Die Csárdásfürstin

Emmerich Kálmán’s Csárdásfürstin (The Gypsy Princess) was once one of the most popular works in the operetta repertoire, but has appeared only sporadically on the operatic stage in recent decades. Unjustly so, for in this operetta, Kálmán – a Hungarian deeply rooted in Viennese culture – combines lightness with musical esprit and melancholy sentiments with the energetic momentum of the waltz. The plot tells the story of a love triangle involving Sylva Varescu, a spirited variété artist of humble origin, and the aristocrat Edwin, who is already promised to another woman. The obstacle to their love is their difference in social status. The creation of Die Csárdásfürstin coincided with the outbreak of the First World War. Due to the war, Emmerich Kálmán was forced to interrupt completion of his work, which he had begun in 1913. The piece was eventually premièred in Vienna in 1915. The political climate was not without consequence for the work: the celebratory mood of the Csárdásfürstin always seems to be hovering above a menacing abyss: right at the beginning of the piece, the protagonists sing, «Wherever we dance and kiss and laugh, what do I care for the misery of the world?» Love becomes a lifeline against the backdrop of the catastrophe: Sylva and Edwin conclude the work by singing «Let the whole world sink, I have you!»

Following Franz Lehár’s operetta Das Land des Lächelns and Stephen Sondheim’s musical Sweeney Todd, Zurich Opera House continues its initiative to include easy, entertaining forms of musical theatre in its programme. German theatre and opera director Jan Philipp Gloger is responsible for directing Die Csárdásfürstin, while Ulf Schirmer, General Music Director in Leipzig and a highly experienced operetta specialist, will be at the rostrum. Including Annette Dasch in the title role and Pavol Breslik as Edwin, the cast could scarcely be of a higher calibre.