La Ville de Nice is once again organising its operetta festival with a performance of “L’Auberge du Cheval Blanc” this July.
Set in the beautiful Salzkammergut region of Upper Austria, The White Horse Inn (or to give it its German title: Im weißen Rößl) is an operetta written by Ralph Benatzky and Robert Stolz, in conjunction with a number of other writers and composers.
To set the scene: at the Auberge du Cheval-Blanc, head-waiter Léopold is in love with Josépha, the beautiful landlady. But she is more enamoured with Guy Florès, an elegant Parisian lawyer here on holidays.
When Bistagne from Marseille arrives with his daughter Sylvabelle, a real tangle erupts: Bistagne is fighting a case of plagiarism of his famous “Napoleon” suit, which is being defended by Florès. Sylvabelle and Florès fall in love, which in turn arouses Léopold’s jealousy.
In a game of misunderstandings and thwarted passions, Josépha dismisses Léopold, while Célestin Cubisol, son of Bistagne’s rival, falls in love with Clara, daughter of Professor Hinzelmann.
To top it off, a surprise visit from Emperor Franz Joseph really disrupts relations: Léopold, at the height of despair, is forgiven. Ultimately, love affairs harmonise: Florès marries Sylvabelle, Célestin marries Clara, and Léopold, triumphant, becomes master of the Cheval-Blanc alongside Josépha.
Truly a joyful operetta, full of humour, love, and twists and turns. The performance is directed by Serge Manguette, the artistic director is Melcha Coder with the orchestral direction of Sébastien Driant with the Orchestre d’Harmonie de la ville de Nice.
The operetta L’Auberge du Cheval Blanc takes place in the enchanting setting of the Théâtre de Verdure on Thursday, 31st July at 8:30pm. Admission is €25 for adults with tickets being available on the night. Free admission for children under 10 years of age.
CONTACT DETAILS
Théâtre de Verdure
Espace Jacques Cotta
06000 Nice
Lead image courtesy La Ville de Nice