Le calife de Bagdad

Le calife de Bagdad is an opéra comique in one act by the French composer François-Adrien Boieldieu with a libretto by Claude Godard d'Aucourt de Saint-Just. It was first performed at the Opéra-Comique, Paris, on 16 September 1800.

Synopsis
Isaoun, the Caliph of Baghdad, has adopted a disguise so he can roam the streets of the city freely, going under the name "Il Bondocani". Two months before the action begins, he rescued Zétulbé from a band of brigands and Zétulbé has fallen in love with him. But Zétulbé's mother, Lémaïde, is unimpressed by his shabby appearance and refuses to let her marry him. She is amazed when "Il Bondocani" orders his followers to bring in gifts including a casket of jewels. Thinking "Il Bondocani" is a brigand, Lémaïde's neighbour has reported him to the police, who now try to break down the door. After further intrigue, Isaoun finally reveals his true identity to Zétulbé and the two can now be married.

Musical numbers

 * "Allons, un peu de complaisance" - Zétulbé, Késie
 * "De tous les pays, pour vous plaire" - Késie
 * "Voyez, voyez!" - Zétulbé, Lémaïde, Isaoun
 * "Depuis le jour où son courage" - Zétulbé
 * "Ç'est ici le séjour des grâces" - chorus
 * "Pour obtenir celle qu'il aime" - Zétulbé, Lémaïde, Késie, Isaoun, a judge, chorus
 * "Au choix de votre maître" - Lémaïde, Késie, Zétulbé, Isaoun, chorus

Recordings

 * 1993: Conductor Antonio de Almeida, Camerata de Provence Orchestra and Chorus, Laurence Dale, Lydia Mayo, Joelle Michelini, Claudine Cheriez