Paganini
Music by Franz Lehár, adaptation by A. P. Herbert and Harry Dexter.
New Professional Version by David Kram and Dennis Olsen
Synopsis
The first Lehár operetta written for Richard Tauber's voice, and thus the beginning of a unique composer/artist partnership that produced six of Lehár's finest works. Set in Italy in 1806, the story tells of the legendary violinist's romance with the sister of Napoleon. Yet another wonderful Lehár score, including the delightful "Girls Were Made To Love And Kiss". Plenty of chorus work, and many small parts, both male and female.
Story
Act I
Paganini, accompanied by his impresario, Bartucci, visits the small Principality of Lucca, whereupon the townspeople are given a chance to hear his diabolically tempting violin playing. The opinions of the villagers are divided regarding this "musical sorcerer" on the violin. The women are all hypnotised by his playing. The men, however, are quite sceptical, wishing he'd go to the devil.
The exalted town mayor, Pimpinelli, orders a meal for the Hunting Society
and her royal highness, Anna, in the village tavern. Pimpinelli turns
up his nose at the thought of the Princess having chosen an ordinary public
house to dine.
Napoleon's sister, who can afford anything she desires, hears Paganini's
playing from a distance and is immediately enraptured. Paganini appears,
graciously throwing coins to the townspeople and praising his native country.
The Princess, who was first intoxicated by Paganini's violin playing is
now captured by the artist's charm. No sooner as the way seems clear for
Paganini, Impresario Bartucci excitedly proclaims that the Prince has
issued orders forbidding Paganini's Lucca concert. Paganini is so vexed
by this irrational decision that he begins packing his suitcase.
Pimpinelli encounters the beautiful Bella Giretti, prima donna of the Royal Opera House. She is currently the Prince's mistress but she is always ready to flirt with a suitable admirer. A second meeting between Anna Elisa and Paganini is interrupted by several passers-by.
Prince Felice arrives with his huntsmen but an argument develops between the royal couple over Paganini's cancelled concert. The sly Anna Elisa threaten to announce publicly the affair between the Prince and Bella if he refuses to allow Paganini's concert to go ahead. The Prince is left with no other choice than to lift the ban.
Act II
In the ensuing six months, Paganini has been appointed court conductor
and musical director of Lucca's opera. The artists have got together to
play a card game call chances. Overcome by his passion for playing cards,
Paganini gambles away his priceless Stradivarius. The winner, Pimpinelli,
promises to return to him the violin if Paganini will confide his secret
to conquering women. When given the advice Pimpinelli becomes ambitious
in hoping to reach his goals with this successful recipe. Meanwhile Paganini
has compose a love song for his sweetheart, Anna Elisa.
No woman is safe in Pimpinelli's presence and he yet again tries his luck
with the lovely Bella - but without success.
The court gossip flowers - rumours concerning the Princess' affair have
even spread a far as Paris. Her brother Napoleon is enraged and dispatches
Graf Hedouville to Lucca with the king's orders: Paganini is to leave
town immediately! In a rage the Princess demands that these orders are
nullified - she refuses to be separated from her lover.
In spite of his indisputable love for Anna Elisa, Paganini still has eyes
for other women, for example, Bella. Unsuspectingly he succumbs to her
charms and dedicates to her the love song originally composed for Anna
Elisa. Bella triumphs!
As the Princess is about to command the prima donna to leave the court,
Bella shows her Paganini's love song. Anna Elisa swears vengeance and
orders Graf Hedouville to place Paganini under arrest - during the concert
- which is just beginning.
The entire court is full of suspense and surround Pimpinelli, thinking
he can shed a little light on what is going on.
Paganini is warned by Bella but ignores her words. He begins playing with
such a passion that Anna Elisa forgets her anger and falls in love again.
She pledges her love to him before the entire court and leaves the hall
with him.
Act III
The setting is the smuggler's tavern - The Rust Hobnail - where the smugglers
gamble and drink their time and money away. A knock at the door is heard:
Pimpinelli and Bella ask for lodging for the night. At the same time,
another unexpected guest appears - Paganini! He is to be smuggled across
the border by the gang at midnight. Suddenly, the impresario Bartucci
appears. Paganini reassures him that his one and only love is his violin.
He remains steadfast as Bella again tries to delude him. If she can't
win her famous violinist, she'll have to settle for Pimpinelli - better
the Mayor than no man at all!
The Princess, disguised as a street singer, has followed Paganini.
She starts a frivolous song but Paganini immediately recognises her
voice. He takes his leave of her, however, assuring her that "No
other woman stand between us, but I must, nevertheless, go alone because
I must remain alone."
Principals:
3 female, 8 male
Anna Elisa - soprano
Paganini - tenor
Bella - soprano
Pimpinelli - tenor
Felice - tenor
Bartucci - speaking role
Instrumentation:
flute, oboe, 2 clarinets, bassoon, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, percussion, harp, strings. Professional Version: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, 2 mandolins, percussion, celeste, harp, strings, solo violin
Amateur Libretto available on hire only