When Joseph Beers (1908–1987) was premiered “Polish Wedding” at the Zurich Opera House in 1937, she could have meant the breakthrough for him. The work was cheered in Zurich and shown on 40 stages in eight languages in the following year. But for the Jews Beer living in Vienna, the Nazis stroked his name from all theater programs in 1938, the composer fled to Paris, then to Nice, where he stayed until his death. His family died in the concentration camp. He lived withdrawn from the outside world with his wife and the two daughters and prohibited that his operettas were listed.
Only slowly is the work of the composer, which is also forgotten in specialist circles. Now the Pramtal summer operetta also dares to Beer: From June 13th to 29th June will be listed at Zell Castle at the “Polish wedding” Pram. Intendant Harald Wurmsdobler, who will also be seen on stage again, is convinced that the piece will find his audience: “Beer understood to integrate modern sounds like swing or jazz into his music. Perhaps a European musical could have developed from this style if the Nazis had not prevented it.” The director is convinced that not only the classics should be heard at the Pramtal summer operetta: “We also want to play pieces that not everyone knows.” The audience seems to trust Wurmsdobler and his team: The pre -sale has been going even better than in the previous year when Kalman’s “Csardasian Princess” was played.
“People will be surprised”
The focus of the operetta is the Polish freedom fighter Boleslav, who returns home to start his inheritance and to marry his childhood sweetheart Jadja. But she is supposed to engage against her will with Boleslav’s uncle. He threatens to reveal the nephew to the police if he insists on the wedding. Everything seems sealed, but the count did not expect the resourceful estate administrator … Director Manuela Kloibmüller fell in love from the spot in the operetta: “She manages to take up difficult topics such as flight or generation conflicts with humor and irony.” Kloibmüller will also make the composer Joseph Beer perform.
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Image: Herbert Schorn
Source: Nachrichten
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
