An Opera bouffe in Three Acts
Libretto by Rudolf Bernauer and Leopold
Jacobson
Music by Oscar Strauss
English Version by Stanislaus Stange
Arranged for Broadcasting
Nadina, Daughter of Col. Popoff,
Aurelia, Wife of Col. Popoff,
Mascha, Aurelia's Cousin
Bumerli, Lieut. in the Serbian Army
Massakroff, Capt, in the Bulgarian Army
Katrina, Housemaid to Col. Popoff
Alexius Spiridoff, Major in the Bulgarian Army
Casimir Popoff, Col. in the Bulgarian Army
Officers, Soldiers and flag bearers in the Bulgarian Army, Townspeople, Peasants, etc.
The story of "The Chocolate Soldier", which is based on George Bernard Shaw's brilliant satirical comedy, "Arms and the Man", closely follows the incidents, situations, and structure of the original story. The only changes made necessary are patent to the reader of the original. The scene of the opera is laid near the Dragoman Pass, Bulgaria, 1885, when Serbia and Bulgaria are at war.
The sentiment of "The Chocolate Soldier" is evolved by the love affairs of Bumerli and Nadina, Massakroff and Alexius. The comedy situations are furnished by the episode of Col. Popoff's house coat, which is delivered to Bumerli in order to make his escape; its return, and the fact that the photographs of the three women are hidden in the coat.