Rolex Learning Center Forum
Wednesday June 1, at 6:30 pm
This new production from the Opera of Lausanne takes the Lyrical Road from June 5th to June 12th. Before initiating its journey through Romandy, this production takes place at the EPFL’s Rolex Learning Center Forum for a general performance dedicated to the EPFL community.
“La Belle de Cadix” is an operetta in two acts. The libretto is by Marc-Cab and Raymond Vincy and the lyrics are written by Maurice Vandair. The very first performance took place at the Casino Montparnasse in Paris in 1945, on December 24th.
- Jacques Blanc, musical direction
- Patrick Lapp, stage direction
- Thibault Perrine, orchestration
- Instrumental ensemble from the Opera of Lausanne
- Chorus from the Opera of Lausanne
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A-t-elle toujours des yeux de velours? (Does she still have velvet eyes?)
A-t-elle toujours beaucoup d’amoureux? (Does she still have many lovers?)
This operetta, which was the heyday of France’s Liberation and was able to bring exoticism and change of scenery to recovering France, still touches today.
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Synopsis :
Carlos Medina, great cinema star, leaves the French Riviera to shoot a film in the south of Spain, in
the middle of the last gypsy tribes which still keep their traditions, their songs and their dances.
Maria-Luisa, the most beautiful of the gypsies, plays the part of the Beauty of Cadiz in the
upcoming film. One of the most important scene of the film is the wedding ceremony. The walk-on
part chosen for the groom being a real gypsy king, Carlos and Maria-Luisa get married for real. The
two young folks accuse each other of being responsible of the situation. They argue cheerfully
while putting on an act of their great love in front of their tender admirers.
The next day, the film-shooting continue. The jealousy of Ramirez, Maria-Luisa’s boyfriend, and of
Miss Hampton, Carlos’ fiancée, spread the most complete confusion. One then learns that the gypsy
king was in fact an impostor. The wedding is therefore null…
Carlos leaves for Cannes, Maria-Luisa remains in Cadiz. Miss Hampton understood that Carlos and
Maria-Luisa loved each other tenderly; she tries to be a mediator and this charming story may end
with the « happy ending », long-expected by the public for three hours.
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Access to the show
This general performance is for students and collaborators of EPFL, EJMA, HEMU
and UNIL who can come accompanied by one person external of these schools.
Prior registration closed. Tickets available at the welcome desk of the Rolex Learning Center before the show (from 5:30 PM)