Johan Strauss, Jr.'s
The Gypsy Baron
Original Libretto by Ignaz Schnitzer
New English adaptation by Quade Winter, with Ross Halper

Feb. 10, 11, 17 & 18, 2006 at 8pm
Feb. 12 & 19, 2006 at 2pm

Directed by Debbie Niezgoda
Music Directed by Joseph Sorge

---

Cast

Ottokar - Guillaume Tourniaire
Czipra - Andrea Schewe
Count Carnero - David Williams
Sandor Barinkay - Philip Bender
Julesa - Debbie Peetz
Pali - Les Elkins
Jozsi - Clyde Williams
Saffi - Denise Young & Daniele Lorio (2/12)
Kalman Zsupan - Blair Eig
Mirabella - Shirley Santilhano
Arsena - Laura Wehrmeyer
Irma - Linder Pak
Etelka - Kiersten Drumm
Jolan - Sarah Greenspan
Ilka - Lauren McDonald
Count Peter Homonay - Doug Benton

Ensemble - Jaime Atteniese, Grace Brigham Molly Brigham, Stephanie Brigham Desjardins, Alex Desjardins, Michelle Dillingham, Rick Dupuy, Wanda Flinn, Jennifer Gavin, Annie Gribben, Lucy Hellerman, Tara Hockensmith, Sarah Huntzinger, Rand Huntzinger, Donna Jaffe, Lyle Jaffe, Ralph Johnson, Brian Lee, Daniele Lorio, Marianna Martindale, Carlton Maryott, Jane Maryott, Julie Repeta, Julie Stevens, Rusty Suter, John Turner

Orchestra

Violin 1 - Steve Natrella (CM), Bonnie Barrows, Carolyn Larson, David Friedlander
Violin 2 -Martin Brown, Peter Mignerey, Erin Grace, Rachel Jayson
Viola - Amanda Laudwein, Victor Ontiveros
Cello - David Dubov, Andrew Schneider, Sheryl Friedlander
Bass - Pete Gallanis
Flute - Jackie Miller, Louise Hill
Oboe - Lori Guess, Mary Haaser
Clarinet - Jim Bensinger, Laura Langbein, Laura Bornhoeft
Bassoon -  Robin Gelman
Horn - Kristin Zempolich, Lora Katz, James Kocsis
Trumpet - Bernie Rappaport, Curt Anstine
Trombone - Steve Ward, Alan Potter, Frank Eliot
Percussion - George Huttlin, Jim Henriksen

Production Staff

Producers - Denise Young, Lisa Freese
Stage Manager - Michael Galizia
Assistant to the Director - Madeleine Smith
Assistant Stage Manager - Tony Dwyer
Lighting Designer - Ayun Fedorcha
Set Designer - John Buckley
Costume Designer - Denise Young, Andrea Schewe
Costume Construction - Denise Young, Andrea Schewe, Jennifer Gavin, Michelle Dillingham, Rusty Suter, Debbie Peetz, Sandy Huntzinger
Make Up Designer - Renee Silverstone
Make Up Assistant -Felicity Ann Brown
Master Carpenters - William Kolodrubetz, Ed Byrdy
Set Construction & Painting - Pete Sylvia, Peter Finkel, Tom Pondolfino
Technical Director (Rockville Civic Center) - Kim Haug
Rehearsal Pianists - Deborah Jacobson, Jennifer Craley Bland, Caroline Lichtenstein
Program - Denise Young
Publicity - Sandy Rovner
Properties - Tara Hockensmith
House Management - Merle Haber
Set Storage - Rockville Civic Center & City of Gaithersburg
Printing - Quick Printing, Inc., Wheaton, Maryland

---

Synopsis

Act I
The boatmen can be heard singing at their work. Ottokár, son of Mirabella who is governess to Arsena (daughter of the pig farmer Zsupán) is digging for treasure which he believes to be buried somewhere around. Czipra appears and makes fun of his efforts. She tells him that if he continues with this fruitless quest, he will end up penniless and never marry, as he hopes, the fair Arsena.

Sándor Barinkay, son of the late owner of the castle, arrives accompanied by Count Carnero, Commissioner of the Imperial Privy Council for Morals, who is here to grant him back his family estates. Carnero calls on Czipra as a witness. They also send for Zsupán. Zsupán arrives and tells everyone that he is a highly successful pig-breeder In truth he’s taken over Barinkay’s land to breedhis pigs. To simplify his return, Barinkay suggests that he might marry Zsupán's daughter and Arsena is sent for. But it is Mirabella, the governess, who first appears. It seems that she is Carnero's long-lost wife and Ottkar is his son. Arsena arrives, veiled, but though the chorus hail the bride-elect she is not so co-operative. She is in love with Ottokár. Barinkay makes a formal proposal but Arsena tells him she can only marry a nobleman.

Barinkay is left brooding but hears a gypsy girl singing. It is Saffi, daughter of Czipra, As they leave to take Barinkay to his castle, Ottokár meets Arsena and unaware of the others watching, they vow their eternal love for each other. Barinkay is jealous. The gypsies return for a wedding and Czipra introduces Barinkay as their foretold leader. Now affirmed as a gypsy baron he calls on Zsupán and asserts his noble right to the hand of Arsena. Zsupán is not impressed. Ever the opportunist, Barinkay now says that he would like to marry Saffi. Zsupán and Arsena are now rather indignant at this turn of events and threaten reprisals. The gypsies declare that they are staying on the Barinkay land.

Act II
At dawn the following day Czipra has a vision about location of the treasure. They start to search and find it hidden under a nearby rock. As they depart the gypsies arise to start their day's work. Zsupán, Arsena, Carnero, Mirabella and others appear criying for help that their wagon and belongings have been stolen by the gypsies. In fact they were assisting them out of the mud.

Barinkay introduces Saffi as his wife but Carnero is not satisfied that all the legal requirements have been met. They tell him that nature has guided them and the birds have witness their vows. This is not quite what the law demands and Mirabella and Zsupán adopt a highly moral tone about the whole affair. At this point Ottokár discovers a few of the gold coins that Barinkay has left behind and is highly excited. Count Peter Homonay arrives. He is looking for recruits to fight in the war against Spain. Zsupán and Ottokár are tricked into the army. Carnero calls on Homonay to give his official support to the view that Barinkay and Saffi's marriage is illegal but Homonay supports Barinkay. Further complications, however, are revealed. Czipra tells them that Saffi is not really her daughter but the child of the last Pasha of Hungary, a real Princess. Barinkay is once more deflated realizing that he cannot marry anyone of such exalted rank, though Saffi says that she will always love him. Barinkay decides that he too will join the Hussars and the men march away.

Act III
All are celebrating in Vienna after a victorious battle. Zsupán appears and tells of his own, somewhat inglorious, exploits in Spain. Homonay rewards Barinkay with a title, the return of his gold and Saffi, as his wife.

---

Musical Selections

Act I

• Overture
• Boatmen’s Chorus (Ottokar, Czipra, Chorus)
• Barinkay’s Entrance (Barinkay, Chorus)
• Ensemble & Pig Polka (Czipra, Barinkay, Carnero, Saffi, Zsupan, Chorus)  [Zsupan’s lyric by Ross Halper]

• The Battle of Belgrade (Mirabella, Chorus)
• Betrothal (Arsena, Barinkay, Zsupan, Carnero, Ottokar, Irma, Etelka, Jolan, Ilka, Chorus)
• Exit (Arsena)
• Exit (Women)
• Gypsy Song (Saffi, Barinkay)
• Finale I (Ensemble)

Act II

• Entr’acte
• Morning Trio (Czipra, Barinkay, Saffi)
• Treasure Trio (Czipra, Barinkay, Saffi)
• Blacksmith Chorus (Pali, Chorus)
• Wedding Duet (Barinkay, Saffi, Chorus)
• Morals Trio (Carnero, Mirabella, Zsupan, Chorus)
• Recruiting Song (Homonay, Chorus)
• Finale II (Ensemble)

Act III

• Welcome Chorus (Chorus)
• Arsena’s Lament (Arsena, Mirabella, Carnero)
• Zsupan Goes To War (Zsupan, Chorus) [Zsupan’s lyric by Ross Halper]
• Triumphal March (Chorus)

• Finale III (Ensemble)