- Die schöne Galathee
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Operas by Franz von Suppé 
Die schöne Galathee (1865)
Leichte Kavallerie (1866)
Boccaccio (1879)Die schöne Galathee (The Beautiful Galatea) is an operetta in two acts by Franz von Suppé to a German libretto by the composer and 'Poly Henrion' (the pseudonym of L Kohl von Kohlenegg).
In the early 1860s, French operettas by Jacques Offenbach were first presented in Vienna. Franz von Suppé was obliged to compete with them by taking the time-honored traditions of Vienna and combining it with the new style of Offenbach. Die schöne Galathee was Franz von Suppé's first critical success.
Contents
Performance history
The first performance was at Meysels-Theater in Berlin on 30 June 1863, with Anna Grobecker of the Vienna Carltheater as a guest star singing the role of Ganymed. It was given in London at the Opera Comique, on 6 November 1871, and in New York at the Stadt Theater on 6 September 1867.
Roles and role creators
- Galathee (Galatea) (soprano) Ämilie Kraft
- Ganymed (Ganymede) (mezzo-soprano) Anna Grobecker
- Mydas (Midas) (baritone) Karl Treumann
- Pygmalion (tenor) Telek
Synopsis
The sculptor Pygmalion has fallen madly in love with his statue of Galathee. Therefore he does not want to sell the statue to a patron of the arts, Mydas, and prays to Venus, the goddess of the love, to breathe life into the statue. His wish is granted and Galatea comes to life. However, Galatea turns out to be a very independent-minded creature. She is unfaithful to Pygmalion with his servant Ganymed (because he is much more pleasing to her than Pygmalion) and does not reject Midas, who offers her jewelry. When Pygmalion catches Galathee in a compromising situation, he implores Venus to turn her back into stone. The jewelry offered by Midas is also turned to stone, but the whole statue is sold to him.
References
- Lamb, Andrew (1992), 'Schone Galathee, Die' in The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, ed. Stanley Sadie (London) ISBN 0-333-73432-7
External links
Categories:- German-language operettas
- Operas by Franz von Suppé
- 1865 operas
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