Der Zarewitsch

The Tsarevich is an operetta in three acts by Bela Jenbach and Heinz Reichert, the music was composed by Franz Lehár.

The premiere took place on 21 February 1927 at the German Art Theatre in Berlin. It is regarded as Franz Lehár for Richard Tauber written late work. " The Tsarevich " has little of elated - kitschy operetta. His music comes with operatic force - and in the end they did not get them down. It is the sensible view of the tragedy of a man whose personal happiness is sacrificed on the altar of reason of state.

Content

The young, timid and shy contact Alexei is chosen heir to the throne of Russia to the Tsarevich. Since he does not tolerate women around him, decided by the Grand Duke, at the same time his uncle, prepare it by a smuggled lover, Sonja, a ballet girl to marital status. Alexei, initially angry, can be appeased by Sonja, by proposing to him to play his beloved only and so the Zarenhofe audition theater. In both grows love. However, as Sonja is not befitting for a marriage, it should disappear, so Alexei now can marry a princess, but really just wants to Sonja. Numerous intrigues let the couple flee to Naples in Italy, accompanied only by his faithful servant couple Ivan and Masha and the goldfish.

The location is discovered, the Grand Duke appeals to a sense of duty and subordination of personal happiness for the good of the Fatherland. Since all overtaken the news of the death of the Tsar. Alexei obeys the reason of state and the lovers separate.

Well-known musical numbers

• Wolgalied: A soldier stands on the banks of the Volga ( Alexei )
• Why does every spring, alas, only a Mai
• I am a blissful Beloved ( Sonja )
• We need Circassians neither good nor money ( Tscherkessenchor )
• Tonight I come to you! ( Masha, Ivan )
• Life is calling! - I am a blissful Beloved! ( Sonja )
• One will come ( Sonja )
• Now I know what life is ( trio Alexei, Grand Duke, Sonja )
• Did only you alone, the whole world Thou shalt be ( Alexei, Sonja )

Effect

The Wolgalied was through his association of melodic simplicity and poignant sentimentality to one of the famous " hit" of the operetta history. It even found a literary expression in Günter Grass story collection " My Century ".

Text of the Volga song

Alone! alone again! Lonely as always. Temporary rushes the youth In a long, anxious solitude. My heart is heavy and dull my mind! I am sitting in gold'nen cage in it.

A soldier stands on the banks of the Volga, Holds Vigil for his country. In the dark night alone and far It lit him no moon, no star. ! Motionless, the steppe is silent, A tear increases his eye: And he feels, how it eats the heart and gnaws, When a person is leaving, and he complains, And he asks:

Have you forgotten there on top of me? It longs for love but my heart also be. You have a lot of angels in heaven with you! Send over one of them to me.