Walzertraum, Ein (‘A Waltz Dream’)
- Andrew Lamb
Extract
(‘A Waltz Dream’)
Operetta in three acts by Oscar Straus to a libretto by Felix Dörmann and Leopold Jacobson, after Hans Müller’s Das Buch der Abenteuer; Vienna, Carltheater, 2 March 1907.
In the principality of Flausenthurm, Princess Helene (soprano) has today married Lieutenant Niki (tenor) of the Hussars. Niki is uncomfortable with court life and when he hears that an all-female orchestra is playing Viennese music in the castle grounds, he cannot resist going there with his friend Lieutenant Montschi (baritone). Though it is his wedding night, he proceeds to fall in love with the orchestra leader, Franzi (soubrette). Undismayed, Helene invites Franzi back to the castle, where Franzi teaches her how to win back Niki with Viennese charm and Viennese comforts. A celebration of Viennese pleasures and Viennese rhythms, the operetta featured Mizzi Zwerenz as Franzi and Fritz Werner as Niki. Its principal numbers are the waltz dream duet for Niki and Montschi (‘Leise, ganz leise’), the polka ‘G’stellte Mäd’ln’ for Franzi and her orchestra, the duet ‘O, du lieber, o du g’scheiter’ for Niki and Helene and the comedy duet ‘Piccolo, Piccolo’ for Franzi and Count Lothar (buffo). Straus added several new songs for later stage productions and for a film version, ...
