Composer

:

Leo Fall

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Operetta

Compose Date

:

1909

Die Geschiedene Frau (The Divorced Woman) is an opera in three acts composed by Leo Fall. The libretto was written by Victor Léon and Leo Stein. The opera premiered on December 12, 1908, at the Carltheater in Vienna, Austria. The plot of the opera revolves around the character of Baroness Vera von Holzhausen, who is seeking a divorce from her husband, Baron Holzhausen. She is in love with a young artist named Paul von Henk, who is also in love with her. However, Vera's husband refuses to grant her a divorce, and she is forced to take legal action to end her marriage. The first act of the opera takes place in Vera's home, where she is entertaining her friends and family. She confides in her cousin, Countess Hohenberg, about her desire for a divorce. The Countess advises her to be patient and wait for her husband to come around. Meanwhile, Paul arrives at the party and declares his love for Vera. She reciprocates his feelings, and they plan to run away together. In the second act, Vera and Paul are staying at a hotel in Paris. They are happy together, but Vera is still worried about her divorce. She receives a letter from her husband, who has agreed to grant her a divorce on the condition that she gives up custody of their children. Vera is torn between her love for Paul and her duty as a mother. The final act takes place in the courtroom, where Vera is fighting for custody of her children. Her husband's lawyer tries to paint her as an unfit mother, but Vera's friends and family come to her defense. In the end, the judge grants her custody of her children, and she is free to marry Paul. The music of Die Geschiedene Frau is characterized by its light and playful melodies, which reflect the opera's comedic elements. The opera also features several romantic duets between Vera and Paul, as well as a number of ensemble pieces that showcase the talents of the entire cast. Overall, Die Geschiedene Frau is a charming and entertaining opera that explores themes of love, marriage, and family. Its premiere in 1908 was a great success, and it remains a popular work in the operatic repertoire to this day.

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