La Fille du Régiment GAETANO DONIZETTI
A STUDENT GUIDE THE STORY Many years before the story begins, after a battle, Sergeant Sulpice finds an infant girl with a letter from her father, Captain Robert, addressed to La Marquise de Berkenfeld. The Sergeant decides to raise the girl until he is able to find La Marquise. The girl's name is Marie and she becomes the adopted daughter of the 21st Regiment.
a spy, not realizing that he is in fact in love with Marie and wandered into their camp looking for her. She vouches for his innocence, and he is forgiven. As the regiment marches away, Tonio sneaks back to see Marie, and they declare their love to one another. Sulpice returns later to discover Tonio and Marie in an embrace, but they take no notice of him. When La Marquise approaches Sulpice to ask for an army escort back to her château, Sulpice recognizes her name. He mentions Captain Robert, and La Marquise nearly faints. She tells Sulpice that Captain Robert and her sister had a daughter. La Marquise was to be the girl's guardian at their death, but the baby girl was lost and may not even have lived. Sulpice joyfully exclaims that the girl is alive and was raised by his regiment. When Marie returns, Sulpice introduces her to her aunt, who wishes to take over guardianship of her niece. At first, Marie refuses to go, but
Act I: In a small village in the Swiss Tyrolean Mountains, local peasants prepare to fight the French troops. In the meantime, La Marquise, accompanied by her steward, Hortensius, is forced to take temporary refuge in the village while traveling home to her château. While the voice of Marie is heard singing a military tune, Sulpice enters the village and declares that the French would like to make peace. Marie has grown into a beautiful young woman, and all the men of the regiment take great pride in her. They have noticed, however, that she has been preoccupied lately. Marie The Characters confesses to Sulpice that Marie: (Soprano) the adopted daughter of the 21st Regiment she has fallen in love of Napoleon's Army with Tonio, a young Tonio: (Tenor) a local Swiss boy who is in love with Marie Tyrolese man who saved La Marquise: (Mezzo-Soprano) the Duchess of Berkenfeld her life. Just then, the rest Sergeant Suplice: (Bass) a French Sergeant of the of the regiment arrives 21st Regiment of the Grand Army of Napoleon with a captive, who Hortensius: (Bass) the steward of La Marquise happens to be Tonio! The Corporal: (Baritone) one of Marie's many adopted fathers of the 21st Regiment men accuse Tonio of being Duchess: (Soprano) the German Duchess of Krakenthorp who has a son of marrying age
when Sulpice explains that her father's dying wish was for her to live with her aunt, she agrees. Having learned that the regiment will only allow Marie to marry one of their own, Tonio enlists. After much consideration, the regiment consents to their engagement. Sulpice breaks the news to the regiment that Marie has been reunited with her rightful guardian and is to leave that day. In a tearful parting, Tonio offers to accompany Marie when he is reminded that he has enlisted and therefore must stay with the regiment. Everyone bids Marie farewell. Act II: At her château in Berkenfeld, La Marquise attempts to turn Marie into a refined young woman. She arranges an advantageous marriage for Marie to the Duke of Krakenthorp, which Marie refuses. Sulpice arrives at La Marquise's request to help convince Marie to marry the Duke. Marie reluctantly begins her voice lesson in order to practice the song she will sing to impress the Duchess, mother of the Duke. Sulpice watches Marie rehearse and enthusiastically interjects a bit of an old military tune Marie used to sing. In her excitement and nostalgia, Marie joins in. La Marquise scolds her for being so brash and unrefined. Marie sadly resigns herself to the marriage arrangement and is consoled by Sulpice until suddenly she hears the (continued on next page)