Der Kuhreigen

Der Kuhreigen (German: [dɛɐ̯ ˈkuːˌʁaɪɡn̩], "The Cow Round") is an opera or musical play in three acts by the Austrian composer Wilhelm Kienzl. The libretto, by Richard Batka, is after Rudolf Hans Bartsch's novel Die kleine Blanchefleur. It was first performed at the Volksoper in Vienna on 23 November 1911.

Wilhelm Kienzl

Roles
Role Voice type Premiere Cast, 23 November 1911
Conductor: Robert Heger
Blanchefleur soprano Maria Jeritza
Primus Thaller tenor Rudolf Ritter
Brayole tenor Manwald
Cleo mezzo-soprano Martinowska
Dursel bass Nicolaus Zeč
Kanzler bass Resti
The King bass Günther
Marquis de Chézy bass Walden
Marquis Massimelle bass Markowsky

Synopsis

Set in revolutionary France, this is the love story of the Swiss Sergeant Primus Thaller, condemned for singing the banned Swiss 'Kuhreigen' folksong, and Blanchefleur, wife of the Marquis Massimelle, who saves him and then herself becomes a victim of the revolution.

Recordings

Richard Tauber, who was a favourite of the composer, recorded the two main tenor arias twice for Odeon Records, firstly in April 1920 by the acoustic process, and again in September 1931 electrically. Both are now on CD.

Sources
    • Casaglia, Gherardo (2005)."Der Kuhreigen". L'Almanacco di Gherardo Casaglia (in Italian).
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