Composer

:

Carl Zeller

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Operetta

Compose Date

:

1891

Average_duration

:

71:23

"Der Vogelhändler" is a comic opera in three acts composed by Carl Zeller. The opera was first performed on January 10, 1891, at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna, Austria. The libretto was written by Moritz West and Ludwig Held, and the story is set in the 18th century in a small German town. The plot revolves around the love story of the bird seller, Adam, and the Countess, Adelaide. Adam is a charming and witty young man who is in love with the Countess, but she is engaged to the pompous Baron Weps. Adam is determined to win her heart and decides to disguise himself as a French Marquis to impress her. However, his plan backfires when the Baron also disguises himself as a Frenchman, and chaos ensues. The first act opens with Adam singing a catchy tune about his love for the Countess. He is interrupted by the arrival of the Baron, who is also in love with Adelaide. The two men engage in a hilarious duet, each trying to outdo the other in their attempts to win her heart. Meanwhile, the Countess is torn between her duty to marry the Baron and her growing feelings for Adam. In the second act, Adam disguises himself as the French Marquis and manages to charm the Countess with his wit and charm. However, the Baron also arrives in disguise, and the two men engage in a comical battle of wits to win the Countess's affections. The act ends with a lively ensemble number, as the townspeople gather to celebrate the upcoming wedding of the Countess and the Baron. The final act sees Adam's true identity revealed, and the Countess finally confesses her love for him. The Baron is left humiliated, but the townspeople forgive him, and the opera ends with a joyful ensemble number. "Der Vogelhändler" is known for its catchy tunes, witty dialogue, and lively ensemble numbers. The opera is a classic example of the Viennese operetta tradition, with its light-hearted plot, colorful characters, and romantic themes. It remains a popular work in the operatic repertoire and is regularly performed in theaters around the world.

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