I. Kalman began to work on his, as it turned out later, the best operetta “Queen of the Chardash”, in anticipation of the war. It was April 1914, and in July the Austro-Serbian war began, which instantly grew into a world war.
Nevertheless, the composer completed his magnificent incendiary operetta, which we know as “Silva”. The premiere with extraordinary success was held in Vienna on 11/17/1915. The performance took place two thousand times and since then has been triumphantly marching around the world for more than a hundred years.
Operetta "Silva"
Characters:
- Silva Varescu - Orpheum star variety show in Budapest.
- Prince Edwin Ronald von Lippert-Weilersheim, a promising officer.
- His father, who is extremely proud of the purity of his aristocratic origin (lost in the darkness of four centuries), is very stupid.
- His mother has a "past."
- Countess Stacy is the charming bride of Prince Edwin.
- Count Boni Kancianu is a bonvivan, frivolous, charming, wealthy playboy.
- Feri von Kerekes - producer and patron of Silva, defending her under all circumstances.
- Kise is an old theater-goer who knows all the secrets of a cabaret.
Now that all the main characters are represented, you need to consider the work itself, known as the operetta “Silva”. Its contents are brought to the attention of the reader below.
In the cabaret "Orpheum"
There is a farewell performance by Silva before the tour. The hall is full. To the incendiary music, the star begins its release. Her song smoothly begins about the beauty of meadows and mountains and immediately turns into a violent warning (chardash) that if the daughter of this land falls in love, then this is the only one who will love her with all her heart.
The operetta "Silva", the contents of which we began to examine, immediately reveals the proud and along with it the gentle character of the main character, who knows how to deeply and strongly feel. She will give her heart to the one who is brave and direct. She means Prince Edwin, who is seriously carried away by Silva.
Behind the scenes
Behind the scenes is their frivolous fun, led by the joker Bonnie. He easily picks up the corps de ballet in the dance and sings the verses about the cabaret beauties, which are created only for entertainment. They are graceful, careless, they do not understand the love of torment. He cooks pleasure every day. But then Edwin appears, to whom Bonnie sends another telegram from his father. She urges Edwin to break up with Silva. Together they sadly and tenderly reason that one can often get carried away, but love only once. Silva does not believe that their union is possible - estate prejudices will destroy their love and hopes for happiness. Edwin, in spite of everything, is extremely determined.
So continues the operetta "Silva", the contents of which we expound. He does not want Silva to go on tour, and a notary is invited backstage. All artists are amazed to see that the prince writes an obligation to marry Silva in 8 weeks.
The joy is interrupted by the officer who brought the summons to Edwin. He is being transferred to another regiment, and he must immediately appear in the barracks. Edwin retreats bitterly. Bonnie appears and informs Silva of the announced engagement of Prince Edwin and Countess Stacy. Having received such a blow, Silva gives the order to immediately collect things on tour. The drama of the story told by the composer is growing. But the viewer expects the operetta Silva, the content of which he is listening, to end happily.
Edwin's engagement
Silva came to the big engagement ball in the magnificent mansion of the prince and princess von Lippert-Weylersheim, accompanied by Boni and Feri. Eight weeks have passed, she did not answer Edwin's telegrams, and he is free. But love torments her heart. Bonnie introduced Silva to Edwin's parents as his wife, that is, she is now the countess. The old prince is delighted with the charm that radiates the noble Silva. Edwin had not seen her yet. He dances with his bride and argues that marriage does not require love. They will live in a friendly union, and their successful marriage will become a topic for newspapers.
Silva and Edwin
Seeing Silva with Bonnie, Edwin just wants to destroy him - because he sincerely loves Silva, which she immediately informs. And she didn’t forget anything. There is an ardent declaration of mutual love, when they, interrupting each other, continually say: “Do you remember our dreams?”
They only had memories. This beautiful dream of love bewitches them again. Gorgeous tunes based on the chardash were created by
Imre Kalman. "Silva" conquers them.
Bonnie and Stacy
In the meantime, Bonnie is explaining to Stacy in love at first sight. Bonnie tells Stacy that his marriage is a trick, his wife is not really his wife. Love overtakes a person unexpectedly, and, except for Stacy, he cannot think of anyone. Their merry major explanation — light coquetry and play, dance and Stacy’s statement that she is not a meek lamb — all leads to betrothal. Edwin believes that Countess Silva will divorce her husband, and he has no obstacles to marriage with Countess Kanchianu. Happy Edwin runs away to tell everyone about the engagement break with Stacy and his marriage to the countess. Silva is killed - Edwin will not marry a variety show artist. She leaves the ball.
Variety show again
Prince von Lippert-Weylersheim arrives at the music hall, and he is informed by Kies that his wife was here in Orpheum with a star called the nightingale. In her youth, she was not anyone, but the queen of the Chardash. The prince is slain. He unconditionally agrees to the marriage of Silva and Edwin: one more songgirl in the family, one less. The handsome Stacy and Bonnie appear, who are formally engaged to the variety show, as well as Silva and Edwin. “Love has been given to them all by fate itself!” Two couples and their parents raise champagne glasses.
Operetta Silva: reviews
There are both positive and sharply negative reviews. Everyone wanted to plunge into the atmosphere of the beginning of the 20th century. Nobody liked the new contemporary look and experiments of the directors. Nevertheless, those who have seen traditional productions are simply delighted.