The Gay Hussars
Encyclopedia
The Gay Hussars is an operetta
in three acts by Emmerich Kálmán
. The piece was Kalman's first operetta and a hit throughout Europe and America. The first version, in Hungarian, Tatárjárás, with libretto
by Karl von Bakonyi and Andor Gábor, premiered at the Lustspieltheater in Budapest on 22 February 1908. The German version, Ein Herbstmanover, with libretto by K. von Bakonyi and Robert Bodanzky
, premiered in Vienna
on 22 January 1909. It was so popular that it prompted Kalman to move to Vienna.
premiere, as The Gay Hussars, adapted by Maurice Browne Kirby with lyrics by Grant Stewart, was at the Knickerbocker Theatre
on 29 July 1909 with W. H. Denny
. Another English adaptation played in London as Autumn Manoeuvres, opening in 1912 at the Adelphi Theatre
with Robert Evett
. The piece then toured in Britain.
.
Operetta
Operetta is a genre of light opera, light in terms both of music and subject matter. It is also closely related, in English-language works, to forms of musical theatre.-Origins:...
in three acts by Emmerich Kálmán
Emmerich Kalman
Emmerich Kálmán was a Hungarian-born composer of operettas.- Biography :Kálmán was born Imre Koppstein in Siófok, on the southern shore of Lake Balaton, Hungary in a Jewish family.Kálmán initially intended to become a concert pianist, but because of early-onset arthritis, he focused on composition...
. The piece was Kalman's first operetta and a hit throughout Europe and America. The first version, in Hungarian, Tatárjárás, with libretto
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
by Karl von Bakonyi and Andor Gábor, premiered at the Lustspieltheater in Budapest on 22 February 1908. The German version, Ein Herbstmanover, with libretto by K. von Bakonyi and Robert Bodanzky
Robert Bodanzky
Robert Bodanzky, also known as Danton , was an Austrian journalist, playwright, poet and artist. While he became famous for his apolitical poems before the first World War, he turned an anarchist communist afterwards, writing political essays, plays and poems...
, premiered in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
on 22 January 1909. It was so popular that it prompted Kalman to move to Vienna.
English adaptaions
Its New YorkNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
premiere, as The Gay Hussars, adapted by Maurice Browne Kirby with lyrics by Grant Stewart, was at the Knickerbocker Theatre
Knickerbocker Theatre (Broadway)
The Knickerbocker Theatre — previously known as Abbey's Theatre and Henry Abbey's Theatre — was a Broadway theatre located at 1396 Broadway in New York City. It operated from 1893 to 1930...
on 29 July 1909 with W. H. Denny
W. H. Denny
W. H. Denny was an English singer and actor best remembered for his portrayal of baritone roles in the Savoy Operas.-Early years:...
. Another English adaptation played in London as Autumn Manoeuvres, opening in 1912 at the Adelphi Theatre
Adelphi Theatre
The Adelphi Theatre is a 1500-seat West End theatre, located on the Strand in the City of Westminster. The present building is the fourth on the site. The theatre has specialised in comedy and musical theatre, and today it is a receiving house for a variety of productions, including many musicals...
with Robert Evett
Robert Evett
Robert Evett was an English singer, actor, theatre manager and producer.-Acting career:In 1892 Evett joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company on tour in The Vicar of Bray, playing the Reverend Henry Sandford, the tenor lead. In 1893, Evett added the role of Oswald in Haddon Hall...
. The piece then toured in Britain.
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, February 22, 1908 (Conductor: - ) |
|---|---|---|
| Baroness Risa | soprano Soprano A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody... |
|
| Leutnant Elekes | tenor Tenor The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2... |
|
| Oberleutnant von Lörenthy | tenor | |
| Rittmeister von Emmerich | tenor | |
| Treszka | soprano | |
Selected recordings
A version of Autumn Manoeuvers was recorded in 2003 by Ohio Light OperaOhio Light Opera
The Ohio Light Opera is a professional opera company based in Wooster, Ohio that performs the light opera repertory, including Gilbert and Sullivan, American, British and continental operettas, and other musical theatre works, especially of the late 19th and early 20th centuries...
.