Giralda, ou La Nouvelle Psyché

Giralda, ou La Nouvelle Psyché ("Giralda, or the new Psyche") is an opéra comique[1] in three acts by Eugène Scribe (1791-1861)[2], with music by Adolphe Adam (1803-1856)[3].

The original text

The French piece had its first performance at the Opéra-Comique theatre, Paris, on 20 July 1850, the French text and music published in Paris by Lagny in 1850 and in Brussels by Lelong in 1850. Anther edition by Brandus (Paris) appeared in 1852

Translations and adaptations

In what seems a somewhat confusing fashion, it was apparently simultaniously presented in English in London in at least three versions:

As Giralda, or The Invisible Husband, adapted as a comic drama in three acts, by Henry Welstead and first performed at the Royal Olympic Theatre, on Thursday, September 12, 1850. Published in London by Thomas Hailes Lacy in 1850. (Some sources claim that this version is by Dion Boucicault ()[], and was later revised as A Dark Night's Work).

As Giralda, or the Miller's Wife adapted by Benjamin Webster (1797-1882)[] and performed at the Haymarket Theatre in London in 1850.

As Giralda, or Which Is My Husband? a comic drama in three acts by Mrs. F.A. Davidson, and - for good measure - produced at the Theatres Royal in London (apparently including both the Haymarket and the Olympic) in 1850. Originally published by Cumberland, then re-issued by G.H. Davidson in the same year.

Translated into German as Giralda, oder Die neue Psyche by W. Friedrich (ca. 1820-1879)[].

Performance history in South Africa

1861: Performed as Giralda, or The Invisible Husband (ascribed to Welstead) by the Sefton Parry and his company in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, on 18 May, with a dance (Pas de Matlots) by Miss Powell, a popular ballad sung by Leffler and Mischiefmaking (Buckstone).

Sources

Facsimile version of the Welstead text of 1850, Warwick Digital Collections [4]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolphe_Adam

Facsimile version of the Webster text (1856 edition), Hathi Trust Digital Library [5]

D.C. Boonzaier, 1923. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in SA Review, 9 March and 24 August 1932. (Reprinted in Bosman 1980: pp. 374-439.)

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.203-205

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