Das Geheimnis

Das Geheimnis ("the secret") is a German play in five acts by Christian August Vulpius (1762 – 1827)[1].

The original text

Presumably first performed at the Hoftheater, in Leipzig in 1800, and published in Leipzig in 1800. It is not often cited among his better works.

(Confusingly: Vulpius also produced the French one-act opera Le Secret (Hoffman and Solié, 1796), under the title Das Geheimnis the Hoftheater, in Leipzig in 1805.)

Translations and adaptations

Translated into English as The Mystery by M. Geisweiler c. 1800.

Translated into Dutch as Het Geheim by an unknown author.

Performances in South Africa

1855: Performed as Het Geheim on Tuesday 12 June by Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst in the Garrison Theatre, Cape Town. It was stipulated as a tragedy in five acts and credited to "the author of Rinaldini" (i.e. Vulpius). Also performed were De Helleveeg (Loosjes) and Het Groot Ballet. The evening was in support of the "Patriotic Fund" for the Crimean War (see Balaclava Benefit Performances). The production was possibly repeated on 28 June.

1865: A play called Het Geheim was produced by Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst This may have been was the Vulpius play, but could also have been Un Secret by Fournier and Arnould (see Un Secret).

1867: A play called Het Geheim was produced by Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst on 26 June, This may have been was the Vulpius play, since it had been in the repertoire of the company since 1855, but Bosman (1980: p.443) suggests it was Un Secret by Fournier and Arnould (see Un Secret). The afterpiece was with Uilenspiegel (Von Kotzebue).

1910: A play called Het Geheim was produced by Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst This may have been was the Vulpius play, but could also have been Un Secret by Fournier and Arnould (see Un Secret).