The Fortune Teller (operetta)

The Fortune Teller
Music Victor Herbert
Lyrics Harry B. Smith
Book Harry B. Smith
Productions 1898 Broadway
1929 Broadway revival

The Fortune Teller is an operetta in three acts written by Victor Herbert, with a libretto by Harry B. Smith. After a brief tryout in Toronto, it premiered on Broadway on September 26, 1898 at Wallack's Theatre and ran for 40 performances. It was revived on November 4, 1929 at Jolson's 59th Street Theatre and ran for 16 performances.

Herbert wrote his sixth operetta for prima donna Alice Nielsen and her newly formed Alice Nielsen Opera Company. Nielsen having earned widespread praise in The Serenade, requested and received not one but three roles in The Fortune Teller. The story is set in Hungary and involves Irma, an heiress from Budapest, who is studying for the ballet. Irma is in love with a young Hussar captain but is being forced to marry the silly Count Barezowski. When a gypsy fortune teller, Musette, arrives, she is mistaken for Irma, a case of mistaken identity that fosters many complications.

Songs include the famous "Gypsy Love Song," ('Slumber on, my little gypsy sweetheart') and "Romany Life."

Roles and original cast

The roles marked with an asterisk (*) are all played by the same woman.

Musical numbers

Act 1
  • Overture
  • Introduction and Opening ensemble
  • Always Do as People Say You Should – Irma and Ladies Chorus
  • Hungaria's Hussars – Captain Ladislas and Hussars
  • Ho! Ye Townsmen – Sandor
  • Romany Life – Musette, Sandor, Vaninka, Boris, Rafael and Chorus
  • Czardas – Musette and Chorus
  • Finale I
Act 2
  • Opening Chorus
  • Signor Monsieur Moldoni – Fresco and Chorus
  • The Serenade of All Nations – Musette, Count Berezowski, Fresco, Boris and Mixed Chorus
  • Gypsy Love Song (Slumber On, My Little Gypsy Sweetheart) – Sandor, Musette and Chorus
  • Only in the Play – Mlle. Pompom and Captain Ladislas
  • Finale II
Act 3
  • Gypsy Jan – Sandor and Chorus
  • The Power of the Human Eye – Boris and Count Berezowski
  • The Lily and the Nightingale – Musette
  • Finale III
Sheet music

References

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