Der Zigeunerbaron

Der Zigeunerbaron (The Gypsy Baron) is an operetta in three Acts by Johann Strauss II which premiered at the Theater an der Wien on 24 October 1885. Its libretto was by the author Ignaz Schnitzer and in turn was based on Sáffi by Mór Jókai. During the composer's lifetime, the operetta enjoyed great success, second only to the popularity of Die Fledermaus. The scoring and the nature of Strauss' music may also lead many music critics to consider the stage work to that of a comic opera or a lyric opera.

Related Topics:
Operetta - Johann Strauss II - Theater an der Wien - 24 October - 1885 - Ignaz Schnitzer - Mór Jókai - Die Fledermaus

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Its genesis was rather swift and smooth as Strauss was no stranger to the Hungarian influence in the music score as many of his earlier works also bore many such themes such as the polka Éljen a Magyar ("Long live the Hungarians") op. 332. Originally, Strauss and Schnitzer intended the operetta as an opera but further revisions were made and the idea of a comic opera was conceived.

Related Topics:
Hungarian - Éljen a Magyar

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Strauss' work on the operetta was interrupted in autumn 1883 due to nicotine poisoning and fainting fits and he was to recuperate in Franzensbad. Strauss work on the Act 3 of the work was also interrupted when his third wife, Adèle Strauss was taken ill and the couple left for Ostend. Not until autumn 1885 was the work finally completed, with Schitzer making various revisions of the libretto to suit Strauss' style of composing such as not present in the latter's previous stage works.

Related Topics:
1883 - Franzensbad - Adèle Strauss - Ostend - 1885

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Strauss' music for Die Zigeunerbaron survived obscurity and is regularly performed today. The orchestral pieces that he furnished from the work were also well-recognised, among them, the sparkling Schatz-Walzer op. 418 (Treasure Waltz) as well as the polkas Brautschau op. 417 and Kriegsabenteuer op. 419 (War Adventures).

Related Topics:
Schatz-Walzer - Brautschau - Kriegsabenteuer

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