De Graaf Orzano
There are two Dutch plays by this name which appeared at the start of the 19th century.
According to the texts and contemporary commentary, both apparently are based on a German novel (De Lazaronen in Dutch).
However, no trace has thus far been found of such a novel, though there is a German drama, a "romantic play with music", called Die Lazaroni, which had been performed in the Schaubühne in der Leopoldstadt and published by Matheas Andreas Schmidt in Vienna in 1803. Another German play, Der Lazarone oder Bettler von Neapel by E.A.F. Klingemann, appeared in 1814.
Contents
De Graaf Orzano (1808)
The original text
Written by an unknown author, this work was first performed in Amsterdam by a "Toneelminnend Geselschap" ("amateur company") called Uno Animo in 1808, and published in Amsterdam by J.F. Nieman.
Translations and adaptations
Performance history in South Africa
De Graaf Orzano, of De Bedelaar van Napels (1809)
The original text
De Graaf Orzano, of De Bedelaar van Napels ("The Duke of Orzano, or The Beggar of Naples") is a play in five acts by G.J. Vorking (fl. late 18th century). In his Preface the author is at pains to show that he had not simply copied the earlier play, and had written his own original work based on what he refers to as De Lazaronen (probably a reference the 1794 opera Das Fest der Lazaronen[1] by Paul Wranitzky and Joachim Perinet). It was written specifically for performance by the Amsterdam based "Toneelminnend Geselschap" (lit. "theatre loving company", i.e. "amateur company") called Nut en Vermaak in 1809, the text was published in Amsterdam by H. Moolenijzer, 1809
According to Bosman (1980: p.450) this is the version performed in South Africa.
Translations and adaptations
Performance history in South Africa
1868: Performed by Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst in the Oddfellows Hall, Cape Town, on 25 and 30 September, with De Sint Nicolaas Avond, of Het Bezoek door den Schoorsteen (Kup). The second evening also had a "cotillon" danced by eight children.
1881: Performed by De Eendracht in the Oddfellows Hall, Cape Town, on 30 August, with Een Nacht op Straat (Van Hoogheem).
1896: Performed by Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst in the new Opera House, Cape Town, in February, with a ballet performance as afterpiece.
1896: Performed by Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst in the new Opera House, Cape Town, on 5 March, again with a ballet performance as afterpiece.
Sources
Vaderlandsche letteroefeningen, Part 1, Ellerman, 1809: p. 260, Google E-book[2]
Georg Christoph Hamberger. 1821. Das Gelehrte Teutschland Vol 18:pp. 362-3, Google E-book[3]
Facsimile version of the 1803 edition of Die Lazaroni, Google E-book[4]
Facsimile version of the 1809 Dutch edition, Google E-book[5]
F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.444-452
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