 BLUEBEARD
Music by Jacques Offenbach; adapted and arranged by Graham Ripley
New Libretto and Lyrics by Brian Anderson
THE STORY
(Fairy-tale Gothic!)
Bluebeard, a powerful nobleman, lives in a mighty castle and has already
done away with five wives. He orders his right hand man, Popolani,
to dispose of Boulotte, his latest wife, because he wants to marry
Princess Marie. It has only recently been made known to Marie that
she is of royal blood. As a shepherdess, she met and fell in love with
a shepherd named Bruno. When Bruno reveals that he is really a Prince,
Marie's parents, King Bobeche and Queen Hortense, give him permission
to marry their daughter. Baron Bluebeard hears of this and surrounds
the King's palace with troops. The Prince, after challenging Bluebeard
to a duel, is apparently killed. Marie is about to agree to become
Bluebeard's wife when Boulotte, a regular country wench unafraid of
any man, returns; Popolani has only pretended to do away with her.
She confronts Bluebeard with his previous wives in front of the whole
court. Filled with remorse, Bluebeard is reconciled to Boulotte. The
King, who thinks Count Oscar has executed on his orders the Queen's
ex-lovers is astonished when they make their appearance. They too have
been in hiding and soon find partners among the ex-wives of Bluebeard.
Then Princess Marie discovers happiness at last for she finds that
Prince Bruno has not been killed but merely stunned.
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