COUNTESS MARITZA Operetta in three acts by Imre Kalman

Libretto by Julius BramerAN KOZHUKHAROV
Production version and direction - MARIO NIKOLOV
Set design - IVAN TOKADZHIIEV
Costume Designer - Chavdar Chomakov
Choir Conductor  - NEVENA MIHAYLOVA
Choreography - GALINA KALCHEVA
Concertmaster - JORDAN KOVACHEV
Assistant Director - GLAVANAKOVA-BAKARDZHIEVA
Souffleur - DORA FURTUNOVA

and Alfred Grunwald

Conductor-director - IV

First action

            The estate of Countess Maritza in Hungary. The Countess has long since resided permanently in her provincial home, and hired a man named Bela Tjörk, whom she had never seen, to manage her farm. The Count works at Maritza using the name of the former owner of their own family estate. He is forced to work to raise money for his younger sister Lisa's dowry. He asked his friend, Baron Carl Stefan Liebenberg, to sell off all his possessions and valuables, and with the money, he had earned to pay off his father's debts. Lisa, who is unaware of the serious financial problems of her family, still lives in a girls' boarding house.

            The young Gypsy Manya, who is in love with Tasilo, has the gift of predicting the future and seeing the past. She is aware that the governor is a nobleman, and has seen his fate. Baron Carl Stefan Liebenberg arrives and reports to Tassilo that he has fulfilled his request, sold all his properties and paid off his family debts. The Baron, however, wonders if the young Earl could still ask his rich aunt for help? The proud Tassilo refuses. In addition, he feels at home right now in this beautiful mansion where, among other things, he has the opportunity to make enough money for his sister's dowry. However, Tassilo grieves for his previous life in the capital and for his friends. Prince Moritz Dragomir Populescu, a friend of Countess Maritza, arrives to announce that the Countess is arriving to celebrate her engagement to the estate. The name of the fiancé sounds rather strange, almost contrarian - Baron Koloman Zupan! There comes the Countess herself with guests - her friends. Everyone is having fun. The people of the mansion greet their mistress with song and dance, and Maritza, touched by gypsy violins, replies with a fiery chardash. The young Countess dreams of experiencing happiness in love. Maritsa thanks Prince Populescu for preparing her engagement, but notes that, unfortunately, her fiance is hindered and will not come. Tassilo introduces himself and Maritza accepts him favorably. It turns out that the Countess knows his sister Lisa; more - she brought her to the guest house. Tassilo is horrified by the thought that he may be revealed, and Maritza interprets his embarrassment as a possible love affair between him and his former master's daughter. But how should Tassilo and his sister behave in these circumstances? Karl Stefan invites him to tell the whole truth to Lisa. Here comes Lisa herself, who has already learned that Maritza has rented a former steward of their estate. When the girl realizes that the "housekeeper" is nothing but her own brother, she, in turn, decides that Tassilo is joking. However, he tells her the truth: they are devastated and he has to work. Happy with the meeting, Lisa and Tassilo recall the good times of their childhood. This is how Maritza welds them. Tassilo hurries to hide, and Lisa stays with the Countess. Maritza admits that she is not actually engaged at all and there is no Baron Zhupan. She just published in the newspapers an announcement of her alleged engagement to the famous operetta hero of the operetta "Gypsy Baron" to counter the attacks of her annoying worshipers, who, according to her, only pursue her money. Koloman Zupan of Varazdin. Horror! The real Koloman Zupan has learned of his "engagement" by the newspapers and rushes to his beautiful fiancee, which he falls in love with immediately. But maybe there is some confusion about the names? "Come with me to Varazdin," said Maritza, who with great effort managed to curb the young Baron's violent temperament. The engagement party begins at the house. Tassilo is left alone on the terrace.

Overwhelmed with sadness, he remembers with nostalgia the times when he was a "wonderful knight of the Chardash". The truth is, Tassilo also fell in love with his adorable mistress at first sight. He did not notice that while he was singing, Maritza quietly stepped out onto the terrace, followed by the whole company. The Countess asks her hostess to sing the song again - for all her guests. But the proud Earl refuses - he does not like to serve the hosts' amusement. Enraged, Maritza immediately dismisses him. To save the situation, Zhupan suggests that everyone go to a nearby town, have fun at Tabarin. The guests enthusiastically accept the idea, but as everyone prepares for the journey, Gypsy Manya predicts to Maritza that she will fall in love with a handsome young man of noble descent within the next four weeks. Confused and excited by the prediction, Maritza decided to stay home. Her guests leave without her. Tassilo arrives to say goodbye, but Maritza is already in a much better mood. She cancels his dismissal and invites him to be friends.

 

Second action

            Four weeks later, Countess Maritza and her steward understood each other more than perfectly. In the mansion again comes Koloman Zupan, and it is now quite evident that Lisa is attracted to the elegant and cheerful young baron. Yes, he sighs, if it wasn't for Maritza ... "And what of that?", Lisa asks, and Jupan sings "I want to dream you," and the girl happily joins her lover. Tassilo wants to talk to Maritza about the business. However, she does not want to learn anything about financial and economic problems. She wants to have fun with Tassilo - as if he were of her class and her rank. The housekeeper would be in the seventh heaven to spend time with Maritza, but he also tells her that she is hindering her own happiness because she does not trust any man. Maritza agrees, but ... If we imagine that she is madly in love and ... Let's imagine - just imagine that he is the object of her love ... What would Tassilo say? The latter is happy to join this game. Zhupan enters, but Maritza receives him quite coolly. He, in turn, declares their marriage impossible because, according to his grandfather's will, he is obliged to marry a poor girl, otherwise he will not receive an inheritance. Maritza is more than relieved. Lisa comes and Zhupan enthusiastically explains to her that everything between him and Maritza is over. The girl's reaction tells him that Lisa is in love with him. And although they still talk around, the two are already convinced they belong together.

            Prince Populescu arrives with the entire Tabarin troupe. If Maritza does not want to come to them, then they will go to her to continue the celebration. Joy and merriment reign in the hall and the gloomy Tassilo stays outside. He decided to write a letter to Carl Stefan and leave the mansion. Maritza comes to him because he feels better here than with all the guests inside. Tassilo tells her about her past and barely refrains from telling her the truth. Maritza feels that he is increasingly attracted to her. It becomes clear that they are both in love. Prince Populescu interrupts them and Tassilo goes out. Populescu is jealous and tells Maritza that this "housekeeper" seems to be hiding his true face. He shows her the letter to Carl Stephan, who he has stolen by himself, and she comes across lines in which Tassilo writes that he will not stop until he reaches his goal - a dowry and a better future. Now Maritza is convinced that Tassilo's only pursuit is her money.

            Guests are having fun. The Countess feels cheated, betrayed and upset. Her attitude towards Tassilo, accordingly, is extremely disparaging, like that of a footman, and she angrily throws a large sum of money at his feet. Hope he is pleased! Maritza wants to know that she gave him the money on one condition: Tassilo should never speak of love again in her presence! Desperate and hurt just as much as Maritza herself is, the young man also sings a fagot before he leaves. Then he throws all the money at the Gypsies who accompanied him. Maritza recalls the gypsy's prediction, and at that moment Lisa goes to Tassilo. "Sister, you will be happy for me," he says, and leaves. Guests are amazed - Lisa is Tassilo's sister! Only now does Maritza realize how happy she really is - now she already knows that Tassilo is true to her.

 

Third action

            The next morning. The whole company is still celebrating, but Maritza suddenly realizes she is no longer an economist. The young woman is not at all aware of the work at the mansion, so she decides to postpone the case and tonight everyone will go to town to celebrate and dance the chardash. "The Dark Haired Girl from the Desert," sings Maritza, Populescu, and Zupan, tuning in for the evening. Lisa tells Zhupan that she is very poor. His reaction is unexpected - what happiness! Now both of them can get married, subject to the condition of his grandfather's will. Jupan sings "Come with me to Varazdin again", but this time his proposal was welcomed. Princess Bozhena arrives - Count Tassilo's aunt, along with Carl Stefan, who has told her the whole story. She tells Tassilo that she has bought back all the property of the family. The count is again wealthy and already worthy of Maritza. Maritza openly admits that she is in love with Tassilo but does not know what to do because he is too offended. Princess Bozhena tries to persuade the young man to speak openly with the Countess, but Tassilo exclaims: "I gave an honest word to never tell her about love!" However, Maritza has heard his last words. The wise aunt intervenes and tells them: “Don't talk, children! When hearts speak, words are needless! Nothing can prevent their happiness anymore. Intoxicated by happiness, the lovers embrace and enjoy their love, along with Lisa, Baron Zhupan and the guests! ...