Lisa (Sissy)
Music by Fritz Kreisler, adapted by Ronald Hanmer, libretto adapted by John Grimsey, lyrics by Tommy Connor
Based on a famous operetta, which was adapted for the Grace Moore film as The King Steps Out, this is the real-life story of the romance between the young Franz Josef of Austria and Princess Elizabeth of Bavaria. The score is rich in melody, one of the best-loved songs being "Stars In Your Eyes" - which appears in this version as "Three Magic Words". Plenty of work here for the whole company - and some minor parts for children in the first act.
The plot is loosely based on the true story of Empress Elizabeth of Austria. The second daughter of the Duke of Bavaria, Elizabeth accompanied her mother and older sister Helene to Austria. Her mother hoped to match the 18-year-old Helene with her 23-year-old cousin, Emperor Franz Josef, but he chose the 15-year-old Elizabeth instead. As Empress, she became known as a great beauty, world traveler, and fashion plate. In 1889, her son, Crown Prince Rudolf, and his young lover, Baroness Marie Vetsera, were found dead of a murder-suicide in Rudolf's hunting lodge, Mayerling.
Principals: 8 female, 11 male
Instrumentation: flute, oboe, 2 clarinets, bassoon, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, percussion, harp, strings
Vocal Score and Libretto available on hire only