Bozena (operetta)
| Work data | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Bozena |
| Shape: | operetta |
| Original language: | German |
| Music: | Oscar Straus |
| Libretto : | Julius Brammer and Alfred Grünwald |
| Premiere: | May 16, 1952 |
| Place of premiere: | Munich |
| Place and time of the action: | Slovak village around 1880 |
| people | |
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Bozena is an operetta in three acts by Oscar Straus . The libretto was written by Julius Brammer and Alfred Grünwald . The work had its world premiere on May 16, 1952 in Munich .
action
first act
Image: village square
The boys and girls celebrate the parish fair. Karel Foltyn appears unexpectedly. He has finished his military service and soon wants to lead the landlord's daughter Cilka to the altar. He had promised her marriage before he left. But Jan Burian, who is in the Count's service as a forester, is also targeting the girl.
Among the celebrants is the wealthy farmer Koudjela, although he doesn't feel like celebrating at all. Only a few minutes ago he and his sons Nepomuk and Svatopluk were with the landowner Bozena, because he hoped to win her as a bride for one of them. But she rejected him, and he would now like to take revenge for this shame. As a means to an end, he has chosen the dragoon Karel Foltyn. He doesn't have to be persuaded for long. He should just turn Bozena's head and give her the cold shoulder as soon as she has complied with him.
When Bozena arrives with her maid Liduschka, Koudjela's plan seems to be working. Bozena lets Karel lead her to dance. But the longer the two dance together, the more Bozena arouses real feelings for her in Karel. He completely forgets his job.
Second act
Image: Room in Bozena's house
Late in the evening, Bozena receives a visit from a stranger, in whom she soon recognizes her brother Stojan. She has not heard from him for 15 years when he deserted from the military. Now she learns what prompted him to do what he did back then: his superior wanted to relax his girlfriend. In his anger he struck him down and fled across the border.
Suddenly noise from outside penetrates the room. Karel came with some friends to serenade his beloved. As soon as the music has died down, he is already in the room. When he sees the strange man, he thinks he is Bozena's lover. He leaves the house furious.
Metamorphosis - Image: Garden in front of Bozena's house
Koudjela and the mayor accuse Bozena of their unsound lifestyle. The dispute culminates in the fact that the village elders had decided to cover the roof for her so that her parents could see from heaven the shame they had brought on the family. But this goes too far for Karel. He steps in between and takes Bozena under protection, for which she is grateful. Nevertheless, she does not comply with his request for clarification of the relationship she has with the "stranger". Karel turns away from her a second time.
Third act
Image: village square
Three weeks have now passed. The bride and groom Cilka and Karel are not comfortable stepping in front of the altar today. Bozena is still haunted in Karel's head, and Cilka's heart actually beats for Jan Burian. The wedding party is just about to leave for the church, when Bozena and Stojan come by and are badly abused by the crowd. But now Stojan is revealing his secret by revealing his true self. Because the emperor pardoned him, he can move around the village as a free citizen again. Karel's heart is relieved. Cilka releases him for Bozena. In the end, two happy couples are found.
music
The quality of the music with its numerous choirs and ensemble scenes, packaged in a charming Slavic color scheme, goes far beyond what is commonly expected from an operetta. At its core it is a people's opera. The following musical highlights stand out:
- The fair is today (choir, country dealer)
- Don't wanna dream my life (waltz song of the title character)
- Almost enchanted me (Karel)
- You gave me on Saint Anus day (Jan Burian)
literature
- Anton Würz : Reclam's operetta guide . 23rd edition. Reclam, Stuttgart 2002, ISBN 3-15-010512-9 .