Performance history L'Arlésienne, incidental music L'Arlésienne, Suite d'orchestre Instrumentation The score of L'Arlésienne makes novel use of the saxophone, at the time of composition just being introduced after its invention. The specific drum to use in the percussion section is an issue of some controversy. Both Bizet's incidental music manuscript of 1872 and the score of L'Arlésienne Suite No. 2, arranged by Guiraud in 1879, specify a "tambourin", a low-pitched tenor drum, not to be confused with the tambourine. In the absence of a genuine tambourin, a tom drum or a snareless side drum is sometimes substituted. This was the circumstance in the premiere production, during which critic Arthur Pougin of Le Soir complained that the tambourin provençal had been replaced by an ordinary drum (tambour). In Provence, the tambourin is usually played in conjunction with the galoubet (a small pipe), making this combination a unique Provençal pipe and tabor. This is the effect Bizet was aiming for when he set the tune "Danso dei Chivau-Frus", from a collection by François Vidal, a player and historian of the tambourin. This tune is used in the Farandole and evokes the sound of tambourinaires playing during a festival celebrating Saint Eligius, patron saint of horses, farriers, and husbandry. Herbert von Karajan and Leonard Bernstein are two examples of prominent conductors who used a tambourine in one or more recordings, giving the Farandole a brighter ambiance than would have been achieved with the deeper resonance of the tambourin. The score of the first number of L'Arlésienne Suite No. 1, 'Prélude', specifies a "tambour", and although a tambourin could just as well be employed here also, many orchestras use a snare drum. Incidental music (1872) Main Characters Francet Mamaï (65), farmer of le Castelet, grandfather of Frédéri and L'Innocent Rose Mamaï (40), a widow, Francet's daughter-in-law, mother of Frédéri and L'Innocent Frédéri (20), the protagonist, obsessively in love with the Arlésienne L'Innocent (13), Frédéri's brother; regarded as having a developmental disability Balthazar (70), a shepherd La Renaud (70), Balthazar's love interest in earlier times, Vivette's grandmother Vivette (17), Rose's goddaughter, Frédéri's second love interest Patron Marc, Rose's brother, a Rhône sailor Mitifio (30), a Gardian Synopsis The Overture (№ 1) begins with five different orchestrations of the March of the Kings, and concludes with the first of several quotations in the score of L’Innocent’s theme, and Frédéri’s theme. Act 1 Tableau 1: The farm