Johan Strauss, Jr.'s
The Gypsy Baron
Original Libretto by Ignaz Schnitzer
English adaptation by Quade Winter with Ross Halper

September 11 & 12, 2015 at 8pm
September 13, 2015 at 2pm
(semi-staged concert, with live orchestra)

Directed by Courtney Kalbacker
Music Directed by Joseph Sorge

Cast

Ottokar - Kevin Schellhase
Czipra - Denise Young
Count Carnero - Gary Sullivan
Sandor Barinkay - John Day
Pali - Rand Huntzinger
Saffi - Cara Gonzalez
Kalman Zsupan - Blair Eig
Mirabella - Marybeth Verchot
Arsena - Rachel Ackerman
Irma - Kris Devine
Etelka - Chezelle McDade
Jolan - Leslie Ostransky
Ilka - Aleah Prentice
Count Peter Homonay - Jeffrey Gates

Chorus -  Helen Aberger, Gracie Albus, Alan Barnett, Penni Barnett, Michael Beder, David Berkenbilt, Kevin Caughlin, Alice Drew, Julia Frank, Tara Hockensmith, Lilli Hoehl, Laura Hubbard, Ralph Johnson, Erik Kreil, Marianna Martindale, Mary Mitchell, Josh Milton, Deb Peetz, Ilene Photos, Roger Porres, Bill Rogers, Jackie Rogers, Nikoo Sarraf, Elin Schilling, Ellen Sherfey, Julie Stevens, Rusty Suter, Ed Vilade, Maria Wilson, Kent Young

The F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre
603 Edmonston Drive
Rockville, MD 20851

Production Staff

Producer - Denise Young
Accompanist - Ross Capon

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Synopsis

Act I
The boatmen can be heard singing at their work. Ottokár, son of Mirabella who is governess to Arsena (daughter of the pig farmer Zsupán) is digging for treasure which he believes to be buried somewhere around. Czipra appears and makes fun of his efforts. She tells him that if he continues with this fruitless quest, he will end up penniless and never marry, as he hopes, the fair Arsena.

Sándor Barinkay, son of the late owner of the castle, arrives accompanied by Count Carnero, Commissioner of the Imperial Privy Council for Morals, who is here to grant him back his family estates. Carnero calls on Czipra as a witness. They also send for Zsupán. Zsupán arrives and tells everyone that he is a highly successful pig-breeder In truth he’s taken over Barinkay’s land to breedhis pigs. To simplify his return, Barinkay suggests that he might marry Zsupán's daughter and Arsena is sent for. But it is Mirabella, the governess, who first appears. It seems that she is Carnero's long-lost wife and Ottkar is his son. Arsena arrives, veiled, but though the chorus hail the bride-elect she is not so co-operative. She is in love with Ottokár. Barinkay makes a formal proposal but Arsena tells him she can only marry a nobleman.

Barinkay is left brooding but hears a gypsy girl singing. It is Saffi, daughter of Czipra, As they leave to take Barinkay to his castle, Ottokár meets Arsena and unaware of the others watching, they vow their eternal love for each other. Barinkay is jealous. The gypsies return for a wedding and Czipra introduces Barinkay as their foretold leader. Now affirmed as a gypsy baron he calls on Zsupán and asserts his noble right to the hand of Arsena. Zsupán is not impressed. Ever the opportunist, Barinkay now says that he would like to marry Saffi. Zsupán and Arsena are now rather indignant at this turn of events and threaten reprisals. The gypsies declare that they are staying on the Barinkay land.

Act II
At dawn the following day Czipra has a vision about location of the treasure. They start to search and find it hidden under a nearby rock. As they depart the gypsies arise to start their day's work. Zsupán, Arsena, Carnero, Mirabella and others appear criying for help that their wagon and belongings have been stolen by the gypsies. In fact they were assisting them out of the mud.

Barinkay introduces Saffi as his wife but Carnero is not satisfied that all the legal requirements have been met. They tell him that nature has guided them and the birds have witness their vows. This is not quite what the law demands and Mirabella and Zsupán adopt a highly moral tone about the whole affair. At this point Ottokár discovers a few of the gold coins that Barinkay has left behind and is highly excited. Count Peter Homonay arrives. He is looking for recruits to fight in the war against Spain. Zsupán and Ottokár are tricked into the army. Carnero calls on Homonay to give his official support to the view that Barinkay and Saffi's marriage is illegal but Homonay supports Barinkay. Further complications, however, are revealed. Czipra tells them that Saffi is not really her daughter but the child of the last Pasha of Hungary, a real Princess. Barinkay is once more deflated realizing that he cannot marry anyone of such exalted rank, though Saffi says that she will always love him. Barinkay decides that he too will join the Hussars and the men march away.

Act III
All are celebrating in Vienna after a victorious battle. Zsupán appears and tells of his own, somewhat inglorious, exploits in Spain. Homonay rewards Barinkay with a title, the return of his gold and Saffi, as his wife.

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Musical Selections

Act I

• Overture
• Boatmen’s Chorus (Ottokar, Czipra, Chorus)
• Barinkay’s Entrance (Barinkay, Chorus)
• Ensemble & Pig Polka (Czipra, Barinkay, Carnero, Saffi, Zsupan, Chorus)  [Zsupan’s lyric by Ross Halper]

• The Battle of Belgrade (Mirabella, Chorus)
• Betrothal (Arsena, Barinkay, Zsupan, Carnero, Ottokar, Irma, Etelka, Jolan, Ilka, Chorus)
• Exit (Arsena)
• Exit (Women)
• Gypsy Song (Saffi, Barinkay)
• Finale I (Ensemble)

Act II

• Entr’acte
• Morning Trio (Czipra, Barinkay, Saffi)
• Treasure Trio (Czipra, Barinkay, Saffi)
• Blacksmith Chorus (Pali, Chorus)
• Wedding Duet (Barinkay, Saffi, Chorus)
• Morals Trio (Carnero, Mirabella, Zsupan, Chorus)
• Recruiting Song (Homonay, Chorus)
• Finale II (Ensemble)

Act III

• Arsena’s Lament (Arsena, Mirabella, Carnero)
• Zsupan Goes To War (Zsupan, Chorus) [Zsupan’s lyric by Ross Halper]
• Triumphal March (Chorus)

• Finale III (Ensemble)