L'abbe Constantin

CROWNED BY THE FRENCH ACADEMY

Ludovic Halévy was a French dramatist and novelist, the son of Léon Halévy and a nephew of Jacques François Fromenthal Halévy. He was educated at the Lycée Louis le Grand in Paris, and after graduating he entered the service of the government. During this period he wrote several comic operas under the nom de plume of "Jules Servières." His success with these induced him to resign his position, and devote himself entirely to the drama in association with Henri Meilhac. The operas written by Halévy and Meilhac were successfully produced on nearly all the stages of Europe and America. In addition to dramas Halévy produced novels and stories.

L'Abbé Constantin is a comedy in three acts, taking place against the background of the Franco-Prussian War. The Abbé is curate of a small church supported by the income of a nearby estate. The estate has passed into the hands of an American owner, whom the Abbé presumes will be Protestant and uninclined to support his church.