LOUISE

Composer: GUSTAVE CHAR PEN TIER Book by the composer First performance: Opéra comique, Paris, February 2, 1900 4 acts, THE DRESSMAKER, Louise, has become enamoured of an artist, Julien. She wants to marry him, but her father will not give his consent because he believes all artists to be wasters. Disgusted with the restrictions her parents place upon her Louise elopes with Julien, and goes to live with the Bohemians in Montmartre. At a special occasion when Louise is to be honoured as Queen of the Quarter, she is asked to come home because her father is dying. If this is not a trick, then it is fortunate that she goes, for the father recovers almost instantly upon her arrival. Louise refuses to stay, and announces that she is going back to Julien and the Quarter. Louise dodges a chair which her father hurls at her in his anger, and leaves. Her father curses Paris.