Der Zigeunerbaron is Strauss's second most popular operetta after Die Fledermaus. Its 1885 premiere had political resonance the plot popularized the Dual (Austro-Hungarian) Monarchy which was to come to an end with the First World War. Among the many musical and visual highlights was the spectacle of Strauss's spirited and rhythmic choral entrance march in the 3rd Act, Hurrah die Schlacht mitgemacht hab'n wir im fernen Land ('Hurrah, we have taken part in the battle in a distant land'). This Einzugsmarsch became also very popular in the instrumental version. |
