Hungary in Operetta: From Strauss to Stolz

As part of my studies, I took the elective course 'Operetta: Repertoire and Interpretation' with Professor Uwe Theimer for several semesters, during which I came to know and love the diverse world of operetta. As a singer, I have often had the privilege of performing the most famous arias from the world of operetta with an orchestra, and of experiencing the power of this music first-hand. These concerts have been wonderful and unforgettable experiences in my career. As a result, operetta has become a very important and particularly cherished part of my repertoire, which I always enjoy including in my programmes (performed, of course, with paprika in my blood and csárdás in my feet!). With this thesis, I aim to demonstrate that Hungary occupies a special place in operetta literature and has had, and continues to have, a very special relationship with Viennese operetta. As a Hungarian soprano, I am particularly interested in which themes from my homeland have found their way into the operetta works of librettists and composers. In my thesis, I aim to shed light on the Hungarian influence in Viennese operetta and bring this to the attention of a wider readership.