Countess Maritza at Budapest Operetta and Musical Theatre

If the Gypsy Princess is Imre Kálmán's most successful work, it is without a doubt that Countess Maritza is his most exciting and most popular piece. It is by no wonder, since Maritza is full of hits, and its unique, yet very up-to-date story features various characters, who are always in love, but are often caught wriggling in their own web of lies!

Ten years ago it was the first production that hit the stages of the then reopened Operetta Theatre and now the most famous Hungarian aristocrat, Countess Maritza is ready to take the audience by storm again, this time in the direction of KERO®.

The story is romantic and a little passionate.

In Transylvania, at the ancient estate of the Decsényis, count Tasziló Endr?dy-Wittenberg, who squandered his family wealth, works as a bailiff under the name of Béla Török. Not knowing this and crossed in love, the countess returns from Vienna, to get over her heartbreak. To get rid of her suitors, she announces a fake engagement with the imaginary baron Kálmán Zsupán. The countess and the disguised count fall in love with each other. But then, baron Zsupán (who, as it turns out, is Tasziló's best friend in disguise) suddenly appears and falls for his friend's sister, who is unaware of the scam. The story becomes even more complicated with a lost letter, and with the constant intriguing of certain friends and relatives, and of course with the wonderful and heartbreaking sound of the violin.

It would be difficult to find a more topical story, since many of us believe that life is easier with disguised truths and little lies in it. The operetta presents a fine example of people getting caught in their own web of lies. Marica and the 'bailiff' have to endure several hardships and conflicts in order to be able to defeat themselves and let love, the main theme of all operettas, conquer their hearts. The story of Countess Marica proves that we have to fight for our love and for our desires even when we think we have committed irreparable mistakes!

Countess Maritza is full of wonderful solo songs, duets, spectacular folk and show dances with Emmerich Kálmán's immortal music, which features the most diverse influences: American foxtrot, shimmy, Viennese waltz, Hungarian czardas and gypsy music. Szép város Kolozsvár, Hej, cigány, Szent Habakuk, Ringó vállú csengeri violám - and the ultimate message for everyone: with strength and courage everyone can endure the hardships of life and can find their own happiness!

Facing ourselves takes courage - but Countess Maritza makes us believe that it is worth it, because on the road to happiness sincerity is the most important human feature that ultimately leads to understanding and love...

Countess Maritza is one of the most popular Hungarian operettas, which richly deserved its fame. This adaptation can be seen not only in Budapest, but in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Wien.