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Roles Synopsis Place: Paris. Time: Mid-19th century. Act I. At a cocktail party in Magda's salon, Prunier declares that love is in the air. He begins singing his latest song, which Magda completes. She explains that as the kept woman of Rambaldo, she does not know true love; she recalls her youth, her aunt, and a young student she met and loved briefly. The young man Ruggero enters with an introduction for Rambaldo and asks where the best place to spend a night in Paris is. The guests agree it is Bullier's. After the guests leave, Prunier returns in secret to escort the maid Lisette to that cabaret. Later, Magda, on a whim, disguises herself and also goes. Act II. At Bullier's, everyone is singing and dancing. Magda meets Ruggero, and they dance and fall in love. Lisette recognizes Magda, but Prunier tells her she is mistaken. At the table, Lisette confesses to borrowing Magda's clothing and jewelry. Rambaldo enters, and Magda quietly has Prunier hide Ruggero. Rambaldo demands an explanation, and she explains that this is true love. She wants to stay with Ruggero and leave him. After Rambaldo leaves, Ruggero returns, and the couple confesses their love. Act III. Magda and Ruggero are living in a cottage by the sea. He has no idea how they will pay their mounting bills. He tells Magda that he has written his parents for permission to marry her. Magda is deeply touched, but knows that she can never marry him because of her past. Prunier and Lisette arrive. She has had a disastrous and brief career as an actress, constantly criticized by Prunier; she begs for her job back, and Magda consents. Prunier delivers the message that Rambaldo wants her back, and tells her that she cannot maintain a life here. Ruggero returns with the letter permitting the marriage, but Magda finally tells all to Ruggero. Like a swallow, she flies back to Rambaldo, leaving Ruggero heart-broken. Noted arias | ||||||||||
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