Last Updated: Feb. 8, 1997

Madmuazel' Fifi

Mademoiselle Fifi; Zhenshchina iz Ruana [The woman from Rouen]

an opera in one act

by Cesar Cui, libretto based on Maupassant's story and Metenier's play

Date of composition: 1901-1903

First Performed: 1903

Cast of Characters (names spelled according to the French sources)

• Major Farlsberg: bass
• Captain Kelweingstein: baritone
• Lieutenant Otto Grossling: bass
• Lieutenant Fritz Scheunaubourg: tenor
• 2nd Lieutenant von Eyrik (Mademoiselle Fifi): tenor
• Pflicht, factotum: baritone
• Abbot Chantavoine: baritone
• Sexton: tenor
• Rachel: soprano
• Eva: soprano
• Blondine: mezzo-soprano
• Pamela: alto
• Amanda: mezzo-soprano

Setting: 1871. Chateau d'Uville, near Rouen

Synopsis

German soldier-boys meet French call-girls. Boy insults girl. Girl stabs boy to death and escapes.