Chérubin

By Jules Massenet

Libretto by Francis de Croisset and Henri Cain, based on the comedy by Beaumarchais

Time: 18th Century
Place: Near Seville

Act I

Preparations for a grand celebration are afoot as Chérubin, the Count’s young page, has received his commission for the army. The Duke and the Baron reveal that Chérubin has invited Spain’s greatest dancer, L’Ensoleillad, to the celebration. Nina, the Countess’s maid, confesses her love for Chérubin to his teacher, Le Philosophe. The celebration commences, and Chérubin greets the men and kisses the hands of the women. Chérubin then slips a love letter to the Countess. After the guests leave go off to dine, Chérubin tells Le Philosophe that he is in love with both the Countess and L’Ensoleillad.

The Count storms in threatening to kill Chérubin because he has found the page’s love letter to the Countess. Nina is able to save Chérubin by reciting all the verses in the love letter and convincing the Count that it was hers. Mollified, the Count returns to the banquet, accompanied by the Countess. Le Philosophe remains to hear Chérubin proclaim his love for L’Ensoleillad, though he has not renounced his love for the Countess.

Act II

At an inn near the castle, disgruntled travelers are arguing with the Innkeeper about securing rooms for the evening. Even the rooms the inn has for the Baroness and Countess aren’t satisfactory to the two women. Officers arrive, celebrating Chérubin’s addition to their ranks. Chérubin arrives and makes a pass at Captain Ricardo’s mistress. Ricardo challenges Chérubin to a duel. Before the duel starts, L’Ensoleillad arrives. The duel begins, and L’Ensoleillad faints. After she is revived, the duel is interrupted by the Innkeeper and Le Philosophe. Ricardo and Chérubin make up, and the officers and L’Ensoleillad leave. When L’Ensoleillad returns, Chérubin tries to seduce her and succeeds.

Chérubin is fleeing the Count, the Baron, and the Duke, who are incensed because of his pursuit of their women. Chérubin stands outside L’Ensoleillad’s balcony, which is next to the balconies of the Baroness and Countess, and serenades her. All three women think that Chérubin is serenading them and drop him a keepsake. The Count, the Baron, and the Duke arrive, and all three try to duel with Chérubin. The Innkeeper and Le Philosophe stop the dueling, and the Mayor arrives and arrests the three men, as L’Ensoleillad, the Baroness, and the Countess, on their balconies, faint.

Act III

Outside the inn, Chérubin prepares for the three duels by writing his will. Le Philosophe shows Chérubin different fighting techniques, but is interrupted by the Innkeeper, who thinks that the two men are fighting. The Baroness and the Countess emerge from the inn, searching for Chérubin, seeking to discover who he was serenading last night. He admits it was L’Ensoleillad he was serenading. The Count and the Baron arrive and apologize to Chérubin, calling off their duels. Chérubin falls is heartbroken when L’Ensoleillad leaves the inn without acknowledging him. Nina arrives and tells Chérubin she is going to enter a convent because he doesn’t love her as she loves him. Chérubin now realizes that she is the right woman is for him, and convinces Nina to stay because he truly loves her. The Duke also calls off his duel with Chérubin when the page tells him, and all, of his love for Nina.

Synopsis provided by Gabriel Harkov

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