Antoine Dauvergne Baroque Theatre Krumlov 2019

Early French comic Opera (opéra bouffon or an intermède) "Les Troqueurs" (The Barterers) by important frech composer Antoine Dauvergne (1713 - 1797).
Libretto Jean-Joseph Vadé (1720 - 1757)
(after the tale in verse of the same name by Jean de La Fontaine)
Marie Fajtová, soprano - Fanchon
Zuzana Benešová, soprano - Margot
Daniel Kfelíř, baritone - Lubin
Tomáš Votava, baritone - Lucas
"Wedding Ballet" Soloist: Štěpánka Skalická - Cupido
Capella Regia Praha
Alla Danza Brno Baroque
Choreography - František Dofek, Costumes - Štěpánka Skalická
Stage Director - Magdalena Švecová
Conductor - Robert Hugo
Leader of theatre Machines Martin Voříšek
Performed on Friday and Saturday 28. and 29. June 2019 at The Baroque Night in the Český Krumlov Castle
Programme Advisor Martin Voříšek
Festival Director Hana Pelzová
Antoine Dauvergne (or D'Auvergne) was a French composer and violinist, son of a musician Jacques D'Auvergne. He was born in Moulins and moved to Paris around 1740, where he first played in the royal chamber music (1741). Later (1744) he found an employment in the Great Opera. In 1751 he was elected head of the orchestra. His first important work - an opera Les Troqueurs was staged with great success in 1753. D'Auvergne was guaranteed the right to succeed Francois Rebel as "maître de musique de la chambre". The Great Opera brought a number of ballet operas and tragédies lyriques of his work from 1752 to 1774. He worked also for The Concerts spirituels. In 1763 he became "surintendant de la musique du Roi". The upheaval of 1789 robbed elderly D'Auvergne of his office and property. He fled to Lyon and finally died poor and bitter.
Synopsis
Lubin and Lucas are supposed to get married soon, as they are bound by contracts with their fiancées. Yet the two friends are not sure whether they have chosen the best brides (Lubin: On ne peut trop tôt se mettre en ménage). Lucas is engaged to Fanchon, but he finds her too laid-back and languorous. Lubin is engaged to Margot, but he finds her too flighty and querulous (Lubin: Margot, morbleu, est pas trop joyeuse).
Consequently, the two young men decide to swap partners and tear the marriage agreements to pieces (the
duet Troquons, troquons).
The girls initially do not understand what is going on, and are disappointed and outraged by inconstant love (Fanchon: D'un amant inconstant, l'amour se venge). Fanchon and Margot swear vengeance and secretly agree that they will pretend to be content. They plan to demonstrate to the young men that their idea is foolish indeed. Lucas tells Margot that he wants to make her happy, whereupon she says that although she feels flattered, she expects him to earn plenty of money, as she loves abundance, games and dancing. Otherwise, he will face derision and fury (Margot: Ah! qu'il me tarde de te voir, mon époux). Lucas realises that he has made a mistake and that Fanchon is the woman he should marry (Lucas: Pauvre Lucas, quelle est ta peine?). Lubin too starts to regret his choice, awakening to the fact that he likes the explosive Margot more than the sloppy and inert Fanchon (Lubin: Sa nonchalance serait mon tourment). He asks Margot to take him back, but she ironically rejects his offer, ridiculing him and twisting his words (the duet: Sans rire, comment va le désir conjugal? - Mal!). Lubin and Lucas beg for pardon - the ladies refuse, yet they make the men promise to obey them in all things. Only then do Fanchon and Margot reconcile with their suitors.
A dance pantomime is held to celebrate the double wedding, in which the main role is played by the two couples’ servants. After they eat and drink their fill, the servants perform a short story, showing what happens when the Cupid shoots his arrow at the wrong moment ...
(by Martin Voříšek)

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