Offenbach - Keck

Pomme d’api (OEK critical edition) (1873)

Duration: 50 minutes
Opérette in one act

Libretto by Ludovic Halévy and William Busnach (F)

Scoring
S,T,Bar; 2(II=picc).1.2.1-2.2.1.0-timp.perc-strings.
Abbreviations (PDF).

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

World Premiere
9/4/1873
Théâtre de la Renaissance, Paris
Company: Louise Théo and others



World premiere of version
6/9/2007
Kurtheater, Bad Ems
Conductor: Enrico Delamboye
Company: Offenbach Festspiele

Roles

RABASTENS	Baritone
GUSTAVE, his nephew	Tenor
CATHERINE	Soprano

Time and Place
Paris, the house of Rabastens; a salon with fireplace and a kitchen on the ground floor, Gustave’s room above on the first floor

Synopsis
Pomme d’api (little red apple) is the nickname of Gustave’s mistress. Young Gustave, however, is very worried because his uncle, the pensioner Rabastens, has made his bill of exchange invalid. Rabastens, an old philanderer but a staunch bachelor at the same time, has decided that Gustave should look for someone else rather than continuing his relationship with Pomme d’api. Rabastens himself is enchanted with his new housemaid Catherine, who, as Gustave soon discovers, is no other than his beloved Pomme d’api. Rabastens offers to make Catherine his mistress, but a dinner finally brings about the denouement. Rabastens realises that he has no chance against the young people’s love.

Moods
Comic

Subjects
Society