Wallenstein in Altdorf
Wallenstein in Altdorf is the name of a folk play by Franz Dittmar (1857–1915) that premiered in Altdorf near Nuremberg in 1894 . It is performed regularly to this day in the historic courtyard of the Wichernhaus , the former University of Altdorf , where Wallenstein actually studied in 1599. Since 1952, performances at the Wallenstein Festival have taken place every three years between June and August. The last festival lasted from June 27 to July 26, 2015, the next will take place in 2018.
The story of the drama
In the 19th century, some cities in southern Germany could not share in progress to the same extent as others. Those of the cities that had a rich past as “ imperial cities ”, such as Rothenburg ob der Tauber or Dinkelsbühl , began to promote tourism and with it their own cultural identity.
They started playing their own story from the Thirty Years' War . This festival was a great success for the cities. Therefore some public figures from Altdorf wanted to do something similar.
At the end of the 19th century, a teacher at the Altdorf school teacher seminar, Johann Böhm, asked his friend Franz Dittmar whether he would like to write a play about the time Albrecht von Wallenstein was in Altdorf. Dittmar accepted, and on March 19, 1894, Ludwig Heller, a reciter, read the text at a meeting. The play “Wallenstein in Altdorf” was a success, and so a committee was set up to organize a premiere at the original location, the former University of Altdorf, in the summer of the same year.
The history game premiered on August 12, 1894. In the following years, 1895, 1896, 1899, 1906, 1909 and 1912 the piece was performed again. Because of the two world wars and inflation, it could not be performed for a few years, but in the interwar years in the 1930s and again from 1952 "Wallenstein in Altdorf" is performed every three years in the summer.
The number of performers increased as did the number of performances. The play itself hasn't changed much, but there is a ton of additional activity around the theatrical performance today. This includes a camp life based on the 17th century with various costume groups such as mercenaries, musketeers, Croats, Cossacks, a field hospital, a vigilante camp and a gypsy camp in front of the city. In total, more than 600 people take part in "Wallenstein".
action
The play consists of three acts and an episode. The three acts are set in 1600 and the sequel in 1632 during the Thirty Years' War.
Wallenstein studies at the University of Altdorf, where he is particularly noticeable for “drinking and fighting” and, together with two fellow students, is one of the worst students ever. Their biggest opponent is Pastor Schopper, who doesn't like the way the students live. But Wallenstein falls in love with Ännchen, Schopper's daughter. However, she is already engaged to the exemplary student Nößler. When Wallenstein instructs his famulus to bring Ännchen a bouquet of flowers, he is stopped by Nößler, who gives him money to say who the flowers are for. Nößler and Wallenstein begin to argue and agree to a duel in the Teufelskirche . In addition, Wallenstein beats his famulus. For this he has to go to the dungeon, which is why the duel with Nößler does not take place. Since the prison was rebuilt, it will be named after the first prisoner. Wallenstein wants to prevent this and therefore sends his poodle to prison before him, which gives him the name "dog hole".
After his release, Wallenstein is already pensive. When his uncle, who looked after him after the death of his parents, threatened to withdraw his favor in a letter, Wallenstein regretted his behavior and even found an advocate in Schopper. Nevertheless, the council of the University of Wallenstein decides to be relegated . He therefore decides to join the Imperial Army and gets some students to follow him.
The sequel takes place in 1632. Nößler is now rector of the university and was captured by Croats for Wallenstein. When Wallenstein begins to attack Altdorf, the citizens initially decide to resist until the end. When Wallenstein invades the city, however, they realize that they can only be saved through his grace. At first he does not recognize Nößler's wife, but when she reveals herself as Ännchen, he spares the city and releases Nößler and the other Altdorf prisoners.
Historical background
The part about Wallenstein's student life is largely based on researched facts. So the other two students really existed. Both were involved in the " Wallenstein Affair ". The three had also threatened Schopper once. The name Wallenstein's Famulus is also mentioned in the register. Wallenstein had almost beaten him to death because he had been idly looking out the window.
The aftermath also contains historical elements. Nößler was rector and prorector of the university. However, he had never studied in Altdorf. He was captured by Croatians and had to work as a doctor in the army. Wallenstein passed near Altdorf with his army. It is unlikely that he will have entered the city again.
Web links and sources
- Altdorf: Wallenstein's army has enough recruits. For 115 years, a festival revolving around the city's former student (article in Nürnberger Nachrichten online from June 24, 2009)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Archived copy ( Memento of the original from July 15, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
