The enchanted castle
| Work data | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The enchanted castle |
| Shape: | operetta |
| Original language: | German (Upper Austrian dialect) |
| Music: | Carl Millöcker |
| Libretto : | Alois Berla |
| Premiere: | March 30, 1878 |
| Place of premiere: | Vienna |
| Playing time: | 2 ½ hours |
| Place and time of the action: | Tyrol 1780 |
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The Enchanted Castle is an operetta in five pictures by Carl Millöcker . Alois Berla wrote the libretto . The work had its world premiere on March 30, 1878 in the Theater an der Wien in Vienna . The figure of Andredl embodied the then most popular Austrian singer-actor Alexander Girardi , to whom the composer had dedicated his operetta.
orchestra
Two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, large percussion and strings.
action
The operetta takes place in rural Tyrol in the early 80s in the 18th century.
First picture: In front of a Tyrolean farm inn
It has long got around to the people in the village that Count von Geiersburg, the owner of the nearby castle, was banned from his home a few years ago because he had violated a ban on duels imposed by the authorities. This is why the villagers are astonished to see light behind the windows and strange figures scurrying around the castle every evening. In their naivety, most of them believe in ghosts and consider the castle cursed. But Seppl, who works for the rich Großlechner farmer, does not believe in such nonsense. The young man has become engaged to Mirzl, his employer's daughter; but neither he nor his bride want to publicly acknowledge it.
In fact, homesickness drove the count back to his castle. There he celebrates extravagant parties at night with friends. It suits the count very well that the peasants believe that the castle is haunted. That is why he is not at ease when the news about the "incitator" Seppl is brought to him. He immediately instructs his steward, Lamotte, to see that this servant should leave the village. The assignment comes in handy for Lamotte, as he himself has already kept an eye on the pretty farmer's daughter. As a result, he blackened Seppl to his boss as an “unbelieving free spirit”, and soon afterwards the loyal servant was fired. Only Andredl, the “dalkete Bua”, sticks to him. The two leave the courtyard together.
Second picture: In old Traudl's hut
Old Traudl lives deep in the forest with her granddaughter Regerl in a poor hut. Traudl is decried as a witch by the villagers because she is often found collecting herbs and offers all sorts of homemade miracle potions. The herbalist has just left his hut when Seppl and Andredl knock on the door and ask for accommodation for the night. Regerl turns them away and recommends them to spend the night upstairs in the vacant castle. At this thought, the frightened Andredl becomes very dizzy, especially since he is just seeing a few strange figures behind the windows. Seppl, on the other hand, wants to follow Regerl's advice and immediately starts the ascent, followed by Andredl, disgruntled.
Third picture: ballroom in the castle
Coralie is a singer who is known and loved throughout the country. She longs for a title of nobility and therefore sincerely hopes that her friend, the Count von Geiersburg, will soon lead her to the altar. As a reward, she promises him to throw all of her influence into the balance with the authorities so that an amnesty beckons and he can legally reside in his homeland again. The count, however, is a staunch bachelor and does not want to throw the advantages that this stand offers him overboard.
The company has just withdrawn to have dinner when Sepp and Andredl enter the castle through an open window. Here you meet the perky singer as the first person. Andredl thinks she is a ghost and tells her this openly to her face. Coralie flatters the thought, which is why she likes to flirt with this role and tell the two intruders a story of lies about the women in the enchanted castle, who could only be redeemed by a kiss. As the ladies gradually return to the ballroom, Andredl immediately starts a big redemption action by pressing each woman a hot kiss on the lips. The count would like to compliment the uninvited peasant guests right away, but Coralie manages to change her lover's mind. During the subsequent bacchanal, Sepp and Andredl perform a Tyrolean homeland song, which makes the count forgiving. Now he has taken a liking to both of them. He wants to have a lot of fun with them and orders his steward to suddenly turn off all lights. The sudden darkness makes the fearful Andredl fall into a deep swoon.
Fourth picture: In old Traudl's hut
Andredl wakes up on the stove bench in old Traudl's hut. The steward Lamotte had brought him there that night. At his command, Regerl assures him that everything he experienced in the castle was only a dream. He instructs old Traudl to go to the Großlechner farmer's daughter as quickly as possible and tell her that her lover has made a pact with the devil at the castle. Andredl overheard this conversation, and suddenly it falls like scales from his eyes: The figures in the castle are not ghosts, but people of flesh and blood. He is about to make his way to Mirzl. He absolutely wants to get ahead of old Traudl.
Fifth picture: In the palace garden
Mirzl and Andredl climb over the wall into the palace garden. Together they go in search of Sepp, who has been held back in the castle. Lamotte discovers the two intruders and is about to have them evacuated by force when a great shouting can be heard. Under the leadership of the Großlechner farmer, the villagers storm through the gate to finally put an end to the ghostly hauntings. Together they want to drive away all the ghosts and free the Mirzl they have stolen. Count von Geiersburg can only free himself from the tricky situation by revealing himself. But another calamity threatens him: Now he is to be arrested for illegitimate residence. Now he even prefers to promise marriage to Coralie; for it is still better to be married than to languish in prison as a bachelor. Coralie also manages to obtain his pardon with the help of her charm. There are also two other happy couples: Mirzl and Seppl as well as Regerl and Andredl.