Gypsy Love (operetta)

1 hr. 31 min.

Audio Plays, Radio Productions & Literary Readings

Language Russian

Author Franz Lehár

Narrators Yury Yakovlev, Yulia Borisova

Narrator Yury Yakovlev

Narrator Yulia Borisova

Description

"Gypsy Love" (Ger. Zigeunerliebe) is an operetta in three acts by the Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Lehár. Libretto by Alfred Willner and Robert Bodanzky. This work opened a series of pieces in Lehár’s output that he called "romantic operettas"; their musical style and plot clearly differed from traditional genre templates—in particular, a happy ending was often absent. The music of “Gypsy Love” is distinguished by vivid expressiveness, a palette of colors, and almost operatic dramatic intensity, while preserving the tender lyricism characteristic of Lehár. Hungarian and Gypsy national color is also strongly felt.

The action takes place on the banks of the river Czierna. Gypsy Jozsi wins the heart of Zorika, the romantically inclined daughter of the local landowner, the boyar Dragotin. However, Zorika is confused—she is already engaged to Ionel, whom she loves, and is preparing to marry him. When, according to custom, the fiancé must receive from her a branch of wild rose, Zorika throws it into the river and asks to postpone the wedding.

At night, remembering an ancient superstition, Zorika drinks the waters of the Czierna and sees her future in a prophetic dream. She ran away with Jozsi from her home, leads a beggar-like wandering life, often quarrels with her rough and stubborn husband. In the end, Jozsi cheats on her with the charming countess Ilona.

When she wakes up, Zorika shakes off her doubts and agrees to marry Ionel.

Recording, 1955.