OperettenSommer 2012: Gräfin Mariza von Emmerich Kálmán

OPERETTENSOMMER 2012: GRÄFIN MARIZA BY EMMERICH KÁLMÁN

Humorous and spirited, original and dancing up a storm, OperettenSommer Kufstein has carved a solid niche for itself in the hearts of its audience and counts among the best cultural events that Tyrol has to offer. The successful productions continue in 2012 with "Gräfin Mariza," another operetta by Emmerich Kálmán.

The operetta tells of the young Countess Mariza, who invents a fiancé in order to get rid of her admirers, of an impoverished count, who manages her country estate without ever having met her, of the invented fiancé, who is so astonished to learn that he is engaged that he would like to meet his bride, and of a stubborn, insistent admirer and a charming countess who threaten to thwart the budding romance between the Countess Mariza and her estate manager. These are the ingredients of Kálmán's famous operetta, which, as in all good operettas, comes to a happy end with all the problems surmounted and the right lovers finding each other.

With fiery csárdás rhythms and melancholy gypsy music, with hits like "Komm mit nach Varazdin," "Komm Zigan, spiel mir was vor!" and "Wo wohnt die Liebe?" Emmerich Kálmán scored a hit with his audience in this operetta that premiered in the Theater an der Wien in 1924.

The wonderful thing about the weather-proof, covered stage at Kufstein Fortress is that the audience is so close to the actors that they feel like they're part of the action. The combination of stars from the Volksoper Vienna and younger, highly talented artists, who play their roles with verve and charm, is what gives productions at Kufstein Fortress their special appeal. The orchestra and chorus of the Timişoara National Opera accompany the soloists sometimes cajolingly, sometimes indulgingly and often set your feet stomping. The Ballet St. Pölten will thrill you with brisk, spirited and always imaginative choreography.