Der Eremit auf Formentera

Der Eremit auf Formentera ("The Hermit on Formentera") is a musical play in two acts by August Friedrich Ferdinand von Kotzebue (1761-1819)[1].

The original text

Written in German, and published in Frankfort and Leipzig in 1790.

Translations and adaptations

Translated into Dutch as De Kluizenaar op Formentera by Adrianus Bruggemans, first published in Rotterdam by J. Meijer in 1793.

Performance history in South Africa

1809: First performed in Dutch as De Kluizenaar op het Eiland Formentera by Tot Nut en Vermaak on 10 June in the African Theatre, with De Verwarring (Von Kotzebue) as afterpiece.

1824: Performed in Dutch as De Kluizenaar op Formentera by Tot Nut en Vermaak on 10 July 1809 in the African Theatre, with De Naamgenoten (Westerman) as afterpiece.

1825: Performed in Dutch as De Kluizenaar op Formentera by Tot Nut en Vermaak on 3 December in the African Theatre, with Niets en Iets, of De Vijf Gestorvenen (Stoopendaal) as afterpiece. This evening was done as a benefit for "some needy households" in Cape Town.

1833: Performed in Stellenbosch by "Het Nieuw Stellenbossche Tooneel Gezelschap" ("The new Stellenbosch Theatre Company") Door Yver Vruchtbaar, in the local "Schouwburg" (theatre) on 26 October, with De Listige Weduwe, of De Temperamenten (Von Kotzebue).

1833: Performed again in Stellenbosch by "Het Nieuw Stellenbossche Tooneel Gezelschap" ("The new Stellenbosch Theatre Company") Door Yver Vruchtbaar, in the local "Schouwburg" (theatre) on 7 November, with De Listige Weduwe, of De Temperamenten (Von Kotzebue).

1835: Performed twice in Cape Town by the children's company Kunst en Smaak as De Kluizenaar op Formentera, with De Twee Jagers en het Melkmeisje (Anseaume) as afterpiece. The second performance was on 30 June.

1836: Performed in Dutch as De Kluizenaar op Formentera by Tot Nut en Vermaak on 26 August in Cape Town, with De Yverzuchtige Vrouw Bekeerd (Von Kotzebue) as afterpiece.

1843: Performed in Dutch as De Kluizenaar op het Eiland Formentera by Tot Nut en Vermaak on 27 October with Jocrisse in Nieuwe Dienst (Dorvigny).

1851: Performed in Dutch as De Kluizenaar op het Eiland Formentera by Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst on 26 June in the Drury Lane Theatre, Cape Town, with De Deserteur (Von Kotzebue) as afterpiece.

1852 Performed in Dutch as De Kluizenaar op Formentera by Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst on 12 August in the Breestraat Skouburg, Cape Town, with as afterpiece De Minnaar op den Proef, of Het Zonderlinge Tweegevecht (Anon.).

1865: Performed in Dutch as De Kluizenaar op Formentera by Door Ijver Bloeit de Kunst on 28 September, with De Uniformrok van den Veldmaarschalk Wellington (Von Kotzebue).

1869: Produced by Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst in the Mutual Hall, Cape Town, on 15 September, with De Vrek (Moliere/Pluimer?).

1869: Produced by Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst in Caledon on 27 September, with De Helleveeg (Loosjes).

1869: Produced by Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst in Swellendam on 29 September, with De Helleveeg (Loosjes). Apparently the company at this time also announced performances to take place in the towns of Montagu, Robertson, Worcester and Ceres, though Bosman (1980: p. 446, footnote 7) indicates that he could not find any further reports of actual performances.