Gasparone

• Carlotta, widowed Countess of Santa Croce (soprano )
• Count Erminio Saluzzo, a wealthy landowner (Tenor)
• Benozzo, host and head of the gang of smugglers ( Tenorbuffo )
• Sora, whose wife ( soubrette )
• Baboleno Nasoni, Mayor ( bass)
• Zenobia, confidant of the Countess Carlotta (Alt )
• Masaccio, smugglers (baritone )
• Sindulfo, son of the mayor ( Tenorbuffo )
• Marietta, maid to the Countess Carlotta (mezzo- soprano)
• Luigi, Erminios friend (voice)
• Colonel Corticelli (voice)
• Lieutenant Guarini (voice)
• Smuggler, society, people, police (chorus )

Gasparone is an operetta in three acts by Carl Millöcker. The libretto was written Friedrich Zell and Richard Genée. Premiere was on January 26, 1884 at the Theater an der Wien.

Orchestra

Two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, percussion and strings

Action

Place and time

The operetta is set in Syracuse, Sicily around 1820.

Act I

Image: Space on the shore with pub in the background of Mount Etna

The title character is a notorious bandit chief, who is at large with his gang in the Abruzzo region on the Italian mainland. In the operetta he appears at any point on the flesh; it is often only the rumor of him. Benozzo, the host of a dockside bar, spread with zeal rumored Gasparone have now chosen Sicily to his field of activity. But that he wants only purpose that the police of his own driving - is distracted - he is the boss of a gang of smugglers.

Now it adds that Count Erminio Saluzzo has come from the mainland to the island to operate geological studies on Etna. When he meets the beautiful Countess Carlotta, his heart is aflame same for them. To get rid of her older companion Zenobia, he ensures that Carlotta is attacked and kidnapped by the smugglers. He then staged their liberation and is regarded as the savior of Carlotta.

The somewhat goofy mayor Baboleno Nasoni can always be easily intimidated. Benozzos regard to the supposed residence Gasparones he takes the same as an opportunity to track down the robbers with the help of some police officers. When he meets Count Erminio, he suspected him as the wanted robber. But that Carlotta has now thrown even just an eye on this, does not fit into his plan. The nice thing is namely a happy outgoing for her inheritance process owner of a stately castle and a cash assets of a million sequins become what they themselves but do not know. Nasoni any event hopes to make Carlotta wife of his son Sindulfo by deceives her, only he as mayor would be able to influence the dependent process in their favor. In gratitude, the countess agrees to marry Sindulfo, although she feels nothing for him.

Second Act

Image: Salon in Castle

Through a clever move Count Erminio Sindulfo has be kidnapped by the gang of smugglers to slip. Benozzo examines the countess in her castle and shows her a supposed letter Gasparones in which these 10,000 sequins ransom calls. Carlotta can soften and hands him the sum, that he might bring about the robber. As Benozzo has left the castle, you would expect the return of the liberated Sindulfo. But instead of his versa Benozzo back - alone. Gasparone not rich the sum he wanted again so much. As Carlotta holds the mayor still the savior of her family's wealth, she is willing to make this sacrifice in order to get his son released.

Count Erminio is still striving to prevent the marriage of the lady of his heart with the flighty son of the mayor. He sees only one way out: to break in appearance at Carlotta and rob her million fortune; because Nasoni and his son Sindulfo would quickly lose an impoverished countess interest. The plan is executed. Carlotta is bitterly disappointed when they must recognize Erminio as predators; but they can not get it to hand over their assets. Nevertheless, she feels still sympathy for Erminio.

Act Three

Image: Space in Syracuse with City Hall

Sindulfo is now free again. He wants to lead quickly the wedding with Carlotta in the way now. But this is just interrogated by the police because of the nocturnal raid. She describes the robber so wrong that it is impossible to infer Erminio. The Count, however, recognizes Carlotta's statement that it is him despite his foray yet weighed. Now he believes the time has come to drop his mask. He reveals himself as the son of the Interior Minister and assured that he was the only reason slipped into the guise of a robber to protect the Countess in front of a conspiracy.

Suddenly, once again approaching the publican Benozzo. He claims that fate had leaked a message from Gasparone with the stolen 10,000 sequins him. This he may give back; However, he reserved the million in order to start on the mainland a new life. In Sicily the ground it had become too hot because he constantly had to hide from the brilliant mayor Nasoni.

As Erminio am giving the mayor a package as a gift for the upcoming wedding of his son with Carlotta, it assigns it back brusquely. As Carlotta have no more assets, they no longer come as his daughter- in account. The Countess, however, takes the packet grateful. Curious to see her Nasoni and Sindulfo to when opened. When they notice that the contents consist of the stolen million, they are stunned. The end of the operetta is predictable: Carlotta and Erminio give yourself the betrothal kiss.

Musical Highlights

• Trio of Carlotta, Nasoni and Zenobia "As I 'm thrilled that you are still here! "
• Duet between Carlotta and Erminio in the finale of the first act "Hear the cries from afar! "
• Couplet of Zenobia " The view from this monster - There is indeed no more men! "
• Scene and duet between Carlotta and Erminio " darkness spreads over the sea "
• Benozzos Walzerlied "He shall be thy master! How proud it sounds! "
• Erminios aria " Dark red roses I bring, beautiful woman ," the big hit from the operetta, of which the audience with his applause often forces a repetition, a tune that has taken over from his less successful operetta " The Vice Admiral " of the composer.

Films

Media

• Total recording for the label EMI (double CD, No.: 1355408 ) with Anneliese Rothenberger and Hermann Prey in the lead roles.
• Total uptake in membrane ( double CD) with Anny Schlemm, Josef Metternich, Benno Kusche, Herta Talmar and Willy Hofmann in the lead roles. Conductor: Franz Marszalek.

• Operetta by Title
• Carl Millöcker
• Operetta of the 19th century
• Music 1884