He Who Gets Slapped (Pantaloon) (Libretto)
by Robert Ward
Choir - Sheet Music

Opera in 3 Acts for mixed voices

SKU: EC.7.0146

Composed by Robert Ward. Full Length Opera. 20th Century. Libretto. Galaxy Music Corporation #7.0146. Published by Galaxy Music Corporation (EC.7.0146).

UPC: 600313701467. Text: Bernard Stambler.

Libretto: Written by Bernard Stambler based on a melodrama by Andreyev Synopsis: Opera in 3 Acts. An operatic realization of Andreyev's psychological melodrama, set in a Parisian circus at the turn of the century. Pantaloon offers enormous color and dramatic action with its constant movement of circus characters: lion tamer, bareback rider, barkers, clowns, acrobats, dancers, etc. In the opening scene, Tilly and Polly, clowns in Briquet's Continental Circus, are rehearsing their act when Briquet and Count Mancini enter arguing. An aristocratic stranger arrives and asks to become a clown in the circus. With misgivings, Briquet hires him as Pantaloon: "He Who Gets Slapped." As the opera progresses, Pantaloon, with clever acts and moments of gentle philosophizing, is able to show audiences how to laugh at their own misfortunes. Meanwhile, he exposes the shabby marriage arrangement that Count Mancini has tried to effect between his daughter, Consuelo, and the rich Baron Regnard. Against this intrigue is the triangle of passion between Consuelo, Bezano (the bareback rider), and Zinida, the lion tamer. In the final act, Mancini confesses his frauds and Pantaloon, rebuffed in his love for Consuelo, takes off his clown's costume and quietly departs by the street door through which he entered. Duration: ~ 2 Hours Roles: TILLY and POLLY, male clowns Mute COUNT MANCINI, a shabby aristocrat Tenor BRIQUET, ringmaster and owner of the circus Bass-Baritone ZINIDA, a lion-tamer and Briquet's wife Dramatic Soprano PANTALOON, a gentleman turned clown Baritone CONSUELO, The Bareback Tango Queen Soprano BEZANO, bareback rider, Consuelo's trainer and partner Tenor BARON REGNARD, a stolid aristocrat, from commerce Bass-Baritone CHORUS, circus personnel Acting Role Premier: May 1956. First produced under the title "PANTALOON" by The Columbia Theatre Associates of the School of Dramatic Arts in cooperation with the Columbia University Opera Workshop in the Juilliard Concert Hall April 1959, New York City Opera Company, revised version of the opera under its present title Instrumentation Notes: 2(1.2/Pic) 1(EH) 2 2 - 4 3 3 0 - T - P - H - Str   .