Beggar student (operetta)

The libretto authors were Richard Gene and (the latter usually performed under the pseudonym F. Zell). The libretto was based on the plots of two popular plays: Fernande 's Weddings ( Les noces de Fernande ) by French playwright Victorien Sardoux (1878) and Lyon Beauty ( The Lady of Lyons ) by English playwright Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1838). Initially, the librettists offered the “Beggar Student” to Johann Strauss , but he chose another libretto (for the Night in Venice operetta) ^[2] .

Millocker, unlike Strauss, endorsed the “Beggar Student” libretto. The first production took place on December 6, 1882 at the Vienna Theater An der Wien . The “Beggar Student” became one of the most successful Viennese operettas in history, sustaining more than 5,000 performances only in Germany and Austria ^[2] . The classic Russian translation of the libretto was performed by Nikolai Erdman , the poems were translated by Abram Argo and Jacob Galitsky (the author of the poems to the song “ Blue Handkerchief ”). Operetta has been repeatedly filmed. In 1955, in the USSR, the radio assembly of the operetta was recorded, with the participation of Vladimir Kandelaki , Tamara Yanko , Elena Shvetsova, Nikolai Belugin.

The operetta takes place in 1704 in the Polish city of Krakow . At this time, the king of Poland was the Saxon Elector Augustus the Strong , but many Poles preferred Stanislav Leschinsky . The governor of Krakow, Colonel Ollendorf, tried to kiss Laura Palmatik, but was rejected and in addition received for excessive annoyance with a fan in physiognomy. Insulted Colonel vowed cruel revenge. Laura's mother, Countess Palmatik, had previously declared that only a noble Pole could become Laura’s husband. Ollendorf frees two impoverished commoner students, Simon and Jan, members of the patriotic movement against the Saxon king, from prison, taking with them the word that they will play along to their intended plot. Then he introduces them to the Palmatik family, posing as a millionaire and his secretary ^[3] .

The poor Countess cordially greets Simon, who falls in love with Laura and enjoys reciprocation, while Jan conquers the heart of Bronislava, Laura’s sister. Not wanting to further support the deception of Ollendorf, Simon, shortly before the wedding, writes to the Countess a letter, where he admits that he is not a millionaire. Ollendorf manages to persuade the Countess not to open the letter until the end of the marriage. Then the colonel himself reveals the scandalous truth to those gathered and enjoys the accomplished revenge. Simon, in disgrace, is driven out of the house ^[3] .

Yang announces that he is engaged in a patriotic conspiracy to enthrone Stanislav Leschinsky. Ollendorf offers him 200 thousand thalers for information about the whereabouts of the rebellious Duke Casimir. Simon poses as Casimir and fools Ollendorf until the conspirators succeed. King Stanislav generously rewards friends and elevates them to the count's dignity. All obstacles to the happiness of two couples are overcome ^[3] .

Act 1 ^[3]

• Ach unsre Lieben sperrte man ein (chorus)
• Und da soll man noch galant sein - Ach ich hab 'sie ja nur auf die Schulter geküßt: - Couplets and waltz of Ollendorff
• Die Welt hat das genialste Streben - Intro duo of Simon and Jan
• O Juchheissa, hurra! Die Messe beginnt (ensemble)
• Einkäufe machen sollten wir eigentlich - Trio of Laura, Bronislava and Countess
• Das ist der Fürst Wybicki
• Bravo! Bravo! Es geht ganz famos (ensemble)
• Ich knüpfte manche zarte Bande
• Finale Act I

Second act ^[3]

• O Einen Mann hat sie (hab 'ich) gefunden - Second trio of Laura, Bronislava and Countess
• O Durch diesen Kuß sei unser Bund geweiht! - Duet of Jan and Bronislava
• Soll ich reden, darf ich schweigen? - Ich setz 'den Fall - The duet of Simon and Laura
• Glückliche Braut! Dir strahlet hell das Leben (ensemble)
• Mit Geld und guten Worten: Second couplets of Ollendorf
• Klinget, Feierglocken, klinget!
• Trinkt uns zu, trinkt uns zu
• Tempo di mazur
• Heidahi, heidaha! Sind wer och nich invidiert ...
• Finale Act II

The third act ^[3]

• Lumpen, Bagage, Bettelstudent!
• Der Fürst soll nur ein Bettler sein: Introduction - Bronislava with a choir
• Ich hab 'kein Geld, bin vogelfrei - Simon's Couplets
• Still, man kommt! - Dort steht der Patron!
• Die halbe stunde ist vorbei
• Jetzt lach 'ich jeglicher Gefahr (ensemble)
• Finale

See the full list: ^[4]

• 1927: Germany (silent film).
• 1931: United Kingdom.
• 1936: Germany. with Marika Ryokk .
• 1956: FRG, with Elma Karlova .
• 1957: GDR, called "Mazurka of Love" ( Mazurka der Liebe ).
• 1961: Austria, West Germany (telefilm).
• 1980: Germany (telefilm). Party Ollendorf sang Ivan Rebrov .

• Vladimirskaya A.R. The Star Clock of the Operetta . - L .: Art, 1975. - 136 p.
• Trauberg L. Jacques Offenbach and others. M .: Art, 1987, p. 172.
• GM Yaron. About the favorite genre. M .: Art, 1960.

• Karl Millocker. Beggar student .