Off to the island!
Robinson Crusoé
Jacques Offenbach
Premiere
After a six-year journey, Robinson has learned that not only rapacious pirates but also islanders with cannibalistic proclivities (formerly vegetarians until having met a missionary) can turn his beautiful dream of exploring the world into a living hell. Luckily, he has Friday. Not only do they sing together one night in praise of love, Friday is also better at surviving stranded on an island at the mouth of the Orinoco. Meanwhile, Edwige, Toby, and Suzanne have left Bristol in search of Robinson; having been chased by pirates, they are now stranded on the same island, where they run into their old neighbour from back home. He’s become the master chef of the cannibals, and is now cheerfully stirring up a deadly stew . . . With rousing sea symphonies and madcap coloraturas, Daniel Defoe’s novel becomes a masterful Offenbachiade. A treat for the yuletide season that’s sure to please both young and old!
Act 1
At the home of the Crusoés, everything is ready for afternoon tea: while Robinson’s cousin Edwige philosophizes with the maid Suzanne about the preparation of sandwiches, mother Deborah passes the time at the spinning wheel. Meanwhile, the head of the family, Sir William, reads the promising parable of the Prodigal Son in the Bible. The mood threatens to change as Robinson arrives late as usual. However, Robinson uses his charm to success- fully fend off any resentment and the anger is instead directed at the equally late Toby – Robinson’s best friend and Suzanne’s fiancé. During a quiet moment, Robinson lets Toby in on his secret plan: he no longer wants to endure the profound boredom of middle-class life in Bristol and has therefore prepared everything for a joint adventure trip to South America. Their neighbor Jim Cocks had done the same some time ago and struck gold in Brazil. Overhearing the conversation, Suzanne promptly talks Toby out of all his adventure fantasies. Edwige also tries to convince Robinson to stay in Bristol and confesses her love for him. Although Robinson returns her feelings, his desire for freedom is too strong – Edwige agrees to let him go. After Toby admits that he has backed out, Robinson sets off on his journey alone. The whole family bids him farewell.
At the home of the Crusoés, everything is ready for afternoon tea: while Robinson’s cousin Edwige philosophizes with the maid Suzanne about the preparation of sandwiches, mother Deborah passes the time at the spinning wheel. Meanwhile, the head of the family, Sir William, reads the promising parable of the Prodigal Son in the Bible. The mood threatens to change as Robinson arrives late as usual. However, Robinson uses his charm to success- fully fend off any resentment and the anger is instead directed at the equally late Toby – Robinson’s best friend and Suzanne’s fiancé. During a quiet moment, Robinson lets Toby in on his secret plan: he no longer wants to endure the profound boredom of middle-class life in Bristol and has therefore prepared everything for a joint adventure trip to South America. Their neighbor Jim Cocks had done the same some time ago and struck gold in Brazil. Overhearing the conversation, Suzanne promptly talks Toby out of all his adventure fantasies. Edwige also tries to convince Robinson to stay in Bristol and confesses her love for him. Although Robinson returns her feelings, his desire for freedom is too strong – Edwige agrees to let him go. After Toby admits that he has backed out, Robinson sets off on his journey alone. The whole family bids him farewell.
Act 2
Six years have passed and not much remains of Robinson’s thirst for adventure: after his ship was attacked, he barely escaped with his life and managed to save himself on a remote island. His only friend is Friday, a local man whom Robinson was able to save from a cannibalistic island tribe on that very day
– Friday. Since then, Robinson has constantly told his companion about his homeland and the love of his life, Edwige.
However, Edwige is closer than expected: accompanied by her now- married servants Suzanne and Toby, she embarked on a mission to track down Robinson. After a mutiny, the three of them now also land up on Robinson’s island and immediately run into the cannibalistic island people. Suzanne and Toby have an unexpected reunion with their former neighbor Jim Cocks.
He was far from successful on his journey, was also captured by the island people and survived solely thanks to his cooking skills. While Suzanne and Toby can postpone the question of which of them should end up in the bubbling cauldron, the situation looks worse for Edwige: Because of her blonde hair, she is thought to be a goddess and is to be married to the god Saranha in a sacrificial ceremony. For Edwige, this means death by burning at the stake! But Friday, who is watching the procession from a safe hiding place, plucks up all his courage: With the help of Robinson’s gun ammunition, he manages to chase away the island folk and save the beautiful stranger. Suzanne, Toby and Jim Cocks follow him to Robinson’s dwelling.
Act 3
While Edwige recovers from her exertions, Friday carefully watches her as she sleeps. Only now does he realize what Robinson was trying to explain to him when he kept talking about love. Robinson, who was unaware of Friday’s rescue operation, also returns to his dwelling after his night watch and joyfully realizes that the sleeping woman is Edwige. Friday loses out and, with a heavy heart, has to give way to the lovers’ reunion. In the meantime, the mutinous crew’s ship returns to the island unexpectedly: a rumor has spread that Robinson has hidden treasure on the island. Using a ruse, the stranded gang manages to lure the ship’s crew into a trap and take control of the ship. While the mutineers must now deal with the islanders, Robinson, Edwige, Suzanne, Toby, Jim Cocks and Friday sail happily back to Bristol.
Opéra comique in three acts [1867]
Libretto by Eugène Cormon and Hector-Jonathan Crémieux
Libretto by Eugène Cormon and Hector-Jonathan Crémieux
Concert premiere on December 22, 2024
30 minutes before each performance there is an introduction to the play in the foyer (except before premieres, children's operas, concert performances, New Year's Eve and special events)
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