VIENNESE OPERETTA GEMS

Original Recordings 1927-1949

Mythical Vienna and operetta have long been synonyms and our brief survey of the Viennese Operette therefore appropriately begins with well-known samples from the landmarks of the Viennese ‘Waltz King’ Johann Strauss II (1825-1899). Strauss was already a fêted exponent of Viennese dance music before he turned to operetta, with Indigo, in 1871. He was born, spent most of his days and died in Vienna where, with the exception of Eine Nacht in Venedig (Berlin, 1883), the premières of his operettas all took place. His masterpieces and the quintessence of the Viennese genre, Die Fledermaus and Der Zigeunerbaron date from 1874 and 1885 respectively.  From the former comes Rosalinde and Alfred’s Act 1 ‘Drinking Duet’ (featuring Frankfurt-born tenor Franz Völker (1899-1965), an intermittent star of the Vienna State from 1931 to 1950) and the maid Adele’s coquettish Act 2 Mein Herr Marquis (sung here in t