Operetta - Mario Lanza & Judith Raskin - Only A Rose

Mario Lanza & Judith Raskin sing Only A Rose from the operetta THE VAGABOND KING. Synopsis: Paris is under siege by the forces of the Duke of Burgundy; popular support for King Louis XI is at a low point. Villon poet, braggart, thief Villon, and the darling of the Paris rabble has sent anonymous love poems to the beautiful Katherine de Vaucelles. These have caused her to reject proposals from King Louis. She goes to seek the mysterious poet at an inn, but King Louis shadows her in disguise. Louis is incensed to hear Villon mocking the failures of his reign and saying what he would do instead "if I were king." The infuriated monarch reveals himself. The king gives Villon a hard choice: as punishment for speaking treasonously, he must either stop courting Katherine or accept the position of Grand Marshal, with all the powers of King, for 24 hours, during which time he must make good on his boasts and free Paris. At the end of the 24 hours, Villon will hang. Villon's dilemma is that he has promised himself to Huguette, his mistress, but now is deeply in love with Katherine. Villon and Katherine declare their love for each other ("Only a Rose"). Hugette describes her means of livelihood ("Love for Sale"). Villon accepts Louis' challenge and rouses the rabble of Paris to defend the city against Burgundy. During the battle for Paris, Hugette sacrifices her life to save Villon, thus freeing him to be with Katherine. After the battle is over, Louis rewards Villon with exile instead of death, and the two lovers leave together.

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YouTube | November 23, 2008

Tags:. .huguette. .braggart. .villon. .raskin. .rabble