Katharina Knie (musical)
| Musical dates | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Katharina knee |
| Original title: | Katharina knee |
| Original language: | German |
| Music: | Mischa Spoliansky |
| Book: | Carl Zuckmayer and Robert Gilbert |
| Lyrics: | Robert Gilbert |
| Literary source: | eponymous play by Carl Zuckmayer |
| Premiere: | January 20, 1957 |
| Place of premiere: | Munich |
| Place and time of the action: | Hesse 1924 |
| Roles / people | |
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Katharina Knie is a musical by Mischa Spoliansky , which is based on the " rope dancer piece " of the same name by Carl Zuckmayer , the text was edited by Robert Gilbert , who also wrote the lyrics. The work had its world premiere on January 20, 1957 in the State Theater on Gärtnerplatz in Munich. The roles do not necessarily have to be filled with trained singers, singing actors are also suitable. At the premiere, Hans Albers played the old knee. With this role, he said goodbye to the stage.
orchestra
- Large version: two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, three trumpets, three trombones, harp, piano, guitar, percussion and strings
- Small version: flute, oboe, two clarinets, bassoon, trumpet, double bass, piano and percussion
action
After 1924 the piece takes place in a Hessian wine region.
Once again, the traveling circus Knie is a guest on the market square of the small town in Hesse. The company is doing badly because rampant inflation is causing it a lot of trouble. Nevertheless, the group of artists sticks together. Last but not least, this is the great merit of the head of the troupe, Karl Knie, whom everyone only affectionately calls "Father Knie". When the bailiff shows up, he does not find anything attachable; for Father Knie had received a nod from a third party, whereby the troops had managed to get all things of a certain value to safety. - Karl Knie is also concerned about daughter Katharina, his only child. He would love to see her finally get married and have children, but Katharina doesn't want to know anything about that yet.
The circus received an unexpected visitor on the very first evening of the guest performance: Police Commissioner Dillinger told Karl Knie that someone from his circus had stolen three sacks of oats from the large farmer Martin Rothacker. Katharina ruefully confesses her guilt. She only wanted to get food for her favorite animal, the donkey Marli. Now a world is collapsing for Karl Knie, because honesty has always been one of the highest virtues for him. He orders his daughter to bring back the stolen property.
Martin Rothacker, the stolen young farmer, immediately takes a liking to the pretty Katharina and gives her the feed. He even suggests that she stay with him on the farm for a year. She could learn agriculture and household economics from his mother, which will certainly be of great use to her later on. Katharina quickly becomes friends with this plan. Her father gives his blessing because he thinks he knows his daughter so well that she won't be able to endure long on the estate anyway. But here father knee is wrong.
A year later, the circus returns to town. When the first performance begins, Father Knie discovers his daughter in the audience. At the same time, his joy increases into euphoria. He thinks Katharina has found her way back to the circus. At first this thought inspires him to top performance, but shortly afterwards he stumbles. He abruptly breaks off his number.
Out of joy at the daughter's return, father Knie invites all the artists to a party. In doing so, however, he misses the fact that nobody else feels like celebrating. The word got around that Katharina got engaged to Rothacker and only came to say goodbye to the circus. When Katharina is finally alone with her father and tries to reveal the bitter truth to him, her father dies. He no longer realizes the intended marriage.
After the funeral, the funeral party gathers in the circus tent. The artists are deeply depressed because they believe that the end of the circus is within reach. Katharina explains to the old woman from Rothack that after what happened, she couldn't let the circus down. Her father's inheritance is an obligation for her. She withdrew all her savings and sold her engagement ring. The proceeds will be used to pay off the company's debts and save them from foreclosure. With the cry “Tense up!” She leads the circus into a new future. The artists begin to cheer and tackle with great joy.
music
The work contains cabaret chansons, some of which are packed in tingling jazz rhythms, which are cleverly used as highlights in the piece. A seven-part chamber choir is required for the group roles.