(NOTE: For supplementary information about this opera/play, its cast details, etc., start here.)
Entr'acte: An Optional Musical Number
Act II, Between Scenes 1 & 2
The producing company has the choice either to close the curtain and continue with the quintet taking its place between the two scenes, in front of the curtain or DS of an open curtain on the stage apron, or to close the curtain, cutting the quintet, and continuing with Scene 2 after a pause.
(The lighting changes to hot afternoon rays. Here, over the bridge of the following quintet, time passes into early afternoon.)
CHAUVIN, ICHAUVIN, DIBROC, ADELE, MICHELLE, backed by TWO CHORUSES OF THE WOMEN OF THE TOWN and THE VETERANS w/PICOT and SOUVAN
(Line #1)
(Adele and Michelle)
He's numb to the needs of others.
(Women's Chorus)
The blood of our dead sons would fill every wine bottle in France.
(Chauvin and IChauvin)
So far away beyond French soil,
(Veterans Chorus)
we found the soul of France.
(Chauvin and IChauvin)
we found the soul of France.
(Dibroc needs to have in hand here a tricolor cockaded hat and a monarchist, white cockaded hat, as the symbols of the two regimes, the one going out and the one coming in. He will play with each alternately.)
(Dibroc)
We raised the colors of empire.
(Line #2)
(Adele and Michelle)
Why isn't he weary of the slogans,
(Women's Chorus)
"To him who has a genius for glory!" "Men act upon a stage of larger cares!"
(Chauvin and IChauvin)
A single faith, authentic and sincere,
(Veterans Chorus)
Our race, our language, our blood in solidarity.
(Dibroc)
the colors of monarchy.
(Line #3)
(Adele)
blind to the symbols,
(Michelle, echoing Adele)
blind to the symbols,
(Chauvin and IChauvin)
the mission of eternal France,
(Veterans Chorus)
Our race, our language, our blood in solidarity.
(Women's Chorus)
would fill every wine bottle in France.
(Dibroc)
Drink to the colors of your choice!
(Line #4)
(Adele)
and desperate for a quiet, ordinary life?
(Michelle, echoing again)
a quiet, ordinary life?
(Chauvin and IChauvin)
To dominate, rule, exploit, suppress, is good for France!
(Veterans Chorus)
Our race, our language, our blood in solidarity.
(Women's Chorus)
would fill every wine bottle in France.
(Dibroc)
Drink to the colors of your choice!
(Line #5)
(Adele and Michelle)
and desperate for a quiet, ordinary life?
(IChauvin exits when Chauvin goes into his house with Adele and Michelle.
Dibroc, wearing the tricolor-cockaded hat and grasping his relic of the throne.
Souvan and Picot take an offer of bread from the women in the chorus, then water from the well and meat from the butcher shop. They go to the table by the wall up right and eat and talk, quietly animated, surrounded by the other veterans.
The women in the chorus disperse to the shops around the square.)
[The interlaced lines above brought together]
Adele and Michelle
He's numb to the needs of others.
Why isn't he weary of the slogans,
and desperate for a quiet, ordinary life?
Women's Chorus
The blood of our dead sons would fill every wine bottle in France.
"To him who has a genius for glory!" "Men act upon a stage of larger cares!"
would fill every wine bottle in France.
would fill every wine bottle in France.
Chauvin and IChauvin
So far away beyond French soil,
we found the soul of France.
A single faith, authentic and sincere,
the mission of eternal France,
To dominate, rule, exploit, suppress, is good for France!
Veterans Chorus
we found the soul of France.
Our race, our language, our blood in solidarity.
Our race, our language, our blood in solidarity.
Our race, our language, our blood in solidarity.
Dibroc
We raised the colors of empire.
the colors of monarchy.
Drink to the colors of your choice!
Drink to the colors of your choice!
Adele
blind to the symbols,
and desperate for a quiet, ordinary life?