H Beard Print Collection
Print
early 19th century (printed)
early 19th century (printed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
A coloured lithograph entitled 'Costume de Page dans Genevieve de Brabaun'.
The text at the top of the print indicates that it is No.208 of a series.
Geneviève de Brabant is an opéra bouffe, or operetta, by Jacques Offenbach, first performed in Paris in 1859. The plot is based on the medieval legend of Genevieve of Brabant. In English-speaking countries it is known for the "Gendarmes' Duet", from H. B. Farnie's 1867 English adaptation.
The two-act French libretto was written by Louis-Adolphe Jaime and Etienne Tréfeu, and the opera was first staged at the Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens, Paris, on 19th November 1859. A new three-act version, revised by Hector-Jonathan Crémieux, was first given at the Théâtre des Menus-Plaisirs, Paris, on 26th December 1867. This version added a comic duet for bass and baritone in the character of two gendarmes to Act 2, titled, "Couplets des deux hommes d'armes". A final expanded five-act version was devised for a production at the Théâtre de la Gaîté on 25th February 1875.
Although this costume is labelled as 'page' it may resemble a disguise worn by Drogan, who is in love with the heroine Geneviève and begs her to accept him as her page. This would also explain why this page appears to be a woman as the role of Drogan was originally sung by a soprano (it has been sung by a tenor since the creation of the revised, five act, version).
The print is part of the Harry Beard Collection.
The text at the top of the print indicates that it is No.208 of a series.
Geneviève de Brabant is an opéra bouffe, or operetta, by Jacques Offenbach, first performed in Paris in 1859. The plot is based on the medieval legend of Genevieve of Brabant. In English-speaking countries it is known for the "Gendarmes' Duet", from H. B. Farnie's 1867 English adaptation.
The two-act French libretto was written by Louis-Adolphe Jaime and Etienne Tréfeu, and the opera was first staged at the Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens, Paris, on 19th November 1859. A new three-act version, revised by Hector-Jonathan Crémieux, was first given at the Théâtre des Menus-Plaisirs, Paris, on 26th December 1867. This version added a comic duet for bass and baritone in the character of two gendarmes to Act 2, titled, "Couplets des deux hommes d'armes". A final expanded five-act version was devised for a production at the Théâtre de la Gaîté on 25th February 1875.
Although this costume is labelled as 'page' it may resemble a disguise worn by Drogan, who is in love with the heroine Geneviève and begs her to accept him as her page. This would also explain why this page appears to be a woman as the role of Drogan was originally sung by a soprano (it has been sung by a tenor since the creation of the revised, five act, version).
The print is part of the Harry Beard Collection.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | H Beard Print Collection (named collection) |
| Materials and techniques | Lithography |
| Brief description | A coloured lithograph entitled 'Costume de Page dans Genevieve de Brabaun'.It is not dated but was printed by Aubert et Cie. Harry Beard Collection. |
| Physical description | A full length coloured lithograph of a performer dressed in a white thigh length tunic with a fur trimmed hem. The tunic is decorated gold at the neckline, waist and upper arm; it is worn over purple tights and with an undertunic of blue and white. The performer stands with left arm outstretched, holding a letter, and right hand grasping a small dagger. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Harry R. Beard Collection, given by Isobel Beard |
| Literary reference | Genevieve de Brabaun |
| Summary | A coloured lithograph entitled 'Costume de Page dans Genevieve de Brabaun'. The text at the top of the print indicates that it is No.208 of a series. Geneviève de Brabant is an opéra bouffe, or operetta, by Jacques Offenbach, first performed in Paris in 1859. The plot is based on the medieval legend of Genevieve of Brabant. In English-speaking countries it is known for the "Gendarmes' Duet", from H. B. Farnie's 1867 English adaptation. The two-act French libretto was written by Louis-Adolphe Jaime and Etienne Tréfeu, and the opera was first staged at the Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens, Paris, on 19th November 1859. A new three-act version, revised by Hector-Jonathan Crémieux, was first given at the Théâtre des Menus-Plaisirs, Paris, on 26th December 1867. This version added a comic duet for bass and baritone in the character of two gendarmes to Act 2, titled, "Couplets des deux hommes d'armes". A final expanded five-act version was devised for a production at the Théâtre de la Gaîté on 25th February 1875. Although this costume is labelled as 'page' it may resemble a disguise worn by Drogan, who is in love with the heroine Geneviève and begs her to accept him as her page. This would also explain why this page appears to be a woman as the role of Drogan was originally sung by a soprano (it has been sung by a tenor since the creation of the revised, five act, version). The print is part of the Harry Beard Collection. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.561-2010 |
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| Record created | May 26, 2010 |
| Record URL |
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