CAST

PRODUCTION TEAM

Opera Orlando is in the army now, as it closes its Opera Everlasting MainStage series with Donizetti’s hilarious The Daughter of the Regiment. Enjoy this family-friendly tale about Marie, the eponymous “daughter” of the regiment. She was orphaned as an infant, but miraculously adopted and raised by a French army regiment not knowing of her noble birthright. 

The military life suits Marie just fine until she falls for the handsome peasant Tonio. Love-struck for Marie, Tonio must join the regiment to be near her, and prove his worth to her army of “fathers.” To further complicate matters Marie is whisked away from the regiment by The Marquise of Birkenfeld who knows of her aristocratic lineage and wants to introduce her properly to society. Of course, this upends the regimental order of things, and Marie must then choose between marrying for love or rejecting love and her found family to maintain her social status.

It’s a show of equal parts comedy, romance, and vocal fireworks led by stage director Andrew Nienaber and featuring the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Joshua Horsch. Internationally-acclaimed Puerto Rican soprano Camille Ortiz makes her Opera Orlando debut in the title role of Marie, and she is joined by Orlando native and Metropolitan Opera National Competition winner Carlos Enrique Santelli who takes on the role of Tonio and the famous aria “Ah mes amis…” with no less than 9 high C’s. Bass-baritone Peter Strummer returns to Orlando in the buffo role of Sergeant Sulpice, and mezzo-soprano Jenni Bank makes her Company debut in the role of The Marquise of Birkenfeld, with members of the Opera Orlando Chorus and dancers from Orlando Ballet rounding out the cast.

This production will be sung in French with new English dialogue by Andrew Nienaber and English supertitles. The show will run approximately two hours and thirty minutes with one intermission.

Attending the Opera is a great excuse to dress to the nines or even to come dressed in the style and character of the opera being presented. Opera attendees are encouraged to dress formally and comfortably in whatever style they chose to enjoy the Opera. We do ask that you please silence or turn off your cell phone and please refrain from using your cell phone or any other electronic device during the performance.

MORE OF THE MAINSTAGE

SYNOPSIS

SETTING: The Swiss Tyrol, early 19th century

ACT I

War is raging in the Tyrolean mountains and the Marquise of Berkenfield and her faithful butler Hortensius find their path is suddenly blocked by the 21st regiment of the French army led by sergeant Sulpice. He assures everyone that the regiment is there to restore order, Hortensius asks Sulpice to let the Marquise continue her journey. 

Sulpice is then joined by Marie, the “daughter” of the regiment, which adopted her as an orphaned baby. He questions her about a young man she has been seen with recently, who is Tonio, a Tyrolean from a nearby village. At that same moment, Tonio is brought in as a prisoner who has been seen prowling around the camp. Marie steps in to save him from the soldiers, explaining that although he's technically an enemy, this Tyrolean once saved her life when she nearly fell while mountain climbing. The regiment toasts Tonio, and Sulpice leads the soldiers off, taking Tonio with them, but Tonio runs back to declare his love for Marie. She is thrilled but quick to tell him that he must gain the approval of her “fathers”—the soldiers of the regiment—if he wants to marry her.

The Marquise, ready to press on, asks Sulpice for an escort back to her chateau. After hearing the name Berkenfield, Sulpice immediately recognizes it from a letter found with Marie as an infant. It is soon discovered that the Marquise knew the girl’s father and says that Marie is her long-lost niece. Shocked by Marie’s unconventional upbringing and rough manners, the Marquise takes Marie back to her castle, determined to give her a proper education. Tonio, who has just enlisted and joined the 21st Regiment to prove his love of Marie, is distraught that she is leaving with the Marquise..

ACT II

Marie has been living with the Marquise’s for several months. In a conversation with Sulpice, who has joined the Marquise and Marie at the Chateau de Berkenfield, the Marquise describes how she has arranged a marriage between Marie and Scipion, nephew of the Duchess of Krakenthorp. The Marquise has sought to expunge Marie’s military manners and transform her into a lady of fashion suitable for marriage. Marie has reluctantly agreed to the arrangement and Sulpice is asked to encourage her. 

Left alone, Marie reconciles her fate, thinking about how money and position is meaningless. Suddenly, she hears soldiers marching in the distance and is joyously delighted to see that the whole regiment has arrived. As the soldiers file into the hall, Tonio, Marie, and Sulpice are reunited. Tonio asks for Marie’s hand, declaring his love for her. The marquise declares her niece is engaged to another man, and Marie scornfully dismisses Tonio. Alone with Sulpice, the Marquise confesses that Marie is her own illegitimate daughter whom she abandoned in fear of social disgrace.

Hortensius announces the arrival of the wedding party, headed by the Duchess of Krakenthorp. Marie refuses to leave her room to greet the guests, but when Sulpice tells her that the Marquise is her mother, the bewildered young woman decides she cannot go against her mother’s wishes and agrees to marry Scipion. At the last minute, when Marie is about to sign the marriage contract, the soldiers of the regiment storm in to rescue their “daughter.” The Marquise, deeply moved by how protective the regiment is of Marie, admits she is her mother. She gives her blessing to Marie and Tonio’s marriage, and all rejoice the happy occasion.

LEARN MORE

Book our studio artists to come to your school or community center for a special preview performance of The Daughter of the Regiment through our In-School Programs and Studio Artists.