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
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, 11 October 1912 |
| Pali Rácz, a Gypsy violinist and orchestra leader | tenor | Alexander Girardi |
| Laczi, Pali's son | tenor | Willy Strehl |
| Sári, Pali's daughter | soprano | Grete Holm |
| Juliska Racz, Pali's niece | soprano | |
| Gaston, Count Irini | baritone | Max Brod |
| King Heribert VII, disguised as Count Estragon | baritone | Josef 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
- Metternich, Katona, Jurgens, Losch, Daue, Hofmann - WDR - Marszalek - 1949 or 1960’s
- Thompson, Meacham, Lengfelder - Ohio Light Opera - McMahon - 2001.
- Rossmanith, Lienbacher, Saccá, Bankl-Flor-CPO 058-2-2003
Radio adaptation