Mademoiselle Fifi (opera)


Mademoiselle Fifi is an opera in one act, composed by César Cui during 1902-1903. The libretto was adapted by the composer from the short story Mademoiselle Fifi by Guy de Maupassant and the dramatized version Mlle Fifi by Oscar Méténier.
The opera was premiered on 4 November 1903 = The Woman from Rouen]. The opera was widely performed in Imperial Russia and had special significance during World War I, largely because of its patriotic connotations in the struggle against Germany. Despite this success and an adaptation produced during World War II, this opera seems not to have remained in the standard operatic repertoire afterwards in Russia and not to have been performed in the West.
In the music for the opera Cui borrows some French and German tunes, including the tune of the refrain from "Die Wacht am Rhein" for the German soldiers.

Characters and Setting

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Setting: 1871. The Château d'Uville, near Rouen.

Synopsis

On a rainy day during the Franco-Prussian War, German soldiers occupying a château in France send for some "ladies" from the nearby town. When they arrive, the men and women are paired up, and all sit down to dinner. Von Eyrik taunts Rachel, his assigned companion. Some light German and French songs are sung as entertainment. Then Rachel sings a patriotic song, provoking Fifi to boast that Germany will conquer not only France, but also her women. Rachel stabs him and escapes. Fifi dies, and prayers are said for him as the nearby church bells toll.

Notable musical excerpts

These were separately issued by the publisher :