet – "Une servante, que m'importe" (A maid – what do I care!) – Germaine, Henri 22. Final de l'acte III – "Pour le tresor que tu nous abandonnes" (For the treasure you leave us)
Revivals and adaptations
Productions outside France soon followed the premiere. Brussels first saw the piece in October 1877, at the Théâtre des Fantaisies Parisiennes."Les cloches de Corneville", The Era, 21 October 1877, p. 6 In the same month, it was given in English as The Chimes of Normandy at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York. There was also another New York run in 1878. Later productions included one as The Bells of Corneville at the Victoria Theatre in New York, beginning on 21 April 1902.Gänzl and Lamb, p. 356 Oscar Hammerstein I mounted a production at the Manhattan Opera House as part of a season of opéra comique in 1909."Chimes of Normandy", The New York Times, 5 December 1909, p. 12