Die Großherzogin von Gerolstein

Operetta by Jacques Offenbach | libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy | in German with German surtitles

Duration: 3 hours | 1 intermission | ages 15 and up

War with the neighboring state as a diversionary maneuver by an egocentric Grand Duchess with a permanent crush? Not a good idea! Apart from the fact that war can never be a solution, it even leads the Grand Duchess of Gerolstein to arbitrarily promote or assassinate people. The current object of her desire: soldier Fritz, whom she unceremoniously appoints General. But all he really wants is to marry his Wanda. The actual General Bumm, who is stalking Wanda, and Prince Paul, who wants to win the Grand Duchess's heart, are also unhappy with the situation. When Fritz asks the Grand Duchess for her blessing for the marriage to Wanda, murderous desires arise in her, in which General Bumm and Prince Paul are only too happy to take part.

What at first glance may seem like a dangerous glorification of war and a trivialization of the abuse of power and assault, appears at second glance to be a witty satire with lively melodies in Jacques Offenbach's characteristically clever style. It was already celebrated as such at its premiere in Paris in 1867, and as such it is worth confronting the war and fascist tendencies today precisely because of its topicality. Never again is still now!