Strauss, Johann
Der Carneval in Rom (1872-73)
Operetta in three acts
Libretto by Josef Braun; new version by Werner Kelch with musical arrangement by Fred Walter (G)
Scoring
S,S(M),buffoT,highBar,buffoB; chorus;
2.2.2.2-4.2.3.0-timp.perc-harp-strings;
On-stage: 1(2)cl-2hn.2tpt.3trbn-perc:cyms/BD.
Abbreviations (PDF).
Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.
World Premiere
3/1/1873
Theater an der Wien, Vienna
Company: Unknown
World premiere of version
12/4/1976
Gelsenkirchen
Company: Unknown
Roles
| MARIE, a country girl | Soprano / Mezzo Soprano |
| ARTHUR BRYK, artist | Tenor |
| COUNTESS FALCONI | Coloratura Soubrette Soprano |
| EARL FALCONI | High Baritone / Buffo Tenor |
| Arthur's friends, the artists: ROBERT HESSE | Buffo Tenor |
| BENVENUTO | Buffo Bass |
| Minor characters: DONNA SEFRONIA, abbess of a ladies' convent | Contralto |
| THERESE | Soprano |
| FRANZ and TONI | Tenors |
| SEPP and MARTIN, inn-keeper and coachman | 2 Tenors |
| Artist's models, young pretty girls | Sopranos, Contraltos |
Time and Place
The Tyrol and Rome before 1870
Synopsis
Marie mourns for Arthur, her lover, who departed to Rome a long time ago in order to paint there. Since he left she has heard nothing from him. Two German artists, Robert and Benvenuto, stop off in the little border town. They, too, are on their way to Rome. It turns out that Benvenuto knows Arthur as they studied together in Vienna, and when, on the same day, Marie finds an occasion to join the party of Earl Falconi, nothing can keep them back. On their arrival in Rome, she dresses up as a young man and seeks Arthur. When she finds him, he is in the act of courting Countess Falconi and does not recognize her. Marie has a plan how to teach the unfaithful man a lesson. Marie turns ‘Piccolini’ and is employed with Arthur as a journeyman and assistant. As he trusts her, she manages to thwart or to disturb one rendezvous after another between Arthur and the countess. Until her disguise becomes her undoing, for the earl suspects her of courting his wife…
