Music |
Ferdinand Hérold |
Choreography |
Frederick Ashton |
Arrangement & Orchestration |
John Lanchbery |
Original Scenario |
Jean Dauberval |
Set & Costume Design |
Osbert Lancaster |
Lighting Design |
Peter Teigen |
Repetiteur |
Jean-Christophe Lesage |
Conduct |
Philip Ellis |
Orchestra |
Korean National Symphony Orchestra |
Artistic Director |
Kang Suejin |
Music |
Ferdinand Hérold |
Choreography |
Frederick Ashton |
Arrangement & Orchestration |
John Lanchbery |
Original Scenario |
Jean Dauberval |
Set & Costume Design |
Osbert Lancaster |
Lighting Design |
Peter Teigen |
Repetiteur |
Jean-Christophe Lesage |
Conduct |
Philip Ellis |
Orchestra |
Korean National Symphony Orchestra |
Artistic Director |
Kang Suejin |
Lise, the only daughter of Simone who is a widow and owner of a prosperous farm, is in love with Colas, a young farmer, but her mother has far more ambitious plans.
ACT I
Scene 1
The Farmyard
The dawn of a busy day on the farm is heralded
by the cock and his attendant hens. Lise, disappointed at not seeing Colas, leaves a ribbon tied in a
lover's knot as a token of her devotion. Colas finds it and binds it to his
staff. The lovers meet, but are interrupted by Simone, who sets her daughter a
task churning butter. Colas, hiding
in the loft, joins her. The work is shared and then forgotten as they declare their love.
The farm girls summon Lise to play, but
her mind is elsewhere. Her suspicious and ever-watchful mother catches hold of her
and chastizes her. Just then Thomas, the pompous and wealthy proprietor of a
vineyard, arrives with his son Alain. Simone, aware of their mission, dismisses
Lise, and Thomas asks her hand for his son. When Lise returns, Alain coyly and
clumsily shows off his paces. She is amused and a little shocked by his antics,
but not interested. They set off for the harvest.
Scene2
The Cornfield
It
is harvest time, and after working in the fields the harvesters, led by Colas,
relax in a joyful dance. Lise and Alain dance, but Colas intervenes, and the
young girl makes it clear where her preference lies. One of the harvesters
plays the flute, to everybody's general delight, and Alain thinks he will have
a try; but the harvesters mock him and he is rescued from their horseplay by
his indignant father.
The
field is now left clear for the triumphant Colas, who dances with Lise. Simone
joins in the merriment of the harvesters. Suddenly they are interrupted by a
storm that drenches them, scattering them far and wide.
Interval
ACT
II
Interior of the farmhouse
Mother
and daughter, soaked by the storm, return to the farmhouse. They sit down to
spin; work, thinks the mother, should keep Lise out of mischief. But she is
overcome by sleep and Lise, who has seen Colas through the gate, tries to take
the key from her. Simone awakes and, in order to remain watchful, plays the
tambourine for Lise to dance. But the taps grow feebler, she begins to nod, and
now she is fast asleep.
Colas
opens the top part of the farmhouse door and leans towards Lise. She runs
joyfully into his arms. The knocking of the harvesters, coming for their pay,
awakens Simone. Simone tells her daughter to get on with her chores as she
leaves to give the harvesters a drink. Lise, thinking she is alone, dreams of
the delights of married life. Colas cannot resist, and comes out from hiding.
She is bashful at having been taken by surprise, but once again they declare
their love, exchanging scarves as a token.
As
Simone reappears, Lise hustles Colas into her bedroom. The ever-suspicious
mother realizes that the lovers have been meeting, and in her turn hustles Lise
into the bedroom, locking the door.
Alain
and his father now arrive with a notary to complete the contract. When it has
been signed, Simone hands Alain the bedroom key. After a moment of idiotic
indecision, he opens the door and to everyone's dismay Colas and Lise come out.
The lovers fall on their knees to ask Simone for forgiveness and a blessing. In
spite of Thomas and Alain, she finally gives in amid general rejoicing.