Composer

:

Jacques Offenbach

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Operetta

First Performance

:

1863

'Lischen et Fritzchen' is an opera composed by Jacques Offenbach, a German-born French composer, in 1863. The plot of the opera revolves around the love story of two young lovers, Lischen and Fritzchen, who are separated by their parents due to their social status. Lischen is the daughter of a wealthy merchant, while Fritzchen is a poor musician. Despite their differences, the two fall in love and plan to elope. However, their plans are foiled by their parents, who force them to marry other people. The opera premiered on December 10, 1863, at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens in Paris, France. It was a huge success and was performed over 100 times in the following years. The opera is composed of three acts and features a lively and humorous score, typical of Offenbach's style. The first act of the opera introduces the two main characters, Lischen and Fritzchen, and their families. Lischen's father is a wealthy merchant who wants his daughter to marry a wealthy man, while Fritzchen's father is a poor musician who wants his son to marry a woman of his own social status. Despite their parents' wishes, Lischen and Fritzchen fall in love and plan to elope. The second act of the opera takes place on the day of Lischen and Fritzchen's planned elopement. However, their plans are foiled by their parents, who catch them in the act. Lischen's father forces her to marry a wealthy man, while Fritzchen's father arranges for him to marry a woman of his own social status. The third act of the opera takes place several years later. Lischen and Fritzchen are both unhappily married to their respective spouses and long for each other. They eventually meet again and confess their love for each other. However, their reunion is short-lived, as their spouses catch them together and demand a duel. The opera ends with Lischen and Fritzchen's spouses reconciling and allowing them to be together. 'Lischen et Fritzchen' is characterized by its lively and humorous score, which features catchy melodies and witty lyrics. The opera also features Offenbach's signature use of satire and parody, as he pokes fun at the social conventions of his time. Overall, 'Lischen et Fritzchen' is a charming and entertaining opera that showcases Offenbach's talent for composing light-hearted and humorous works.

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