No buffo couple, no choruses, no dance scenes, and, most of all, no psychological conflict: the action of Cloclo is not at all typical of Franz Lehár. It is a chamber operetta but more than a mirthful intermezzo for the lyrical opera Paganini: it is its comedic counterpart. The foxtrot 'Ich habe La Garçonne gelesen' became the operettas hit at the premiere on 8 March 1924. It referred to Victor Marguerittes novel of the same name abouta prototypical young woman of the 1920s who leads an independent existence, wears short dresses and sports a bobbed hairdo, and, to top it all, is a sexual libertine. Unanimously enthusiastic reviews followed last year after the semi-scenic performance on which our recording is based, and the Lehár Festival in Bad Ischl won the coveted 'Operetten frosch July 2019' for this rewarding rediscovery. The Bavarian Radio, full of praise, raved: 'Marius Burkhard in the meantime has reached an astonishing level with his Lehár Orchestra. His feel for the right tempos but especially his sense of the tonal values of Lehárs score attest to his status as one of todays best operetta conductors. And the most marvelous thing: every member of the orchestra has obvious fun and a smile on her or his face. Dont be a frog, kiss him. The Operetta Editorial Staff is convinced and offers its congratulations for great operetta courageousness.'

Artists

Sieglinde Feldhofer (Cloclo Mustache), Gerd Vogel (Severin Comichon), Susanna Hirschler (Melousine, seine Frau), Ricardo Frenzel Baudisch (Chablis, ein Klavierlehrer), Daniel Jenz (Maxime de la Valle), Matthias Stormer (Petipouf, ein Polizist), Frank Voss (Erzahler), Chor des Lehár Festivals Bad Ischl, Franz Lehár-Orchester, Marius Burkert