This operetta by Johann Strauss Jr. premiered in Berlin on October 3rd, 1883. While it might not be up to par with his other hit Die Fledermaus, it certainly has a catchy waltz-y score that is not hard to listen to while while riding the subway(in my case). This version is a recording of the 1952 Mike Todd extravaganza that opened Jones Beach on Long Island. It had a cast of Broadway and opera singers. The tenor, Thomas Tibbett Hayward, has a fine voice along side his soprano Laurel Hurley. I understood almost all of the words and could follow along with the story pretty well. I'm curious how much of the story and music has changed from the original Berlin production, but it is great to at least get an idea of early theater music (and I mean theater music in the most operetta-like means possible).
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