Jonny spielt auf
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Jonny spielt auf (Jonny Strikes Up) is an opera with words and music by Ernst Krenek about a jazz violinist. The work typified the cultural freedom of the 'golden era' of the Weimar Republic.
Performance history
It was premiered at the Stadttheater, Leipzig on 10 February 1927. A tremendous success in Germany where it was performed 421 times on various stages during its first season alone, it provided Krenek with the financial security to be able to devote all his time to composing. It was staged in 42 different opera houses, including eventually New York on 19 January 1929 where it was given under Arthur Bodansky with Florence Easton, Fleischer, Kirchoff, Michael Bohnen and Friedrich Schorr. The libretto was translated into 14 languages.
Nevertheless, with the rise of the Nazi movement, the opera encountered hostility in Vienna in 1927-1928 from Nazi sympathisers, and the same protests occurred several years later in Munich. After the National Socialists attained power in Germany, they banned the opera.
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, 10 February 1927 (Conductor: Gustav Brecher) |
|---|---|---|
| Anita, an opera singer | soprano | Fanny Cleve |
| Max, a composer | tenor | Paul Beinert |
| Daniello, a virtuoso violinist | baritone | Theodor Horand |
| Jonny, a black jazz band fiddler | baritone | Max Spilcker |
| Yvonne, a hotel chambermaid | soprano | Claire Schulthess |
| Hotel director | tenor | |
| Railway employee | tenor | |
| Artists' manager | tenor | |
| First policeman | tenor | |
| Second policeman | baritone | |
| Third policeman | bass |
