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| Synopsis |
Der Leiñenkügel is the tale of two young men, their struggle with oppression from a tyrantical government and their defiant convictions to democracy.
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The opera begins when young Werner, the hero, is tricked by the Bürgermeister of Munich into leaving his young fiancé to join the Army. Upon that departure, Bürgermeister von Weincmarck approaches Werner's fiancé, Klara, and proclaims his desire to have her for himself. As Klara laughs to dismiss the Bürgermeister, the witnessing town fool Osmunde also laughs. Enraged, the Bürgermeister orders the imbecile hanged. Klara pleads on her knees for the life of Osmunde in the aria "Rein, rein ist der Narr" (The fool is pure). Osmunde is only released upon her promise of marriage to the Bürgermeister. After their wedding, the Bürgermeister breaks his promise and hangs the pathetic Osmunde.
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Act 2 opens as Werner returns from the wars with a new friend Klaus (also Bürgermeister von Weincmarck's estranged son). At the reunion of Klaus and his father, Werner discovers Klara to be now married to the Bürgermeister, his best friend's father. Werner flees in desperation. Finally understanding the situation, Klaus assails his father with the aria "Kunst Sie ein lüsterner Papa" (Thou art a lustful father), and withdraws his renewed pledge of love and family allegiance. The Bürgermeister orders his son arrested and sends for the magistrate to conduct a trial for high treason. Later that night, Klara slips into the prison and secures the escape of Klaus, who leaves the castle to search for his friend Werner, to Klara's singing of "Laufen Sie das als der Wind" (Run like the wind).
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Act 3 opens with Klaus approaching the distraught Werner now drunk and angry while sitting within "Leiñenkügel", the local beer hall. Werner hurls himself at Klaus with drawn sword, cursing him and his father for the sorrow they have brought upon him. Everyone in the beer hall becomes aware of the tussle and attempt to separate the two combatants. Finally Werner breaks into tears and launches the touching duet "Meine Liebe ist wie eine verschüttete Pinte des Biers" (My love is like a spilled pint of beer). Klaus rejoins with "Doch! Gießen Sie einen frischen Entwurf, der Sie sollten" (Then let us pour a fresh draft). He goes on to explain the breaking off with his father and swears to reunite Werner with Klara. Having touched the hearts of those in the beer hall, they all embrace in the rejoicing title song "Stehen hat ist der Leiñenkügel vereint" (Der Leiñenkügel stands united), truly one of Beethoven's finest musical achievements.
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| Act 4 opens to a now inebriated mob, complete with
torches and pitchforks, approaching the Bürgermeister’s castle
estate. On opening the front door, the Bürgermeister shouts to
the mob that they are drunk and should go home. Klara rushes out
in front of the Bürgermeister to sing “Ja, ja, Gebetrunkt mit Demokratie sind sie!” (Yes, they are drunk with democracy). Her number
ends as one of the peasants accidentally sets fire to a trellis attached
to the house, before passing out. The flame spreads rapidly to the rest of the structure.
The Bürgermeister retreats into the residence as Klara falls forward
into the arms of Werner’s friend Klaus, who passes her off to
another member of the Leiñenkügel mob, who in turn hands
her to Werner, as Klaus runs into the now burning house to save his
father. The structure collapses on both of them with
the mob singing “Ein Tyrann ist mit Demokratie ersetzt". (Democracy has replaced yet another
tyrant). As the blaze deminishes in the background, Werner and Klara
break in to the opera's uplifting closing aria "Ab jetzt ist es...Würste, Bier und Babys" (Sausage, beer and babies for us). |
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"Seien Sie mein Schatz"
The Death of Osmunde
In der Leiñenkügel
The
Bürgermeister's Estate |
