Beschrijving

Johann Strauß (1825-1899) is known as the Waltz King; his compositions still enjoy great popularity the world over. In 1864 he came to know Jacques Offenbach, who encouraged him to write operettas. Strauß himself preferred the term comic opera. On October 1, 1880, when the curtain first rose for Strauß’ seventh comic opera “Das Spitzentuch der Königin”, both audience and critics were surprised by the musical richness, tempo and wit reminiscent of Gioachino Rossini. Comic songs, influenced by Offenbach, revealed a totally new side of the Waltz King. Heinrich Bohrmann-Riegen and Richard Genée wrote the libretto of the amusing comedy of errors, set in the 16th century Portuguese Court. The music of this comic opera gained fame and popularity mainly because of the much-loved waltz “Roses from the South” (op. 388) based on the ballad “Where the wild Rose blooms”.