Josiane’s Aria (mezzo soprano)
from the opera “The man Who Laughs”
libretto: Bertrand Laverdure

Duchess Josiane has just learned that the object of her fascination, her monster, Gwynplaine, has become a peer of England. She also learns that her fiancé, Lord David, must lose his title of Lord to give it to Gwynplaine. All of the Duchess’s plans fall apart. She loses both her fiancé and her sentimental toy. Torn by bitterness, tortured by her unhealthy attachment to Gwynplaine, she expresses her disappointment.

Dissoute, ma vie est dissoute
Diluée par la reine,
Diminuée, pétrie par les ans qui reviennent
Ma bouche a séduit l’éphémère
Volatile matière
Plaie qui valsait pour moi, ma bête pur-sang
Mon amour dissout par l’or vil
Mort dans l’instant, quittant long quai
Plaie qui fraude l’amour
Dissoute, ma vie est dissoute
Diluée par la reine,
Dissoute, ma vie est dissoute
Diluée par la reine…

The Man Who Laughs is a two-act opera with a prologue by Canadian composer Airat Ichmouratov, featuring a French libretto by poet Bertrand Laverdure, adapted from Victor Hugo’s eponymous novel. Commissioned by Festival Classica, it premiered in a concert version conducted by Airat Ichmouratov on May 31, 2023, in Montreal, Canada.