“The Gypsy Princess” is really “Die Csardasfürstin”

Who would have known the true identity of the Gypsy Princess without a translation back into German? Once the cat was out of the bag no one minded the English libretto. For those of us who have seen the operetta in German, probably many times, we could sing along the famous melodies in our heads in German to our hearts content. Besides, the English translation was so good that even die-hards for original works were not disturbed by it and loved it from the first to the last moment, Germans, Austrians, Hungarians, the lot.

Another reason for loving this production was the choice of performers. Artistic Director for the Toronto Operetta Theatre, Guillermo Silva Marin, who also signed responsible for stage directing, lighting design, set décor and the dance sequences, had chosen some truly gifted performers. Lara Cieklewicz as Sylvia Varescu was complete magic. Not only does she have a lovely soprano voice but she can dance and act and then some. She belongs to a whole new breed of stage performers that can go anywhere, do anything and be a smash hit. Keith Klassen as the wayward Prince Edwin was an equal match to her tour de force. In fact, the entire ensemble was chosen so brilliantly that the characters literally leapt off the stage right into our hearts.

The Jane Mallet Theatre was abuzz with good mood festive atmosphere suitable for any season but especially for a New Year’s Eve event. Traditionally in Europe they want to see The Merry Widow or Die Fledermaus, both considered more of an opera than Kalman’s Gypsy Princess, yet there is really no rhyme or reason to it other than a public that has been educated into those choices. People that went to this performance on Sylvester or any other night were more than pleased with an excellent performance, tight staging, great costumes and a set, easily converted. Loyal friends of the TOT have come to expect very good performances and they keep coming back for more.

There is a lot to look forward to, thanks to Guillermo Silva Marin, the driving force behind, left, right and centre of this theatre company. We can hardly wait for his up-coming offering of Taptoo!, an original and official professional world premier opera celebrating the 1812 Bicentennial Commemoration of what often has been referred to as the birth of the nation. It is the story surrounding Major John Graves Simcoe and General Anthony Wayne. Germans will be watching for the German content in this presentation, something that has been gravely missing from Canadian history lessons so far. One can only hope!

In any event, we are looking forward to another great production by the TOT. You might also enjoy “Dancing for the stars”, a fundraiser with a twist. To stay up to date and to find out what the company has to offer you can visit their terrific website at www.torntooperetta.com.