The Försterchristl (Operetta)

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Work data
Title: The Försterchristl
Shape: operetta
Original language: German
Music: Georg Jarno
Libretto : Bernhard Buchbinder
Premiere: December 17, 1907
Place of premiere: Vienna
Place and time of the action: At and around Vienna 1765
people
  • Countess Josefine Sternfeld ( soprano )
  • Franz Földessy, estate manager at Sternfeld ( tenor )
  • Christine Lange, daughter of the forester ( soubrette )
  • Peter Walperl, tailor ( tenor buffo )
  • Emperor Joseph II (tenor)
  • Hans Lange, forester, Christine's father (speaking role)
  • Graf Sternfeld, landowner ( baritone )
  • Count Kolonitzky, Adjutant General (speaking role)
  • Count of Leoben, Chief Chamberlain (speaking role)
  • Chamberlain von Reutern (speaking role)
  • Baroness von Othegraven (speaking role)
  • Minka, a gypsy (speaking role)
  • Court society, gendarmes, guardsmen, citizens, farmers, gypsies ( choir )

Die Försterchristl (also: Die Försterchristel ) is an operetta in three acts by Georg Jarno . The libretto to written Bernhard Buchbinder . It premiered on December 17, 1907 at the Theater in der Josefstadt in Vienna, where Josef Jarno , the composer's brother, was director. The title role was played by his wife Johanna Niese , who made her breakthrough as an actress and singer in the theater.

orchestra

Two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, a harp and strings

action

first act

Image: Forest clearing with forester's house

The forester Hans Lange has a beautiful daughter named Christine, but everyone calls her Christl. Two young men try to win their hearts for themselves. One is the estate manager Földessy, whom Christine also desires, the other Peter Walperl, who gets on many people's nerves because he always wants to know everything better and gives off terribly.

One day Christine discovers a stranger who is hunting illegally. It is the emperor who is incognito here. Christine arrests him and demands his watch as a deposit for a later punishment. The emperor likes playing with the young forester's daughter, who is so refreshing to him that he lets her believe that he is a poacher. With a smile he also listens to the pretty girl's ideas about the emperor and the court in Vienna.

The Countess Sternfeld cannot believe that her father's land manager, Franz Földessy, is making the forester's daughter, of all people, beautiful when he could have a much better match with her. But Walperl is also plagued by jealousy, on Földessy. In order to throw his rival out of the running, he accuses him of being a deserter. In fact, some time ago Földessy chastised a lieutenant because he wanted to seduce his younger sister for a joke. In order to avoid detention, he then preferred to flee. When this news is brought to Countess Sternfeld, she smells morning air. If Földessy doesn't want anything to do with her, at least he should be behind bars. That's why she makes sure that he is arrested. So at least she doesn't have to watch her lover and the forester's daughter become a couple.

Christine is heartbroken. She wants to try everything to save her treasure. So she goes to Vienna. She has got it into her head to personally ask the emperor to pardon her friend.

Second act

Image: Hall in the Vienna Palace

Christine is waiting in the castle with a bad feeling in her stomach, but apparently no one wants to help her get an audience with the emperor. It comes in handy when she sees the strange hunter whom she had once arrested. He appears here as confidently as if he were one of the castle staff. They start talking to one another, and the stranger promises to arrange an audience for her. It is not long before His Majesty strides towards them. Completely puzzled, the girl realizes that the one she arrested is the emperor himself. At first she fears that he will punish her for her behavior, but it turns out quite differently: The emperor is friendliness in person. He talks to her as if they were old friends. And it gets even better: A court ball is in, and His Majesty not only gives her the first dance, but also a kiss. Of course she also succeeds in having the emperor pardon her lover Franz Földessy. She almost forgot him, now that her heart beats more for the emperor. And he seems to have the same feelings for her.

Third act

Image: Room in the forester's house

Back home, Christine tries to renew her love for Franz Földessy, who has meanwhile been released, but the emperor just doesn't want to get out of her mind. And as if by a miracle she receives a visit - from the emperor. The forester Christian is still haunted in his head. He wants to see her one last time and explains to her that the raison d'être does not allow a connection with her. So that she may always remember him fondly, he gives her a ring as a farewell, and he appoints her admirer Földessy as head forester. Finally the two can hug each other and celebrate their engagement.

Musical highlights

  • Herr Kaiser, Herr Kaiser, you dear majesty ( waltz )
  • Is there a girl on the puszta ( Csárdás )
  • I'm just angry, otherwise I'm jolly (waltz)
  • I want a lover (waltz)
  • A girl without any fault (waltz)
  • Give me the violins of the whole world (waltz)

Audio documents

Film adaptations

literature

  • Sabine Vernik-Eibl: Life and work of the composers Georg Jarno and Leo Ascher. Their importance for the Viennese operetta in the first two decades of the 20th century with an analysis by DIE FÖRSTER-CHRISTL and HOHEIT TANZT WALZER. Dissertation University of Vienna, 2011. Full text online (PDF; 2.4 MB) accessed on November 1, 2012.