Der Schauspieldirektor ("The Impresario”) was composed in the spring of 1786 to
fulfill a commission from Joseph II for performance during a visit to Vienna by
the Governor-General of the Netherlands. The visitors were meant to be
entertained with a short German and an Italian musical comedy during a festival
arranged on short notice in Schönbrunn Palace. The choice of composers fell to
Mozart and Salieri. Both pieces spoofed the theatrical practices of the day. Der
Schauspieldirektor, by Gottlieb Stephanie the Younger, has a loosely-constructed
plot that hinges on the vanity of opera singers and the empty-headedness of many
traveling companies. Frank Lustig wants to create a new theatrical troupe, for
which Herr Eiler is willing to supply money, but only on condition that his lady
friend is allowed to join. In the course of the piece, appearances are made by
other ladies with resonant names who want to be retained as singers and who
attempt to outdo each other until reason is allowed to prevail.
(
Ver Extracto ♫ )
Year of release: 1786
Scoring: Soli SSTB, 2 Fl, 2 Ob, 2 Clt,2 Fg, 2 Cor, 2 Ctr, Timp, 2 Vl, Va, Vc, Cb
Language: German
Duration: 28 min
pages: 88
