Die
Csárdásfürstin
Photo: Erik Berg
Hit machine returns to Bjørvika
When the beloved Csárdásfürstin is carried forward into our century, the right to love whoever we choose is at the heart of the performance.
She’s from the world of showbiz and he from business. She’s part of the colourful, queer theatrical culture, while he’s from an upper-class family with old money and new clothes.
Sylva and Edwin hit it off all the same. Much to the dismay of his parents, who would prefer that he end up with the rich man’s daughter Stasi. But Sylva is undeterred by prejudice, class difference or ingrained attitudes – including towards her personally as transgender.
... a performance that is highly recommended for everyone, especially those who have never seen an opera before.
– ANNA NGUYEN, PERISKOP
Being loved for who you are
Die Csárdásfürstin is one of the world’s most popular operettas and a fascinating story about setting love free.
But it is also about the painful shame of not being accepted for who you are: Who are we when we are not acting? Who are we when we take off our masks? And who are the others behind all the melodrama?
Old flame, modernised production
For years, this blockbuster packed a full house on Youngstorget, with such singers as Vessa Hanssen, Terje Stensvold, Tor Fagerland, Anne Nyborg and Kjersti Ekeberg.
Many were thrilled when Die Csárdásfürstin returned to the Oslo Opera House in 2022 with a whole new look & feel, thanks to Hanne Tømta and her creative team. These include costume designer Alva Brosten, who is critically acclaimed for her predilection for glitter, tulle and extravagance. This operetta can now be experienced again in Bjørvika, when a group of exceptionally talented artists are taking the stage, ready to take audiences by storm!
Pensioners, students and mum & baby groups
Perhaps this is the perfect outing or your pensioners’ club? Or do you work irregular hours and would like to experience some culture before your night shift? Or maybe you’re looking for something to do with a friend who prefers to avoid a crowded auditorium?
There are plenty of reasons to experience the classics at the Oslo Opera House in a slightly different way. Short and Sweet: Die Csárdásfürstin is one such possibility.
On 23 of October the performance is open to babies and mum & baby groups: Bring-a-baby.
Synopsis
She comes from showbiz; he comes from business. She belongs to a colorful, queer crowd at the theater; he is from an upper-class family with old money and traditional values.
Sylva and Edwin find each other. His parents are not pleased.
In the theater
Sylva Varescu performs the evening’s final number, and the audience can’t get enough of her. However, the popular artist, known as the Czardas Princess, is about to leave for New York to pursue her career. Her agent, Boni Kancsianu, shares this news. Together with Feri von Kerekes, who is artistically responsible for the performances, he celebrates the carefree life of the theater.
Edwin Lippert Weylersheim's wealthy family is not happy that their son has fallen in love with Sylva. They believe the rumors that she has changed gender threaten their business and financial interests. Additionally, the family has always planned for him to marry his childhood friend, Stasi.
The CEO of Weylersheim’s company, Rohnsdorff, tells Edwin that his father is sending him on a business trip to Asia. Edwin thinks this is a terrible idea; he also doesn’t want Sylva to leave. During Sylva’s farewell party, he promises they will marry within eight weeks. Overjoyed, she tells her agent that plans have changed. Boni responds by showing Sylva the invitation to the engagement celebration between Edwin and Stasi – prompting Sylva to prepare for New York and her life as an artist after all.
At the home of financial prince Lippert Weylersheim
Two months have passed. Edwin’s parents, Anhilte and Leopold, are throwing a party to celebrate their son’s engagement. Edwin still thinks about Sylva but is committed to the strategic marriage with his good friend Stasi.
Sylva and Boni have returned from New York. Upon arriving at the party, they pretend to be married, and Sylva introduces herself as Mrs. Kancsianu – someone who merely resembles the famous Czardas Princess. But Edwin realizes who she really is. The two accuse each other of moving on, but both defend their actions as part of the game. Together, they dream of the days when they were happy.
Edwin’s mother, Anhilte, also dreams; she longs for the time when she experimented with love, while Boni and Stasi experiment with each other and fall head over heels in love.
Boni tells Edwin that he can have Sylva back, and Edwin takes him up on the offer. Edwin believes that now Sylva could be accepted by his family as the divorced Mrs. Kancsianu – not as the experimental artist surrounded by rumors. This hurts Sylva, but she stays nonetheless.
When Leopold announces his son’s engagement to Stasi, Edwin interrupts, declaring that he loves someone else. Sylva then reveals her true identity, says she never married Boni, and shows the document where Edwin promised to marry her. However, she doesn’t want him to be ashamed of who she really is – and leaves.
At the bar in the Grand Hotel, where artists gather after performances
Sylva tells Boni that she’s completely done with Edwin, who didn’t think she was good enough for him. Feri wants Sylva to return to the theater and music, but Sylva says she’s also finished with the entire Czardas Princess role.
Edwin accuses Boni of ruining everything. Boni is also blamed by Edwin’s father for leading Edwin astray and humiliating Stasi. Boni shrugs it off, as he has a plan – for himself and Stasi, Sylva, and Edwin.
Feri confronts Leopold with his outdated views and argues that his son should be with whoever he loves. Leopold fears what Sylva might do to the company’s reputation, but it turns out to be the opposite of what he expects: the Czardas Princess has millions of fans. Sylva represents openness and the freedom to be and love who you want, which is worth gold. That’s when Boni and Stasi launch their show, saving both the evening – and love.