The New Moon

Music by Sigmund Romberg

Libretto and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein 2nd, Frank Mandel & Lawrence Schwab

 

The Story

(1792-3 in New Orleans and the Caribbean) 

Robert is a young French aristocrat whose revolutionary inclinations force him to flee his country. He sells himself as a bond-servant to planter and ship owner Monsieur Beaunoir and his family in New Orleans. As the police of Paris are looking everywhere for him, Robert cannot tell Beaunoir or his beautiful daughter Marianne, whom he has fallen in love with, that he is of noble blood. Eventually, he is tracked down by Vicomte Ribaud, the detective villain, and put aboard The New Moon so that he can deported back to France. Robert thinks he has been betrayed by Marianne, who has gained her father’s consent to travel on the same ship, pretending she is in love with Captain Duval. There is a mutiny but Robert takes charge and the bond servants come back into power. Everyone goes ashore on the Isle of Pines and a new republic is founded which flourishes under Robert’s guidance. But Marianne, her pride hurt, at first refuses to marry Robert. Then Vicomte Ribaud makes a final attempt to conquer the island for the King of France. He is surprised to hear from the French Commander that there has been a revolution in France, and that all aristocrats like himself must die unless they renounce their titles. While he, ever the Royalist, goes to his inevitable doom, there follows are happy reunion for Citizen Robert and Citizeness Marianne.

 

Principal Characters (plus Chorus) 

Robert 

Marianne 

Philippe

Alexander

Julie

Clotilde

Besac

 

Principal Musical Numbers

Marianne (Robert)

The Girl On The Prow (Marianne, Besac)

Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise (Philippe, chorus)

Stout – Hearted Men (Robert, Philippe)

One Kiss (Marianne, girls)

Wanting You (Marianne, Robert)

Lover, Come Back To Me (Marianne)

Love Is Quite A Simple Thing (Julie, Alexander, Clotilde, Besac)

Try Her Out At Dances (Julie, Alexander)