Les Bouffes de Bru Zane
Le Docteur Miracle
Opéra-comique in one act by Charles Lecocq, to a libretto by Léon Battu and Ludovic Halévy, premiered at the Bouffes-Parisiens on 8 April 1857.
Operetta
Light Music

A few months after the opening of the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens, Jacques Offenbach organised a competition for composers, announced to great fanfare in July 1856. This publicity stunt for the composer’s theatre also reflected his aesthetic aims: the rules, widely publicised in the press, were introduced by an ambitious programmatic text evoking the glorious history of French opéra-comique and demanding that light music genres should continue to enjoy special standing in Paris. The finalists were invited to write the score for a set libretto: Le Docteur Miracle. The subject fell completely within the tradition of 18th-century French opéra-comique: a young soldier disguises himself to win the hand of Laurette, daughter of the Mayor of Padua. In retrospect, the prize-winners chosen demonstrated the insight of the judges and the value of Offenbach’s initiative: in joint first place were Georges Bizet and Charles Lecocq, two composers destined to become leading figures in French opera in the latter half of the 19th century. Although Bizet’s work is now regularly performed, audiences were yet to rediscover Lecocq’s opera, which will be presented in a particularly vibrant production by young director, Pierre Lebon.
Dates
Performers
Le Podestat Antoine Philippot
Le Capitaine Silvio David Ghilardi
Véronique, femme du Podestat Lara Neumann
Laurette, fille du Podestat Makeda Monnet
Assistant du Docteur Miracle Pierre Lebon
Martin Surot piano
Pierre Lebon directions, scenes and costumes
Bertrand Killy light design
Le Capitaine Silvio David Ghilardi
Véronique, femme du Podestat Lara Neumann
Laurette, fille du Podestat Makeda Monnet
Assistant du Docteur Miracle Pierre Lebon
Martin Surot piano
Pierre Lebon directions, scenes and costumes
Bertrand Killy light design
Photo gallery
Production Bru Zane France
Co-production Opéra de Tours / Opéra de Saint-Étienne
Sets and costumes made by the workshops of theOpéra de Tours
Co-production Opéra de Tours / Opéra de Saint-Étienne
Sets and costumes made by the workshops of theOpéra de Tours