An angel named Schmitt
| Work data | |
|---|---|
| Title: | An angel named Schmitt |
| Shape: | Singspiel |
| Original language: | German |
| Music: | Just shy |
| Libretto : | Just shy and serious Nebhut |
| Premiere: | November 13, 1953 |
| Place of premiere: | Braunschweig |
| Place and time of the action: | Germany around 1950 |
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An angel named Schmitt is a musical comedy in three acts by Just Scheu . The libretto was created in collaboration between the composer and Ernst Nebhut . It premiered on November 13, 1953 in Braunschweig.
action
All three acts are set in an elegantly furnished factory office in a major German city in the early 1950s.
On the one hand, the widowed Paul Gerlach is a choleric dictator of a pharmaceutical company, but on the other hand, he is also of naive good-naturedness. He can rely one hundred percent on Tommy Schmitt, his secretary. But if something doesn't fit Paul Gerlach - and this happens more often than you think - he unloads his anger on Tommy. He endures the whims of his boss patiently. But one day everything will be different. He does not recognize his superior. He no longer ruffles his skin straight away, but treats him with special kindness. Gerlach's daughter Gaby, who he has been in love with for a long time but is too shy to tell her, suddenly becomes very interested in him. What this change of heart can be traced to remains hidden from him for the time being.
During a screening, Dr. Zoll, the company doctor, diagnosed Tommy with a particularly insidious illness that only allowed him to live a few weeks, unless an antidote could be developed in good time. The remaining time is very short, but at least an attempt should be made. But nobody should have high hopes!
Everyone Tommy has to deal with in the factory knows. They try to read his every wish from his eyes. The truth is that the somewhat volatile nurse Cornelia swapped two blood counts. When she notices her mistake, she immediately wants to clear up Tommy, but when she sees how happy he is right now, she no longer considers it necessary.
By chance, Tommy overhears his boss mentioning in a telephone conversation that his secretary has to reckon with his death due to a serious illness. This news shocked Tommy at first, but shortly afterwards he composed himself and decided to enjoy life to the full during the remaining days. The change of heart causes his shyness to suddenly blow away. The company doctor, who of course observes him inconspicuously, believes that his strength will last. But Tommy can't quite cover up how the news hit him. It is also not hidden from his adored Gaby. As she tries to comfort him, she realizes that her feelings go beyond mere pity.
Dr. Zoll believes they have found a cure for the insidious disease. Although it has not yet been tested, Tommy agrees to have it injected. Now, of course, Nurse Cornelia is appalled; because she knows that Tommy is not missing anything. So she puts a placebo into the syringe. What follows is extremely surprising for everyone: Tommy now feels terminally ill. Cornelia can no longer hold back and tells him the whole truth. But she also advises him to play the role of the terminally ill for a while. Now that Tommy knows what's going on, he's only too happy to go into it. He quickly takes advantage of the situation and asks Gaby to grant him his very last wish: to celebrate his engagement with him. At the party, old Gerlach appoints his secretary as a junior partner. Everyone is in a good mood, and Dr. Zoll especially indulges in happiness. He believes the remedy he developed saved the poor. In his mind he already sees himself as a Nobel Prize winner. However, his joy does not last long; for the nurse thinks it appropriate to end the theater and reveal the truth.
That Tommy and Gaby become a couple at the end of the comedy is not surprising; But that Paul Gerlach and nurse Cornelia would discover that they were made for each other and that they would become engaged as well, could not be foreseen.
music
The work is intended for singing actresses and actors, which is why information on the vocal ranges is missing. There is also no need for an orchestra; the composer only prescribes two grand pianos or upright pianos. If you like, you can add guitar and double bass. The voices are accompanied by the instruments as light as a feather and only grounding. This musical stage work shows elements of the operetta as well as signs of a musical. Because of the small cast it has its home in the chamber theaters.
radio play
- 1953: An angel named Schmitt - Director: Otto Kurth , with Heinz Rühmann , Hans Zesch-Ballot , Gisela Peltzer , Helmut Peine , Jo Wegener , Charlotte Joeres - Production: NWDR - Length: 70 minutes (mono)
This is one of the few radio plays in which the actor Heinz Rühmann took part.