Opera Guide and Synopsis: L'Heure Espagnole, by Maurice Ravel

L'Heure Espagnole (The Spanish Hour) is an opera in one act by Maurice Ravel with a libretto by Franc Nohain. It premiered in Paris in 1911. The story, which takes place in Toledo, Spain during the eighteenth century, revolves around a clockmaker and his wife's many affairs.

Scores of L'Heure Espagnole

A complete full score and vocal score of L'Heure Espagnole are available at the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP).

Characters in L'Heure Espagnole

• Torquemada, a clockmaker (Tenor)
• Concepcion, his wife (Mezzo-soprano or soprano)
• Gonzalve, her lover (Tenor)
• Ramiro, a muleteer (Baritone)
• Inigo Gomez, a banker (Bass)

Synopsis of L'Heure Espagnole

Ramiro enters Torquemada's shop to have his watch repaired. Concepcion complains that Torquemada keeps the two Catalan clocks in the shop, when she has asked him to put one in her room; he explains that they are too heavy to move. She reminds Torquemada that it is his day to regulate the city's clocks; it is her only day of the week to be alone, and she awaits her lover Gonzalve. Torquemada asks Ramiro to wait until he returns.

Frustrated at the stranger's presence, Concepcion puts him to work moving a Catalan clock into her room; he claims that it is light as a feather. While he is moving the clock, Gonzalve enters, serenading Concepcion. She tells Ramiro that the second clock is better; he moves the first clock back to the shop while she hides Gonzalve in the second clock. Ramiro carries the second clock (and her lover) into her room. He notices that it is a bit heavier, but still claims that it is light as a feather.

Inigo, another one of Concepcion's admirers, enters. She rejects him and leaves, but he hides in the Catalan clock. She returns and, impressed by Ramiro's strength, has him carry the clock with Gonzales back to the shop. Inigo reveals himself, but again she rejects him, leaving him in the clock when Ramiro returns.

Concepcion rejects her two hidden lovers and invites Ramior to her room. Gonzalve and Inigo emerge from their hiding places just as Torquemada enters. To avoid discovery, they claim they were examining the clocks, and then buy them.

Sources:

• Kobbé, Gustav. The Complete Opera Book. New York and London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1919.
• Melitz, Leo, trans. Richard Salinger. The Opera Goer's Complete Guide. New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1921.
• Nohain, Franc and M. Ravel. L'Heure Espagnole (The Spanish Hour). New York: Franco Colombo, 1919.