Maske in Blau

Maske in Blau (Mask in Blue) is a grand operetta in two parts (six scenes) with music by Fred Raymond to a libretto by Heinz Hentschke and . The work had its premiere under Werner Schmidt-Boelke on 27 September 1937 at the Metropol Theater in Berlin. It was revived on 20 March 1955 at the Théâtre Municipal, Strasbourg under the title Le masque bleu.

The first part of the operetta (scenes 1–3) takes place in Sanremo in Italy and the second part (scenes 4–6 ) on the Rio Negro in Argentina at the time of the premiere, that is, in the 1930s.

Armando Cellini is a celebrated artist. With his painting "Mask in Blue" he was able to win the first prize in a competition, creating a breakthrough in the art market. Exactly one year ago, the painting was created when he was a guest at a ball and portrayed an unknown beauty. Since then this woman has haunted his visions. Because she had promised him to come back in a year to the exact day, he hopes to see her today. He would recognize her even without her blue mask, that he had given her after the completion of the picture along with a ring and asked her to wear them on her return.

Evelyne Valera, a wealthy plantation owner from Argentina, arrives with her entourage at the Grand Hotel. Each visitor suspects that this "Mask in Blue" has to be her, and is thus correct. The lady intends to seek out the artist in his studio.

Armando Cellini is waiting longingly for the visit of the unknown beauty. When the doorbell rings, he thinks he is already on target, but gets the same bitter disappointment. A stranger enters his studio posing as Pedro dal Vegas. The only thing that interests him, is the painting "Mask in Blue". His request is that, the painter should it sell it to him, but the request remains unfulfilled.

Shortly after Pedro dal Vegas has left the atelier, a new guest is announced. This time it is the desired "Mask in Blue". The painter recognizes her immediately from her ring. Now things begin to spark between the two and they confess their love.

The next day a street festival is celebrated in Sanremo. This leads to the second meeting between Cellini and Pedro Armando dal Vegas. The painting would win by all means the favor of the wealthy plantation owner in order to rehabilitate his finances. Because he has noticed her love for the artist Cellini suggests he harbors a sinister plan: he has managed to steal the ring from Evelyn's purse. He gives it back to the painter, allegedly on behalf of the owner. Armando Cellini descends from jubilation to desperation. He had not imagined such a rapid change of his beloved.

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Wikipedia