Drink! THE STUDENT PRINCE (the same yes)

Book & Lyrics by DOROTHY DONNELLY

Music by SIGMUND ROMBERG

Originally Staged by J.C. HUFFMAN
First produced at the Jolson Theatre on December 2, 1924, with Ilse Marvenga as "Kathie" and Howard Marsh as "Prince Karl Franz".


PLOT: The operetta opens in the palace of the mythical kingdom of Karlsberg. It is 1860. Prince Karl Franz, heir to the throne, is bored with royal life in his native land. With his tutor, Doctor Engel, he plans a visit to the old German University town of Heidelberg. Engel recalls nostalgically his own youth in Heidelberg, as the Prince looks forward with considerable anticipation to his future freedom in that delightful city ("Golden Days"). When they arrive in Heidelberg it is spring, and the world is in bloom. The Prince, now incognito, joins his new comrades in a student's song ("Student's Marching Song"), after which they parade to the "Golden Apple Inn". There the students raise their Steins of beer in a robust toast to drink and romance ("Drinking Song"). They call for Kathie, the lovely young daughter of the innkeeper. She addresses the students with considerable warmth of feeling, after which she comes to the Prince's table and dedicates to him a sentimental song about Heidelberg ("In Heidelberg Fair"). The students respond with a vigorous rendition of the age-old student hymn, "Gaudeamus Igitur". Before long, Kathie and the Prince are strongly attracted to each other. In the ensuing weeks their friendship ripens into love ("Deep in My Heart"); one beautiful evening the Prince is inspired to sing a serenade under her window ("Serenade"). But their love idyll is doomed. The news arrives from Karlsberg that the king is dead, and Prince Karl Franz must return to ascend the throne. More than that, he must, for reasons of State, marry Princess Margaret. Realizing that their life together is over, they bid each other a sentimental farewell.

But back in Karlsberg, the new king cannot forget Heidelberg or Kathie. As he sits in his royal suite, visions arise of the place where he had been so happy, and the girl with whom he had been so in love. Unable to contain himself any longer, he leaves Karlsberg to revisit Heidelberg. When the lovers meet again they are deeply moved, but they also know that a permanent union is an impossibility. They say farewell for a last time, with a pledge to keep at least their memories of each other alive as long as they live.

The original New York run of The Student Prince (608 performances) represented the longest of any Sigmund Romberg operetta. The operetta is now a classic of the American theatre, repeatedly revived.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• mario
• lanza
• tenor
• The
• Student
• Prince
• film
• Sigmund
• Romberg

[don3comp]

Detractors often say that the main trouble with operetta is the lack of plausibility in the plots. Because of this scene, I think I see the problem; here you have male college students drinking lots of beer and flirting with a waitress. -Who came up with these things?- : )

[norb1937]

@bboymasochist When I go into the bar I beat my fist on the bar and yell."Bring me a tankard of ale and a wench.:"

[Exboysoldier]

Marvellous and I have loved this song since the first time I heard it. Cheers to one and all who love MUSIC as well as a good pint or two

[gragrn]

@don3comp hahahahahaha!!!

[forochel]

or in modern vernacular: DOWN IT, FRESHERRRRR!!!!!!!!

[MaxxUS08]

@zufriedenheit11 Of course. About any realistic story involving people singing to one another would have to pertain to drinking. LOL

[bostonspdo]

Something many people today don't realize is that when The Student Prince opened in 1924, it was during prohibition. This song must have brought down the house!

[zufriedenheit11]

Most musical plots are not plausible. It is realistic though, to be in a crowd of people and break into song. Its happened to me many a time.

[4MailCRG]

Don3comp's comment on the implausibility of the plot of The Student Prince whenever I open up the video which is often. The plot is implausible but so what. The show, in general, and this song, in particular, have no purpose other than to entertain and are wonderfully successful in that regard. "Drink, drink" is a rousing love song that brings joy to my heart and a smile to my lips every time I hear and sing it. 4CRG

[collegefootballrulez]

@wvirishrover31773 Do they still play this movie at the university?