Gilbert and Sullivan Archive Mirette Opera Comique in Three Acts. founded on the French of Michel Carré. English lyrics by Frederic E. Weatherly. English dialogue by Harry Greenbank. new version with new lyrics by Adrian Ross. music by André Messager [and Hope Temple (= Dotie Davis)].

Mirette, a gypsy, falls in love with Gerard, nephew of the local Marquise. The Marquise, however, is determined that Bianca, the cloistered daughter of a Baron, marry Gerard, and humiliates Mirette in order to get her out of the way. Mirette ends up with Picorin, one of the gypsies, and Gerard gets Bianca. Incidental humor is provided by Bobinet, another gypsy.

The emphasis in this opera is on romance. The story is clearly modelled on The Bohemian Girl and was written in English for Messager, who never produced it in France. Messager later acknowledged that his future wife, a songwriter known as Hope Temple, assisted in writing the music for this opera. Her name, however, does not appear on any published version. (See John Wagstaff, André Messager: a Bio-Bibliography.)

First Version (opened 3 July 1894)

• Introduction

• Notes on the Text.

• Libretto
  • WordPerfect 5.1 (159K file)
  • WordPerfect 5.1 (46K ZIP file)
  • Text (117K File)

• Opening Night Cast

• Opening night review from the London Times, published July 5, 1894.

• Selection of Reviews compiled by Scott Farrell.

Second Version (opened 6 October 1894)

• Introduction

• Libretto
  • Word (228K File)
  • Word (63K ZIP File)
  • Text (119K File)

• Song Lyrics of Second Version
  • WordPerfect 5.1 (89K File).
  • WordPerfect 5.1 (20K ZIP File).
  • Text (63K File)

• Opening night review from the London Times, published October 8, 1894.

The Music

• MIDI Files

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