Der Zigeunerprimas
{{For|the 1929 film adaptation|The Gypsy Chief}}
{{italic title}}File:Kálmán_Imre_cropped_(Willinger_Vilmos,_1924).jpg]]Der Zigeunerprimas (The Gypsy Band Leader, known as Sari and The Gypsy Virtuoso in English speaking countries) is a three-act operetta, which was composed by Emmerich Kálmán. The libretto was written by {{Interlanguage link|Julius Wilhelm|de|3=Julius Wilhelm (Librettist)|lt=Julius Wilhelm}} and Fritz Grünbaum. It premiered at the {{ill|Johann Strauß Theatre|de|Johann Strauß-Theater}} in Vienna on 11 October 1912.
In 1929 it was adapted into a German silent film The Gypsy Chief directed by Carl Wilhelm.
Roles
File:Sari-Poster-1914.jpg adaptation of Der Zigeunerprimas, presented by Henry W. Savage]]
| class="wikitable"
|+{{sronly|Roles, voice types, premiere cast}} !Role !Premiere cast, 11 October 1912{{Almanacco|dmy=11 October 1912|match=Der Zigeunerprimas}} |
| Pali Rácz, a Gypsy violinist and orchestra leader |
| Laczi, Pali's son
|tenor |Willy Strehl |
| Sári, Pali's daughter
|Grete Holm |
| Juliska Racz, Pali's niece
|soprano | |
| Gaston, Count Irini
|Max Brod |
| King Heribert VII, disguised as Count Estragon
|baritone |Josef Victora |
Synopsis
Pali Rácz, a thrice-widowed gypsy violinist, is adored by women and hailed widely as a virtuoso. His daughter Sari cares for their large family. His young son Laczi is also a violinist, but has chosen to forsake his father's playing style and study classical violin at the Academy of Music. Pali wants to marry his niece, Juliska, as a companion in his old age, but she prefers his son, Laczi, and Laczi, in turn, loves her. Pali criticizes Laczi's musical talent so much, and Laczi yearns so for Juliska, that he leaves home. Reunited in Paris, father and son reconcile after Countess Irini, an old admirer, convinces Pali not to interfere with the course of Laczi and Juliska's relationship. Irini's grandson marries Sari.
Recordings
- Josef Metternich, Julius Katona, Annemarie Jürgens, {{ill|Liselotte Losch|de}}, Daue, {{ill|Willy Hofmann (tenor)|de|Willy Hofmann|lt=Willy Hofmann}} – Westdeutscher Rundfunk – Franz Marszalek – 1949
- Thompson, Meacham, Lengfelder – Ohio Light Opera – McMahon – 2001 (0098).
- Gabriele Rossmanith, Edith Lienbacher, Roberto Saccà, {{ill|Wolfgang Bankl|de}}; Claus Peter Flor – Classic Produktion Osnabrück 058-2-2003
Radio adaptation
Sari was presented on The Railroad Hour on 17 March 1952. Baritone Gordon MacRae and soprano Margaret Truman starred in the episode, which also featured Carmen Dragon's orchestra and Norman Luboff's chorus.{{cite news|last1=Kirby|first1=Walter|title=Better Radio Programs for the Week|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2470060/the_decatur_daily_review/|newspaper=Decatur Daily Review|date=March 16, 1952|page=44|via = Newspapers.com|access-date = May 23, 2015}} {{Open access}}
Notes and references
{{Reflist}}
Sources
- Myers, Eric (2002). [https://web.archive.org/web/20121105192227/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-202303311.html "Kalman: Der Zigeunerprimas]. Opera News, October 2002 {{subscription required}}
External links
- [http://www.musicaltheatreguide.com/composers/kalman/zigeunerprimas.html Detailed synopsis and list of musical numbers for Der Zigeunerprimas] at musicaltheatreguide.com
- {{IBDB title|id=7028|title=Sari}}
{{Emmerich Kálmán}}
{{authority control}}
{{portal bar|Opera}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zigeunerprimas, Der}}
Category:Operas by Emmerich Kálmán
Category:German-language operettas
Category:Operas set in Hungary