Die Schweizer Familie
# Die Schweizer Familie

Die Schweizer Familie (The Swiss Family) is an opera by the Austrian composer Joseph Weigl. It takes the form of a Singspiel in three acts. The libretto, by Ignaz Franz Castelli, is based on the vaudeville Pauvre Jacques (1807) by Charles-Augustin de Basson-Pierre, known as Sewrin, and René de Chazet. The opera was first performed at the Theater am Kärntnertor, conducted by the composer, in Vienna on 14 March 1809 and was a great success in German-speaking countries in the early 19th century.

## Roles

Roles, voice types, premiere cast :

| Cast | Voice type | Premiere cast, 14 March 1809 |
| - | - | - |
| Gertrude Boll | soprano | Marianna Marconi |
| Richard Boll | bass | Carl Weinmüller |
| Emmeline, the Bolls' daughter | soprano | Anna Milder-Hauptmann |
| Jacob Friburg, in love with Emmeline | tenor | Johann Michael Vogl |
| Count Wallstein | bass | Ignaz Saal |
| Paul | tenor | Joseph Caché |
| Durmann | tenor | Friedrich Demmer |

## Synopsis

The Bolls, the Swiss family of the title, have been banished to an unspecified region in the Alps. Their daughter, Emmeline, pines for the love of Jakob, to whom she is secretly engaged. The local count, whose life was saved by Richard Boll, also shows concern for Emmeline's sufferings and with his help Emmeline and Jakob are reunited.

## Recording

* Die Schweizer Familie Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra Dreieck, conducted by Uri Rom (Guild, 2006)

## Legacy

Ignaz Moscheles wrote a set of 12 variations for piano (Op. 5) on the air "Wer hörte wohl jemals mich klagen".

