Alt-Heidelberg ("Old Heidelberg") is a German drama in five acts by Wilhelm Meyer-Förster (a.k.a. Samar Gregorow), (1862-1934)[1].

The original text

A play was based on Meyer-Förster's own 1898 novel Karl Heinrich, it tells the story of Prince Karl from Saxony who, while studying at the Heidelberg University, falls in love with Käthie, an innkeeper's daughter, but has to give her up when his father dies and he is called to return to his homeland and rule as King.

The play was first performed in 1901.

Translations and adaptations

Translations

Translated into English as Old Heidelberg by Rudolf Bleichmann and first produced at St. James's Theatre on 19 March, 1903, playing till 17 July, before going to the Grand Theatre, Southampton for the 1903–1904 season.

Translated from the German into Afrikaans as Ou Heidelberg by M.R. Heyns, published by De Bussy, 1932.

Adaptations

The Student Prince

The play was adapted as an operetta in four acts called The Student Prince[2] in 1924, with music by Sigmund Romberg (1887–1951)[3] and a book and lyrics by Dorothy Donnelly (1880-1928) [4]. The piece opened at the Jolson Theatre, New York on 2 December, 1924, running for 608 performances and becoming the longest-running Broadway show of the 1920s.

Films

As Meyer-Förster's best-known work, Alt-Heidelbergwas often adapted for film, including The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg ( a silent film based on Förster's work,directed by Ernst Lubitsch with Ramón Novarro and Norma Shearer) and , titled , . Its orchestral score did not use any of Romberg's score, although it did include Gaudeamus Igitur. The operetta was revived twice on Broadway – once in 1931 and again in 1943. Mario Lanza's performance on the soundtrack of the 1954 MGM film The Student Prince, renewed the popularity of many of the songs. featuring Mario Lanza.

Performance history in South Africa

1904: Performed in English as Old Heidelberg in the Cape Town Opera House on 7 March, by the Sass-Nelson Company, featuring T.B. Thalberg as "Karl Heinrich", Edward Sass as "Dr Juttner", Eugene Mayeur as "Kellermann", Katherine Pole as "Katie". The production is exceedingly highly praised by D.C. Boonzaier in his memoires.

1904: Performed once more by the Sass-Nelson Company in the Cape Town Opera House during August.

1939: Produced in Afrikaans as Ou Heidelberg by Kurt Baum (1901-1964) and the Die Ossewateater.

1942: The Afrikaans version, also titled Alt-Heidelberg, was presented by the Vrouevereniging van Stellenbosch ("Stellenbosch Women's Association") under the auspices of K.A.T., November 1942, in the Hofmeyr Hall

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Meyer-F%C3%B6rster

https://www.prints-online.com/old-heidelberg-rudolf-bleichmann-14255179.html

Frederik Jacobus Nel. 1972. Die Kaapstadse Afrikaanse Toneelvereniging, 1934-1962. Unpublished master’s thesis. University of Stellenbosch.

D.C. Boonzaier, 1923. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in SA Review, 9 March and 24 August 1932. (Reprinted in Bosman 1980: pp. 374-439.)

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.419, 421

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