Barkouf, a comic opera in three acts by Jacques Offenbach (libretto by Eugène Scribe and Henry Boisseaux, based on a tale by Abbé Blanchet), premiered at the Opéra-Comique in Paris on 24 December 1860.

Act 1

The colourful, bustling market of Lahore is in full swing despite the government’s chronic instability. Savvy traders, Maïma, a vivacious flower-seller, and Balkis, a fiery orange vendor, cheerfully tout their wares. The Grand Vizier Bababeck, a vain, greedy, ludicrous character, shamelessly flirts with the two market women, all the while plotting the marriage of his unmarriageable daughter, Périzade, to a young officer whom he is blackmailing. Yet another riot has just deposed the incumbent governor by throwing him out of a window, “which is becoming a nuisance to passersby.” Exasperated by the constant uprisings, the Great Mogul decides to inflict a punishment on his subjects that is both humiliating and absurd: he appoints his own dog, Barkouf – a ferocious and unpredictable animal – as the province’s new ruler. Bababeck, who had hoped to secure the position for himself, must now obey or face a severe punishment. But Maïma recognises the new “ruler” as her faithful companion who had been abducted years earlier.

Act 2

Maïma is the only one who can approach Barkouf without being attacked. Bababeck appoints her official interpreter and secretary to the canine governor. The astonished population witnesses the establishment of the new regime. Bababeck, enraged to see his authority thwarted, attempts to regain control by forcing Saëb – Maïma’s former lover, who had been forcibly conscripted into the army – to marry Périzade. But Maïma, now at court, turns this absurdity into an instrument of justice. By “translating” Barkouf’s barks with benevolence, she secures measures that are unexpected, to say the least: a reduction of the taxes crushing the poor and the release of political prisoners, including the rebellious Xaïloum, who is in love with Balkis and a figurehead of popular opposition. The delighted populace welcomes this curious reign that has turned out to be surprisingly benign. For the first time, Lahore seems to be governed fairly – and the people rejoice. The vizier plots his revenge and seeks Barkouf’s approval of the forced marriage between his daughter and Saëb.

Act 3

With his privileges under threat, Bababeck conspires with external enemies, the Tartars, and hatches a treacherous plot to poison Barkouf during a lavish banquet at the palace. Warned in time, Maïma turns the tables on the conspirators by forcing them to be the first to drink to Barkouf’s health. The conspirators are unmasked and will be punished. But in exchange for pardoning Bababeck, Maïma asks Périzade to sign a divorce contract, thus giving Saëb back his freedom. Amid the turmoil, the Tartars attack the city. Saëb and Barkouf rush into battle. In a final burst of courage, the canine governor repels the assault but is killed in battle. On his return, the Great Mogul takes stock of the situation: he appoints Saëb as the new governor and authorises his marriage to Maïma. While the city celebrates the lovers’ union, the people of Lahore mourn the loss of their four-legged ruler – the wisest, fairest and most beloved they have ever known.

English translation © Ros Schwartz