Les Cloches de Corneville - Synopsis

Synopsis

Act I - Scene I - A wooded trail near Castle Corneville

The miserly old farmer Gaspard is despised in the village of Corneville for his cruel treatment of his niece, Germaine. He wants to force her to marry the elderly sheriff, because the sheriff has become suspicious of Gaspard and threatens to investigate his suspicions. But Germaine feels obligated to Jean Grenicheux, an aristocratic young fisherman, who claims that he once rescued her from drowning. Gaspard has a maid named Serpolette, whom he found as a child abandoned in a field. She has grown into a pert beauty and is the object of gossip by the local women, who call her good-for-nothing. She too is enamored of Grenicheux.

A stranger dressed as a sea captain arrives, whom Germaine attempts to turn away from the castle, saying it is haunted and telling him that the castle's bells will only ring again when the rightful master returns. The stranger is actually Henri, the Marquis de Corneville (just returned from exile), who recalls his childhood and a young girl who fell into the sea. He pulled her out and never saw her again. He has come to retake his castle and fields.

Act I - Scene II - The market of Corneville

At the market, twice a year, one can hire domestic servants or coachmen. Germaine, Serpolette and Grenicheux all engage themselves to the mysterious Henri, hoping to escape the sordid plans of old Gaspard.

Act II - A large hall in Castle Corneville

Marquis Henri brings his new employees to the castle at night and reveals his true identity. He tries to reassure them about the ghosts. He has resolved to restore his immense castle, which was badly neglected in his absence. He discovers a letter in the castle stating that the infant Vicomtesse de Lucenay was at one time in danger and so was entrusted to Gaspard to be brought up under a false name. Everyone thinks this must refer to Serpolette. Henri also finds himself becoming attracted to Germaine. She tells him the story about how Grenicheux saved her, and how she feels obligated to marry him. Henri realizes that Germaine is the girl that he himself had rescued and that Grenicheux’s claims to have done so are false.

Meanwhile, old Gaspard had purposely fostered rumors that the cellars of the castle are haunted, because he has hidden treasures of his former masters there. He arrives at night in a boat to visit his gold, thinking the castle is empty. Henry and the others, clad in suits of armor, jump out, ring the bells of the castle and capture the old trickster. The shock drives the old man mad.

Act III - The grounds of Castle Corneville

After the renovation of the castle and the ringing of the bells, Henri is recognized as the rightful master of the Castle of Corneville. He gives a feast for the whole village, and his guests rejoice. Gaspard, who has lost his reason, wanders from group to group, singing. Serpolette is assumed to be the Vicomtesse of Lucenay, because the page from the birth register of the village (noting the births of Serpolette and Germaine) has disappeared (Gaspard had stolen it). Grenicheux has become factotum to the Vicomtesse Serpolette and is now courting her.

Henri has fallen in love with Germaine, although she is only a servant in his household. He orders Grenicheux to confess his deception, but not to reveal the name of the actual rescuer. Germaine overhears their conversation. Henri asks Germaine to be his wife, but she demurs, believing that a servant cannot marry a Marquis. Gaspard, recovering his senses, remorsefully declares that his pretended niece is the rightful Vicomtesse de Lucenay (and Serpolette only a gypsy orphan), and so the Marquis may wed Germaine. Henri forgives Gaspard, Serpolette takes Grenicheux, and all ends happily, as the bells of Corneville are set ringing.