Composer

:

Franz Lehár

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Operetta

First Performance

:

1929

Average_duration

:

83:05

Movement_count

:

22

Movement ....

The Land of Smiles is an operetta composed by Franz Lehár, with a libretto by Ludwig Herzer and Fritz Löhner-Beda. The operetta premiered on October 10, 1929, at the Metropol Theater in Berlin, Germany. The plot of The Land of Smiles revolves around the love story of Prince Sou-Chong of China and Lisa, a Viennese woman. The two fall in love while Sou-Chong is studying in Vienna, but their relationship is complicated by cultural differences and the disapproval of Sou-Chong's family. When Sou-Chong is called back to China, he promises to return for Lisa, but she is unsure if he will keep his promise. Eventually, Lisa travels to China to be with Sou-Chong, but their happiness is short-lived as she realizes she cannot fully adapt to his culture. The operetta ends tragically with Sou-Chong sacrificing his love for Lisa's happiness. The Land of Smiles is known for its beautiful melodies, including the famous aria "Dein ist mein ganzes Herz" ("Yours is my heart alone"). The music is characterized by its use of Chinese and Viennese themes, blending the two cultures together in a unique way. The operetta also features elaborate dance sequences and colorful costumes, adding to its visual appeal. The Land of Smiles was a huge success upon its premiere and has since become one of Lehár's most popular works. It has been performed in numerous productions around the world and has been adapted for film and television. The operetta's enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless themes of love, cultural differences, and sacrifice.

More....