Der Zigeunerprimas


Der Zigeunerprimas is a three-act operetta, which was composed by Emmerich Kálmán. The libretto was written by and Fritz Grünbaum. It premiered in Vienna, at the Johann Strauss Theatre, on 11 October 1912.
In 1929 it was adapted into a German silent film The Gypsy Chief directed by Carl Wilhelm.

Roles

RoleVoice typePremiere Cast, 11 October 1912
Pali Rácz, a Gypsy violinist and orchestra leadertenorAlexander Girardi
Laczi, Pali's sontenorWilly Strehl
Sári, Pali's daughtersopranoGrete Holm
Juliska Racz, Pali's niecesoprano
Gaston, Count IrinibaritoneMax Brod
King Heribert VII, disguised as Count EstragonbaritoneJosef Victora

Synopsis

Pali Rácz, a thrice-widowed Gypsy violinist, is adored by women and hailed widely as a virtuoso. His daughter Sari cares for their large family. His young son Laczi is also a violinist, but has chosen to forsake his father's playing style and study classical violin at the Academy of Music. Pali wants to marry his niece, Juliska, as a companion in his old age, but she prefers his son, Laczi, and Laczi, in turn, loves her. Pali criticizes Laczi's musical talent so much, and Laczi yearns so for Juliska, that he leaves home. Reunited in Paris, father and son reconcile after Countess Irini, an old admirer, convinces Pali not to interfere with the course of Laczi and Juliska's relationship. Irini's grandson marries Sari.

Recordings

Sari was presented on The Railroad Hour on 17 March 1952. Baritone Gordon MacRae and soprano Margaret Truman starred in the episode, which also featured Carmen Dragon's orchestra and Norman Luboff's chorus.