Rpo - Georges Bizet and Charles Lococq: 'Le docteur Miracle' (Two op?ra comiques, in one act)

Le docteur Miracle (Doctor Miracle) is an op�rette in one act. The libretto, by L�on Battu and Ludovic Hal�vy, is based on Sheridan's play Saint Patrick's Day. Bizet wrote the work when he was just 18 years old for a competition organised by Jacques Offenbach. He shared first prize with Charles Lecocq, 6 years his senior. Their reward was to have both pieces performed at Offenbach's Bouffes-Parisiens theatre. The premieres took place on 9 April 1857 and although neither opera was a palpable hit both were performed 11 times before falling into oblivion. It seems that public opinion favoured Lecocq - now we can all be judge and jury.