Doctor Miracle
Setting: the living room in the house of the chief Councilor of a small town at the turn of the twentieth century.
The Councilor, his new wife Véronique, and his adult daughter Laurette are roused from sleep by a noisy band of street musicians. He initially mistakes this for a serenade by Silvio, a soldier in love with Laurette. Since the Councilor harbors an aversion to the military, he has forbidden his daughter to have anything to do with her suitor. The shrill music turns out to be a marketing campaign advertising the talents of a certain Doctor Miracle. Annoyed, the Councilor runs out the door to chase off that charlatan.
Véronique, who has guessed what is going on, approaches Laurette, and Laurette confirms her love for Silvio. The Councilor returns, and a young man calling himself Pasquin arrives, claiming to be the new household servant recommended by a family friend. The Councilor is delighted to hear that Pasquin detests all soldiers, even the very sight of them. Pasquin furthermore elaborates on his many talents.
It is time for lunch. The Councilor orders Pasquin to prepare an omelette, and in the celebrated ‘Omelette Quartet’, Pasquin ceremonially carries in the dish as all sing its praises. But once they start eating, they choke — it tastes disgusting, but the Councilor greedily gobbles down his portion anyway.
He then leaves with Véronique for a walk, leaving Laurette alone with Pasquin, whom she suddenly recognizes as Silvio in disguise! She falls into his arms, and they sing a tender duet, which turns into a trio when the Councilor unexpectedly returns and catches them together. Angrily, he throws Silvio out of the house.
Now a letter from ‘Pasquin’ arrives, confessing that the omelette was poisoned. The Councilor is hysterical, and Laurette summons the charlatan whose street band had in the morning made such a racket.
Doctor Miracle arrives, spouting cod Latin and offering to cure her father in return for Laurette's hand in marriage. In the face of familial pleading, the cornered Councilor agrees to sign the nuptial contract, after which the marvelous medic throws off his latest disguise: it is Silvio again, and he admits that the omelette wasn't ever poisoned at all.
Thoroughly outwitted, the Councilor agrees to the marriage of Laurette and Silvio, and the opera ends with an ensemble in which all agree that Doctor Miracle did after all have the cure for everything — Love!