Dinorah story

The Story of

Dinorah

(or, Le Pardon de Ploërmel)

An Opera in Three Acts

First Performance at Opera-Comique, Paris April 4, 1859

100th performance in Paris 1874

200th performance in Paris 1900

Music by Giacomo Meyerbeer

Libretto by Jules Barbier, Michael Carré and Giacomo Meyerbeer

The Characters

Dinorah
Hoël
Corentin
Goatherd
Goatgirl
Huntsman
Reaper
Villagers, Woodcutter, Pilgrims

The background of the opera takes place during the overture, which is played by full orchestra and chorus. Hoël and Dinorah, his betrothed set out to go to the chapel where they are about to be married, the Pardon de Ploërmel. A violent storm overtakes them, and Dinorah's home is destroyed by lightning. Hoël is anxious to rebuild it. He learns of the treasure of the Korigans, and determines to search for it. The Wizard of Tonik advises him that he must first spend one year in solitude, and he departs, without telling Dinorah. Dinorah, accompanied by her pet goat Bellah (musically represented by a bell) wanders through the woods searching for him.

Act I

A year has passed. The villagers sing of the rustic beauty of the country. Dinorah, who is quite mad, enters, looking for her goat. She finds it, asleep ("Dors petite, dors tranquille"). A bagpiper, Corentin (tenor) enters. He believes goblins and dwarfs are in the area, and quickly goes into the cottage he inherited from is uncle Alain ("Dieu nous donne e chacun"). Dinorah, attracted by the bagpipes, enters the cottage and insists that he continue. Though terrified that she is a wicked fairy, he plays until they both fall asleep (Sonne, sonne gai sonneur!")

Hoël returns, now confident that he can find the treasure of the Korigans. However, he has hearned that the first to touch the treasure will die. He has returned to make Alain the unwitting victim, but finds Corentin instead. Hoël decides that Corentin will do, and he sends him out to buy wine. Left alone, Hoël ponders his future riches ("O puissante magie"), and, in a tender moment, resolves to give all of it to his precious Dinorah ("Ces trésor, o ma fiancée").

Corentin returns with the wine. Hoël tells of the treasure, and his proposal to share it with Corentin. Corentin is apprehensive, but Hoël reassures him that a white goat will lead them to the treasure. He then makes Corentin memorize the magic words which will drive away ghosts and goblins ("Disparaissez, vaines ombres, lutinsqui guardez ces lieux!").

Dinorah appears at the cottage window, laughing. She throws in a bouquet, but Hoël does not recognize her. They continue drinking, until Corentin agrees to join in the hunt for the treasure. Finally the goat's bell is heard, and Hoël says it is time to leave for the Val Maudit -- the haunted valley.

The end of the Act finds the three characters out trying to find the goat. It ends with the beautiful trio "Ce tintament que l'on entend".

Act II

The Second Act opens with a short, delicate entr'acte and an a capella chorus of men and women, featuring "dig din don" onomotopoeia -- a favorite Meyerbeer device. A goatherd enters telling the sad story of Dinorah's lost love, and her wanderings. ("Bergere timide").

The scene shifts to the Val Maudit. Dinorah sees her shadow in the moonlight and sings and dances the "Shadow song" ("Ombre legere").

(Frieda Hempel sings "Ombre leggiera" - 1918)

Hoël and Corentin enter searching for the goat. Corentin is tired, but Hoël goes off on his own to search for the goat. Corentin tries to laugh off his depression. He comes upon Dinorah in the darkness. She sings of the curse of the treasure, whereby Corentin learns of Hoel's real motives. When Hoël returns, Corentin confronts him with what he has learned, but Hoël dismisses it and asks Corentin to go down to the ravine. Corentin refuses.

Dinorah reappears, and Hoël still thinks that she is a spirit. Corentin tries to cajole her into going down to the ravine, but she instead sings of birds. Thunder is heard and then lightning, which brightens up the stage. The three sing a trio ("Taissez vous"). The goat is seen crossing a bridge over the ravine and Dinorah rushes after it falling into the ravine in the process. Hoël suddenly realizes that it is Dinorah, and he goes to her rescue.

Act III

After a short prelude, a huntsman sings a joyous aria ("En chasse, piqueurs a droit"). A Reaper's song follows, then a duet of goatherds playing their pipes, then all join in a quartet.

Corentin enters, unable to speak of anything but the frightful events of the previous evening. Hoël enters carrying a limp Dinorah, who he thinks is dead. When he realizes she is alive, he sings a stirring baritone aria "Ah! Mon remords!" When Dinorah awakens, her reason returns, and Hoël suggests to her that the events of the previous year were only a dream. She tries to recall the prayer of the virgin, when a group of villagers enters, recalling the prayer. Hoël and Dinorah resume their journey to the chapel, where all ask forgiveness.