Le Financier et le savetier (Richter version)

Libretto by Henri Meilhac; new German Version by Josef Heinzelmann, music arranged by Caspar Richter (F,G)

S,2T,B, chamber chorus ad lib;
1.1.2.1-1.1.1.0-perc-strings

Belazor's saloon in the year 1856

Belazor has become rich at the stock exchange. He resides in a palace, counting the most important men of the country among his friends. There is only one problem: the shoemaker Larfaillou next door, a cheerful fellow, who is always singing songs. The lord is disturbed by the singing. Larfaillou is so impudent as to enter during a reception and to ask for the hand of Belazor's daughter Aubépine – just as in the fable of Lafontaine that Aubépine was reciting to the guests. Belazor wants to get rid of the fellow and thinks he can silence him with twelve Louisdor. Larfaillou has Aubépine explain the rules of the stock exchange to him and instantly applies at gambling what he just learned. With his twelve Louisdor, he wins one round after another, until the rich man loses the shirt off his back. The tables have been turned, Larfaillou is given Aubépine and, following a dividend quoted after the close of the stock market, Belazor begins to work for his "second first million".

Comic

Relationships, Society