THE STUDENT PRINCE Book & Lyrics by Dorothy Donnelly Music by Sigmund Romberg Based on the play Old Heidelberg by Rudolf Bleichman. Jolson Theatre, Broadway - 2 December, 1924 (608 perfs) His Majesty's Theatre, London - 3 February (96 perfs) SYNOPSIS The Student Prince sings its way serenly down the years as the show that epitomises pure romance. The Prince, Karl Franz, is sent to University at Heidelberg to finish his studies. There, among fruit blossom and fellow students, he meets and falls deliriously in love with the daughter of the innkeeper, Kathie. This is one of the shows that lasts, and will go on lasting, as long as there are voices to sing songs like "Gaudeamus"; "Deep In My Heart" or the well-loved "Drinking Song". STORY Prologue Prince Karl Franz is heir to the (fictitious) German kingdom of Karlsberg. He has grown up fatherless, under rather gloomy military conditions of castle life. He has been educated by tutors, in particular, kindly Doctor Engel, who has taught him the songs of his alma mater, the venerable University of Heidelberg. Karl Franz has been promised in marriage, since childhood, to the Princess Margaret (Johanna in some versions), but he has never met her. His grandfather, King Ferdinand, sends him to the University incognito, to live as an ordinary student, and improve his social skills. Karl Franz sets off under the watchful eye of Doctor Engel, accompanied by his snooty valet Lutz, who has his own assistant, Hubert. Act I At Heidelberg, Herr Ruder keeps the rustic Inn of Three Gold Apples. His beautiful niece Kathie waits tables in the inn's beer-garden. The inn is very popular with the students, who come there to drink and sing ("Drink! Drink! Drink!", "To the Inn We're Marching"). Karl Franz, the finicky Lutz and Hubert arrive for the spring term and take rooms at the Three Gold Apples, to the delight of Engel and the disgust of Lutz. He falls in love, almost at first sight, with Kathie, who returns his affection. But he is a royal heir, and she is a commoner.Student Prince - Vocal Score Karl Franz also makes friends with three students, Detlef, Lucas and von Asterberg, and shares the camaraderie of student life, with nights of enthusiastic drinking and singing. He joins their student corps. Act II As the term passes, Karl Franz and his friends continue to enjoy student life. By the end of the term, Karl Franz and Kathie are deeply in love. But then Karl Franz receives a surprise visit from Princess Margaret and her mother. They bring news that the king is ill and commands the prince to return home for the ceremony of betrothal to the princess. After they leave, Karl Franz and Kathie consider eloping to Paris. But Doctor Engel and Count Von Mark (the prime minister of Karlsberg) remind the prince of his duty to his kingdom. Karl Franz reluctantly agrees to obey the king's command. He promises Kathie that he will return soon. He takes leave of his friends, and the students salute the University. Act III Back in Karlsberg, two years pass, with Karl Franz unable to return to Heidelberg. His grandfather has died, and Karl Franz is now King. His life is bound up in court ceremony. Princess Margaret has also had a secret
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