The Merry Nibelungs

Sobre o Evento

Oscar Straus' Nibelungs satire, directed by Robert Mayer, will be  performed this season at the Volksoper Vienna.

King Gunther von Burgund is afraid of the powerful Queen Brunhild vom Isarland. If he wins the match to which he has challenged her, then the wedding will soon follow. However, until now Brunhild has simply killed most of the suitors. Only dragon‐slayer Siegfried has been able to conquer her. Gunther therefore asks Siegfried for assistance. Military affectation to impress and Germanic arrogance are the focus of Oscar Straus' Nibelungen satire, which premiered in Vienna in 1904.

The operetta had its world‐premiere on the 12th November 1904 at the Viennese Carltheater but was only celebrated until 1906 in Austria. Oscar Straus, who is remembered mainly for his operettas "The Chocolate Soldier" and "A Waltz Dream," wrote this little gem to poke fun at the Wagner craze and its pernicious effect on German culture. After only a few performances, it was shut down by the violent demonstrations of nationalists who were outraged by its irreverent satire on the god of German music. It was completely forgotten until this enterprising revival in the 1970s.

"The Merry Nibelungs" is a must for all operetta lovers — a great operetta by Oscar Straus' and his first one in this genre!