Jocelyn (Op. 100) is a four-act opera by Benjamin Godard, set to a French libretto by Paul Armand Silvestre and the tenor Victor Capoul. Based on the poem by Alphonse de Lamartine, the action takes place in Grenoble and the surrounding mountains during Corpus Christi at the close of the 18th century. The score bears a dedication "A mon ami Daniel Barton".Possibly Sir Daniel Fitzgerald Packenham Barton, the counsul general after whom the park in Geneva is named.
This opera is remembered for Godard's most enduring composition,Upton and Borowski (1947) p. 182 the tender berceuse (lullaby) for tenor, "Oh! ne t'éveille pas encore" commonly known in English as Angels Guard Thee.
Jocelyn premièred on 25 February 1888 at Le Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels with Pierre-Émile Engel creating the title role. A production with a new cast, including Capoul in the title role, opened in Paris at the Théâtre-Lyrique-National on 13 October the same year.
Roles RoleVoice typePremiere cast, 25 February 1888The cast lists from the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie digital archives, Casaglia (2005), and Godard (1888, First edition of the score) are not in complete agreement with other.(conductor: Joseph Dupont) LaurencesopranoRose Caron Juliesoprano Storrelle Young mountain girlmezzo-soprano Angèle Legault Jocelyn's mothermezzo-sopranoL Van Besten JocelyntenorPierre-Émile Engel Julie's fiancé baritoneRouyerGodard, Benjamin (1888) Vocal score: Jocelyn Op.100. Casaglia (2005) names the singer as Franklyn. The bishopbass-baritoneArthur Henri Seguin Laurence's father baritone Jacques Isnardon Old manbassJules Vinche Old shepherdJules VincheGodard, Benjamin (1888) Vocal score: Jocelyn Op.100. Casaglia (2005) names the singer as Rouyer Gaoler bass FrankinGodard, Benjamin (1888) Vocal score: Jocelyn Op.100
Recordings The popular Berceuse has been recorded by many tenors, including Victor Capoul, John McCormack, Beniamino Gigli, Tino Rossi, Edmond Clément, Richard Crooks, Nicolai Gedda, Jussi Björling and Plácido Domingo, as well as by the cellist Pablo Casals.The Berceuse is ubiquitous in cello encore albums. A notable piano trio arrangement was recorded by the Eroica Trio.
Notes and references
Sources
Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie Digital archives. Premiere cast list: Jocelyn. Accessed 15 March 2011 Godard, Benjamin (1888) Vocal score: Jocelyn Op.100. Paris: Choudens fils (nd.) at IMSLP Upton, George Putnam and Borowski, Felix (1947). The Standard Concert Guide. Halcyon House.