The climber

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Work data
Title: The climber
Shape: operetta
Original language: German
Music: Carl Zeller
Libretto : Ludwig Held and Moritz West
Premiere: January 5, 1894
Place of premiere: Theater an der Wien in Vienna
people

Der Obersteiger is an operetta in three acts by the composer Carl Zeller with a libretto by Moritz West and Ludwig Held . The premiere took place on January 5, 1894 in the Theater an der Wien . The well-known Viennese singer and actor Alexander Girardi played the main role. The play, designed as a comedy, takes place in a mountain town in the first half of the 18th century. The most famous song in the operetta is "Don't be angry".

action

1st act

The play takes place in southern Germany and begins at the princely Marienzeche mine. Years ago, there was a tender, intimate bond between the mine director Zwack and Julie Fahnenschwinger. Now, by chance, Zwack learns from the landlord Strobl that Julie had given birth to a girl. But nothing more is known of their further fate. Zwack has now married, but he still pursues love adventures. He now raves about Nelly, a lace maker who - as it happens - loves another, Obersteiger Martin. Under his leadership, the miners are currently on strike. You will be supported with money by a volunteer under whom Prince Roderich is hiding, who wants to get to know the conditions in his mine. Prince Roderich is on good terms with Obersteiger Martin, and the latter confides in the Prince's volunteer that he has discovered a new vein of silver, but he does not want to reveal this abundant deposit until he has received 3000 guilders. The director therefore dismisses him.

But this doesn't bother him. He plays bowling with his friends and wastes the last of his money. The Comtesse Fichtenau is also currently unrecognized in the village. As a tourist she takes quarters with Nelly, the lace maker she knows from childhood, and is her base Julie Fahnenschwinger. Martin wants to visit Nelly to borrow money, but meets the Comtesse and falls in love with her. But since he doesn't dare to go any closer, he asks his friend, the volunteer, to speak to her. Roderich, who also does not know that Julie, the alleged cousin of Nelly, is actually the Comtesse, falls in love with her. The Comtesse, who has been given so much unintended happiness in love, decides to leave again. Prince Roderich and Director Zwack, who initially lacked the courage to drive in, visit the mine at Nelly's and the Comtesse's persuasion. The able Martin serves as guide after he had previously received the disputed 3,000 guilders from Roderich.

2nd act

Mrs. Zwack, the mine director, does the honors at a big party. Zwack, who is aspiring to a presidential position, is supposed to launch a speech. He has not found the peace of mind to memorize them. Julie Flag thrower and her illegitimate daughter give him pause. Tschida and Dusel, two officials of the company, have conspired against the director and want to make the floor hot for him. They eventually get Martin to remove the principal's manuscript. Martin has already wasted his 3000 guilders and is now the head of a miners' band. As advised by Tschida and Dusel, he courted the director's wife, hoping to take advantage of it. He will soon have success with her. The Comtesse comes to the festival with Nelly. Roderich arranged for the two of them to be invited because he suspects who “Julie Fahnenschwinger” really is. Martin, who appears with his band, considers the Comtesse to be a deceiver because of her elegant clothes and claims that this elegant lady Julie is a flag thrower. But now Zwack believes it is his illegitimate daughter. This leads to ridiculous entanglements.

3rd act

The so compromised Director Zwack is on leave, that is, has left. Elfriede, his wife, got a divorce. Zwack tries again, but this time too, pointlessly to get Nelly, while Frau Elfriede takes an interest in Martin, who is now in complete economic decline. Still, he can't make up his mind to go to the old lady. Now that everything has to end well, the prince has found the way to the heart of the countess and has become engaged to her. Of course, the climber gets a new job and he finds his first love, Nelly, back.

Music numbers (selection)

  • Martin: "This is how you should live all year round", "The old miner dreams of it" and "Don't be angry" "
  • Nelly: "I'm already there!" And "Patterns like mine, so pretty, so fine"
  • Comtesse: "Yes, in there in the mountains"
  • Zwack: "The bureaucrat does his duty"

Sound carrier

In 2010 a CD recording of the operetta was released on the CPO label . The orchestra and choir of the Schönbrunn Music Theater played and sang under the overall direction of Herbert Mogg . Soloists were Santiago Bürgi, Cornelia Zink, Wolfgang Müller-Lorenz, Donna Ellen , Bernhard Berchtold and many more

Web links