Old Vienna (operetta)
| Work data | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Old Vienna |
| Shape: | operetta |
| Original language: | German |
| Music: | Joseph Lanner edited by Emil Stern |
| Libretto : | Gustav Kadelburg, Julius Wilhelm and MA Weikone |
| Premiere: | December 23, 1911 |
| Place of premiere: | Vienna |
| Place and time of the action: | Vienna around 1840 |
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Alt Wien is an operetta in three acts with music by Joseph Lanner , compiled and arranged for the stage by Emil Stern . The libretto was written by Gustav Kadelburg , Julius Wilhelm and MA Weikone . The work had its world premiere on December 23, 1911 at the Carltheater in Vienna . A new version of the text and music was arranged by Alexander Steinbrecher in 1944 . But this could not prevail.
action
The operetta takes place in Vienna during the Biedermeier period (around 1840).
first act
Image: Romantic courtyard
Andreas Stöckl has fulfilled a long-cherished wish in the courtyard of his suburban house: He has become the landlord of a wine tavern that is well received by the Viennese citizens. Not least because so many Viennese visit the economy because Stöckl's foster daughter Lini knows how to entertain the guests with Viennese songs. The girl herself believes that she is Stöckl's biological daughter. She and her friend Franz Stelzer have sworn eternal love for each other. Franz is currently doing his military service. When he comes to visit Lini in his spare time, the two lovers greet each other warmly. Suddenly, Police Commissioner Prohaska pays a visit to Count von Tutzing Stöckl. When questioned, Stöckl wistfully admits that Lini is not his biological child, but a foundling. But now the count claims the girl as his daughter and believes he has evidence of this. Somewhat reluctantly, Lini goes away with the count, much to the chagrin of her friend Franz.
Second act
Image: State room in the count's castle
Lini cannot get used to the new, elegant surroundings. This hardly bothered the count; but his sister Philomene dislikes the fact that the girl cares so little about courtly etiquette. It is also important to Lini that she should stop dealing with her old acquaintances because they are not befitting.
Suddenly these people who are not in line with their standing come to the castle. It is Lini's name day, and old Stöckl, some of his friends and relatives, and Franz the Stelzer take this event as an opportunity to visit the girl to congratulate her. In this society, Lini literally comes to life again.
The Count's relatives soon arrive, eager to get to know the sudden addition to the family. But at the sight of the many people from the common people, the count's relatives can only turn up their noses.
Third act
Image: “Zum Braunen Hirschen” garden restaurant in the Prater
Stöckl and his suburban musicians have been hired by the landlord of the "Brauner Hirschen" to play for a dance in his wine tavern. Suddenly, Count von Tutzing enters the inn and explains that Lini is just being driven to a castle in Bohemia, where she is to be taught the courtly customs. A little later, an old woman can be seen in the bar, who seems to be approaching the young soldier Stelzer. The newcomer identifies herself to him as Lini, who was able to take advantage of a halt in the carriage to escape the new surroundings. When the band starts Lini's favorite song and Franz lets out his tenor voice, the girl can no longer hold back. She just has to sing along. Then it becomes clear to the count who is wearing the old woman's disguise. A scandal already seems to be looming when Police Commissioner Prohaska brings the relieving news that it has meanwhile been found that Lini is not the count's daughter at all. There is nothing left for him to do but bury his hope in a daughter. Franz and Lini embrace happily.
music
Lanner himself did not write an operetta; because in his lifetime this genre was not even born. Emil Stern has succeeded in weaving some of his best waltzes, landlords and marches with the plot with a lot of empathy from Lanner's rich oeuvre and thus bringing them to life for the stage. The most memorable songs are Schwalberl, my everything, my darling and Aufgschaut, you people, let's pass .
literature
- Anton Würz: Reclam's operetta guide . 23rd edition Reclam, Stuttgart 2002, ISBN 3-15-010512-9 .