The rebirth of satire in revivals of European operettas / Lisa Feurzeig.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Feurzeig, Lisa, author.

Series:

Cambridge elements. Elements in musical theatre, 2631-6528.

Cambridge elements. Elements in musical theatre, 2631-6528

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Offenbach, Jacques, 1819-1880--Criticism and interpretation.

Offenbach, Jacques.

Kálmán, Emmerich, 1882-1953--Criticism and interpretation.

Kálmán, Emmerich.

Operetta--Europe--History--20th century.

Operetta.

Operetta--Europe--History--21st century.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (57 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2025.

Summary:

Since 1997, revivals have moved operetta away from the nostalgic performance style of the mid twentieth century, returning to its original satirical spirit grounded in ironic mockery of political and social norms and institutions. This Element compares productions of Offenbach's Belle Hélène and Kálmán's Herzogin von Chicago, considering their choices with regard to plot, text, performance style, music, and costumes and sets. In every case, there is some reinterpretation involved. Satire of times, places, and current politics can be found. Some versions tweak the original while others expand and alter it in a full Regietheater approach, often influenced by a postmodern aesthetic. Directors and performers perceive an opportunity to recreate the central experience of operetta - but is that defined as the original text, Dionysian pleasure, or absurdist theater? The genre lives on mostly through creative approaches to revival.

Contents:

Cover

Title page

Imprints page

The Rebirth of Satire in Revivals of European Operettas

Contents

1 Operetta's Changing Role and Reputation

What Is Operetta?

Operetta Adaptation and Regietheater

From Critique to Nostalgia: World Wars Bring Changes to Operetta

2 Revivals of Offenbach's La belle Hélène between 1994 and 2014

Synopsis of La belle Hélène

Social Critique, Anachronism, Intertextuality, and Musical Reference in the Original Work

Four Productions

Comparative Reflections

3 Revivals of Kálmán's Die Herzogin von Chicago in 2004 and 2016

Die Herzogin von Chicago - Background

Die Herzogin von Chicago - Plot

Two Productions

Contrasting Moods and Styles

4 Operetta Revivals and the Rebirth of Satire

Three Examples

Other Aspects of Operetta Revival

References

Acknowledgments.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 23 May 2025).

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

1-009-37333-1

1-009-37335-8

1-009-37334-X

OCLC:

1518927340