![Oscar Straus at the piano](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/Oscar_Straus_at_the_piano.jpg)
' (''A Waltz Dream'') is an
operetta by
Oscar Straus with a German
libretto
A libretto (Italian for "booklet") is the text used in, or intended for, an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata or Musical theatre, musical. The term ''libretto'' is also sometimes used to refer to the t ...
by and , based on the
novella
A novella is a narrative prose fiction whose length is shorter than most novels, but longer than most short stories. The English word ''novella'' derives from the Italian ''novella'' meaning a short story related to true (or apparently so) facts ...
' (''Nux, the
Prince Consort'') by
Hans Müller-Einigen Hans Müller(-Einigen) (born 25 October 1882 in Brünn, Austria-Hungary; died 8 March 1950 in Einigen) was a German language writer, author of screenplays and director. As his proper name, Hans Müller, was quite common, he added the name of the S ...
from his 1905 book ' (''Book of Adventures'').
The young Jacobson presented Straus with a libretto for ''Ein Walzertraum'' at a coffee house in the Vienna
Prater
The Prater () is a large public park in Leopoldstadt, Vienna, Austria. The Wurstelprater, an amusement park that is often simply called "Prater", lies in one corner of the Wiener Prater and includes the Wiener Riesenrad Ferris wheel.
Name
The n ...
in 1906. Straus was inspired by the text and completed the work within 12 months for its premiere in spring 1907.
Performance history
![Straus-Oscar Walzertraum](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Straus-Oscar_Walzertraum.jpg)
It premiered on 2 March
1907 at the
Carltheater
The Carltheater was a theatre in Vienna. It was in the suburbs in Leopoldstadt at Praterstraße 31 (at that time called Jägerzeile).
It was the successor to the Leopoldstädter Theater. After a series of financial difficulties, that theater had ...
in
Vienna
en, Viennese
, iso_code = AT-9
, registration_plate = W
, postal_code_type = Postal code
, postal_code =
, timezone = CET
, utc_offset = +1
, timezone_DST ...
.
English adaptations
Following the success of the operetta in Vienna, productions of the work, under the name ''A Waltz Dream'', were mounted in English for premieres at the Chestnut Street Opera House in Philadelphia on 6 January 1908, in New York City at the now-demolished
Broadway Theatre
Broadway theatre,Although ''theater'' is generally the spelling for this common noun in the United States (see American and British English spelling differences), 130 of the 144 extant and extinct Broadway venues use (used) the spelling ''Th ...
on 27 January 1908 (with an English libretto adapted by
Joseph W. Herbert), and in London on 28 March 1908 at the
Hicks Theatre (adapted by
Basil Hood
Basil Willett Charles Hood (5 April 1864 – 7 August 1917) was a British dramatist and lyricist, perhaps best known for writing the libretti of half a dozen Savoy Operas and for his English adaptations of operettas, including ''The Merry Wid ...
, with lyrics by
Adrian Ross
Arthur Reed Ropes (23 December 1859 – 11 September 1933), better known under the pseudonym Adrian Ross, was a prolific writer of lyrics, contributing songs to more than sixty British musical comedies in the late 19th and early 20th centuries ...
, starring
Gertie Millar
Gertrude Ward, Countess of Dudley ( Millar; 21 February 1879 – 25 April 1952), known as Gertie Millar, was an English actress and singer of the early 20th century, known for her performances in Edwardian musical comedies.
Beginning her care ...
,
W. H. Berry
William Henry Berry (23 March 1870 – 2 May 1951), always billed as W. H. Berry, was an English comic actor. After learning his craft in pierrot and concert entertainments, he was spotted by the actor-manager George Grossmith Jr., and appeared ...
and later
Robert Evett
Robert Evett (16 October 1874 – 15 January 1949) was an English singer, actor, theatre manager and producer. He was best known as a leading man in Edwardian musical comedies and later managed the George Edwardes theatrical empire.
In 1892, at ...
,
Jessie Broughton and
Arthur Williams).
Lily Elsie and
Amy Evans
Amy Evans (24 October 1884 – 5 January 1983) was a Welsh soprano and actress known for her performances in oratorio, recitals, and opera. She also made some music recordings beginning in 1906. In 1910, she played the leading role of Selene ...
starred in the 1911 revival at
Daly's Theatre
Daly's Theatre was a theatre in the City of Westminster. It was located at 2 Cranbourn Street, just off Leicester Square. It opened on 27 June 1893, and was demolished in 1937.
The theatre was built for and named after the American impresar ...
.
The international success of the operetta exceeded Straus's expectations, and special praise was reserved for the famous waltz theme from Act Two. Straus later arranged various numbers from the operetta and included the graceful main waltz theme into a new concert waltz. The piece made Straus's international reputation, touring internationally after the Vienna, New York and London runs and enjoying many revivals.
Cyril Ritchard
Cyril Joseph Trimnell-Ritchard (1 December 1898 – 18 December 1977), known professionally as Cyril Ritchard, was an Australian stage, screen and television actor, and director. He is best remembered today for his performance as Captain Hook in ...
made his debut at age 19 in the piece in Australia.
The operetta did not remain as popular over the decades as Straus' ''
The Chocolate Soldier
''The Chocolate Soldier'' (German: ''Der tapfere Soldat'' he courageous soldier
He or HE may refer to:
Language
* He (pronoun), an English pronoun
* He (kana), the romanization of the Japanese kana へ
* He (letter), the fifth letter of many Semitic alphabets
* He (Cyrillic), a letter of the Cyrillic script called ''He'' ...
or ''Der Praliné-Soldat'') is an operetta composed in 1908 by Oscar Straus (composer), Oscar Straus based on George Bernard Shaw's 1894 play, ''Arms and the Man' ...
'', but a number of modern productions have been mounted. In 1991,
Ohio Light Opera The Ohio Light Opera is a professional opera company based in Wooster, Ohio that performs the light opera repertory, including Gilbert and Sullivan, American, British and continental operettas, and other musical theatre works, especially of the lat ...
produced the work, and in 1992,
Light Opera Works
Music Theater Works (formerly Light Opera Works) is a resident professional not-for-profit musical theatre company in Evanston, Illinois. It was founded in 1980 by Philip Kraus, Bridget McDonough, and Ellen Dubinsky.
Music Theater Works has presen ...
of Illinois mounted a production.
Roles
Synopsis
Act 1
In the fictional state of Rurislavenstein, the scene opens in the glittering and the splendour of the ''Prunksaal des Schlosses Hall'' of the Prince of Flausenthurn. Princess Helene and Lieutenant Niki of the Army had earlier became lovers and soon were married in the splendid hall whereupon the father of the Princess, Joachim, made Niki the heir to his throne. In spite of this, Lieutenant Niki appeared to be sceptical of the prospect of being a Prince as it was not financially beneficial nor does it come with the elevated status which he sought. The marriage has also raised a few eyebrows among the courtiers as Niki was just a common soldier and the marriage has been a hasty one. Niki also distanced himself from the Prince's favour when the former acknowledged the hasty marriage and raised suggestions for a separate bedroom from the newly-wed Princess. It also appeared to the dismayed Prince that Lieutenant Niki favours his hometown of Vienna rather than the interests of the State. Lieutenant Niki then chooses to leave the palace secretly with his comrade Lieutenant Montschi for a pleasurable evening in the beer garden. Through this troubled backdrop, a scheming Count Lothar, who is envious of Niki hatches a plan of betrayal.
Act 2
At the beer garden, Niki meets Franzi, a ladies' orchestra leader and is attracted to her. He quickly wins her heart, which she feels that only a true ''Wienerin'' (Viennese) can do. By the scheme of Count Lothar, the Prince and Princess Helene are also present in the garden, with the chambermaid Friederike von Insterburg. The Count also has eyes for Franzi, however, she gives him the cold shoulder. By that instance, Princess Helene and Franzi meet and the Princess wants to know the ''Wienerin'' who has won her heart. The main waltz theme of the ''Walzertraum'' plays and Niki dances with the Princess Helene. Franzi, who watches the entire scene with a broken heart, realises that Niki is the husband of the Princess.
Act 3
Back at the ''Prunksaal des Schlosses Hall'', Princess Helene discovers Niki's unhappiness at the marriage. It transpires that Niki longs for the Viennese customs he grew up with. An immediate wholesale change takes place, including a change of dress code, furniture, and cooking. A new chambermaid schooled in the Viennese customs was also installed to take charge of the domestic matters. Niki, as expected, warms to the new surroundings which comes close to his heart and soon willingly accepts Princess Helene without restrictions although he clearly misses the pretty Franzi. Franzi, however, wisely renounces her affection for Niki.
Musical numbers (English adaptation)
![EvansElsie1](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/EvansElsie1.jpg)
*Overture
Act 1 – Festival Hall in Prince Joachim's Castle at Flausenthurn
*No. 1 – Chorus – "Our hearts are filled with glee and festive loyalty, our Princess weds today!"
*No. 2 – Friedericke, Sigismund and Chorus – "A maiden whom Cupid had not cajoled, of icy mold, distrait and cold"
*No. 3 – Entrance March and Hymn – "The trumpets blare! Let's welcome the happy pair!"
*No. 4 – Niki – "Some men are born to rule the land"
*No. 4a – Exit March
*No. 5 – Helene and Friedericke – "Our vows exchanged we're plighted, forever linked by Fate"
*No. 6 – Friedericke, Niki and Joachim – "What a misfortune, woeful disgrace! It is too late our steps to retrace"
*No. 7 – Niki and Montschi – "The soft summer twilight was fading, I sat in the garden alone"
*No. 8 – Finale Act 1 – "My dearest love, why leave me all alone!"
Act 2 – Garden Salon
*No. 9 – March and Girls' Chorus – "Come, love, don't be shy, kissing time is nigh"
*No. 10 – Franzi and Girls – "You may search the world around, nowhere will you find melody and beauty both"
*No. 11 – Niki and Franzi – "I beg you believe, sweetest maiden, that the love your charms inspire"
*No. 12 – Helene, Franzi and Friedericke – "I am seeking for information"
*No. 13 – Lothar and Franzi – "Sweet music, so the poets say, maintains a universal sway"
*No. 14 – Finale Act 2 – "It is shameful! Sad mishap! Your father, caught in a trap"
Act 3 – Drawing Room in the Castle at Flausenthurn
*No. 15 – Entr'acte Gavotte
*No. 16 – Niki, Lothar and Joachim – "Oh, these bores! I wish they'd leave me"
*No. 17 – Friedericke and Franzi – "I am an humble lassie / I am a courtly dame"
*No. 18 – Finale Act 3 – Niki and Helene – "Music at night gives me thrills of delight"
Films
Film versions of the operetta include a 1918 Hungarian film ''
Magic Waltz
''Magic Waltz'' ( hu, Varázskeringő) is a 1918 Hungarian film directed by Michael Curtiz. The film is based on the operetta ''Ein Walzertraum
' (''A Waltz Dream'') is an operetta by Oscar Straus with a German libretto by and , based on t ...
'' directed by
Michael Curtiz
Michael Curtiz ( ; born Manó Kaminer; since 1905 Mihály Kertész; hu, Kertész Mihály; December 24, 1886 April 10, 1962) was a Hungarian-American film director, recognized as one of the most prolific directors in history. He directed cla ...
, the 1925 German film ''
A Waltz Dream
' (''A Waltz Dream'') is an operetta by Oscar Straus with a German libretto by and , based on the novella ' (''Nux, the Prince Consort'') by Hans Müller-Einigen from his 1905 book ' (''Book of Adventures'').
The young Jacobson presented Stra ...
'' directed by
Ludwig Berger, and releases in Finland (1926) and Poland (1931). It was made into a 1931
Ernst Lubitsch
Ernst Lubitsch (; January 29, 1892November 30, 1947) was a German-born American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His urbane comedies of manners gave him the reputation of being Hollywood's most elegant and sophisticated director; as ...
film entitled ''
The Smiling Lieutenant
''The Smiling Lieutenant'' is a 1931 American pre-Code musical comedy film directed by Ernst Lubitsch, starring Maurice Chevalier, Claudette Colbert and Miriam Hopkins, and released by Paramount Pictures.
It was written by Samson Raphaelson and ...
'', starring
Maurice Chevalier and
Claudette Colbert
Claudette Colbert ( ; born Émilie Claudette Chauchoin; September 13, 1903July 30, 1996) was an American actress. Colbert began her career in Broadway productions during the late 1920s and progressed to films with the advent of talking pictures ...
. In 1969, a German television production was made.
References
*
*
Southern Light Opera.UK page on the operetta
External links
*
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Walzertraum, Ein
1907 operas
Operas by Oscar Straus
German-language operettas
Operas
Operas based on novels