Der Schauspieldirektor
The Impresario
Komödie mit Musik in einem Akt
Although a fully completed work, Der Schauspieldirektor contains
only a small amount of music (an overture and four numbers) in a rather
long topical comedy with little meaning to modern audiences. It includes,
for example, actors ``auditioning'' in scenes from several contemporary
(and forgotten) plays. It is consequently almost never performed in its
original form, but rather in various adaptations designed to present
Mozart's excellent music in a more appropriate setting.
- Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,
K. 486
- Librettist: Gottlieb Stephanie, `der Jüngere'
- First performance: Orangerie at Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna,
7 February 1786
(private performance at an entertainment hosted by Emperor Jospeh II;
followed by première of Salieri's Prima la musica e poi le
parole)
- First public performance: Kärntertor Theater, Vienna, 11 February 1786
- Libretto:
Dramatis Personæ
- Frank, an impressario (Speaking role)
- Eiler, a banker (Speaking role)
- Buff, an actor (Speaking role)
- Herz, an actor (Speaking role)
- Madame Pfeil, an actress (Speaking role)
- Madame Krone, an actress (Speaking role)
- Madame Vogelsang, an actress (Speaking role)
- Vogelsang, a singer (Tenor)
- Madame Herz, a singer (Soprano)
- Mademoiselle Silberklang, a singer (Soprano)
Setting: an impressario's room in Salzburg, 1786.
Monday, 08-Dec-2003 21:36:02 PST