Der Schauspieldirektor

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”. is surrounded by much spoken dialogue, typical in its day. One highlight, which Erik Smith describes as very funny, is where “each lady sings about the nobility of her art while trying to defeat her rival with ever higher notes”. and thus the “audition” of Madame Herz includes her aria "" (“There tolls the hour of departure”), while Mme Silberklang sings the elegant rondo, "" (“Dearest Youth”).

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. The cast included Anthony Michaels-Moore, Brenda Rae, Meredith Arwady, and Erin Morley. The 1966 recording by the English Chamber Orchestra (conducted by André Previn), was performed with an English libretto penned by Previn’s then wife Dory Previn, who transplanted the amusing tale to the 20th century. Bronx Opera performed it in 1972, 2008, and in 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as a video version in Zoom format.

Synopsis#

:Place: Vienna :Time: 1786 Frank, the impresario (along with the buffo singer, Buff, who assists him) auditions 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: “”, Silberklang: “”). An agreement is reached when the tenor, Vogelsang, intervenes, in what Julian Rushton describes as a hilarious trio, "" (I am the prima donna) compromise is agreed to with each receiving “large salaries and star billing”. The work ended with the quartet "" (Every artist strives for glory).

External links#

• Der Schauspieldirektor: Mozart’s autograph manuscript in the Morgan Library & Museum
• Libretto, critical editions, diplomatic editions, source evaluation (German only), links to online DME recordings; Digital Mozart Edition
• “Der Schauspieldirektor”, work details, Köchel-Verzeichnis, International Mozarteum Foundation
• Synopsis from Stanford University
• Extensive list of recordings (1938–2006) and some audio, Mozarteum’s digital Neue Mozart-Ausgabe
• , Judith Howarth; Colin Davis conducting (1991)
• , Yvonne Kenny; Colin Davis conducting (1991)
• , Kenny, Howarth, Barry Banks; Colin Davis conducting (1991)
• , Kenny, Howarth, Banks, Matthew Best; Colin Davis conducting (1991)