Opera Plots I - MDC Faculty Home Pages

eturn of his beloved Virginia, whom he has been expecting for many weeks to arrive by the next
vessel, which is now due, and which he can see struggling with the heavy seas. A terrible
hurricane arises, however, during which the ship is wrecked; and as the anxious lover frantically
endeavours to pierce the gloom a body is cast up on the shore at his feet. As Paul bends reverently
over the lifeless form, he gazes into the beautiful dead face of his beloved Virginia; and the curtain
descends upon his despairing cries of woe.
92. LA REINE TOPAZE
Opera Comique in Three Acts By Felix Marie Massé
Libretto By Lockroy and Battu
First Produced Paris, December, 1856
Chief Characters Topaze (Queen of the Gipsies), Rafael, Hannibal
THE story is a very slight and simple one, with little dramatic action, the chief humour and
interest being supplied by the amusing antics of the gipsies and the charming setting of the piece.
The scene is laid in France, in a picturesque district of which there is an encampment of merry
gipsies, who are ruled over by their Queen, a beautiful young maiden, named Topaze. Queen
Topaze is, however, not of gipsy birth, being in reality a nobleman's child. She was stolen in
babyhood by the gipsies, who soon became so attached to her that they made her their Queen. The
story of the play centres round the sweetheart of Queen Topaze, a young captain of high birth
named Rafael, who, having fallen desperately in love with the beautiful gipsy, woos her very
successfully, Topaze returning his passion with equal fervour. Rafael is betrothed to a wealthy
lady of high birth, from whom the attractions of the charming Topaze quickly take him; so that he
breaks his engagement with her to their mutual satisfaction. He does not, however, win his fair
Gipsy Queen immediately; and complications arise amongst the gipsies, who are not anxious to
part with their pretty leader. Finally, Topaze reveals her true birth, and all obstacles being cleared
away the happy pair are united.
93. THE CID
Romantic Opera in Four Acts By Jules Emile Frederic Massenet
Libretto By Gallet, Dennery, and Blau
First Produced Paris, November, 1885
Chief Characters Chimène, Infanta of Spain, Rodrigue (The Cid), Count Gormas, Don Diego,
Ferdinand IV. (King of Spain)
THE action takes place in Spain, in the time of Ferdinand IV., who, at the opening of the opera, is
just bestowing knighthood upon Rodrigue, the Cid, the latter being thus honoured for the glory he
has gained in the recent warfare. A Governorship is also promised to Count Gormas, whose
daughter, Chimène, is in love with the Cid, who also returns her passion. The Infanta of Spain has
also conceived a passion for the gallant warrior, but her high rank prevents her from making
advances to him, and with noble resignation she withdraws from him and bids Chimène take the
happiness she herself can never enjoy. Rodrigue receives further honours still; but Count Gormas