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Music Text

Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy; new German version by Gustaf Gründgens after Ernst Dohm (F,G)

Scoring

8S,4M,2A,7T,3Bar(T),3B,speaker; chorus;
2(II=picc).2.2.2-4.2.3.0-timp.perc-strings

Abbreviations (PDF)

Publisher

Boosey & Hawkes / Bote & Bock

Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.

Availability

World premiere of version
31/05/1932
Berlin
Company: unknown

Roles

FALSACAPPA, robber-chief Tenor
FIORELLA, his daughter Soprano
FRAGOLETTO, a young tenant Tenor
PIETRO, Falsacappa's confidant Tenor or Baritone
robber lieutenants: CARMAGNOLA Tenor
DOMINO Tenor or Baritone
BARBAVANO Bass
girls, later robber brides: FIAMETTA Soprano
ZERLINA Soprano
BIANCA Mezzo Soprano
CICINELLA Mezzo Soprano
DUKE OF MANTUA Tenor or Baritone
ANTONIO, his treasurer Tenor
BRAMARBASSO, captain of the troups of Mantua Bass
two pages Sopranos
MARQUISE, BARONESS, Mistresses of the Duke of Mantua Soprano, Mezzo Soprano
A Herald speaking role
PRINCESS OF GRANADA High Mezzo Soprano
ADOLF OF VALLADOLID, her page Tenor or Mezzo Soprano
COUNT OF GLORIA-CASSIS, her chamberlain Tenor
STEWARD Bass
TWO NOBLE LADIES Soprano, Contralto
PIPI, landlord Lyric Tenor
PIPA, landlord's wife Lyric Contralto
PIPETTA, their daughter Soubrette Soprano
Robbers, Soldiers, Kitchen staff, Spanish retinue, Royal household of Mantua mixed chorus
Time and Place

Wild mountainous area; a rural inn; a palace. In earlier times

Synopsis

Everybody steals according to their position in society.
Antonio





The chief of a band of robbers, Falsacappa, is under pressure to succeed. His last coup was a long time ago and his gang is beginning to get bored. Suddenly an interesting opportunity comes their way: a messenger from Granada who bears information about the forthcoming wedding of the Princess of Granada and the Duke of Mantua. As a result of the marriage the duke is supposed to pay back an old debt worth millions. The messenger has been ordered to bring a portrait of the princess to the duke, but Falsacappa secretly swaps this with one of his daughter Fiorella, and releases the messenger. The delegation from Granada is taken by surprise at the border. Dressed in the costumes of the Spaniards, and with Fiorella as the princess, the robbers enter Mantua. Although the fraud succeeds, Falsacappa's plan fails. There is no treasure. Mantua's treasurer Antonio, who is the cleverer robber, has long since misappropriated the millions owed by the duke. With the arrival of the real Spaniards who have managed to free themselves, the scam is revealed. The robbers are consoled by the duke's offer that they enter the civil service and exchange their robber's clothes for police uniforms.

Moods

Comic, Romantic

Subjects
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