La Reine de Saba

La Reine de Saba was billed as an opera in four acts with a score by Charles Gounod, a libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, choreography by Lucien Petipa, sets by Despléchin (a. 1), Martin (a. 2), Nolau and Rubé (a. 3), and Thierry (a. 4). It had its premiere on 28 February 1862, but it failed to inspire sustained enthusiasm in spectators and had to be dropped after its 15th performance on 7 May 1862. This libretto presents Adoniram trying to create an imperishable masterpiece of…