Search - Ralph Benatzky, Paris Conservatory Concert Society Orchestra, Geneviève Roblot :: Benatzky: L'Auberge du Cheval blanc

A Musical Work That's Easy To Love

Timothy Kearney | Hull, MA United States | 10/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

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I purchased L'AUBERGE DU CHEVAL BLANC (the French version of the German operetta IM WIESSEN ROSSL/WHITE HORSE INN). on a whim. I'd heard a few excerpts, thought the work could be interesting, and purchased it. After listening to it, I became hooked. It is a classic German operetta as far as style and plot are concerned, but it has a variety of original melodies, great solo, duet, and ensembles pieces and a sophisticated orchestral score. While it is clearly a work similar to that of Lehar, Kalman, and Straus, it's also highly original. Familiar themes can be found throughout the work, but at certain moments the music varies from yodeling (the work is set in the Alps) to cabaret style songs. When the operetta was staged in 1930, it was an instant success in Germany and was later staged in Paris, London, and New York with moderate success. It soon fell from favor. Nazi Germany saw it as too frivolous and Benatzky's religious background was uncertain which made his works suspicious. From time to time the work is staged outside of Germany, but when one hears the great music, it's a bit puzzling the work is not more popular.



The story centers around Leopold, the head waiter at a hotel set in Tyrolean territory, who is in love with the hotel's owner Josepha. Josepha resists Leopold fearing any man who loves her only wants her money. She's also in love with another guest. In a comedy of errors, various guests fall in love and as the story ends, it's all happily ever after. Three couples end up getting married, including Leopold and Josepha.



The strongest performance of this set would be that of the orchestra and chorus of France's Orchestre de la Societe des Concerts du Conservatoire under the baton of Felix Nuvolene and the chorus directed by Rene Duclos. Since the orchestral and ensemble pieces are plentiful throughout the work, this is essential. The role of Leopold, performed by French actor/singer Bourvil, sounds like he'd be at home in an MGM musical (the first time I heard the recording, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS and GIGI came to mind), and while he does not have the operatic voice associated with operetta, it fits well. The cast seems well suited for their roles: Andrine Forli as innkeeper Josepha, a Michael Dens, a veteran of other EMI operetta recordings and Janine Ervil are a good pairing as the lovebirds Flores and Slvabelle.



Just one note: This work is packaged for French audiences. This seems logical since it is German in origin. It does not contain a libretto, there is a good amount of spoken dialogue, and the liner notes are in French without translations in English. Fortunately a good number of college light opera companies have performed the work and there are interesting articles on Ralph Benatzky on the internet.

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