The artesian well or Kasperl with the Leuwutschen

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The artesian well or Kasperl with the Leuwutschen is the title of a drama written by Franz Graf von Pocci , in which Kasperl falls into the freshly built artesian well and ends up with the Leuwutschen at the other end of the world.

action

The "patriotic-musical drama in three movements" is initially set in a southern German village. There is no water in this, so that the cattle are thirsty and the villagers begin to fear. Dr. Onion Meier, however, guest in the tavern and professor, brings the saving idea: An artesian well is to be built. The work takes three weeks, then it's done. Kasperl, in the service of the innkeeper Stopselberger, sits down on the drill and lets the fountain gush. At the same time, however, it disappears through the pressure in the depths and seems to have sunk into the well. But Kasperl reappears: at the other end of the world, in Patagonia. In the province of the Leuwutschen he is viewed with suspicion at first, as a stranger he has to pass an exam. Left alone in the temple, Kasperl meets a leuwutschentufel in a jug. A scuffle ensues in the course of which Kasperl kills the demon feared by the Leuwutschen. As a thank you, the chief Schluwi decides to marry Kasperl to his daughter Milipi. The wedding takes place, shortly afterwards Kasperl, Milipi and their crocodile climb a balloon for a pleasure ride. However, Halamilari, who is holding the balloon on a string, soon becomes too heavy and finally he lets go of the string. The balloon spins away and Kasperl, whirled through the air, lands back in the village, near the artesian well. After he has come to terms, Kasperl decides to play a prank on the villagers: Placed on the well, he pretends to be a ghost to find out what the villagers have to say about him after his disappearance. He rebukes their bad speech and scares everyone before he tells them that he is not a ghost after all. The village celebrates his return and that ends the drama.

characters

  • Stopselberger , innkeeper at the "Roten Rößl"
  • Nanni , his daughter
  • Hans , the son of a Lenzel farmer
  • Dr. Onion Maier , scholar and professor
  • Kasperl Larifari , in Stopselberger's service
  • Hiesl , in Stopselberger's service
  • Night watchman
  • Villager
  • Schluwi , chief of the Leuwutschen
  • Milipi , his daughter
  • Halamilari , State Councilor and Adjutant
  • Leuwutschenteufel
  • Indigenous Leuwuch
  • slaves

shape

The piece comprises three elevators, within which three transformations take place, which mark the change of location between the southern German village and the province of the Leuwutschen in Patagonia.

1st elevator

Tomorrow in the tavern:

  • Secret meeting of Hans and Nanni; Nanni complains that her father will not tolerate the relationship
  • Kasperl slept on the stove bench after drinking at night, annoys the unhappy couple
  • Enter Stopselberger, complaining about unrest among the cattle and the lack of water
  • Song: Terzett
  • Enter Dr. Onion Maier, Nanni complains about her sorrow for her love for Hans
  • Kasperl looks after the cattle, returns proudly
  • song

2nd elevator

In the village, outside the inn during the day:

  • Dr. Onionmaier works on the well, Hans is his assistant
  • Enter Stopselberger; complains that the work is taking so long
  • Dr. Onionmaier tries to appease the landlord and reminds him of his promise: If the artesian well succeeds, Hans is allowed to take Nanni as his wife
  • Enter Kasperl and Hiesl; they bring the pipe for the well
  • Kasperl sits down on the drill; he sinks into the depths with him, at the same time a fountain rises up
  • Song; Kasperl has sunk
  • Metamorphosis: Patagonia. Dr. Onion Maier explains to the audience that Kasperl fell through the artesian well
  • Departure of Dr. Onion Maier, Kasperl enters; Milipli finds him and starts a conversation
  • Enter Schluwi and Halamilari; they express their distrust of the stranger
  • Metamorphosis: Kasperl and Halamilari appear inside a temple
  • Examination in the temple; Kasperl discovers the devil in the pitcher and kills him
  • Appearance of the villagers; Cheers and wedding announcements

3rd elevator

  • After the wedding; Kasperl, Mililpi and their crocodile are walking on the beach
  • Enter Schluwi and Halamilari; Climbing the balloon
  • Halamilari begins to sway, the crocodile is dropped
  • Halamilari lets go of the cord; the balloon flies away
  • The orchestra's idea
  • Rapid transformation: the outside of the inn at night
  • Kasperl is confused and disoriented, then he discovers the night watchman
  • Song of the night watchman; Kasperl understands what is happening and forges a plan
  • Kasperl sits on the fountain; in the morning hours Hiesl and Nanni appear at the fountain
  • Conversation about Kasperl, the two of them talk about his laziness; Kasperl makes himself noticeable coughing
  • Hiesl and Nanni flee into the house; they come back with the host
  • Kasperl begins to speak as a ghost; the others regret that he is no longer alive
  • Kasperl reveals himself to be alive; Joy and joy of everyone
  • The orchestra's idea

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Project Gutenberg

literature