Der Schauspieldirektor
- Frank, Acting Director (voice)
- Madame heart, a singer (soprano )
- Mademoiselle silver sound, a singer (soprano )
- Monsieur Vogelsang, a singer (tenor )
- Buff, actor ( bass)
- Eiler, a banker (voice)
- Heart, an actor (voice)
- Madame Arrow (voice)
- Madame Krone (voice)
- Madame Vogelsang (voice)
The Impresario (1786, K. 486 ) is a musical comedy in one act by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The libretto Johann Gottlieb Stephanie the Younger The premiere took place at the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna on February 7, 1786.
General
The contract for this work was Mozart by Emperor Joseph II on the occasion of a visit of the woman married to the Archduchess Marie Christine Dutch Governor General. The " Spring Festival on a winter's day " was held at the Schoenbrunn Orangery. The idea for the story to write a comedy about the theater and its stars, is said to come from the Emperor himself, to help the German Singspiel more reputation. The piece was first performed in collaboration with Antonio Salieri's opera Prima la musica e poi le parole, which deals with a very similar theme and enjoyed the advantage of the public.
The music portion of the one-act play, with around twenty minutes relatively low. In addition to the overture, there are only four vocal numbers ( an Arietta, a rondo, a trio and the final song ), otherwise outweigh spoken dialogue. Mainly because of the many allusions to now long-forgotten plays of the time, the dialogue text in today's threading is usually completely redesigned.
Action
The Impresario Frank has put together a new cast troop and thereby deal with the peculiarities and rivalries of the actor and singer. In addition, he is confronted with economic difficulties which can be overcome by splitting the banker finally: However, under the condition that in return Eilers mistress Madame Arrow also receives a commitment. Successively now occur to the individual artists and deliver in front of the impresario Frank samples of their skills. While the actors give samples from well-known pieces of the time, Madame heart notes this opportunity, a pathetic Arietta ( "Da suggests the parting hour " ) to gain a hearing, whereas Mademoiselle silver tone with a Rondo ( "Best youth " ) tries to bribe. As the language then comes to the fees, the open competition discharges among the participants in a trio ("I am the first singer " ), because no one begrudge the other a higher salary (and the expressed recognition ). Finally, Frank threatens to call off the whole company, the players should not be able to agree. Then dispensed Buff after he was previously appointed the first Buffo, on a special position within the troop. In the final song all agree that no artist to put himself above the other and should be left alone to decide the audience, who was the best.