Countess Maritza

Emmerich Kalman

Operetta

Countess Mariza is one of the most beloved operettas in the repertoire. A tale of mistaken identities, love and despair, white lies and a lot of bubbling Hungarian melodies. The operetta wizards from Budapest return to Israel with a production full of pure operetta delights.

Libretto: Julius Brammer and Alfred Grunwald

Cast:

Solo dancers: Gallai Zsolt, Ottlik M. Laura, Sik Milan, Szalai Emese

Children: Libi Aahavan, Rotem Aluf, Arik Diachenko, Amalia Manor, Itamar Menashe, Yonatan Mentel
Choir of the Budapest Operetta and Musical Theatre
Chorus Master: Péter Drucker
Ballet of the Budapest Operetta and Musical Theatre
Ballet Drector: Johanna Bodor
Orchestra of the Budapest Operetta and Musical Theatre
Assistant Choreographer: Zsolt Lendvai

Sung in Hungarian
English and Hebrew Subtitles

Duration: Two hours and 45 minutes

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Countess Maritza

Act One
A young nobleman, Count Tasziló Endrődy-Wittenberg is left penniless after he and his late father have squandered the family fortune. In order to make a living and provide for Lisa, his beloved little sister, he goes incognito and finds employment as a humble bailiff at the Decsényi estate.
The story itself begins when Tasziló receives a visitor: his old friend, István Liebenberg. He is followed by the lady of the Decsényi estate, the Countess Maritza. The inhabitants of her estate greet her with joy, as does Prince Dragomir Populescu, Maritza’s aging neighbour who is completely infatuated with her. Maritza is accompanied by a friend she made during her travels, Lisa, Tasziló’s sister.
Maritza tells her confidantes that she has returned home because she is disappointed in love and tired of the fortune hunters who court her continually. In order to discourage future suitors, she puts an ad in the local newspaper announcing her engagement to the non-existent Baron Zsupán Kolomán.
When Maritza first encounters her bailiff, she is dismissive and impolite towards him. Tasziló comes up with a prank to avenge himself: he convinces István to impersonate the non-existent Baron. Soon, Zsupán Kolomán indeed appears, a caricature of old-school fiery Hungarian nobility, and demands that his fiancé, Maritza make good on her promise.
Maritza holds a party to celebrate her "engagement", and sends a single glass of champagne to her bailiff. Tasziló, who is used to being a noble guest in such occasions, is left outside. The Countess happens to hear him, and orders him to keep singing, yet he proudly refuses. Maritza promptly fires him.
Manja, the local Romani fortune-teller, predicts that in a month Maritza will find true love. Dragomir and all the guests leave to continue the evening’s festivities at the Cabaret Tabarin. Maritza decides not to fire Tasziló after all, and the two resolve to be friends.

Act Two
Almost a month has passed, and Maritza lives in relative seclusion, hoping to resist Manja’s prophecy: if she meets no new men in that month, she can avoid falling in love. Dragomir hopes that the prophecy was about him, and holds yet another party for Maritza. In the meantime, Lisa has fallen for Zsupán/István, and he reciprocates her feelings.
Maritza and Tasziló discuss the administration of the estate, and slowly develop feelings for one another. However, Tasziló is concerned that if he reveals his real identity, she will reject him for being a liar, or worse, suspect him of being yet another fortune hunter. István reveals his true identity to Lisa who of course forgives him.
Tasziló decides to leave, writing a letter to Lisa, however, Dragomir intercepts the letter, and shows it to Maritza. They both misunderstand, and assume that Tasziló is a selfish fortune hunter, who is actually Lisa’s lover. She publicly rejects and humiliates him, until Lisa appears and reveals that she is Tasziló’s sister, clearing up the misunderstanding.
Since her bailiff is leaving anyway, Maritza convinces István and Dragomir to help her with the work on the estate. Tasziló says his goodbyes, asks for a reference, and he and Maritza part coldly.
A brand new visitor arrives: Lady Bozena, Tasziló’s eccentric aunt, and she promises to return his wealth and his estates to him if he settles down and gets married. Bozena reunites with Dragomir, her former lover, and she recruits his help in stopping Tasziló from leaving. Tasziló returns and Maritza writes him the reference he asked for – a love letter. The lovers are reunited, and the prophecy has come true – the story ends with a double engagement - Maritza and Tasziló and István and Lisa.

Back Stage Secrets at the Opera
Many Opportunities to Widen your Opera Experience

Do you want to know more about the opera you are about to attend? Do you want to find out some back stage secrets? Do you want to meet the artists after the performance? The Israeli Opera enables you to widen your opera experience with a variety of pre performance and post-performance events.

Towards Opening
On Saturday morning before the premiere, the creators of the production and several of the soloists gather to discuss the opera, the production, their own career and today’s opera world. This is a unique opportunity to learn as much as possible about the production and meet the director, conductor, designers and some of the participating soloists. Musical excerpts from the opera illustrate the discussion. Towards Opening takes place before some of each season’s productions.

Pre Performance Lecture
One hour before each opera performance there is a 30-minute introductory lecture in the auditorium (in Hebrew). Opera staffers present the opera and the production and enable the audience to get some extra information a short time before attending the performances. Admission is free for ticket holders.

Pre Performance Back Stage Tours
What happens backstage before the audience even thinks of getting dressed for the performance? What do the singers do? The conductor? The Technical teams? How does everyone prepare for the performance? A unique opportunity to taste a little bit of the back stage excitement before the curtain ascends/ A concerted half hour tour in places that are not usually open to the general public. Tours begin 90 minute before the performance begins and last 30 minutes. Tickets are 25NIS and can be booked in advance (tickets for each tour are limited). Tours take place on several evenings in each production. Details can be found at the Israeli opera’s website. Tours from groups both in Hebrew and in English can be booked in advance (sarah@tapac.org.il)

Opera Talkback
The curtain has just descended on the final scene of the opera. The hour is late. Nut the experience was riveting. This is the time to meet several of the performers. Come to listen and to speak. Ask questions. Meet the artists. A once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the artists who have just excited you on the stage. Opera Talkbacks takes place on the second level of the Opera House foyer and last around 30 minutes. Admission free. Opera Talkback takes place on several evenings in each production. Details can be found at the Israeli opera’s website.