Fantasio (opera)

Fantasio, German: Fantasio or The Fool of the Duke, is the title of a comic opera ( opéra comique ) in three acts. Jacques Offenbach wrote the music, Paul de Musset and Charles Nuitter wrote the libretto; the German version by Richard Genée (1823-1895) and Eduard Mautner ( 1824-1889 ).

As a text template used was the same romantic drama (1834 ) by Alfred de Musset.

The opera was established in 1870. Due to the Franco-German War but was first performed on January 18, 1872 at the Opéra -Comique in Paris.

Fantasio describes the love story between a princess and a student who is able to win her heart by making them laugh. In the title role is a trouser role.

Today's critics describe the music as a success and the libretto as touching. At the time, the opera was considered a failure, although it took 24 repetitions after its German premiere at the Theater an der Wien (21 February 1872). A modern recording is available, for example with Anne Sofie von Otter in the title role.