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Cover to Vocal ScoreThe Dancing Years

A musical play in 2 Acts, 13 scenes and a Masque. Devised, written and Composed by Ivor Novello; Lyrics by Christopher Hassall

Produced at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, 23 March, 1939 (187 perfs)
Revived Saville Theatre, 6 June, 1968 (52 perfs)

Synopsis

Gay Vienna, before the First World War; the perfect setting for rash, romantic promises. Composer Rudi Kleber, penniless and unknown, befriends the schoolgirl niece of his landlady, and vows to propose to no-one until she is old enough to have first refusal. Operetta star Maria Ziegler recognises his talent, sponsors his first success, and falls madly in love with him. But, foolishly idealistic, he keeps his word to the child until, three dancing years later, little Grete returns from finishing school, a highly attractive young lady. Maria overhears Rudi redeem his promise and, heartbroken, does not stay long enough to hear his profound relief at Grete's refusal. The dancing years come and go. Maria has married Prince Metterling, but when Rudi first meets her young son he has no doubt that the child is his own. The rising threat of Nazism is casting shadows as the story reaches its dramatic close.

 

For the Chorus

Several of the score's best-known melodies appear in full choral arrangements, and there is a long excerpt from Kleber's operetta Lorelei. Two mimes, Masques of Vienna, involve the general company as well as the dancers. The chorus appear as officers and their ladies, theatre-goers, theatre staff and members of the cast at the Theatre, guests of the period 1760s, members of a Tyrolean choir, restaurant diners, inn servants.

 

Singing Principals

Maria.
Cäcille, her mentor,
Grete.
Ceruti, of the Lorelei cast.

Straight Roles:

Hattie, a guest-house keeper,
Countess Lotte.
Rudi. Prince Charles Metterling.
Franzel, an officer,
Carl, Maria's young son.

Smaller Roles

Mesdames Pelotti and Sadun, singers.
Lilli, Elizabeth, Sonia, Wanda, Sari, Mitzi, Hilde and Emmy of the Vienna Theatre.
Kathie, a maid.
Signor Valdo, a singer.
A night-watchman.
Otto, a messenger boy.
Oscar, of Lochers restaurant.
Schani, a choirmaster
Goetzer and Poldi. Nazi officers.

(These roles are additional to the characters appearing in the masque mimes.)

The Scenes

ACT I - 1911

Scene 1. The Garden of an Inn outside Vienna
Scene 2. The Same
A Masque of Vienna (Part I)
Scene 3. Maria Ziegler's Drawing Room (A month later)
Scene 4. The Bare Stage of the Theater an der Wien (A week later)
Scene 5. The Corridor outside the Grand Tier Boxes at the Theater an der Wien
Scene 6. The Interior of the Theater an der Wien

THE FINAL SCENE OF LORELEI

The scene is a soiree given by the Countess BLAUVELDT STREMNITZ to celebrate the return to society of her daughter LORELEI who is recovering from an unfortunate love affair. She has given her promise to her mother not to see her lover from whom she has been parted during the previous Act.

Scene 7. Maria Ziegler's Apartment

ACT II

1914

Scene 1. The Chalet in the Tyrol
Scene 2. The Same (A week later)
A Masque of Vienna (Part II)
Scene 3. The Period Fete at Belvedere, Vienna

1927

A Masque of Vienna (Part III)
Scene 4. Locher's Restaurant
Scene 5. The Garden of the Inn

1938

Scene 6. A Room in a former Royal Palace in Vienna

Finale

A Masque of Vienna is intended to convey an impression of contemporary Viennese street life and has no connection with the main story.

 

Musical Numbers:

ACT I

  1. OVERTURE
  2. DAWN PRELUDE
  3. INCIDENTAL WALTZ
  4. ENSEMBLE (Officers and Girls) … "Uniform" … We've Got a Uniform
  5. ENSEMBLE (Officers and Girls) … "Waltz of My Heart" … The Lark is Singing on High
  6. SONG (Maria and Chorus) … "Waltz of My Hear" … Waltz of My Heart
  7. MELOS
  8. INCIDENTAL WALTZ
  9. A MASQUE OF VIENNA (Part I)
  10. DUET (Maria and Cacilie Kurt) … "The Wings of Sleep" … When Night is Dark and Deep
  11. DUET (Maria and Cacilie Kurt) … "The Wings of Sleep" … Soon As the Shades Are Falling
  12. SONG (Ceruti) … "My Life Belong to You" … When First We Met
  13. REPRISE (Ceruti, Maria and Ensemble) … "My Life Belongs to You" … My Life Belongs to You
  14. CONCERTED NUMBER (Countess, Ceruti, Lorelei and Chorus) … "Lorelei" … Three Cheers for a Lovely Party
  15. REPRISE (Ceruti) … "My Life Belongs to You"… My Life Belongs to You
  16. SONG (Maria) … "I Can Give You the Starlight" … When I Was Young

ACT II

  1. ENTR'ACTE
  2. SONG (Maria) … "My Dearest Dear" … My Dearest Dear
  3. CHORALE AND TYROLESE DANCE … Hail to the Light
  4. INCIDENTAL MUSIC
  5. SONG AND DANCE (Grete) … "Primrose" … Ev'ry Other Sunday Afternoon
  6. REPRISE … "My Dearest Dear"
  7. A MASQUE OF VIENNA (PART II)
  8. QUINTET (Pelotti, Sadun, Cacilie Kurt, Ceruti and Valdo) … "In Praise of Love" … Long Before the World Began
  9. THE LEAP YEAR WALTZ
  10. A MASQUE OF VIENNA (Part III)
  11. INCIDENTAL MUSIC
  12. REPRISE … Waltz from a Masque of Vienna (Part II)
  13. REPRISE (Maria) … "My Dearest Dear" … My Dearest Dear
  14. INCIDENTAL WALTZ .
  15. REPRISE (Maria) … "My Dearest Dear" … My Dearest Dear
  16. INCIDENTAL MUSIC
  17. FINALE


SUPPLEMENTARY NUMBERS

  1. CONCERTED NUMBER (Countess, Ceruti, Lorelei and Chorus) … "Lorelei" … Loud the Bells Will Ring
  2. SONG (Cacilie and Chorus) … "When it's Spring in Vienna" … The Winter's over

Orchestration

1st Violins A, B and C, 2nd Violins, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, 2 Flutes, Oboe, 2 Clarinets, 2 Horns, 2 Trumpets, Trombone*, Drums

Musical Directors are advised to borrow the Conductor's score before commencing rehearsals with the company.

* A few numbers are scored for 2nd Trombone, but this instrument is usually omitted