Der Kuhreigen
| Wilhelm Kienzl |
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Operas
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Der Kuhreigen is an opera (called a 'musikalisches Schauspiel' or 'musical play') in three acts by the Austrian composer Wilhelm Kienzl. The libretto, by Richard Batka, is after Rudolf Hans Bartsch's novel Die kleine Blanchefleur. It was first performed at the Volksoper in Vienna on 23 November 1911.
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, 23 November 1911 Conductor: Robert Heger |
|---|---|---|
| Blanchefleur | soprano | Maria Jeritza |
| Primus Thaller | tenor | Rudolf Ritter |
| Brayole | tenor | Manwald |
| Cleo | mezzo-soprano | Martinowska |
| Dursel | bass | Nicolaus Zeč |
| Kanzler | bass | Resti |
| The King | bass | Günther |
| Marquis de Chézy | bass | Walden |
| Marquis Massimelle | bass | Markowsky |
Synopsis
Set in revolutionary France, this is the love story of the Swiss Sergeant Primus Thaller, condemned for singing the banned Swiss 'Kuhreigen' folksong, and Blanchefleur, wife of the Marquis Massimelle, who saves him and then herself becomes a victim of the revolution.
Recordings
Kienzl: Der Kuhreigen - Vienna ORTF Orchestra
- Conductor: Lothar Zagrosek
- Principal singers: Georg Schnapka, Robert Granzer, Mirjana Irosch, Adolfo Dallapozza, Christian Boesch, Walter Eder, Peter Drahosch, Rudolf Weiss, Elisabeth Sobota et al.
- Recording date: January 27, 1973
- Label: House of Opera - 6948 (CD)[1]
Historic Recordings
Richard Tauber, who was a favourite of the composer, recorded the two main tenor arias twice for Odeon Records, firstly in April 1920 by the acoustic process, and again in September 1931 electrically. Both are now on CD.