The Journey to Rheims (1986)

It is May 28, 1825, the day before Charles X is to be crowned at Rheims. A group of international travelers has arrived at the Hotel of the Golden Fleur-de-Lys, a fashionable spa at Plombieres: they will take the waters and then go on to the coronation. Anxious to secure the reputation of the hotel among such illustrious guests, Madame Cortese, the patronne, instructs her staff to attend to their needs scrupulously.

It would be unthinkable for the Countess de Folleville, an elegant Parisienne, to attend the coronation in anything but the height of fashion; when she hears from her lover, the Chevalier Belfiore, that her trunks have been destroyed on the journey, she is prostrated. The spa physician, Dr. Prudenzio, diagnoses a “syncope”; but she revives despite his ministrations, grieving over the tragedy and beseeching the sympathy of every woman. She is overcome with joy when her maid, Modestina, arrives with an elegant bonnet that has miraculously survived. 12: Aria of the Countess de Follevillel.

Don Profondo, a scholar and connoisseur of antiquities, arrives to make his contribution to the expenses of the journey, which are being looked after by the German Baron von Trombonok; he is followed closely by the Spanish admiral, Don Alvaro, who accompanies the Polish Marquise Melibea, widow of an Italian general. Not far behind is the hot-tempered Russian general, Count Libenskof, who is in jealous pursuit of the Marquise. When Madame Cortese arrives to explain why news of their departure for Rheims has been delayed, she finds Alvaro and Libenskof poised for a duel; but just then the voice of the famous Roman poetess, Corinna, is heard from another room as she improvises a paean to peace and brotherhood, and order and diplomacy prevail. 13: Sextet and Corinna’s Hymn). There is still no word from the courier who has gone to find horses for the journey. Lord Sidney, a British officer, loves

Corinna but has not been able to bring himself to declare his passion; as Madame Cortese observes, he brings flowers as he has done every day for many months. 14: Lord Sidney’s Aria with flute obbligato! Lord Sidney is temporarily distracted by Don Profondo, who is absorbed in his own pursuit-researching the locale of some British historical objects; the Don then greets Corinna and her companion, the Greek orphan Delia, with some comforting bulletins about the War of Independence in Greece. In a moment of solitude, Corinna contemplates Lord Sidney’s bouquet and welcomes its message, but her reverie is interrupted by the Chevalier Belfiore; not content with having won the heart of the Countess de Folleville, he pursues Corinna ardently, but she greets his ardor with disdain and indifference. 15: Duet: Corinna and the Chevalier!

Rejoicing that the hour for their departure is almost at hand, Don Profondo begins an inventory of the valuables of the group. 16: Don Profondo’s Catalog Arial Amid growing excitement, the Countess searches for Belfiore, and is not altogether surprised to be told of his recent “lesson in poetry.” When the courier, Zefirino, arrives with the news that there is not a horse to be had for love nor money in all of Plombieres. the group is thunderstruck. 17: Grand Ensemble for fourteen voices! Happily, however, Madame Cortese has received a letter from Paris describing the magnificent festivities being prepared for the King’s return from his coronation. The Countess offers everyone the hospitality of her house there, and they happily accept; they will take the stagecoach to Paris in the morning.

Everyone is excited about the prospect of celebrating the coronation in Paris, where the festivities are to include a new opera written by Rossini in honor of the event. They all agree to use part of their travel funds for a banquet at the Hotel of the Golden Fleur-de-Lys that evening – the rest will be given to charity. Still left to be resolved are Lord Sidney’s undeclared land yet requited! love for Corinna, the estrangement between Folleville and Belfiore, and the lovers’ quarrel between Melibea and the Count. Trombonok suggests an harmonious resolution of the latter; Melibea is still indignant, but yields when the Count makes his final declaration, and this pair, at least, is at last united. 18: Duet: Melibea and the Count

The final scene takes place in the illuminated gardens of the Golden Fleur-de-Lys, where Antonio, the manager of the hotel, has produced miracles. Maddalena, the housekeeper, describes to Antonio the troupe of entertainers Trombonok has engaged for the occasion. After dinner the strolling players entertain the group until the Baron proposes that each guest give a toast to the royal family in the style of his or her country. Afterwards, by popular acclaim, Corinna presents an improvisation on a theme drawn by hazard from the guests’ suggestions, each one concerning the highlights of French history: Charles X, King of France. 19: Finale and Vision of the Coronation! Moved by the majesty of the event, the entire company, whose every difference is now resolved, joins Corinna in hoping for the rebirth of peace and unity among the nations they themselves represent. A vision of the coronation is supplied as a consolation to all those unfortunate enough not to be present in the Cathedral at Rheims.

Colin Graham