Walzerzauber

The genre operetta (literally meaning ‘small opera’) originated halfway through the 19th century, as an antidote to the ever-lengthening opéra comique, which by that time contained more and more tragic intrigues as well. In this charming work, three waltz melodies from different operettas come together. First, we hear ‘Lippen schweigen’ from Die lustige Witwe (The Merry Widow) by Franz Léhar (1870-1948). Then follows ‘Ja, das alles auf Ehr’ from Der Zigeunerbaron (The Gypsy Baron) by Johann Strauss the younger (1825-1899), after which ‘Tanzen möchte ich’ from Die Czardasfürstin by Emmerich Kálmán (1882-1953) closes the medley in a cheerful way. Franz Watz has skilfully connected the waltzes to become a magical whole.