Gianguir rebelled against his father and was disowned: he lost his right to the throne, which is now promised to his son Cosrovio. Gianguir married Zama, a woman of humble birth who convinced him to marry her daughter Miraca to Cosrovio. Her brother Asaf is the sultan’s favourite. Cosrovio turns down this proposal because he is in love with Alinda (the princess Semira, Gianguir’s sworn enemy); she convinces him to reclaim the throne bequeathed by his grandfather and take up arms against his father. His friend Mahobet, the captain of the guards, tries to remind him of his duty. Cosrovio and Asaf fight before Gianguir’s eyes. To avenge himself after being humiliated, Asaf tells Semira that Cosrovio will marry Miraca; she promises him her love out of jealousy. When ordered to either marry Miraca or to surrender and die, Cosrovio takes up arms: Gianguir finds out about this betrayal and demands that Mahobet’s head be brought to him for having helped his son. Mahobet saves himself by taking Gianguir hostage. He is accused of high treason and Gianguir deprives him of his rank, even though Agra is in danger. The army is handed to Asaf. Semira, using the name Alinda, feigns cooperation: she promises that she will marry Asaf and denounces the enemies of the kingdom to set herself free. Gianguir tells Cosrovio that Alinda is in love with another man. Cosrovio thinks that she has betrayed him, but as soon as Alinda is free, she reveals that Semira will not keep the promises made by Alinda, and that she is Cosrovio’s wife. The two lovers reunite. Semira sends her future husband to the battlefield and Asaf is defeated: when all seems lost for the king, Gianguir arrives—Mahobet has freed him. Zama tries to convince him to forgive his son, and Mahobet says that a rebellion will start if he kills him. At the very last moment, Gianguir chooses to be magnanimous: Semira walks in on the father and son reconciling. She asks to be killed at the same time as her husband, but Gianguir spares them on Zama’s advice. He declares her sultan’s wife and marries Semira and Cosrovio. The choir celebrates this beautiful day.

String marionette

Not specified

Zeno Apostolo

Italy

Venice

Printed

Succession

Rebellion

Forced marriage

Favourite

Tyrant

Heroic

Melodramatic

Epic

Gianguir, 1748 (title page)

Italian

Emperor

Prince

Princess

Wife

Brother

Captain

Confident

Music

Chorus

Play in verse

Love story

Public announcement

Crowd

Duel scene

Love rivalry

Parade

Off-stage combat

Disguised character (false identity)

Fight

Arrest scene

Revelation

Final wedding

Gianguir

Victor is in love with Clémence, the daughter of the Baron de Fritzierne. Moreover, a long time ago, Victor was found in the forest by the Baron de Fitzierne and raised like his own son. Victor reveals to Clémence that he is not her brother. Clémence is thrilled and believes that they can finally marry. However, Victor wants to run away: he is afraid to ask the Baron for Clémence’s hand, for he is convinced that, without wealth, we will never get his consent. Forban, a bandit, gives Victor a letter that was meant for the Baron, and assures him that it can save his life. Meanwhile, Clémence has revealed everything to her father, who now wants to see Victor. Together, the Baron, Clémence, and Victor read the letter sent by Roger, the leader of the bandits. A few days before, the Baron’s men freed Madame Germain, a woman captured by Roger. The latter now demands that the Baron bring her back to him within twenty four hours, or he will seek revenge. The Baron refuses to yield and asks for his army to be prepared to face Roger. The Baron puts Victor to the test: to marry Clémence, he will have to prove that his parents are honest and honourable people, even if they are poor. The battle starts. Victor fights Roger, but Madame Germain intervenes and saves the bandits’ leader. The Baron asks for explanations. The truth comes out: Roger is actually Victor’s father, and Madame Germain was the friend of his mother Adèle. Adèle had entrusted Madame Germain with a mission: to save her son. Madame Germain had then kidnapped Victor and let him in the forest, where he was found by the Baron. When he had discovered this, Roger, enraged, had killed Adèle. The Baron gives Victor one last chance: if he convinces his father to stop his criminal activities, he will marry Clémence. Victor finds Roger and tells him that he is his son. Roger refuses to give up his lifestyle, even though he loves him. In the end, he sacrifices himself to protect Victor and Clémence when the camp is attacked. Fatally wounded, he asks the Baron in his last breath to not judge Victor because of his lineage, and to approve his union with Clémence.

All audiences

France

Family

Love

Escape

Friendship

Mysterious letter

Threat

Army

Combat

Sacrifice

Relationship between father and son

Forgiveness

Honour

French

Leader

Brigand

Baron

Young man

Old man

Lieutenant

Officer

Soldier

Daughter

Lady

Monologue

Letter

Off-stage voice

Aside

Off-stage noise

Battle cries with several voices

Fight to the death

Death on stage

Victor ou l'Enfant de la forêt

Victor or the Child of the forest

The Mandarin is sad. A new year has begun, and he must negotiate again with Homme-dragon (the Man-dragon), a monster that terrorizes his kingdom. The messenger Djin-Ti offers to speak with the monster for him, even though he is even more afraid of it than the Mandarin. But negotiation is impossible: Homme-dragon asks for princess Yin, the Mandarin’s daughter, or he will eat every child in China. The Mandarin asks Roland and another knight for help, but the monster defeats them effortlessly. The Mandarin, his daughter and Djin-Ti go to Charlemagne for help. Near Liège, Djin-Ti suggests that his master and the princess rest while he speaks with the emperor. But how can he approach Charlemagne? P’tit Colas, a child from Liège, advises Djin-Ti to speak with his friend Tchantchès instead. Tchantchès devises a plan to beat the monster. He suggests that he and the Mandarin set a trap for Homme-dragon. The princess will write a letter to lure him to Liège. The plan is successful: Homme-dragon arrives in Tchantchès’ home and is defeated by him. The Mandarin does not know how to thank his saviour, but Tchantchès needs no thank-you. He invites him to “celebrate this victory and the friendship between China and good old Liège” by drinking peket – the local Jenever alcohol.