Ô mon bel inconnu
Samuel Jean conductor
with Véronique Gens, Olivia Doray, Éléonore Pancrazi, Thomas Dolié, Yoann Dubruque, Carl Ghazarossian, Jean-Christophe Lanièce
How about a trip back to the Années Folles in the company of Sacha Guitry? With this musical comedy composed by Reynaldo Hahn, which was a triumph for Arletty, the Palazzetto Bru Zane reveals the hectic adventures of the hatter Prosper Aubertin. He dreams of extramarital adventures, but among the replies to the classified ad he places, how surprised he is to discover letters from his wife, his daughter and his maid! The piece was Guitry’s second collaboration with Hahn. ‘What [else] do you need to be happy?’ as the chambermaid asks in Act Three? Véronique Gens bubbling with mischief, and the Orchestre National d’Avignon dynamised by the conducting of Samuel Jean.
Recorded at the Auditorium Grand Avignon Le Pontet, from 12 to 14 September 2019
Éditions Salabert
Contents of the book
Getting to know a Bel Inconnu
Christophe Mirambeau, Sacha, Reynaldo and the Bel Inconnu
Paul Le Flem et al., The evening of the premiere
Alexandre Dratwicki, Operetta: mother or sister of musical comedy?
Reynaldo Hahn, On singing in general
Synopsis
Libretto