Katharina Knie (Musical)

• The old Karl knee, called Father knee ( bass-baritone )
• Catherine knees, his daughter (Soprano)
• Fritz Lorenz and knees, her cousins ​​(Tenor)
• Ignaz Scheel, another cousin Catherine ( bass)
• Julius Schmittolini, Clown ( bass)
• Bobbi named Bibbo, " girl " for everything (Alt )
• Martin Rothacker, landowner (Tenor)
• The Rothackerin, his mother (voice)
• Bloomaul, tattoo artist (baritone )
• Membel, Bailiff ( voice)
• Dillinger, Police Inspector (voice)
• Mario, a boy (voice)
• Group: circus people, musicians, rascals and audience

Katharina Knie is a musical by Mischa Spoliansky, which is based on the eponymous " acrobats play" by Carl Zuck Mayer, lyrically edited by Robert Gilbert, who also wrote the song lyrics. The work was premiered on 20 January 1957 at the State Theatre on Gärtnerplatz. The roles must not be filled strictly with trained singers also singing actors are suited for it. At the premiere Hans Albers played the old knee. With this role, he took leave of the stage.

Orchestra

• Large version: two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, three trumpets, three trombones, harp, piano, guitar, percussion and strings
• Small version: flute, oboe, two clarinets, bassoon, trumpet, double bass, piano and percussion

Action

The play takes place after 1924 in a hessian wine region.

Once again, the traveling circus is knee on the street of the small town in Hesse. The company is in bad shape because the rampant inflation is getting to him badly. Nevertheless, the troupe holds together iron. Not least, this is the great merit of the chief of the troupe, Karl knees, all the "Father knee " name just loving. When the bailiff turns up, he finds nothing seizable; because Father knee had gotten from a third party a hint, so it was the troops succeeded in bringing all things of a certain value in security. - Concern is Karl knee and daughter Catherine, his only child. He saw there love to, when they finally married young and would get, but it Katharina wants to know anything yet.

On the very first guest performance of the circus gets an unexpected visitor: Police Commissioner Karl Dillinger opened knees, someone from his circus stole three sacks of oats in the big farmers Martin Rothacker. Ruefully admits Catherine her fault. She had wanted to get for their favorite animal, the donkey Marli, Feed. Now breaks for Karl knee a world together, because honesty has always been a matter for him as one of the highest virtues. He orders his daughter to return the stolen property.

Martin Rothacker, who robbed young farmer, immediately takes a liking to the lovely Catherine and gives her the food. He suggests that she even managed to stay for a year with him on the farm. They could learn at his mother's agriculture and home economics, what will be their later even be sure of great benefit. Rasch, Catherine befriends with this plan. Her father gives his blessing because he believes he knows his daughter so much that she would anyway not stand it long on the farm. But here is mistaken father knee.

A year later, the circus is in town again. When the first show begins, father discovered his daughter knee in the audience. In doing so increases his joy to euphoria. He believes Catherine have come back to the circus. Only enabled him, this thought to peak performance, but shortly afterwards he gets to stumble. Abruptly he broke off his number.

From joy over the return of the daughter Father knee invites all artists one at a celebration. But It escapes him that actually nobody but him is to feel like celebrating. Has long since become common knowledge that Catherine has engaged with Rothacker and only came to say goodbye to all the circus. When Catherine and her father is finally alone and wants to open to him the bitter truth, her father dies. The intended marriage, he no longer gets.

After the funeral, the mourners gathered in the circus tent. The artists are deeply depressed, but they believe that the end of the circus is close at hand. Catherine explains the old Rothackerin, after what had happened, she could not let the circus. Her father's legacy meant a commitment for them. You have lifted all their savings and sold her engagement ring. With the proceeds, they will settle the company's debts and save them from foreclosure. With the cry of " hooking " she leads the circus to a new future. The artists begin to cheer and tackle with great joy.

Music

The work contains cabaret chansons, partially wrapped in sparkly jazz rhythms that are sent used as highlights in the piece. For the group roles you need a seven -voice chamber choir.

Weblink

• Picture of Hans Albers in the world premiere
• Pictures of a performance in Bad Herrenalb 2003

• Musical (factory )
• Zuckmayer
• Circus in art and literature