La jolie parfumeuse

[1] The opera was premiered at the Théâtre de la Renaissance, Paris on 29 November 1873, where it ran for 200 performances, marking Offenbach’s first major success after the fall of the Empire.

[2] The piece, which owes something to the 1850 opéra comique Les Porcherons by Sauvage and Grisar, enjoys a "farcical libretto of sexual quiproquos".

[2] The piece, written in seven weeks, derived much of its success from the performance of Théo in the title role;[3] she returned, along with Daubray, for a revival in 1875 at the Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens.

[4] Outside France, La jolie parfumeuse was also produced (often in translation) in Brussels, Antwerp and Vienna in 1874, Berlin, New York, Birmingham and Milan in 1875, Mexico in 1876 and Stockholm in 1891, but did not remain in the repertory during the 20th century,[5] despite broadcasts on French radio and a run at the Royal Academy of Music in 1973.

[6] The Neighbor's Chorus "Soyez donc bon homme" at the opening of act 3 remains a favorite of choral societies, however.

He also asks La Cocardière if he will conduct his wife to the new home, and en route recount to her what her mother would have said to her on her wedding night if she had been alive.

A salon in La Cocardière’s house with several doors leading off, and see-through mirrors making visible the interior of the two adjoining rooms.

Germain, La Cocardière’s manservant, sings of the pleasant life he leads, and with Justine, Lise and other domestic servants sets the table for a meal.

La Cocardière re-enters pretending to be Bavolet, but his big hands, ears and teeth make her feel like little red riding-hood.

Bavolet rushes to open the door and Rose, beautifully dressed, emerges announcing herself as "Dorothée Bruscambille, native of Toulouse, and future pensionnaire of the Grand Opéra of Paris".

Poirot says that he will be an honourable man and marry ‘Bruscambille’ and sings his letter to the parents of the girl; Bavolet, somewhat hung-over, and thinking that he had been with the dancer, and that Rose had only come in at seven that morning, is mystified.