On one of his visits to Budapest, the younger Johann Strauss formed an acquaintanceship with the Hungarian writer Mór Jókai, whose global popularity was also considerable; the fruit of their association turned out to be one of the “Waltz King's” finest operettas: Der Zigeunerbaron, or The Gypsy Baron, with which the 60-year-old Strauss once again captivated the world.
One of the work's virtues is that its music lends itself to the opera stage, with the sounds of the Hungarian csárdás, Gypsy music, the Viennese waltz and weightier melodies all rubbing along together marvellously. And what is a bald pig dealer doing in an operetta? And who is the heir to the pasha of Temeşvar? And how will the son of a country gentleman become the baron of the Gypsies? All will be made clear in this production by Miklós Szinetár at the Erkel Theatre.
AUTHORS
Libretto based on Mór Jókai's novella 'The Gypsy Baron' by: Ignaz Schnitzer
An der Schönen blauen Donau revised by: László Melis
Hungarian lyrics: Sándor Fischer
Hungarian prose: Miklós Szinetár
Director: Miklós Szinetár
Set designer: Balázs Horesnyi
Costume designer: Márta Pilinyi
Choreographer: Gábor Mihályi
English surtitles: Arthur Roger Crane
Choir Master: Gábor Csiki
