6 October, 1868, Théâtre des Varietés, Paris. First version (two acts)
25 April, 1874 (Second version, three acts)

Lima, capital of Peru.

1. A square in Lima
2. A hall in the viceroy’s palace
3. A dungeon under the palace
   Same place as in first act

• La Périchole, mezzo-soprano
• Piquillo, tenor
• Don Andres de Ribeira, bass-baritone
• Panatellas, comic tenor
• Don Pedro de Hinoyosa, bass-baritone
• Guadalena, soprano
• Berginella, soprano
• Mastrilla, contralto

2 flutes, 1 oboe, 2 clarinets, 1 bassoon, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone, timpani/percussion, strings

One of Jacques Offenbach’s best works, full of his characteristic humour: parody (of Donizetti), verbal tricks (aux maris ré, aux maris cal, aux maris ci, aux maris trants), stirring accellerandi, whispered singing, sound-imitation (the clink of metal in the key-ring trio), hiccups (suggesting intoxication) etc. Furthermore the Spanish rhythms of bolero and seguidilla, an Indian march, etc.

La Perichole (ch sounded as k) is a Peruvian street-singer, who, to escape poverty, agrees to become the Spanish viceroy’s mistress. She preserves her chastity and travels on (richer than she was) with her jealous but faithful lover Piquillo. The plot is well-designed and still affects and amuses modern audiences.