Elisabeth of Bavaria

:This article is about Elisabeth "Sis(s)i" von Wittelsbach, the empress consort of Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria:

Elisabeth: The myth

While Elisabeth's role in, and influence on, Austro-Hungarian politics should not be overestimated (she is only marginally mentioned in scholarly books on Austrian history), Elisabeth, particularly during the second half of the 20th century, has undoubtedly become an icon now often compared to Diana, Princess of Wales. A free spirit who abhorred conventional court protocol and at the same time a tragic figure, she has inspired filmmakers and theatre people alike.

Related Topics:
Austro-Hungarian - Icon - Diana, Princess of Wales

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In the German-speaking world, her name will forever be associated with a trilogy of romantic films about her life directed by Ernst Marischka starring a young and still unknown Romy Schneider in the title role:

Related Topics:
Ernst Marischka - Romy Schneider

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• Sissi (1955)
• Sissi — die junge Kaiserin (1956) (Sissi — The Young Empress)
• Sissi — Schicksalsjahre einer Kaiserin (1957) (Sissi — Fateful Years of an Empress)

The three films, now newly restored, are shown every few years on Austrian and German TV and have done much to create the myth surrounding Elisabeth. It may be assumed that for the average Austrian these films are the only source of knowledge as far as Elisabeth's life is concerned. A condensed version dubbed in English was published under the title Forever My Love.

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In the 1980s, Brigitte Hamann, a historian also renowned for her more recent book on Hitler's early years in Vienna (see bibliography), wrote a biography of Elisabeth, again fuelling interest in Franz Joseph's consort.

Related Topics:
Brigitte Hamann - Hitler - Bibliography

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In 1992, the musical Elisabeth premièred at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna. It was written by Michael Kunze (libretto, lyrics) and Sylvester Levay (music). For years, busloads of theatregoers from all over Austria and its neighbouring countries were shipped to Vienna to see the show. Meanwhile, the musical has also had successful runs in other parts of Europe.

Related Topics:
1992 - Musical - Theater an der Wien - Vienna - Michael Kunze - Libretto - Lyrics - Sylvester Levay - Music

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The musical had been performed by the all-female Japanese Takarazuka Revue since 1995 by the Yuki, Tsuki, Hoshi, Sora and Hana troupes of that company. It will be replayed in 2005 by the Tsuki troupe. The Toho Musical Troop has also performed this musical, starring Ichiro Maki as Elizabeth. It was a great success.

Related Topics:
Japan - Takarazuka Revue - 1995 - Toho Musical Troop - Ichiro Maki

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Tourism has profited enormously from the renewed interest in Elisabeth and vice versa, both in Austria and abroad. Apart from buying the usual souvenirs such as T-shirts and coffee mugs, visitors are eager to see the various places of residence frequented by Elisabeth at different points in her life. These include her apartments in Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, the imperial villa in Ischl, and the Achilleon in Corfu, Greece. She also had a summer residence in Gödöll?, Hungary.

Related Topics:
Tourism - Souvenirs - Schönbrunn Palace - Vienna - Ischl - Achilleon - Corfu - Greece - Gödöll?

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