''Coups de roulis'' is an

opérette This is a glossary list of opera genres, giving alternative names. "Opera" is an Italian word (short for "opera in musica"); it was not at first ''commonly'' used in Italy (or in other countries) to refer to the genre of particular works. Most co ...

in three acts with music by

André Messager André Charles Prosper Messager (; 30 December 1853 – 24 February 1929) was a French composer, organist, pianist and conductor. His compositions include eight ballets and thirty , opérettes and other stage works, among which his ballet (1 ...

and a French libretto by

Albert Willemetz Albert Willemetz (14 February 1887 – 7 October 1964) was a French librettist. Career Albert Willemetz was a prolific lyricist. He invented a new type of musical, with a humorous and "sexy" style. He was the author of more than 3000 songs, inc ...

, based on the 1925 novel by Maurice Larrouy. It was Messager's last work, written during remissions of illness, and although from the pen of a 74 year-old shows no signs of old-age or suffering.

Performance history

''Coups de roulis'' was first performed at

Théâtre Marigny The Théâtre Marigny () is a theatre in Paris, situated near the junction of the Champs-Élysées and the Avenue Marigny in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, 8th arrondissement. It was originally built to designs of the architect Charles Garnie ...

, Paris, on 29 September 1928, and was still running a few days after the composer's death. A recording for French radio in 1978 with Isabel Garcisanz,

Michel Roux Michel Roux, OBE (; 19 April 1941 – 11 March 2020), also known as Michel Roux Snr., was a French chef and restaurateur working in Britain. Along with his brother Albert Roux, Albert, he opened Le Gavroche, which subsequently became the first ...

Jean-Christophe Benoît Jean-Christophe Benoît (18 March 1925 – 21 February 2019) was a French baritone, who enjoyed a long career in France and francophone countries on the stage, the concert platform and radio and television. He was born in Paris into a professional ...

and Michel Philippe was also broadcast on

BBC Radio 3 BBC Radio 3 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It replaced the BBC Third Programme in 1967 and broadcasts classical music and opera, with jazz, world music, Radio drama, drama, High culture, culture and the arts ...

. It was performed in the Metz opera house during the 2000-01 season, and a revival by Les Frivolités Parisiennes was mounted in Tourcoing before transferring to Paris in 2023.

Roles

Synopsis

Act I : On board the battleship 'Montesquieu'
With Christmas imminent, the crew of the battleship 'Montesquieu' are hoping to spend their leave with families or girlfriends before going on manoeuvres in the Mediterranean. The deputy Puy-Pradal is leading a parliamentary commission of enquiry on board. Arriving on 20 December, he upsets everyone's plans and all on board are forced to prepare to set sail. Puy-Pradal arrives with his secretary – his daughter Béatrice – and once on board he displays his complete ignorance of marine law, and commits endless blunders. Béatrice meanwhile is courted by Gerville, the commander of the 'Montesquieu' and by the young and handsome lieutenant Kermao. Act II : Cairo
During the stop at Cairo, Puy-Pradal throws a grand official party with dancing, during which the actress Sola Myrrhis appears. She is determined to become a member of the Comédie Française and in Puy-Pradal sees someone who can help her, and seduces him without much trouble. Alone together Béatrice and Kermao swear their love. The officer goes to find his commander to ask him to intercede with Puy-Pradal to allow him to marry his daughter. Gerville knows all too well that his feelings have no chance against those of Kermao but Puy-Pradal won't hear of anyone other than Gerville becoming his son-in-law. Puy-Pradal is falling for Sola Myrrhis; he entrusts his daughter to Gerville and interrupts his mission so as to accompany the young artist on her Egyptian tour, planning to rejoin the 'Montesquieu' later on. Act III : On board the 'Montesquieu'
After three months of honeymoon and travel, Puy-Pradal and Sola re-embark on the 'Montesquieu'. Béatrice is angry about her father's liaison and tries to find someone to open her father's eyes to what he is doing. Kermao agrees but is surprised by Puy-Pradal with Sola; the deputy breaks off with the actress. Béatrice complains that Kermao was embracing Sola and refuses to speak to him. Gerville reconciles the lovers and manages to convince Puy-Pradal to give his consent to their marriage. Sola Myrrhis will join the Comédie Française, as the deputy has found her talent to be absolutely right. Puy-Pradal, however, learns that he will be part of a ministerial re-shuffle.

Film

A 1931 Jean de la Cour film of the piece was released in May 1932 with Edith Manet (Béatrice), Max Dearly (Puy-Pradal), Lucienne Herval (Sola Myrrhis),

Pierre Magnier Pierre Frédéric Magnier (February 22, 1869 – October 15, 1959) was a French actor who began on the stage in the 1890s and became a prominent silent film actor in France. He was the second actor to portray ''Cyrano de Bergerac'' in any film i ...

(Gerville),

Roger Bourdin Roger Bourdin (14 June 1900 in Paris – 14 September 1973 in Paris) was a French baritone, particularly associated with the French repertory. His career was largely based in France. His daughter is Françoise Bourdin. Life and career Born in t ...

(Kermao), Germaine Roger (Betty), Robert Darthez (Bellory), Hubert Daix (the doctor), Henri Levêque (Haubourdin), Pierre Clarel (Pinson), Robert Brummel, Jacques Erwin (officers).

Recordings

Various excerpts were recorded in 1928 and 1932 including some by members of the original cast. ''Coups de Roulis'' was recorded in full and released in October 1963 with the Chorale Lyrique and Orchestre Lyrique de l'O.R.T.F. conducted by

Marcel Cariven Marcel Auguste Antoine Cariven, (18 April 1894, Toulouse – 5 November 1979, Crosne near Paris)Lina Dachary Lina Dachary was a French soprano born in 1922 and died in 1999. She was particularly noted for her prolific radio appearances in operetta.

, Claudine Collart, Gaston Rey, Aimé Doniat, Jacques Pruvost and René Lenoty. A further recording with soloists, the Chorus and Orchestra of Les Frivolités Parisiennes conducted by Alexandra Cravero was released by B Records in 2024, with a new orchestration.Myers, Eric. CD review - Coups de roulis. ''Opera'', January 2025, Vol.76 No.1, p123-124.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Coups De Roulis Operas by André Messager French-language operas 1928 operas Opérettes Operas Operas based on novels