Operetta in Three Acts
English by Petiet and Swain

First performed in 1975, this English version has been produced by opera companies across the country. The book has drawn praise for its lucidity and humor, while the lyrics are witty and vocally comfortable. For companies with singers who can act, this Fledermaus will be a certain crowd pleaser.
ENGLISH LYRICS & DIALOGUE WITH ORCHESTRATION

Operetta in Three Acts
English by Thomas Petiet

Premiered in 1989, this new version boasts a completely new libretto and the original 1883 Strauss orchestration. Unlike the versions that have been available, this production uses no interpolated music. The new book replaces a decidedly silly and mediocre libretto with a coherent and amusing story that better suits the glory of Strauss' music. This show is a fitting companion piece to Die Fledermaus, deserving of greater popularity than it has previously attained.
ENGLISH LYRICS & DIALOGUE WITH ORCHESTRATION

Operetta in Three Acts
Lyrics by Adrian Ross Book by Gershom Morningstar

The original English lyrics to this very popular operetta are as familiar to Americans as the music, and they still stand up to more recent versions. The Guild utilized the original lyrics (with minor changes) and created new dialogue for this production. The result earned high praise from critics in both Guild productions of the show.
ENGLISH LYRICS & DIALOGUE WITH ORCHESTRATION

Operetta in Two Acts
(Four Tableaux)
English by Thomas Petiet

Not one of the expanded versions available commercially, this Orpheus is true to the original two act show. The satire on the antiquities is sprinkled with apt mythological references to tickle even a discerning classics scholar. It is not silly and does not rely on outrageous costumes, but is taughtly constructed to match the impact of the premiere, which launched the "era" of operetta. It is an ideal showpiece for high soprano.
ENGLISH LYRICS & DIALOGUE WITH ORCHESTRATION

Operetta in Three Acts
English by Morningstar and Swain

This collaboration of multi-talented thespians produced a version of Offenbach's grandest farce that is equally successful at developing character and story line. The give and take between Paris and Helen is wonderful, and the many other characters are well-drawn. Like Orpheus, Helene requires an acting ensemble, with showcase opportunities for many. All the music of one of Offenbach's greatest scores is here, including Helen's third act couplet and the Patriotic Trio.
ENGLISH LYRICS & DIALOGUE WITH ORCHESTRATION

LA GRAND DUCHESSE (de GEROLSTEIN)

Operetta in Three Acts
English by Ronald Orenstein

Originally written for the Paris Exposition in 1867, La Vie Parisienne became so popular that Offenbach found he had to write a shorter version of it for future productions. Consequently, typical productions lack one crucial scene found only in the longer version. Mr. Orenstein has combined the shorter musical score with an edited plot line of the five act original and restored three important musical numbers. The result is an understandable and entertaining show.
ENGLISH LYRICS & DIALOGUE WITH ORCHESTRATION

Operetta in Three Acts
English by Ronald Orenstein

Intended as a biting satire on social conditions, La Perichole is usually stripped of much of its content and made into a froth when performed in the United States. Mr. Orenstein returned to the original book to produce what we consider to be the most definitive English language version of this show.
ENGLISH LYRICS & DIALOGUE ONLY
ORCHESTRATION COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE

Fantasy Opera in Two Acts
English Translation by Thomas Petiet

Having learned The Magic Flute in the original German, Tom Petiet was always struck by the contrast between the intimate charm and humor of the opera and the lavish, large scale productions. Commissioned by the Comic Opera Guild, Mr. Petiet tried to recapture the feeling of the original production, which was given in a small Viennese theater, not at the Opera. As a singer, he has paid considerable attention to the singability and flow of the English lyrics, to make this operatic masterpiece accessible to a new generation of theatergoers.
ENGLISH LYRICS & DIALOGUE WITH ORCHESTRATION

Operetta in Two Acts
New Book by Thomas Petiet

This is an alternative for companies who wish to present Victor Herbert's unquestioned masterpiece without suffering through the original dialogue. Although the original lyrics are presentable and match the period of the piece, the dialogue is decidedly dated and painful. This "translation" cleans up some plot problems and provides the performers with better opportunities to shine. A "must read" for anyone contemplating a performance of this work.
BOOK ONLY

Opera in One Act by Pergolesi
English by Richard Swain

A very amusing translation of the opera intermezzo whose popularity helped launch the Italian Opera Buffo tradition.
ENGLISH LYRICS & DIALOGUE WITH ORCHESTRATION

Opera in One Act by Pergolesi
English by Thomas Petiet

Pergolesi's "other" intermezzo is a very knowing satire of the music business, as it existed in the time of Handel. As such, many of its barbs are still relevant today. The Guild's version makes the most of the humor in this spirited show that can be a great "twin bill" with its more famous sibling.
ENGLISH LYRICS & DIALOGUE ONLY
ORCHESTRATION COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE

Opera in One Act by Rossini
English by Petiet, Simmerman, and Barick

Rossini's first popular opera is a little treasure of the Bel Canto era. Despite the vocal glamour of the music, it is not daunting in its vocal requirements, and the show is genuinely funny at the same time.
ENGLISH LYRICS & DIALOGUE WITH ORCHESTRATION

Opera in One Act by T. Breton
English version by Thomas Petiet

One of the few zarzuelas that travels well from Spain, this work is in the 19th century style. Its well-constructed musical score is mated to a new English translation that is charmingly amusing.
LYRICS AND DIALOGUE ONLY (PIANO/VOCAL)

Operetta in Three Acts
Edited by Thomas Petiet

Before he collaborated with Arthur Sullivan, William Gilbert was involved in various free-lance writing assignments, including this remarkable translation of The Brigands. In this adaptation, the original French score was fitted to Gilbert's published words, with some alterations necessary to produce practical lyrics. Musically, the show rivals Offenbach's best. This is the only example of what might have been had Gilbert been able to work with a Frenchman.
ENGLISH LYRICS & DIALOGUE WITH ORCHESTRATION

Operetta in Two Acts by Offenbach
English by Thomas Petiet

NEW PERFORMING VERSION!
Offenbach's musical treatment of the famous Defoe story might have languished on the shelf forever, had the Guild not seen the potential of editing and adapting this show for young audiences. Mr. Petiet completely restructured the comic opera and reduced its length by a third. Complete with upper-class snobs, rowdy sailors, cannibals and pirates, Robinson Crusoe is a treat for the entire family, and even contains an audience participation scene.
ENGLISH LYRICS & DIALOGUE WITH ORCHESTRATION

Operetta in One Act
English by Ronald Orenstein

A pure, fast-paced farce, Ba-Ta-Clan is surely the gem of Offenbach's one act shows. The satire concerns the dilemma of four French citizens all barely managing the disguise and language of the court of an obscure Chinese province. The musical numbers are memorable and include a mock-operatic duet that is a sendup of Bellini. Casting is for soprano, two tenors, baritone and chorus. This is a complete operetta, and not simply the music and narration of the commercially available version.
ENGLISH LYRICS & DIALOGUE WITH ORCHESTRATION

Operetta in Two Acts
New Book by Thomas Petiet

Scaled down considerably from the original show, this version simplifies the plot and production requirements. It is intended for intimate presentation to younger audiences, and has been performed throughout Michigan on three separate occasions. The orchestration has been reduced to wind ensemble.
LYRICS, DIALOGUE AND ORCHESTRATION