The beautiful Carlotti

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Work data
Title: The beautiful Carlotti
Shape: operetta
Original language: German
Music: Willy Czernik
Libretto : Eduard Rogati and Klaus S. Richter
Premiere: October 1943
Place of premiere: Prague
Place and time of the action: Warsaw and Dresden around 1710
people
  • Carla Carlotti, opera diva ( soprano )
  • Christian von Dahlen, captain ( tenor )
  • Adele Schmeidler, opera singer ( soubrette )
  • Caesar Kalkbrenner, opera singer ( tenorbuffo )
  • Theater director Tittoni ( baritone )
  • Dahrnitz, secretary ( tenorbuffo )
  • August the Strong , King of Saxony (speaking role)
  • Countess Cosel , his lover (speaking role)
  • Count von Hohnstein, Court Marshal (speaking role)
  • Baroness Reitzenstein, lady-in-waiting ( mezzo-soprano )
  • Captain von Borken (speaking role)
  • Garderobière (speaking role)
  • A host (speaking role)
  • Personal physician (speaking role)
  • Two lackeys (speaking roles)
  • Comedians, court society, servants, soldiers ( choir , ballet and extras)

The beautiful Carlotti is an operetta in a prelude and three acts (four pictures) by Willy Czernik . The libretto was written by Eduard Rogati and Klaus S. Richter. The work had its world premiere in October 1943 in Prague . Of all the composer's stage works, his “Schöne Carlotti” brought him the greatest success. Today the operetta has disappeared from the repertoire.

orchestra

Two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, a harp, large percussion and strings. A tuba and a celesta are also provided ad libitum .

action

The operetta is set in Warsaw and Dresden around 1710.

Director Tittoni is once again on tour with his opera theater. The traveling stage has currently stopped in Warsaw. Because the income has only flowed sparingly lately, the director refuses to pay his artists the promised fees. The troops then threatened with a strike. The prima donna Carla Carlotti tries to settle the dispute and negotiates with the boss. She gets him to hand over the entire fee, which she then distributes to her colleagues. The next performance is secured.

After the evening performance, a very distinguished gentleman visits the prima donna in her cloakroom. He introduces himself as "Graf Torgau" and raves about her wonderful voice. No sooner has he left the room than a new admirer arrives. It is Christian von Dahlen, captain of the royal Saxon army. Some time ago he saved the life of his sovereign, and since then he has enjoyed his special favor. On behalf of Augustus the Strong, he negotiates with the beautiful Carlotti about an engagement at the Dresden court theater. During their conversation, Carlotta and the captain get closer. They realize that they are both meant for each other.

King August's love for his mistress, Countess Cosel, has grown somewhat cold over time. Now he is instructing her to leave her palace. The famous singer Carla Carlotti will be the new landlady. The whole of Dresden now knows that the opera diva should replace Countess Cosel as the king's mistress. But the beautiful Carlotti is clueless. When she first made the acquaintance of August the Strong, she was horrified to find that he was none other than the “Count Torgau” who had visited her in Warsaw at the time.

When the king notices how much his captain von Dahlen and Carla Carlotti are fond of each other, he is overwhelmed by jealousy. Without further ado, he promoted his rival to the command of Krakow. So he gets rid of him for now.

August the Strong orders that his new flame be carefully monitored. Maybe she has other lovers. The King's Court Marshal, Count Hohnstein, in particular, likes his role as a spy so much that he outgrows it. Gripped by ambition, he even negotiates with a group of Polish rebels who would rather see the Saxons withdraw from their beloved homeland today than tomorrow. This puts August the Strong in serious trouble. Fortunately for him, Countess Cosel and the new commandant of Krakow manage to avert the impending danger. Now the king gives up his plan to establish the beautiful Carlotti as mistress. Countess Cosel is allowed to play this role again. Carla Carlotti and Christian von Dahlen will soon be married.