Die Räuber

A drama by German playwright Friedrich Schiller (1759 – 1805). (Full names: Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller)

Original text

Schiller's first play, it was published virtually anonymously in 1781 and premiered sensationally on 13 January 1782 in Mannheim, Germany.

Translations and adaptations

English translations

First translated as The Robbers by Alexander Fraser Tytler in 1792.

French text

A French play in five acts by Jean-Henri-Ferdinand Lamartélière (1761-1830), based on Schiller's German play, appeared in 1793. Published in French as "Robert, chef de brigands: drame en cinq actes, en prose, imité de l'allemand par le citoyen La Martelière" Published chez Maradan (Paris) by Barba in 1793. Performed in Paris.

(See also Robert de Moldar, Chef de Brigands ou L’mystère d’iniquité a French novel by J.A. Gardy, published 1803[1])

Opera

The play provided the basis for Verdi's opera of the same name, I masnadieri as well as a number of others.

Performance history in South Africa

1809: The Lamartélière French version was adapted for production by Charles Etienne Boniface and performed as Robert, Chef de Brigands by Tot Nut en Vermaak in French on 24 April, in the African Theatre, along with Le Tonnelier (Audinot).