Si j'étais roi

"Si j'étais roi" (English: "If I Were King") is an opéra-comique in three acts by Adolphe Adam. The libretto was written by Adolphe d'Ennery and Jules Brésil. It was first performed in Paris at the Théâtre Lyrique on 4 September 1852.

It was then performed in Brussels (1853), New Orleans (1856), Turin (1858) and Socrabaya (1864). [Loewenberg A. Annals of Opera. London, John Calder, 1978. ]

The story concerns about a young fisherman in Goa who rescues a princess from drowning. When he discovers that she is a princess he dreams of becoming a king so that he could be worthy of marrying her. The real king grants this wish and he is taken to the palace for one day, during which he manages to win the royal bride in the face of the plots of wicked Kadoor who also wants to wed her.

Though less popular than "Le postillon de Lonjumeau", it is often regarded as Adam's finest work. The well-developed overture was quite popular, particularly on recordings. Vocal highlights include the soprano air "De vos nobles aïeux" and the couplets for baritone "Dans le sommeil, l'amour".

Roles

References

Forbes E. Si j'étais roi in "The New Grove Dictionary of Opera" ed Sadie S. London & New York, Macmillan, 1997.