Csárdásfürstin

Csárdásfürstin, also known as The Riviera Girl in English, is an operetta in three acts by Emmerich Kálmán. The libretto was written by Leo Stein and Béla Jenbach. The operetta premiered in Vienna at the Johann Strauss Theater on November 17, 1915. It was an immediate success and quickly became one of Kálmán's most popular works, performed extensively throughout Europe and beyond.

The plot centers on Sylva Varescu, a celebrated singer in a Budapest cabaret, and Edwin Ronald, Count Káncsián, a young nobleman who falls deeply in love with her. Edwin is engaged to be married to the Countess Stasi, a match arranged by his family. Sylva, known as the "Csárdásfürstin" (Princess of the Csárdás), is unaware of Edwin's engagement. The story unfolds with comedic misunderstandings, romantic entanglements, and societal expectations. The operetta features a lively score characteristic of Kálmán's style, blending Hungarian folk elements with waltz rhythms and catchy melodies.

Notable musical numbers include the famous duets "Tanzen möcht' ich" and "Komm, Zigan, komm," as well as Sylva's passionate aria "Heia, heia, in's hohe Lied." The operetta's themes explore the conflict between love and social duty, the allure of celebrity, and the clash between the bohemian artistic world and aristocratic society. Csárdásfürstin has been revived numerous times in various productions and has been adapted for film and television. Its enduring appeal lies in its charming story, memorable music, and engaging characters.