Die schöne Galathée
- Pygmalion, a young sculptor (Tenor)
- Ganymede, his servant (mezzo- soprano)
- Mydas, an art lover ( Tenorbuffo )
- Galathée, a statue ( coloratura soprano)
The beautiful Galathée is a mythological comic- operetta in one act by Franz von Suppe.
The libretto was written by Leonhard carbon Kohlenegg under the pseudonym Poly Henrion. Premiere was on 30 June 1865 in Meysels Theater, Berlin. On 9 September the same year the Austrian premiere followed in the Carl Theater, Vienna. The show lasts about an hour.
Formation
After the big success of Jacques Offenbach's operetta La belle Hélène 1864 Vienna impresario Karl Treumann tried the recipe " mythological material in comic update with female star" to be transferred to the Viennese operetta and Suppe gave the order. The text is an adaptation of Victor Masses Opéra comique Galathée (1852 ).
The servant Ganymede was designed by former practices as trouser role and was represented by the famous comedienne Anna Grobecker. The piquancy that she had to sing a duet with Kiss Galatea, contributed significantly to the success of the piece.
Orchestra
- Two Flutes
- Two oboes
- Two clarinets
- Two Bassoons
- Four horns
- Two trumpets
- Three trombones
- A harp
- A drum
- Strings
Action
The operetta plays Pygmalion in the studio on the island of Cyprus in ancient times.
The young, gifted sculptor Pygmalion is of course reliant he finds buyers for the works of art created by Him, but one of them is not for sale: the statue of the nymph Galathée. In it he is not only in love, but downright infatuated. That's why he hides behind a curtain, so that they get none of his clients to face. His servant Ganymede he commanded to show them to anyone.
The art lovers mydas has come to my attention is to have what splendid picture Pygmalion. Because this is just out of the house, he is Ganymede, a good tip, so that he show him the statue. This affects. Mydas is thrilled. Immediately he wants to buy the statue. Suddenly Pygmalion returns and noticed how his servant has betrayed him. Furious, he chases the art collector out the door.
Pygmalion prays to the goddess Venus, they have mercy and his statue breathe life. As soon as he has expressed his desire, as it is already being complied with. But alas: Galathée turns out to be a great man vamp. First she beguiles Pygmalion, then his servant Ganymede and - as finally reappearing the penetrating art lovers - even this. Pygmalion is furious. He had believed in a beautiful body would also be a good soul stuck. Now he has to ask for help Venus again. You should make the metamorphosis reversed. Venus heard it again. When the beautiful Galathée resolidified to marble, Pygmalion sold the bitch with joy mydas.
Music
Particularly popular was the overture, in particular the thrilling G -major waltz. A wider audience, she was known as the theme song of the television series Kir Royal.
As a further musical highlights stand out: The following equal to the overture "Venus choir" that recurs again later, the slumber aria of Ganymede, the appearance Song of mydas ( "Yes, I love the artists " ), Pygmalion's prayer ( " Venus, to you I beg here " ), the trio of mydas, Ganymede and Galathée ( " Behold the jewelry I brought for you " ), the drinking song of Galathée ( " Light in the glass, as foams the fragrant wet " ), the duet between Galathée and Ganymede ( "Oh, I am drawn to you 's " ) and the finale ( " Come, bring with a glad song, go to Venus leads us this day of joy transition ").
Media
- Total recording with Anna Moffo, Rene Kollo, Rose Wagemann and Ferry Gruber euro disc under the direction of Kurt Eichhorn, CD for the label.
- Total recording with Renate Holm, Reinhold Bartel, Ferry Gruber and Others and the Cologne Radio Choir and Radio Orchestra under the direction of Franz Marszalek, CD with the label Documents, No. 605 838