Giroflé-Girofla

by Albert Vanloo

Genre: Operetta
Setting:
Format of Original Source: Plot summary
Recommended Adaptation Length: Two Hours

Candidate for Adaptation? Not Likely

EXCERPT:

The opening scene of “Giroflé-Girofla” which, with “La Fille de Madame Angot,” made the reputation of Lecocq as an opera-bouffe composer, introduces Don Bolero d’Alcarazas, a Spanish grandee, and Aurore, his wife, also their twin daughters, Giroflé and Girofla, who, being of marriageble age, have been hastily betrothed, Giroflé to Marasquin, a banker to whom Don Bolero is heavily indebted, and Girofla to Mourzook, a Moorish chief who has made regular demands upon Don Bolero for money on penalty of death. By the double marriage he expects to get rid of his obligations on the one hand and avoid the payment of the enforced tribute on the other. Giroflé is married as arranged, but Girofla, who was to have been married the same day, is abducted by pirates before the ceremony can be performed. When Mourzook arrives and finds he has no bride, he is in a terrible rage, but is quieted down when, after a little manoeuvring by Aurore, Giroflé is passed off on him as Girofla and is thus to be married a second time.

COMMENTS:

Some fun here to be had from one of the twin sisters having to double for the other one, but the contortions of the plot are odd, and not much fun either literally or spoofed. (The twin is kidnapped by pirates, etc.)

A word of caution: This plot summary was written by 19th-century literary critic George Upton, who often mixes personal opinion with summation. You would be advised to consult the original source material, if the general plot appeals to you.

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