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Cleveland Opera

Cleveland Opera presents a FREE performance of Marriage by Lantern-Light by Jacques Offenbach

A comic opérette in one act by Jacques Offenbach sung in English. Presented in a charming chamber rendition, staged with rustic costumes and imaginative settings. This adventurous and comic production will feature four new voices at The Cleveland Opera (three sopranos and one tenor), clarinet and piano.  This adventurous production will feature four new voices at The Cleveland Opera (Cast is listed in alphabetical order):

Danielle Bendjy, soprano, Fanchette

Caroline Bergan, soprano, Cathérine

Elizabeth Frey, mezzo-soprano, Denise

Brian Skoog, tenor, Guillot

Place and Time: A village of the 19th-century countryside.

A young farmer Guillot has affection for his orphan cousin Denise, who was entrusted to him by their uncle Mathurin. He hides his feelings by treating her roughly, driving the young girl to despair. Both write to their uncle: him for money, her for advice. Two gossiping widows, Catherine and Fanchette, poke fun at the doltishness of Guillot, but when he receives a letter from his uncle telling him about treasure that may be found under the great tree when the evening church bells peal the two women determine to win Guillot’s hand.

At the time of the angélus, Denise enters, reading a letter from her uncle which tells her that she will find a good husband underneath the great tree, where she falls asleep. As Guillot arrives with his spade and lantern, he hears her speak his name in her sleep, and understands that she is Mathurin’s promised treasure. By the light of the lanterns of villagers, who have also come to inspect the treasure, they agree to wed, much to the chagrin of the two widows.

The story tells the tale of a young farmer, Guillot, who has been entrusted to look after an orphan cousin, Denise, by his uncle. He treats her off-handedly to hide his feelings for her. Both write to the uncle, she in misery, he asking for money.

Two widows poke fun at Guillot, but when he receives a reply from his uncle telling him about treasure that can be found under a great tree when the bells of the church peal for the evening Angélus, they fight with each other to gain his affection.

Evening comes and Guillot – with ‘accomplices!’ – enters with lantern and spade to find the treasure – which surprises everyone!