Poor Jonathan
| Work data | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Poor Jonathan |
| Shape: | operetta |
| Original language: | German |
| Music: | Carl Millöcker |
| Libretto : | Hugo Wittmann and Julius Bauer |
| Premiere: | January 4, 1890 |
| Place of premiere: | Vienna |
| Playing time: | 2 ¼ hours |
| Place and time of the action: | Boston, New York and Monaco |
| people | |
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Poor Jonathan is a three-act operetta by Carl Millöcker . Hugo Wittmann and Julius Bauer wrote the libretto . The work was premiered on January 4, 1890 in the Theater an der Wien in Vienna . Walter Felsenstein wrote a new version of the text . This version has prevailed in German-speaking countries and is discussed here.
action
Act One (In Boston)
The almost always bad-tempered millionaire Vandergold celebrates his birthday in his villa with many friends and acquaintances. The highlight of the festival is a small show that the impresario Quickly has prepared with his group of artists. The young singer Harriet, whose training Vandergold financed, is loved by everyone. Out of gratitude, she would love to be bound by her patron in love, but his rotten manner repels her.
The unlucky fellow Jonathan Tripp has recently joined the birthday child's staff. He ended up in Boston with Quickly's troop. But because he always behaved very clumsily at work, he was fired by his employer. Fortunately, he then ran into his childhood friend Molly. She works at Vandergold and has found him a job as a kitchen helper in his property. But even in this, Jonathan does more harm than good. So it is inevitable that the millionaire will kick him out after just a few hours.
Jonathan is so desperate that he would like to die right away. Vandergold, who has grown tired of his great wealth of life, has the same wish. After the two met in the garden of the villa and complained to each other of their suffering, the eccentric proposes a pact to poor Jonathan: He will get all of his fortune and he will live in poverty in the future. But as soon as one of them should quarrel with his new fate, the time would finally have come when they would have to say goodbye to life together. As a sign of this, the one who has become dissatisfied has to sing to the other Harriet's song Will you be my dearest .
Act Two (In Monaco)
Meanwhile, Jonathan has become engaged to his Molly, because as a rich man he can offer her a future after all. The two have traveled to Europe and are currently stopping off in Monte Carlo. Because Jonathan likes to flaunt his wealth, he is desired by many women. He enjoys this to the fullest, but remains largely true to Molly. There is only one thought that he cannot get out of his head: that one day Vandergold could show up and sing that damn song. For now, however, he has no idea how close the danger is.
Vandergold also ended up in Monaco. With him it's Harriet who keeps haunted his head. That's why he followed Quickly's troupe on their European tour. But as in America, the meeting with the celebrated singer culminates in a new argument.
When Vandergold discovers Jonathan, he insists that they part of life together. He already wants to start the agreed song, but - he has completely forgotten the melody! Then he hears that Harriet is preparing to return to the United States. He immediately sets out to follow his beloved. Jonathan can breathe easy again.
Third Act (In New York)
Hardly back home when Jonathan learns that his lavish escapades have ruined Vandergold's once flourishing company. But that's not all; he is threatened with new injustice: because his benefactor has been swallowed up by the earth, he is now suspected of having eliminated him and usurped his fortune. He is therefore wanted in a wanted list. Now he longs for the old days, when he was poor Jonathan. But because the clock cannot be turned back, he sees the only way out in death. Immediately he goes looking for Vandergold.
It has meanwhile also arrived in New York. During the sea voyage, he had time to reflect on his botched life. In doing so, he came to the conclusion that he absolutely needs Harriet as a woman by his side. Then his life would get meaning again. When he meets the lady of his heart and confesses his love to her, he is rejected again by her. Suddenly he hears Jonathan sing the ominous song. Now there is no turning back. Each of them holds the pistol to their temples and pulls the trigger!
In the garden of Vandergold's villa, Jonathan and the host wake up from their sleep at the same time. Both are relieved to find that they have only dreamed everything. You go back into the house, where the guests are still celebrating. Vandergold hires Jonathan again. Harriet decides not to go on a European tour with Quickly, but to start a new life with Vandergold.
Musical highlights
- I am poor Jonathan
- Do you wanna be my love
- Oh, we poor prima donnas
- Yes, only an impresario will always be happy with his life
source
- Anton Würz : Reclam's operetta guide . 23rd edition. Reclam, Stuttgart 2002, ISBN 3-15-010512-9