Beloved Manuela
| Work data | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Beloved Manuela |
| Shape: | operetta |
| Original language: | German |
| Music: | Fred Raymond |
| Libretto : | Just shy and serious Nebhut |
| Premiere: | July 12, 1951 |
| Place of premiere: | Mannheim |
| Place and time of the action: | Latin American state around 1950 |
| people | |
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Beloved Manuela is an operetta in five pictures by Fred Raymond based on a libretto by Just Scheu and Ernst Nebhut . It had its world premiere on July 12, 1951 at the Nationaltheater Mannheim .
action
place and time
The operetta is set in a fictional Latin American state at the time of its premiere, i.e. in the early 1950s.
First picture (party at the President)
On the occasion of the birthday of his daughter Manuela, President Nomi organized a splendid celebration. Suddenly a stone flies through the window, which is wrapped in a letter in which the notorious gang "Black Orchid" announces their imminent visit. Sepio, the highest-ranking policeman in the republic, assures his angry employer that he will, in consultation with Colonel Duarte, ensure that the crooks are arrested within a few days. But Duarte are currently plagued by other worries. He has one eye on the birthday boy and is indulging in happiness when he feels Manuela reciprocating his feelings.
The classy Chiquita is doing a dance when it suddenly gets darker in the hall. Heavily armed robbers enter and ask the guests to hand them money and jewelry. The reporter Bobby, who is also among the guests, manages to take a photo of the hooded bandit boss Juan. No sooner have the intruders stowed their prey than they have disappeared again.
Second picture (The house on the border)
The gang has withdrawn to their camp, a farm near the border. Although all members are aware that their boss is a woman, no one knows who is behind the mask. Alvaro is not satisfied with that and asks "Juan" to vent his incognito. When he refuses, Alvaro uses violence and realizes that the president's daughter is his captain.
While researching the whereabouts of the bandits, Bobby ended up in the robber camp. There he only meets Pini, who pretends to be a farm worker. Gradually, Sepio, Duarte and finally even Manuela arrive. The latter knows perfectly how to distract the police from their actual task. It is particularly easy for Duarte to forget his assignment when Manuela invites him to a shepherd's hour.
Third image (The Palmas Bar)
All the protagonists have gathered in the Palmas bar, where Chiquita is giving a performance. Only President Nomi cannot enjoy her art. He was told that in the upcoming election the robber chief Juan would be his opponent. Nomi knows that he enjoys the trust of the poorer sections of the population, especially since his gang only steals from the rich and distributes the loot among the poor.
A robbery follows the same pattern as recently in the presidential palace. This time, however, Duarte manages to get hold of "Juans". But when he realizes that his beloved Manuela is hiding behind the mask, he lets her escape.
Fourth picture (An election day)
The people gather in front of the presidential palace to listen to the speakers. The reporter Bobby has also mingled with the people and happens to meet the president's daughter. When he fixes it a little more precisely, a birthmark sticks him in the eye in an unusual place. He immediately remembers the photo he took during the raid in the presidential palace. Now he knows who the robber chief is.
Manuela reveals to her lover that she had made up her mind to pour pure wine for her father. But Duarte wants to spare the regent this disgrace and has the girl arrested.
Fifth picture (Juan in chains)
Duarte assures the president that he had to take his daughter into protective custody because otherwise she would have been kidnapped. Incidentally, he knows that Juan will face himself in the next few minutes. And indeed - after a short time three people admit to being the wanted criminal: first Bobby, then Chiquita and finally Sepio, the state's top police officer. But Nomi thinks the whole thing is a set game and doesn't believe anyone.
Meanwhile, "Juan" is declared the winner of the election. Manuela, who was able to free herself, confesses her deeds to her father and justifies them by saying that she only did what he always wanted to do. Moved, Nomi forgives his daughter. As a thank you she gives him the votes allotted to her. So Nomi can remain president and from now on only do good things for his people. Manuela promises Duarte that he will lead her to the altar.
Musical highlights
- Dance of the Seven Skirts (ballet music)
- At the most beautiful moment something always comes up (duet)
- I love you in the morning (duet)
- In Texas and Mexico (trio)
- With powder and pistols (marching song)
- Never leave the woman you love alone (waltz)
- Today is a night that belongs to all of us (Tango)
literature
- Anton Würz : Reclams Operettenführer , 23rd edition, ISBN 3-15-010512-9