Der Schauspieldirektor, The Telephone

Der Schauspieldirektor (The Impresario)

The singers are trampling over each other for positions in the company and attempting to squeeze as much cash as they can out of the director, who is (naturally) in a financial pickle and wondering what to perform at the theatre: “Put your hand on your heart: is it not true that the worst pieces bring us the most money, and masterpieces leave the auditorium empty?” A “patron” of Madame Silberklang promises to furnish the director with funds if he signs his favourite singer. The ladies indulge in a “singing competition”, with each of them delivering a bravura aria to show off their vocal virtuosity, and while both sing about serious subjects, each attempts to “out-sing” their rival. Then, in a trio, they hysterically try to surpass each other’s coloratura’s in order to prove which of them is the prima donna.

The Telephone

In the entire history of men asking women to marry them, anything that could go wrong has gone wrong at one time or another: the parents don't consent, the bride is in love with someone else, or perhaps the groom is, somebody dies, a war breaks out – the list goes on and on. An American fellow named Ben also runs into a hurdle as he attempts to pop the question. While his is not quite as dramatic as the ones enumerated above, those whose partners in life happen to be addicted to their telephones shouldn't be surprised by what it is. L’amour à trois.

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