Text by Charles Matz
Libretto adapted by Antonio Lai da Teulada
Synopsis: (Actors here take the roles of animals that are in turn taking the roles of humans.)
Act 1. Renard (Mr C. Foxx) and his wife (Mrs V. Foxx), who here calls herself Queen Hersant (the name of one of the wives of Charlemagne), with their son (Foxx Junior) hear music announcing the arrival of a circus. A scene change that leaves only Renard, who begins thinking of his military pension. The Chief-of-the-Animals, Noble-the-Lion, arrives, an old friend of Renard. The two recall their own military service together. Noble leaves. Hermeline, the wife of Renard, now calling herself by the name of another one of Charlemagne’s wives, enters scene. She and Renard speak of his claimed descent from the famous Emperor Charlemagne. Renard tells her of adventures with his arch-enemy, Grifo-the-Hawk. As the couple are talking together, Hermeline becomes Hersant again. Renard announces that he is going to Rome as a pilgrim. Scene changes: the Foxx family join the procession to the performance tent. Renard, however, believes that he has joined a pilgrimage to Rome. Renard is certain that he is to be crowned Holy Roman Emperor of the West in Rome. His wife, now calling herself Vixen, and their son, Foxx Junior, together joined by a friend of the family, Mrs Gloworm, humor Renard in his illusion. Renard continues to confuse the circus with Rome and its churches and holy shrines. The four enter the main tent, which Renard thinks is the Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican.
Act 2. The performance begins. Renard is more convinced than ever that he is witnessing the liturgy in Saint Peter’s. The circus ringmaster wants Renard to participate in an act. Renard agrees, fully convinced that his coronation is at hand. Among the many circus acts, the clowns tease the family, which is seated at the edge of the ring. At one point the clowns threaten to shoot Foxx Junior from a circus cannon. Renard attempts to make an army of the circus animals. The animals rebel, having had long ago enough of the tricks of Renard, the Fox. The act ends as one of the circus animals, wearing a human mask, reads an excerpt from Bergerac’s account of his trip to the moon, an account in which the dignity of animals is defended. Renard climbs into a circus cannon and disappears after the weapon is fired.
Act 3. Renard, found apparently dead after the firing, is borne to the cemetery, accompanied by clergy, family, friends, and even an ex-mistress. Final farewells are given over his bier, Renard, reminiscent of the history of the opening of the tomb of Charlemagne, leaps up. Renard jumps from his coffin, alive. He shouts that wits win in this world and promises that he will return for more adventures as he then disappears.
Libretto adapted by Antonio Lai da Teulada
Synopsis: (Actors here take the roles of animals that are in turn taking the roles of humans.)
Act 1. Renard (Mr C. Foxx) and his wife (Mrs V. Foxx), who here calls herself Queen Hersant (the name of one of the wives of Charlemagne), with their son (Foxx Junior) hear music announcing the arrival of a circus. A scene change that leaves only Renard, who begins thinking of his military pension. The Chief-of-the-Animals, Noble-the-Lion, arrives, an old friend of Renard. The two recall their own military service together. Noble leaves. Hermeline, the wife of Renard, now calling herself by the name of another one of Charlemagne’s wives, enters scene. She and Renard speak of his claimed descent from the famous Emperor Charlemagne. Renard tells her of adventures with his arch-enemy, Grifo-the-Hawk. As the couple are talking together, Hermeline becomes Hersant again. Renard announces that he is going to Rome as a pilgrim. Scene changes: the Foxx family join the procession to the performance tent. Renard, however, believes that he has joined a pilgrimage to Rome. Renard is certain that he is to be crowned Holy Roman Emperor of the West in Rome. His wife, now calling herself Vixen, and their son, Foxx Junior, together joined by a friend of the family, Mrs Gloworm, humor Renard in his illusion. Renard continues to confuse the circus with Rome and its churches and holy shrines. The four enter the main tent, which Renard thinks is the Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican.
Act 2. The performance begins. Renard is more convinced than ever that he is witnessing the liturgy in Saint Peter’s. The circus ringmaster wants Renard to participate in an act. Renard agrees, fully convinced that his coronation is at hand. Among the many circus acts, the clowns tease the family, which is seated at the edge of the ring. At one point the clowns threaten to shoot Foxx Junior from a circus cannon. Renard attempts to make an army of the circus animals. The animals rebel, having had long ago enough of the tricks of Renard, the Fox. The act ends as one of the circus animals, wearing a human mask, reads an excerpt from Bergerac’s account of his trip to the moon, an account in which the dignity of animals is defended. Renard climbs into a circus cannon and disappears after the weapon is fired.
Act 3. Renard, found apparently dead after the firing, is borne to the cemetery, accompanied by clergy, family, friends, and even an ex-mistress. Final farewells are given over his bier, Renard, reminiscent of the history of the opening of the tomb of Charlemagne, leaps up. Renard jumps from his coffin, alive. He shouts that wits win in this world and promises that he will return for more adventures as he then disappears.
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