Joanna (opera)



Joanna is an opéra comique in two acts by the French composer Étienne Méhul. It premiered at the Opéra-Comique, Paris on 23 November 1802. The libretto, by Benoît-Joseph Marsollier, is a revision of the same author's Emma, ou Le soupçon, set by Étienne Fay in 1799. The piece was not a success and only enjoyed eight performances.

Synopsis
Scene: Madras in India By marrying Amélie, the son of Lord Hervey has brought disgrace on his family and is forced to leave the country. Under the assumed name Charles, he works as a carpenter in Madras and Amélie lives with him under the name Joanna. However, Charles becomes jealous of a young army officer Édouard. Believing Édouard is trying to seduce his wife, Charles challenges him to a duel. The governor of Madras hears the news and, charmed by Joanna, decides to intervene. The governor realises that both Charles and Édouard are his sons. Édouard has been only lightly wounded in the duel. The two brothers embrace and the opera ends happily.