If, like me, you aren’t quite sure what an Opéra Comique is, then these few lines are for you!
I had the chance last night to attend the dress rehearsal of L’Ambassadrice, a three-act opéra-comique by D.F.E. Auber, presented in expert fashion by the Compagnie des Frivolités Parisiennes at the Alhambra theater this weekend.
It is in the heart of opéra-comique, opera-bouffe, and operetta that the Compagnie des Frivolités Parisiennes travels, born from the passion of two young professional musicians, Benjamin El Arbi and Mathieu Franot, for the French romantic lyrical repertoire.
Their work of faithful and accomplished representation (an orchestra of 25 musicians) allows them to restore this genre to the prominent place it held in the cultural programming of the 19th century.
This company has the commendable desire to help a wide audience rediscover this repertoire, a skillful blend of music and theater, a true piece of Parisian cultural heritage and a bridge between popular culture and high art music.
The troupe performs in various cultural venues, as they have a desire to share this heritage with the younger generation.
The magnificent lead role of the play: Magali Leger
L’Ambassadrice is the work of two friends and close collaborators, prolific authors Auber and Scribe, who formed one of the great successful duos of the 19th-century dramatic world.
Premiering at the Opéra-Comique in 1836, the work was performed almost without interruption until 1873. After the 1870 conflict, the character of the Prussian ambassador became unwelcome, and during the world conflicts of the 20th century, this masterpiece gradually fell into oblivion. It is at the time of the fiftieth anniversary celebrations of the Elysée Treaty that this work is reborn, staged for the first time in 130 years.
Pitch: The plot begins backstage at the Munich Opera: Henriette, a young singer as artistically gifted as she is socially ambitious, lets herself be whisked away by the Prussian ambassador on his simple promise to marry her. But the social climber is quickly disillusioned by the Court and her new in-laws: she then remembers the advances of the troupe’s tenor, the young Bénédict, and dreams of returning to the stage… especially since her rival Charlotte is now being courted by the frivolous ambassador!
For live performance enthusiasts like me, this play is an opportunity to discover a genre that has fallen into disuse and yet remains very pleasant, light, and entertaining.
Benjamin El Arbi and Mathieu Franot
L’Ambassadrice by the Compagnie des Frivolités Parisiennes Alhambra Theater / 21, rue Yves Toudic – Paris 10th Friday 4 (9 PM), Saturday 5 (9 PM), Sunday 6 (4 PM) January 2013 Duration: 2h30 with intermission Tickets at €48 and €36 / Great deal: reduced rate of €20 for those under 25
