"The Trumpet marine-Virtuoso"

Baroque Dance Theater about J.B. Prin,
trompet marine virtuoso and dancer
at the court of "le Roi Soleil"

Scene 1:
	With a handcart, old Monsieur Prin is on a fantastic "tropical" path in Mexico (West Indies). On the cart are all his possessions, a trompette marine case, and a box of books. When one of the cart’s wheels suddenly falls off, he sees himself forced to wait for help on the side of the path. He begins to recount his childhood in London: Although he would have much preferred to have played viola da gamba, he was forced by his father to practice the trumpet marine and to perform on it as a "wunderkind." When Prin then also displayed a talent for dancing, his ambitious father sent him to Paris, the residence of Louis XIV, to hone his skills in dancing and in trompette marine playing.
	Dance: Star Dance with lanterns, entry of Louis XIV as the sun. Music: J.B. Lully, H. Purcell, M. Marais
Scene 2:
	Prin arrives in Paris and takes dance lessons with the famous Master Beauchamp at the Academie Royal de la danse, which had been founded by Louis XIV. Through the intervention of his dance teacher, Prin is allowed to perform on the trompette marine before the King in the park of Versailles.
	Dance: Virtuoso ballet lesson with the learned dance-master Beauchamp. Music: J.B. Prin (Premier Concert pour la Trompette marine)
Scene 3:
	The King is so taken by his playing that he grants Prin the honor of being present at the "coucher," and also promises him the next vacant position in the Trompettes Marines du Roy. Since that can take a while, Prin finds a job as a dancer and harlequin at the Theatre de la Foire. There, commedia dell’arte pieces are improvised after a canovacco (synopsis) is read aloud. Prin falls in love with the daughter of the director and leading actor; however, since her jealous father keeps her under close watch, Prin can only get near her on stage when she is playing her role as Harlequina.
	Dance: Commedia dell’arte scene with Harlequin, Harlequina, and strict father (Pantalone) Music: J.P. Rameau
***** Intermission *****
Scene 4:
	A position at court finally becomes free. However, because of an intrigue by his future trompette marine colleagues, who have denounced him to the censors, Prin is arrested and thrown into the dungeon of the Bastille. In spite of his innocence, Prin confesses everything and anything when the torturers start to apply the thumbscrews, since this would mean the end of his career, for the trompette marine is played only with the thumb. Although it soon becomes clear that the accusations are groundless, he is banished to the West Indies (Spanish America), and may not set foot on French soil again as long as Louis XIV is alive.
	Dance: Dance of the Torturers and "Zanni" in the Bastille Music: A. Forqueray
Scene 5:
	Embarking in Nantes, Prin sails for Mexico. The voyage is smooth at first, but then a heavy storm comes up in which the ship almost sinks.
	Dance: Dance and Brawl of the Sailors, gradually builds up into the storm. Music: M. Marais, Lully
Scene 6:
	Prin arrives in Veracruz and travels overland to Mexico-Ville. He is amicably welcomed there by the vice-king and the courtly society, since everybody is anxious to hear news of the court in Paris. Because Mexico-Ville strives to emulate Paris, Prin is invited to visit the newly established "Academie" and to marvel at the professors’ (bizarre) inventions. One night, Prin hears strange music. As he approaches a fire, he sees African slaves dancing and playing a peculiar instrument, an ungurungo. Prin immediately recognizes in it the origin of his trompette marine, and a dialogue of dance and gestures develops between the two cultures.
	Dance: Dance of the African Slaves with an ungurungo (Prin attempts African dance, the slaves attempt French dance) Music: African music mixed with French Baroque music (J.P. Rameau).
	(Duration: ca. 85 min. playing time)