Chimes of Normandy
Music by Robert Planquette
English Libretto by Farnie & Reece
Performances at
Good Shepherd Parish House Auditorium
November 11-13, 1957
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CREDITS
We wish to thank our many friends for the kindness and generosity for helping make this production possible; especially are we grateful to our ever growing list of guarantors for their continued support, and also: the Rector, Wardens and Vestry, George Hambleton, Bruce Spaulding, Lionel Boucher, Beth Tebbetts, Johnson’s Electric, John Hess
Synopsis of Scenes
Act I Scene 1: On the way to the Fair, near Corneville
Scene 2: The Hiring Fair, Corneville
(Intermission of ten minutes between acts)
Act II A room in the chateau of Corneville, the following night
(Intermission of ten minutes between acts)
Act III A park, near the chateau of Corneville
TIME — 17th Century
“THE CHIMES OF NORMANDY”
At the opening curtain, villagers and peasants are on their way to the hiring fair, and the ladies become engaged in a bit of gossip with Serpolette, a village good-for-nothing. Gaspard, a miser, who wishes to have his niece, Germaine, marry the magistrate Bailli, cames upon the scene and disperses the crowd. (Germaine meanwhile is being sought by a young fisherman, Grenicheux, who pretends he has saved her from drowning). To escape from having to follow old Gaspard’s power Germaine takes advantage of the fair, and is hired by Henri (who appears disguised as a Mexican). Both Grenicheux and Serpolette follow her example, and thus enjoy protection of their employer, Henri, the Marquis of Corneville.
In the second act, within the chateau, the Marquis, Germaine and his followers are determined to find out who the supposed “ghosts” are who have given the chateau its “haunted” name. Henri discovers it is Gaspard, the miser, who has been hiding his gold and treasures in the closed chateau. The discovery of his hiding place drives Gaspard crazy when he hears the chimes ringing out for the first time.
In the concluding act, a fete is in progress to honor the return of the Marquis. Serpolette arrives as the Marchioness, as papers found in the chateau seem to convince her she is the lost heiress. Gaspard, however, recovers his senses and proves the Germaine is the true Marcioness, Henri and Germaine are at last united (the reunion of two old Corneville familes- the Lucenays and the name family of the village- Corneville) Thus the right ones are united happily.
Produced by special arrangement with Tams-Witmark of New York
