Die Dollarprinzessin

Die Dollarprinzessin is an operetta (also called a musical in some sources) in three acts by Alfred Maria Willner (1859-1929)[1] and Fritz Grünbaum (1880-1941)[2], with music by Leo Fall (1873-1925)[3].

The original text

Based on an unnamed comedy by Gatti-Trotha (Gatti and Trotha?), it explores the world of the so-called "Dollar Princesses" or American heiresses travelling to Europe in the late 19th century.

First performed in the German on 2 November 1907 in the Theater an der Wien, Vienna

Translations and adaptations

The musical work was translated and adapted into English as The Dollar Princess by Basil Hood (1864-1917)[4], using the music of Leo Fall and English lyrics by Adrian Ross (1859-1933)[5]. It opened in London at Daly's Theatre on 25 September 1909, running for 428 performances.

Another English version of the musical had a very successful run on Broadway, this one with a book and lyrics by George Grossmith, Jr. (1874-1935)[6] and additional numbers by Jerome Kern (1885-1945)[7]. It opened on 6 August 1909 and and ran for 288 performances.

La Principessa Dei Dollari, an Italian version by Renato Simoni and Ettoro Fanni, was also published by Muleti Giovanni, Torino, 1909.

Performance history in South Africa

1909-1910: Performed in English as The Dollar Princess in South Africa by the large New Gaiety Company (featuring among others Doris Greville) and appearing under the auspices of the Wheeler-Edwardes Company. The play was performed at the Opera House in Pretoria from 7 June 1909, followed by performances at His Majesty’s Theatre in Johannesburg and the Opera House, Cape Town (toward the end of 1909 and again in 1910).

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dollar_Princess

http://www.operascotland.org/opera/598/Dollar+Princess

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Maria_Willner

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_Gr%C3%BCnbaum

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Fall

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil_Hood

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrian_Ross

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 1923. (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.431, 434

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