Search - Streich, Holm, Gedda :: Millocker: Der Bettel Student

Gold from the Golden age of operetta!

Brett Farrell | Cape May, NJ USA | 04/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This made Carl Millocker one of the Preeminent operetta composers of his age. he achieved considerable success with 'Die Dubarry' but Der Bettlestudent' brought him reknown. After Zell & Genee's succeful collaberation with Strauss on 'Die Lustige Krieg' Zell and Gendee had offered their new libretto to Strauss but he chose their libretto to 'Ein Nacht en Venedig' instead and Millocker got 'Der Bettlestudent'. It is oftened wondered why Strauss took the weaker libretto but today I'm glad he did. Who knows what may have become if Millocker wrote Venedig and Strauss Bettelstudent but since both are amoungst the most beautiful operetta's ever made I feel it's safe to presume fate intervened for the best.

The Story takes place in early 16th century Poland and involves the peoples unhappines over their saxon king and his rule. Again in the tradition of Austrian operetta, it isn't really Austrian if most of the pieces aren't at least marginally or mostly a waltz and 'Der Bettlestudent' does not fail on this count. It is another addicting operetta that ranks as so good that you hold most other pieces up to a standard after hearing it. Now don't take this as blasphamy but I like this operetta a little better than even some Strauss ones...But please listen and judge for yourselves.

For any operetta fan (not just Austrian) this one is esential to your collection."