Written in 1998, Petitgirard's opera differs from David Lynch's cult film in offering an entirely different perspective on the tale of Joseph Merrick, born in 1863 with horrific deformities, exhibited as a freak at the circus, taken in by Dr. Treves at the London Hospital and subsequently afforded celebrity status. Where the film is based largely on Dr. Treves' memoirs, the opera is based on biographies of Joseph Merrick giving his character a more central focus than in the film.
Part 1
Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man
1 Opening credits
Act I
2 Act I Scene 1 (Tom Norman, Jimmy)
3 Act I Scene 2 (Tom Norman, Jimmy, Chorus)
4 Act I Scene 3 (Tom Norman, Jimmy, Two Boys, Young Girl, Chorus)
5 Act I Scene 4 (Tom Norman, Jimmy, Chorus)
6 Act I Scene 5 (Doctor Treves, Tom Norman, Jimmy, Chorus)
Act II
7 Act II: Prelude
8 Act II Scene 1 (Doctor Treves, Eva Lukes)
9 Act II Scene 2 (Mary, Elephant Man, Eva Lukes)
10 Act II Scene 3: La priere des malades (Elephant Man, Chorus)
11 Act II Scene 4 (Doctor Treves, Six Patients, Elephant Man)
12 Act II Scene 5 (Carr Gomm, Doctor Treves)
13 Act II Scene 6 (Elephant Man, Mary)
Part 2
Act III
1 Act III Scene 1: Le serment d'Hippocrate (Carr Gomm, Doctor Treves, Chorus)
2 Act III Scene 2 (Eva Lukes, Mary, Elephant Man)
3 Act III Scene 3 (Doctor Treves, Elephant Man)
4 Act III Scene 4 (Doctor Treves, Carr Gomm, The Committee)
5 Act III Scene 5 (Elephant Man, Mary)
Act IV
6 Act IV: Prelude
7 Act IV Scene 1: L'air de la colorature (La Colorature, Elephant Man, Doctor Treves, Chorus)
8 Act IV Scene 2 (Doctor Treves, Mary)
9 Act IV Scene 3 (Elephant Man, Doctor Treves)
10 Act IV Scene 4: La morte d'Elephant Man (Elephant Man)