Guangzhou Opera House greets New Year with Bizet's operetta

Guangzhou Opera House staged its production of Le Docteur Miracle by French composer Georges Bizet from Dec 31 to Jan 1, offering audience with this delightful work at the start of the New Year.

Bizet wrote the piece when he was just 18 for a competition. He shared first prize with Charles Lecocq. His reward was to have the piece performed 11 times with the premiere taking place in 1857 in Paris.

Set against the backdrop of the middle of the 19th century, the operetta in one act opens with the Mayor, his second wife Veronica, and his daughter, Laurette, sitting on their terrace. They hear a loud noise and see a door-to-door salesperson, Doctor Miracle, selling his cure-all remedy. Unknown to the family, Doctor Miracle is really Silvio, a military captain in disguise who is in love with Laurette.

Laurette is soon lost in her own thoughts, singing of her love for Silvio. However, her father already has plans for her to marry the local chemist. Silvio has to disguise himself again — as a chef — making a "poisoned omelet" to spend some time with Laurette. Doctor Miracle appears again, offering the remedy, but only if the Mayor is granted Laurette's hand in marriage.