By order of the empress
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| Original title: | By order of the empress |
| Shape: | operetta |
| Original language: | German |
| Music: | Bruno Granichstaedten |
| Libretto : | Leopold Jacobson, Robert Bodanzky |
| Premiere: | March 20, 1915 |
| Place of premiere: | Vienna |
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On the order of the Empress an operetta in three acts by the composer Bruno Granichstaedten is ; for the libretto recorded Leopold Jacobson and Robert Bodanzky responsible. In order to circumvent a ban imposed by the Austrian censorship authorities, this play was renamed in Austria-Hungary under the title On Orders of the Duchess . Their first performance experienced this operetta on March 20 of 1915 at the Theater an der Wien .
action
- 1st act - apartment of the old Spannberger woman
The rich butcher Weißkappl was engaged to the old Spannberger years ago. But since she often flirted with officers, he broke this connection. Now that both have children of marriageable age, Toni Weißkappl is supposed to marry the daughter of the old Spannberger, Lintschi. The Spannberger thinks this idea is good, especially since Toni will one day be given a great inheritance. Toni and Lintschi resist this connection because Toni has fallen in love with a dancer and Lintschi wants to marry the imperial officer Konrad. In a secret debate, Lintschi promises to refuse if Toni's father officially wants to ask her mother for a hand.
The young empress is jealous and accuses her husband of a possible infidelity. So she made Baron Prandler her chastity commissioner to be certain. Baron Prandler now finds out that the emperor intends to meet with Princess Ludwigsberg, a pretty lady-in-waiting of his wife, secretly at the old Spannberger's. Baron Prandler, who has a heart for lovers, rushes to the Spannbergerin and warns mother and daughter that the Empress loves the officer , who is about to arrive here, fiercely. Lintschi believes that she is talking about her officer Konrad, renounces her love and - when Weißkappl asks for her hand for his son a little later - gives him her yes.
- Act 2 - At the imperial court
As regent, the Empress wants to set a good example; she is particularly concerned about morality. When she hears from her chastity commissioner about a secret meeting between an officer and one of her ladies-in-waiting at the old Spannberger's, she is appalled. Since there is also a pretty young woman living in this household, she has Lintschi brought to her home. Lintschi comes with her future husband and his father. In the following discussion between the Empress and Lintschi, the misunderstanding persists, since the Empress thought of her husband when naming the officer and Lintschi of her Konrad. The empress jealously orders the wedding between Lintschi and Toni for the next day.
As soon as the three have been released, the Chastity Commissioner Prandler comes to the Empress. He excitedly reports that he was mistaken and that the emperor has just been meeting in secret with Princess Ludwigsberg at another location. The Empress also wanted to go to this meeting immediately when the officer on duty, Konrad, led a delegation of subjects - who had been promised a private audience with the Empress - into the hall. The young empress suppresses her jealousy and devotes herself to her duties as regent.
- 3rd act - In the courtyard with the old Spannberger woman
Everything is directed towards the wedding. Weißkappl is happy and has what the kitchen and cellar have to offer. The bride Lintschi and groom Toni are sad to death. Suddenly the visit of the empress is announced. The Empress wants to make up for her mistake with Lintschi personally. As a bride present she brings the officer Konrad, whom Lintschi is supposed to marry here and now instead of Toni. Lintschi and Toni are overjoyed; Weißkappl is puzzled. Since Toni is also allowed to marry his dancer, nothing stands in the way of a double wedding.
literature
- Leo Melitz: Guide through the operettas . Globus-Verlag, Berlin 1917, pp. 12-14.