The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein. A comic opera in three acts. Music by J. Offenbach. Translated from the French of Messrs. Meilhac and Halevy.

Offenbach, Jacques (music); Henri MeilhacandLudovic Halévy (libretto)

Published by New York, John A. Gray & Green Printers, 1867.

About this Item

Wrappers. 8vo. Near very good condition, spine covering mostly missing, rear wrapper reattached. Libretto in French and English in parallel columns. Woodcut portrait of the Duchess on the front wrapper holding a cavalry saber, alluding to her unhealthy interest in military affairs, which the opera satirizes. Advertisement for Chickering pianofortes on back cover. La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein (The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein) premiered in Paris in 1867, where it was a huge success. It was banned in France a few years later after the debacle of the Franco-Prussian War. The New York staging was held at the Théâtre Français in the same year. The words "French Theatre"are added to the title on the front cover. One can imagine an American audience finding the lighthearted plot a relief after the violence of the recently ended Civil War.

Seller Inventory # 5868

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein. A comic opera in three acts. Music by J. Offenbach. Translated from the French of Messrs. Meilhac and Halevy.
• Publisher: New York, John A. Gray & Green Printers, 1867.
• Binding: Soft cover
• Seller catalogs:
  • Catalogue XXXXXVIII (LVIII)