Grétry, André Modeste
Ein Risiko geht jeder ein (1770)
Comic opera in two acts
Libretto by Fenouillot de Falbaire; German version by Herbert Trantow (G)
Scoring
highS,M,buffoT,T,buffoBar,BBar; 2non-singing roles; male chorus;
2.2.0.2-2.0.0.0-strings.
Abbreviations (PDF).
Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.
World Premiere
10/17/1770
Fontainebleau
Company: Unknown
Roles
| MARTIN, speculator | Bass baritone |
| JÉRÔME, his clerk | Spieltenor |
| GRIPON, a dodgy banker | Buffo tenor |
| HENRIETTE, his niece | High soprano |
| MADELON, his housekeeper | Mezzo soprano |
| ALI, captain of the Janissaries | Buffo baritone |
| OSMAN, second commander | Non-singing role |
| A messenger | Non-singing role |
| The Janissaries |
Time and Place
18th century, a public square in Smyrna
Synopsis Martin and Gripon, two greedy crooks in Smyrna, one of them a speculator, the other one a dodgy banker, team up in order to find an alleged treasure in the pyramid. When Martin sees that there is no treasure, Gripon does not believe him and locks him in. Gripon has to hide from passing Janissaries and is now trapped himself. Jérôme, Martin’s journeyman, and Henriette, Gripon’s niece, are in love with each other. They have become aware that Martin and Gripon want to prevent their relationship because they have invested Jérôme’s and Henriette’s cash assets in their shady dealings. The only way out is to escape. That, however, is delayed by various misfortunes, and eventually the two lovers even liberate Martin and Gripon. Gripon learns that he has been cheated out of 200 ducats, and it is he of all people who concludes that there is no honesty in the world any more.
Moods
Comic
Subjects
Relationships, Society
