Music by Victor Herbert
Score Compiled by Dino Anagnost
New Libretto by Alyce Mott
Based Loosely on Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand
Lyrics by Harry B. Smith Additional Lyrics by Dino Anagnost Alyce Mott
Alyce Mott 302 W. 105th Street, #3C New York, NY 10025 © 1999, Dino Anagnost, Alyce Mott (212) 222-1871 I-2
Cast In Order of Appearance Narrator Cyrano Baritone Roxanne Mezzo Montfleury An Actor (Chorus Member) Comte de Guiche Actor - no singing La Bret Cyrano’s Captain (Chorus Member) Christian Tenor
Scene: Paris Time 1640 to 1655 Arras, France
List of Music
NO. 1 - OVERTURE ...... 2 NO. 2 - OPENING CHORUS ...... 2 NO. 3 - COME THE GALLANTS ...... 3 NO. 4 - I AM THE COURT COQUETTE ...... 3 NO. 5 - SONG OF THE NOSE...... 6 NO. 6 - I MUST MARRY A HANDSOME MAN ...... 9 NO. 7 - CHRISTIAN’S ENTRANCE...... 10 NO. 8 - RAGUENEAU’S CAFÉ ...... 11 NO. 9 - COMBAT CHORUS ...... 11 NO. 10 - I WONDER ...... 13 NO. 11 - LET THE SUN OF THINE EYES ...... 19 NO. 12 - THE CALL TO ARMS ...... 21 NO. 12 - UNDERSCORING ...... 23 NO. 13 - UNDERSCORING ...... 23 NO. 14 - IN BIVOUAC REPOSING ...... 24 NO. 15 - SINCE I AM NOT FOR THEE ...... 28 NO.16 - CONVENT MUSIC - LATIN CHORUS ...... 30 NO. 17 - THOSE WERE THE GOOD OLD DAYS ...... 31 NO. 18 - FINALE ...... 35
March 12, 1999 I-1
Cyrano de Bergerac
NARRATOR The 1899-1900 season was Victor Herbert’s most prolific as a creator of American operetta. The composer opened four shows on Broadway, “The Singing Girl”, “The Ameer”, “The Viceroy” and “Cyrano de Bergerac”. Can you imagine Misters Sondheim or Webber doing that today? While tonight’s offering was thought lost for many decades, a full score was found in the Library of Congress two years ago. The hunt proved well worth the effort. Now, for the first time in New York City since September 19, 1899, we give you Victor Herbert’s “Cyrano de Bergerac”. Maestro, the overture, please! NO. 1 - OVERTURE
NARRATOR The year, 1640. The place, Paris. Welcome to the Théâtre de Bourgogne where an audience is gathering for an evening of dramatic entertainment. The towering hall shines dimly in the glow of torches illuminating the nobility preening in the velvet draped boxes while the working classes mingle on the floor below. Vendors of fruit and wine are hawking their wares as busy pickpockets ply their trade, profitably jostling with the crowd. A minuet, the favorite dance of the day, signals the beginning of the evening’s play. NO. 2 - OPENING CHORUS LORDS AND LADIES, SILENCE PRAY, MONTFLEURY FOR THE ACTORS, IS ENTREATED; WE ARE READY TO BEGIN THE PLAY, AS SOON AS YOU ARE SEATED. AY! AY! THE PLAY, AY, AY, THE PLAY, CHORUS AY! AY! THE PLAY, AY, AY, BEGIN A GREAT SENSATION WE EXPECT A WONDER MOST DRAMATIC AND IF WE FIND IT QUITE CORRECT, APPLAUSE WILL BE EMPHATIC. BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! IF WE FIND IT QUITE CORRECT WE’LL BRAVO. YES, IF THE PLAY IN FAVOR STANDS, WE’LL WELCOME IT WITH HEARTS AND HANDS. BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! WE’LL WELCOME IT WITH HEARTS AND HANDS, WITH HEARTS AND HANDS!
NARRATOR (UNDERSCORING) Suddenly, fashionably late noblemen from the Court of Louis XIII, burst on the scene, interrupting the proceedings.
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NO. 3 - COME THE GALLANTS COME THE GALLANTS OF THE COURT, MEN THE VALIANT CARPET KNIGHTS; PLAY AND SPORT OF EV’RY SORT, EACH CAVALIER INVITES. WHEN THE BUGLE DOES NOT CALL SUMMONING THEM TO ARMS, LOVE AND GALLANTRY ENTHRALL, WITH THEIR VARIED CHARMS. ALL ARE SLAVES AT CUPID’S COURT, AND EVER THEIR HAPPY CHANCE, IS TO PAY THEIR HOMAGE TO ALL LADIES WHO ENTRANCE. AND THE FAIR FOR WHICH WE SIGN WITH AN ARDENT AIR IS OF LOVELIEST ROXANNE, FAIREST OF THE FAIR IS OF LOVELIEST ROXANNE, ROXANNE, FAIREST OF THE FAIR!
NARRATOR Rudely ignoring both audience and actors, the Marquises flock to that notable box where reigns the lovely darling of Paris, Roxanne. They cajole a song from the beguiling young lady. NO. 4 - I AM THE COURT COQUETTE I AM A COURT COQUETTE THEY SAY, ROXANNE EH BIEN! IT IS ADMITTED, YOU’VE TRIED TO WIN ME EV’RY WAY, AND ALL HAVE BEEN OUTWITTED. YOU’VE BROUGHT BOUQUETS AND SERENADES, AND POEMS FOR PERUSAL, I’VE SENT YOU OFF TO OTHER MAIDS, WITH A POLITE REFUSAL. AND IF YOU CALL ME A COQUETTE, IT IS BECAUSE I’VE NEVER MET THE KINDRED SOUL THAT I COULD CLAIM; AND SO I TREAT YOU ALL THE SAME. AH! ME, HEIGH HO! AH! ME HEIGH HO! MEN TIS SADLY SO WE KNOW. WITH A GLANCE TO RIGHT, AND A GLANCE TO LEFT, WITH A CURTSEY DEEP AND LOW, WITH A MURMUR HERE, AND A WHISPER THERE, AND A FLUTTER OF FAN, JUST SO. WITH A DOWNCAST EYE, AND AN ARTFUL SIGH, WITH A SMILE I PAY EACH DEBT. FROM CUPID’S FETTERS FREE, I’M HAPPY AS MAY BE; WHO WOULDN’T BE A COURT COQUETTE. WITH A GLANCE TO RIGHT, AND A GLANCE TO LEFT MEN WITH A CURTSEY DEEP AND LOW WITH A MURMUR HERE, AND A WHISPER THERE ROXANNE/MEN AND A FLUTTER OF FAN, JUST SO.
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WITH A DOWNCAST EYE, AND AN ARTFUL SIGH, MEN WITH A SMILE SHE PAYS EACH DEBT. FROM CUPID’S FETTERS FREE, ROXANE/MEN I’M HAPPY AS MAY BE, WHO WOULDN’T BE A COURT COQUETTE.
NARRATOR Roxanne’s pronunciations have been watched very eagerly by the Comte de Guiche, nephew of the great Cardinal Richelieu, who now moves to his honored reserved seat with the rest of his personal entourage. Once all are in place and the stage candles lit; a lone corpulent elocutionist enters, strikes a pose and the play begins.
MONTFLEURY "Thrice happy he who hides from pomp and power. In sylvan shade or solitary bower; (A VOICE BOOMS FROM THE HOUSE)
CYRANO Bouffon! Have I not forbidden you to step one foot upon any Parisian stage?
MONTFLEURY “Where balmy zephyrs fan his burning cheeks ----. . .”
CYRANO Imbécile! Leave the stage this instant!
MONTFLEURY Now I must start again. "Thrice happy he who hides from...."
CYRANO Hide well indeed, you nefarious jambon, or I shall carve you into bite sized morsels.
MONTFLEURY ". . . hides from pomp and power.”
CYRANO Enough jabber. I clap my hands thus (CLAP)--- three times. Upon the third clap, you will relocate to another part of France. Understood? Good. ONE. (CLAP)
MONTFLEURY "In sylvan shade or . . .
CYRANO TWO. (CLAP)
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MONTFLEURY Comte de Guiche. . .?
CYRANO THREE. (CLAP)
NARRATOR The actor disappears in a flash leaving the entire audience howling either in laughter or for their money back. Only Cyrano's strong right arm extended by three feet of glittering steel manages to keep them all at bay.
CYRANO Approach if you dare and I will accommodate each willing knave -- no crowding please! What no takers? Will all who are prepared to die, please raise your hands! Not one?
DE GUICHE I’ll take that challenge! You dare insult Cardinal Richelieu, patron of the Great Montfleury. When are you leaving Paris, Monsieur Bumpkin?
CYRANO I have no plans to leave.
DE GUICHE Look at you! No gloves, velvet or lace, no buckles on those shoes. No great lord to lend you his protection. Who are you?
CYRANO Cyrano Savinien Hercule de Bergerac, at your service. And in no need of protection, velvet, or lace! I carry my adornments on my soul. I go about bearing only my white plume of freedom, decorated by my good name, clothed in exemplary deeds and quick wits; courage and valor swinging at my side ever ready to prick pomposity and defend those who cannot protect themselves.
DE GUICHE Fine words from one who has just embarrassed a poor thespian for sport.
CYRANO I meant no sport. What are you staring at, Sir? My nose?
DE GUICHE I don’t believe . . .
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CYRANO I find your vain attempts to insult rather ineffectual. If you had really wished to skewer me you could have said. "Why, Sir, do you so adore the little birds that you provide such a lovely perch for them?” or “Well, old torchlight! Hang your hat over that chandelier--it hurts my eyes!” or “When it blows, the typhoon howls” or even better “When it bleeds, the red sea!”
DE GUICHE Mon Dieu! Do you know who I am?
CYRANO Do I care? Had you even a modicum of wit you might have attacked thus, but no, in short, it takes but three letters to assess your verbal skills. A S S. Ass. Know you Sir, that I glory in this nose of mine. For a great nose is the true indicator of a great man. NO. 5 - SONG OF THE NOSE WHAT MAKES A MAN A SOLDIER OR A POET? CYRANO WHAT MAKES A MAN SUCCEED AT ANY GAME? I FANCY EV’RY BODY DOESN’T KNOW IT, BUT I’VE A THEORY ABOUT THE SAME. IT’S LUCK OR BRAINS SOME MAY SUPPOSE, SOME THINK IT IS A SHREWD AND CLEVER WIFE. BUT LISTEN AND THE SECRET I’LL DISCLOSE. THE THING THAT MAKES A MAN SUCCEED IN LIFE. WHAT IS IT? PRAY TELL US. DO NOT SELL US. CHORUS IT’S THE INFLUENCE OF AN AMBITIOUS NOSE. CYRANO IT IS THAT WHICH ALWAYS LEADS ON TO GREAT AND NOBLE DEEDS. IT’S THE FEATURE WHERE-IN CHARACTER E’ER SHOWS. YOU NEED NEVER FURTHER SEEK, THAN THE LARGE AGGRESSIVE BEAK, AND THE BIGGER ‘TIS THE BETTER I SUPPOSE. AND IF IT IS REALLY SMALL, YOU’RE NO EARTHLY GOOD AT ALL. OH A MAN CAN TRULY STATE WHEN ANOTHER’S REALLY GREAT; IF HE MEASURES UP TO CYRANO’S NOSE! YES, A MAN CAN TRULY STATE CHORUS WHEN ANOTHER’S REALLY GREAT; IF HE MEASURES UP TO CYRANO’S NOSE!
NARRATOR De Guiche’s companions pull the bewildered Comte away as the crowd disperses in a far happier mood after Cyrano contributes his own purse of gold for refunds. Soon only Cyrano's captain, La Bret, remains with him.
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LA BRET Êtes-vous fou! You made a mighty enemy this evening!
CYRANO You think so?
LA BRET That was the Comte de Guiche, Richelieu’s own nephew.
CYRANO Splendid! Adding such an enemy warms my heart!
LA BRET Worth insulting Montfleury? What has that cream puff ever done to you?
CYRANO Besides being a very bad actor? That toadstool, who must balance his dinner plate on his stomach to reach it, dares to dream of being sweetly dangerous among the ladies. I have hated him ever since he cast his great frog eyes towards . . . Ooooooh, my friend, it was like watching a slug slime his way across a rose petal of deepest beauty.
LA BRET A rose petal?
CYRANO The most delicate of rose petals.
LA BRET Why you are in love! Who?
CYRANO Ah, think a moment... of me -- whom the plainest woman would despise; me, with this nose which precedes me by half a block. Whom should I love? The one woman most beautiful in all the world. Exquisite without imagining. A white rose wherein love may lay in blessed ambush for mortal man. Art so perfect and divine as to announce it's presence with the mere mention of a name.
LA BRET That makes all abundantly clear.
CYRANO Did you not observe her fair countenance and hear that mellifluous voice earlier?
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LA BRET You love Roxanne? But she's your cousin!
CYRANO Very distant. Thrice removed at least.
LA BRET So, tell her!
CYRANO Oh no, old friend! There is but one thing I fear in this life, and that would be her ridicule. Occasionally, when out in the park on a summer's day, my mind will wander in daydreams of we two strolling together -- her hand upon my arm -- her sweet voice sharing trifles in my ear -- and suddenly I catch my shadow on a nearby wall and am brought soundly back to earth with a thud.
NARRATOR The two are interrupted by Roxanne’s enthusiastic salute.
ROXANNE Bravo, Cousin, Bravo!
CYRANO Twas but a trifle, Roxanne. Montfleury will offend you no more.
ROXANNE Thank goodness for that! However, his place has already been taken by one not so easily thrown off the stage.
CYRANO You need only name him!
ROXANNE Tis the Comte de Guiche who now plies me with bouquets, perfumes and trinkets, accompanied by declarations of love and devotion. Just now he assailed me in the hall with fervent phrases.
CYRANO De Guiche?
ROXANNE Yes, the A S S himself.
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CYRANO Ho, Ho! And are you willing in this instance?
ROXANNE Well, he does have a comely face. And an excellent tailor. Still--
NO. 6 - I MUST MARRY A HANDSOME MAN THE MAN TO WHOM I GIVE MY HEART ROXANNE MUST HAVE A WONDROUS BRAIN, MUST KNOW EACH SCIENCE AND EACH ART; A KING OF MEN MUST REIGN, AND HE MUST HAVE AN EYE LIKE MARS “TO THREATEN AND COMMAND” THAT PHRASE IS IN QUOTATION MARKS I’D HAVE YOU UNDERSTAND. IN SCIENCE I AM FAIRLY VERSED, CYRANO AS YOU’VE PERHAPS INFERRED; IN ARTS I’M NOT THE VERY WORST THAT EVER HAS OCCURRED. I’M UP IN LANGUAGES AS WELL, EGYPTIAN, DUTCH AND COPTIC. AND WHEN IT COMES TO EYES LIKE MARS JUST LOOK AT THIS LEFT OPTIC. YES I CONCEIVE ITS RATHER FINE; ROXANNE BUT HARDLY IN THE IDEAL LINE.. NO? CYRANO NO. ROXANNE NO? CYRANO NO. ROXANNE OH! BEAUTY’S SUPERFICIAL, BOTH SO THEY TELL UNLESS THE PROVERBS ERR; BUT UGLINESS IS JUST AS DEEP AS WELL, I KNOW WHICH I’D PREFER I DOTE UPON A REPUTATION MARTIAL, ROXANNE AND BRAINS CYRANO AND BRAINS ARE ALSO IN MY IDEAL PLAN BOTH BUT MOST OF ALL, TO BEAUTY I AM PARTIAL I MUST MARRY A HANDSOME MAN ROXANNE OH! BEWARE OF A HANDSOME MAN CYRANO BUT MOST OF ALL, TO BEAUTY I AM PARTIAL I MUST MARRY A HANDSOME MAN ROXANNE OH! BEWARE OF A HANDSOME MAN CYRANO
CYRANO Roxanne, you convince me. The perfect individual for you has just come to mind. Meet me at Ragueneau’s café tomorrow morning after Mass and I shall present you
March 12, 1999