The midshipman
| Work data | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The midshipman |
| Original title: | The Seecadet |
| Shape: | Funny operetta |
| Original language: | German |
| Music: | Richard Genée |
| Libretto : | Camillo Walzel (F. Zell) |
| Premiere: | October 24, 1876 |
| Place of premiere: | Theater an der Wien |
| Playing time: | approx. 2 1/2 hours |
| Place and time of the action: | Lisbon, in and near the Bemposta royal palace, 1750 |
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Der Sekadett is a three-act operetta by the composer Richard Genée . The libretto written Camillo Walzel under his pseudonym "F. cell". The operetta was on 24. October 1876 in Vienna at the Theater an der Wien premiered .
This operetta gave its name to an opening trap in chess , the sea cadet mat , which is included in the second act as a live chess game .
action
- Act 1 - Ballroom in Bemposta Castle
The actress Fanchette Michel travels to Lisbon after her former lover Lambert. He had entered Portuguese service and Queen Maria fell in love with the handsome young officer. The two married secretly, but only Donna Antonia, a lady-in-waiting and wife of the master of ceremonies Dom Domingo, knows about it.
Lambert is unpleasantly surprised by Fanchette's visit because his wife, the Queen, is very jealous. When trying to get rid of Fanchette, she eats the breakfast that had been provided for the queen. In this situation, Don Januario, a millionaire from Brazil, reports himself. He is a friend of Lambert, and when he sees Fanchette, he immediately falls in love with her.
When the queen approaches, Fanchette takes refuge in a small room next to the ballroom. The short-sighted master of ceremonies now believes to have recognized his wife in Fanchette. Since he has long suspected Donna Antonia of marital infidelity, he has this small adjoining room (which has no further exit) guarded and has the queen fetched. Queen Maria appears with her court, and among them is Donna Antonia, Dom Domingo's wife. At the moment when the jealous queen opened the room, a delegation of midshipmen appeared who had been ordered into the castle.
Fanchette discovered the uniform of a sea cadet in her "prison". As a soubrette used to trouser roles , she changes quickly and appears as a midshipman before the queen. Lambert introduces Fanchette as Dom Maurizio, and she joins the delegation of the naval cadets.
- Act 2 - Terrace of the Naval School by the Sea
In order not to betray herself, Fanchette has to continue playing her role. But since she gets seasick on the water and refuses both wine and cigars, she has a hard time with her comrades. Lambert cautiously helps her, and when Don Januario happens to join them, he can hardly believe that she is a man.
On the occasion of a flag consecration by the queen, Don Maurizio (Fanchette) are promoted to captain and Lambert to grand admiral. Fanchette insulted Don Januario, having become cocky at this honor. He sees a man in Fanchette and asks - to counter the insult - Captain Maurizio to a duel.
More important than this duel, however, is the game of chess between the Queen and Lambert (with living figures in matching costumes). When the queen is threatened with a shameful checkmate, Fanchette steps in and saves this game for the queen in five moves. The queen shows more and more interest in this handsome young officer and spontaneously promotes him to equerry.
- Act 3 - Queen's boudoir
Unfortunately, there is also a real Don Maurizio, a special kind of libertine woman. The honorable people of Lisbon complain to the master of ceremonies about this scoundrel. This, of course, thinks Fanchette is guilty and forwards the lawsuits and complaints to the Queen. Since Fanchette has just saved the Queen's life during a ride with the queen, all allegations are rejected.
During a discussion with Don Januario, Fanchette confessed the truth and accepted his marriage proposal. In order to officially re-establish Fanchette as a woman, Don Januario, Fanchette and Lambert devise the following plan: If Fanchette proposes to the queen, Lambert, as a jealous husband, should storm into the boudoir with his saber drawn. The Queen hides Fanchette in a secret adjoining room. There she immediately puts on a queen's dress and emerges as a lady. The Queen's reputation is preserved. The plan succeeds, and Queen Maria happily proclaims her marriage to Lambert. Don Januario also announces his intention to take Fanchette to Brazil and marry her there. Still of the opinion that Fanchette is a man, the Queen asks in amazement how that is possible. With Fanchette's answer: “Don't worry, your Majesty, I stand for everything!” The curtain falls.
literature
- Leo Melitz: Guide through the operettas . Globus-Verlag, Berlin 1917, pp. 199–202.