Overview
Introduction
Der Schauspieldirektor (The Impresario), K. 486, is a comic singspiel by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, set to a German libretto by Gottlieb Stephanie, an Austrian Schauspieldirektor. Originally, it was written because of "the imperial command" of the Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II who had invited 80 guests to a private luncheon. who argue over status and pay.
Mozart, who describes it as "comedy with music"
Composition history
The work was written during a very creative period in Mozart's life, at the same time as his Le nozze di Figaro, which premiered later the same year, along with three piano concertos and "another dozen major works".
In addition to the overture, there are only four vocal numbers in the score, and the musical content (about 30 minutes)
Performance history
The opera was first presented in the United Kingdom on 30 May 1857 at the St James's Theatre in London and given its US premiere at the Stadt Theatre in New York on 9 November 1870.
In modern times, the text is usually completely rewritten for contemporary relevance, which was the case for the 2014 production given by The Santa Fe Opera. There it had "English dialogue by the British dramatist Ranjit Bolt and additional Mozart concert arias folded into the score" with the action taking place in Paris in the 1920s.
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, 7 February 1786 (Conductor: – ) |
|---|---|---|
| Frank, an impresario | spoken role | Johann Gottlieb Stephanie Jr. |
| Eiler, a banker | spoken role | Johann Franz Hieronymus Brockmann |
| Buff, a buffo singer | bass | Joseph Weidmann |
| Monsieur Vogelsang, a singer | tenor | Valentin Adamberger |
| Madame Herz, a singer | soprano | Aloysia Weber |
| Mademoiselle Silberklang, a singer | soprano | Caterina Cavalieri |
| Herz, an actor | spoken role | Joseph Lange |
| Madame Pfeil, an actress | spoken role | Anna Maria Stephanie |
| Madame Krone, an actress | spoken role | Johanna Sacco |
| Madame Vogelsang, an actress | spoken role | Maria Anna Adamberger |
Synopsis
- Vienna
- Time: 1786
Frank, the impresario (along with the buffo singer, Buff, who assists him) audition two actresses to be part of his new theatrical company. While both are hired, they then argue over who will get the prime role and who will be paid the most. To illustrate their strengths, each sings a striking aria to back her claim (Herz: "Da schlägt die Abschiedsstunde", Silberklang: "Bester Jüngling"). An agreement is reached when the tenor, Vogelsang, intervenes, in what Rushton describes as a hilarious trio, Ich bin die erste Sängerin ("I am the prima donna") compromise is agreed to with each receiving "large salaries and star billing". The work ended with the quartet "Jeder Künstler strebt nach Ehre" (Every artist strives for glory).
Opus/Catalogue Number：K.486
Duration: 0:25:00 ( Average )
Genre ：Opera / Comic Opera
