#@notyouraveragejulie i am looking at you for validation :')

[monotonous-minutia]

The cast of Les Huguenots: Reality Check

Raoul, tenor

A Protestant gentleman. Typical romantic, clueless tenor. Frequent cinnamon roll and occasional dick (i.e. when refusing to marry Valentine over a misunderstanding, rather than asking questions or, you know, shutting up for once and waiting for an explanation). Enjoys simple pleasures like good food and drink, hanging out with the guys, sharing stories, and crushing on sopranos he saves from vagabonds. Possibly has a crush on his future girlfriend’s ex- fiancée, though he doesn’t know any of that at the time (and it’s unclear if he is aware of the crush itself). Is chosen to be a peace offering on two separate occasions: first by joining Nevers, then by being engaged to Valentine. Clearly he is someone’s favorite. (To be fair it probably has more to do with his family’s long-standing feud with the Saint-Bris family.) Both times are in an attempt to reconcile Catholics and Protestants. His reaction to the first attempt is better than his reaction to the second.

Valentine, soprano

Daughter of Count de Saint-Bris. Altogether too pure for this world and deserves so much more than the misogynist, bigoted universe throws at her. Helplessly in love with Raoul after he rescues her from the vagabonds, which makes his rejection of her later all the more devastating (although if we’re lucky she does get to slap him). Has to deal with Saint-Bris as a dad so we have to admire the fact that she hasn’t exploded already. She is willing to sacrifice pretty much everything for the people she cares about, from agreeing to marry a man she appreciates but is not in love with, to denouncing her own faith in order to marry the man she truly loves. Just wants the world to be a better and more just place. Tragically, that is apparently too much to ask.

Marguérite de Valois, soprano

Queen of Navarre. A really awesome sovereign who enjoys peace and harmony, which unfortunately there is not a lot of in her time and place. She’s very in tune to what those around her feel and need and you know what, if people just listened to her and followed her example things would have turned out much better. But I suppose that’s too much to ask. Enjoys hanging out with a lovely group of ladies and is particularly fond of Valentine (I will leave it up to you how to interpret “fond). Tries so hard to make things better for her people and keep the peace. Interesting that the ladies she spends time with are perfectly happy with that idea, and all the terrible things that happen are initiated by men.

Le Comte de Nevers, baritone

A Catholic gentleman. Genuine Good Baritone. Engaged to Valentine at the beginning of the opera, though this gets called off for the above-discussed reasons. Handles it like the gentleman he is, knowing it’s for the good of the people in the long run (irony anyone?). Probably has a crush on Raoul. Is surprisingly cool with the idea that his new crush is going to marry his former fiancée, but is rightfully outraged when Raoul snubs her. Is the only one to stand up to Saint-Bris and refuse to partake in the murder of the Huguenots, which unfortunately gets him kicked out and we don’t see him again after that. Definitely deserves an on-stage death scene, though knowing how people treat French Grand Opéra, it would probably be cut all the time anyway.

Le Comte de Saint-Bris, baritone (or bass)

A Catholic gentleman, though “gentleman” is being extremely generous. Sure, he has a position of power and follows social morays of the time and holds himself with dignity, but what kind of gentleman orders the murder of hundreds of innocent people, inadvertently killing his own daughter, who he’s basically been suffocating her entire life anyway? How this guy ended up with a friend like Nevers is beyond me. Someone do the world a service and push this man off a cliff.

Marcel, bass

A Huguenot soldier and Raoul's babysitter servant. Kind of set in his ways as far as society and religion goes, but he’s a very nice and genuine person (unlike some people). Takes good care of Raoul and may be a bit overprotective. Tries to be the sensible one but when your charge is a tenor that is a difficult task to accomplish. Witnessing war and humanity as its worst has made him a bit cynical and quick to judge, but once he becomes devoted to someone, he doesn’t let anyone so much as look at them funny. Clearly has been a good role model for Raoul, because despite Raoul’s typical tenor qualities (jumping to conclusions and overreacting), Raoul is a genuinely good and kind person, following Marcel’s example in that sense. At least someone in this opera has a decent father figure.

Urbain, soprano or mezzo-soprano

Queen Marguérite’s page. Enjoys being the center of attention, especially in song form. Per trouser role tradition, enjoys flirting with and spying on the ladies and is occasionally mistaken for being one. Very devoted to his Queen (who he may or may not have a crush on) and Valentine (who he also may or may not have a crush on). Though the men seem to enjoy making fun of him, he has a surprisingly powerful presence and is able to get people’s attention even in the middle of a riot. We hope he is not witness to the massacre at the end. Either way, his idyllic perceptions of the world and desire to frolic unhindered are more than likely dashed after the events of this opera.

About a dozen other Catholic nobles of various voice ranges and various levels on the Decent Human Being-o-meter. Obviously any one of them that participates in the massacre at the end don’t even make it to the meter.