Eduard Künneke
The German composer Eduard Künneke was best known for his contributions to operetta and light classical music. His works were celebrated for their melodic richness, sophisticated orchestration, and the blending of classical and popular elements. Among his most famous works is "Der Vetter aus Dingsda" which became a significant success. The piece's memorable melodies and light-hearted story quickly made it a staple in the operetta repertoire.
Beyond operettas, Künneke also composed symphonic works, concertos, and film scores. His "Piano Concerto in B-flat minor" and "Tänzerische Suite" are particularly noteworthy for their blend of jazz influences with classical forms. Despite the changes in musical tastes over the decades, his operettas remain popular, continuing to be performed by opera companies worldwide.
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GLÜCKLICHE REISE
The operetta's libretto was written by Max Bertuch with lyrics by Kurt Schwabach. Its premiere was on November 23, 1932 at the Theater am Kurfürstendamm in Berlin.
The music is lively and brilliantly orchestrated, dominated by dance rhythms that were prevalent in the 1920s: Tango, Rumba, and Foxtrot. The introduction of the blues into the work also adds some jazzy echoes. The Kardosch singers were involved in both the film version and the premiere in Berlin.
Argentina - a lonely farm - Robert von Hartenau and Stephan Schwarzenberg can barely make a living from their farm. They are homesick for Germany and longing for women. Two German girls have responded to their newspaper ad and they are eager to write to them.
An old friend arrives with the mail boat. He offers them the opportunity to sign on as stewards and come to Germany. When they arrive in Germany, they meet the two letter writers in an adventurous way. Of course, not everything can go smoothly straight away, otherwise the operetta would already be over.
In short - Monika, a small employee of the Homann travel agency, has pretended to be a millionaire to Stephan and at the same time written to Robert under the name of her work colleague. Lona Vonderhoff, the name of this colleague, had no idea. The ensuing big row ends well. The two couples embark on a trip around the world that ends on a lonely farm in Argentina.
HERZ ÜBER BORD
In the years 1933 - 1935, Eduard Künneke was boycotted and his works were performed less frequently. During this time, the operetta "Herz über Bord" in 4 pictures, which was first performed on March 30, 1935 in Zurich ("world premiere") and then April 6 of the same year in Düsseldorf ("Reichspremiere").
The libretto is written by Max Bertuch, Kurt Schwabach and Eduard von der Becke.
The operetta is full of comedy, wit and joie de vivre - it is hard to understand why this operetta is rarely performed today. Currently only very successful at the Greifenstein Festival in the Erzgebirge.
Lilli is happily engaged to Albert and is already looking forward to the wedding. Then she learns that she is to inherit a lot of money. But before she inherits, she has to fulfill one condition: She has to marry her school friend Hans.
Hans and Lilli like each other very much. But she is already engaged to Albert. What's more, Hans already has a fiancée. Lilli is at a loss. What should she do? The two couples go on a cruise across the Mediterranean together. During the cruise, after much excitement, the decision is made and in the end there are two happy couples.