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Information & Tickets: http://www.burgspiele.eu
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Information & Tickets: http://www.burgspiele.eu
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The Evil Spirit Lumpacivagabundus or The Rogish Trio
Farce Parody with songs in 3 acts by Johann Nestroy
-> http://www.burgspiele.eu
Premiere: Thursday 31th of July 2008



ABSTRACT
Fortuna, the fairy ruler of fortune, refuses to let her daughter marry Poverinus, the son of Lumpacivagabundus, the fairy of merry misery. In the course of the ensuing argument, Fortuna slanders Lumpacivagabundus, and the fairy judge, Nemesis, decides that Fortuna must consent to the marriage between Brillianta and Poverinus, unless she wins a challenge. The challenge is that she must bestow good fortune on three of Lumpacivagabundus’ human followers. Should they waste their lucky chance and she is to give them two chances, Fortuna will lose the bet and must consent to the marriage.[Entrance song: Bum, Leim, Kmäh] Three tramps have come to town to celebrate. Fortuna sends them each a lottery tip in their sleep, and they each win a great fortune. Overjoyed they make plans to go their separate ways and agree to meet again in a years’ time.

Leim goes to Germany to see if it is possible for him to marry the girl he loves, who he had mistakenly thought was betrothed to another. Her father agrees to the marriage, and Lumpacivagabundus has to agree that Leim is handling his good fortune well. Fortuna and Lumpacivagabundus’ attention turns to the other two, who are not faring so well.

Kmäh is duped by his upper class fiancé who is only interested in his money, whilst Bum is in prison having drunk away his fortune. Fortuna decides to send Bum and Kmäh luck of a more lasting kind than money. As agreed, the friends meet again after a year, as arranged. Leim tests his friends’ loyalty with a trick, but on finding them to be true friends he offers to take care of them both. Kmäh soon tires of his respectable life at Leim’s, and tries to run off with a servant girl, who refuses to go with him, whilst Bum for his part misses his former life of drinking.

Full of misgivings, Leim give Kmäh money to go travelling, and locks Bum in the house to stop him going to the inn. Bum escapes out of the window, and meets up with Kmäh. Together they return to their itinerant begging life, and are content. Fortuna must admit that she has lost the challenge, and consents to her daughters’ wedding.
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born December 7, 1801 at Vienna, Austria; died May 25, 1862 at Graz, Austria was an opera singer, actor and, primarily, a playwright.
Johann Nestroy is often dubbed the Austrian Shakespeare. Quite rightly: like the great master of English literature, Nestroy impersonated the one or other character of his plays himself until he died.

He became a leading figure of Austrian Biedermeier and Vormärz culture and society. Together with forerunner Ferdinand Raimund, Nestroy started off the tradition of Viennese popular theatre ('Wiener Volkstheater') paving the way for Arthur Schnitzler or Ödön von Horvath.
In all his plays music is an important artistic means with songs elaborating the theme or helping on with the plot.

After a career as an opera singer in several European cities from 1822 to 1831, Nestroy returned to his native Vienna and took up writing and acting. This combination of careers has caused Nestroy to be called the "Austrian Shakespeare".

Nestroy's career as a playwright was an immediate success: his 1833 play Lumpacivagabundus was a major hit. He soon became a leading figure in Austrian culture and society. Together with Ferdinand Raimund, Nestroy was a forerunner of Viennese Volkstheater (popular theater).

Whereas Raimund concentrated on romantic and magical fantasies, Nestroy used comedy for parody and criticism. Working at the time of conservative minister Clemens Metternich, he had to carefully draft his plays to skirt the strict censorship in place. His interest in word play was legendary, and his characters often mixed Viennese language with less-than-successful attempts at more "educated" speech. Music held an important role in his work, with songs elaborating the theme or helping on with the plot.

Nestroy wrote over eighty comic plays in the 1840s and 1850s. Among the most important were the burlesque comedies Lumpacivagabundus, Liebesgeschichten und Heiratssachen (Love Affairs and Wedding Bells), Der Talisman (made into the operetta Titus macht Karriere by Edmund Nick), Einen Jux will er sich machen and Der Zerrissene (A Man in Two Minds) all of which were marked by social criticism and biting satire.

About half of Nestroy's works have been revived for the modern German-speaking audience and many are part and parcel of today's Viennese repertoire. However, few have ever been translated into English. Only one, Einen Jux will er sich machen, has become well known to English-speaking theatergoers. Interestingly, it has become a classic more than once. It was first adapted as Thornton Wilder's The Matchmaker (which later became the musical Hello, Dolly!) and later achieved success as the comic masterpiece On the Razzle, which was translated by Stephen Plaice and adapted by Tom Stoppard.
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THE HISTORY OF THE CASTLE OF GÜSSING

In 1157 Güssing is already being mentioned and documented. After three versatile centuries under different dynasties, Güssing, Német-Ujvár, - on 30th of June 1524 - is being obtained by the Batthyánys, who nearly half a millennium later until this day, are connected and associated with the castle of Güssing and also carry Német-Ujvár as part of their family name.



Hungarian King Géza II in 1157 called Count Wolfer probably coming from Hainburg on the Danube to Güssing and presented him with mountain Kyscen and the surrounding area.

The first wooden castle and monastery is being said to been built by Count Wolfer, it is thought though that the first build-ing owners of castle and monastery were the Benedictines. Already that time the name of the pilgrimage church of Our Holy Mary of Snow is being mentioned, which is today?s Castle chapel.

King Béla III finally had built a strong castle of stone. Since then Güssing being called Novum Castrum, (Ujvár = New Castle, from which Német Ujvár in Hungarian is taken) documented in 1198.
1246 King Béla IV for a brief period of time entrusted the castle to the Order of Saint John (1246) and later to his treasurer Mauricius (1263).



In 1272 Heinrich II from the dynasty of the Counts of Güssing and a descendant of the first owner Wolfer has been documented as new owner of Güssing. The family though specially so called Ivan the terrible had been involved in several wars against the royal dynasties. They conducted wild raids and were the cause of widespread unrest in the area. Finally, in 1289/90 Duke Albrecht deprived the counts of Güssing of their power with the permission of Ladislaus IV.

Under King Sigismund 1391 the castle went to the dynasty of Cheh de Sáró and Léva. Their descendants however were involved in such heavy debts that all their assets had to be mortgaged and therefore Nikolaus Ujlaki in 1458 came into possession of castle and rule of Güssing. In 1459 those Magnates who were not satisfied with the election of Matthias Corvinus, had crowned Emperor Friedrich III to King of Hungary at the castle of Güssing, by This however remained without success and in the end Ujlaki had to pay homage to King Matthias Corvinus.

His son, Lorenz Ujlaki, as loyal follower of King Matthew, forcefully and publicly appeared against his successor the bohemian King Wladislav II. This brought the King in rage and in 1495 castle Güssing was heavily damaged through the King`s forces. This forced Ujlaki to reconcile with the King. Four years later Ujlaki died childless.



On Juni the 30th, 1524 finally, Francis I, Batthyány (1497 to 1566) received Castle Güssing consisting of dominion and control of at that time already 60 villages, from his friend of his youth, King Ludwig II. This was a reward for Francis heroic defence of the fortress of Jaicza against the Turks.

From that time on Güssing became the main residence and ancestral castle of the Batthyánys and from then on Güssing was enlarged to a proper fortress against the Turkish enemy with a consistent building activity.

Since then the name Batthyány is inseparable with the past, present, and future of castle Güssing.



When the Turks passed on their way to Vienna for war, they also devastated Güssing. In order to escape total elimination and spare the fortress, Franz I had to arrange himself with the enemy, in which to the relief of the inhabitants of Güssing he succeeded.

From then on the fortress was enforced for 75,000 florins and under Balthasar III, Franz II and Adam I the fortress of Güssing was further enlarged considerably. Between the years of 1540 to 1580 the round tower and bastion with fortifications was built. Because of the permanent and eminent danger of the Turks, the Batthyánys had to hold themselves teheir own garrisons on each of their castles for military reasons. This cost a considerate amount of money. Between the 16th and 17th century not seldom up to 3000 people found shelter at the castle.



Buildings at the castle of Güssing like Francis gate, Adam's gate or several other towers and bastions (widow's tower, canon hall, turret and long bastion) still today give evidence of the architectural activity of the Batthyánys. In 1750 low built prisons among others are mentioned and until 1800 a torture chamber existed on the grounds of the castle.

Under Francis II the Turks (part of the Bocsay upraising) again invaded Güssing and devastated the country, however, fortress Güssing managed to defend itself.

Adam I in 1638 finally brought the Franciscans to Güssing and founded the monastery with the family's burial place and tomb, which since then are inseparable with castle of Güssing. Adam I also further promoted Güssing to a renown place of education for young aristocrats from all over Europe.

1683, under Christoph II ones more the castle provided shelter for Güssing's inhabitants to flee the approaching Turks, who were on their flight after their occupation of Vienna. Christoph and his son Adam II still pursued the Turks and engaged in their running fight. In 1700 the castle still served as an Arsenal for the imperial troops.

Times changed and due to the modernisation of warfare, the castle and fortress of Güssing slowly lost its strategic importance. In 1777 all guns were removed. Due to the high cost of maintenance and the introduced roof tax by empress Maria Theresia, the partly demolition of the castle's fortifications had begun.

Since the separation into the Christoph's line (older/princely line) and the Paul's line (younger line) after Adam's I death in 1659, but at the latest since Prince Louie Batthyány-Strattmann in 1787 made Körmend his main residence and centre of administration Güssing had lost its character as the centre of power for the Batthyánys.



Well knowing the importance of castle, family burial site and monastery in Güssing not only for the family but for the whole region, Prince Philipp Batthyány-Strattmann in 1870 established a foundation for the preservation of castle and monastery.

Due to the fact that the foundation had lost most of its capital during the years of inflation after WWI, ways and means had to be found in order to assure the preservation of castle and monastery also for the generations to come.

Guided by these motives, in the 1980ies the Batthyánys offered the public authorities/Land Burgenland the possibility to participate in the management of the Prince Batthyány foundation. That way important works of renovation and preservation could take place at the castle and monastery.

The castle continues to be managed by the Prince Philipp Batthyány-Strattmann foundation. Its trustee is the respective chef de famille currently the 9th Prince, Ladislaus Pascal Batthyány-Strattmann who together with an administrator of the government of Burgenland currently Dr. Janics ? manages the foundation.



Today on the grounds of the castle, theatre performances, concerts and readings take place during the summer months. Some rooms can also be rented for private functions. It is also possible to celebrate ones civil wedding ceremony and church wedding in the chapel since last year.



The family museum gives only a brief insight into the 700 years history of the Batthyánys until today. Additionally one will find several other interesting exhibitions.
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Castle Güssing

Burg Güssing is one of the oldest castles in Burgenland, Austria, built around 1157 on an extinct volcano, served as a defense castle against threats from the east. The castle is the main attraction of the district town Güssing. It features an impressive art exhibition of the renaissance and baroque, the ancestor gallery, the gothic chapel and the castle museum.


Knights Festival

The mission of the Castle Festival is to show-case Austrian and foreign drama and dance creations and stage performances in general - about twenty productions each year - to an ever-growing audience.


Knight Festival

There are rather unusual performance venues in Güssing and nearby the city including cloisters, churches, the famous Castle Guessing, Culture Center and school halls.


Every man / Jedermann

Each year the Festival changes its programme which, since 1994, has been determined with an associate artist. The Festival's directors, the technical, administrative and production teams are based in Güssing, the culture office in German Kulturbüro Wien with its public relations and culture & art consulting activities is based in Vienna, Austria.



The team is made up of 20 permanent staff and gradually increases in number until the month of July when there are about 120 people working for the Festival. Since 1994, the Festival has been a not-for-profit organisation. Every evening during the Festival is making Güssing a place of true creation and adventure for the artists as well as for the audiences.
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Bonnie J Jensen

Just a note to let those of you who like shopping for music online - Bonnie J Jensen new album, The Sapphire Tree is now available from http://www.iTunes.com. Just search under Bonnie J Jensen.

It is also readily available from http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/je... where THE AUSTRALIAN's review is also visible.

Bonnie J Jensen’s third album “The Sapphire Tree”, follows the last recording “Blue Joy” on her continuing journey towards a more personal style mixing jazz and contemporary influences with ease. In this case it’s a collaboration with Miroslav Bukovsky and the core musicians of his ARIA winning jazz group Wanderlust, bringing an element of contemporary and European jazz flavour to the sound.

This compliments Bonnie’s soulful interpretations well and subtly enhances her unique approaches to her diverse selection of songs, including three new engaging originals including the title song. Bonnie handled the production and arranging mostly herself though she is keen to acknowledge the contributions of the stellar array of musicians on hand. In addition Bukovsky did the horn and string arrangements.

Listeners familiar with her past work will appreciate Bonnie’s signature treatments of classic songs, both jazz standards and Pop classics. Here she has reworked U2’s “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for” by changing the meter and adding a haunting horn arrangement. Her rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing”, like many of the tracks on this album, displays the wide emotional range of her voice and Bonnie’s own “Neon Soliloquy” is said to be reminiscent of Miles Davis’ film sound track for “Ascenseur Pour L’Echafaud”.

Some of her favourite jazz numbers are included to great effect such as Night and Day, Angel Eyes and A Night In Tunisia and the album ends with a beautiful prayer of a song by legendary American drummer Brian Blade who worked with Joni Mitchell for many years.

Bonnie has established herself as a respected and versatile singer, songwriter and pianist. Born in New Zealand but based in Sydney for many years, she has performed in a variety of musical settings in Australia and continues to spend a large amount of each year working internationally.

She released her debut album “Lucky So & So” in August 2001. This album quickly reached No.3 in the Australian Independent Jazz Charts. It was surpassed by her second release “Blue Joy” in 2004 which rose to No. 8 in Japan’s (vocal) Jazz charts for the month of June 2004. Both albums now sell in 6 countries and receive a lot of local airplay.



“The Sapphire Tree” is Bonnie’s third release on La Brava (LB0074), Australia’s premier independent jazz label and is now available at good quality record stores.

Personnel:
Bonnie J Jensen, Vocals, Piano
Alister Spence, Fender Rhodes, Organ, Piano
Craig Walters, Tenor and Soprano Saxophone
Fabian Hevia, Drums, Percussion
Jeremy Sawkins, Guitars
John Napier, Cello
Jonathan Zwartz, Bass
Miroslav Bukovsky, Trumpet, Flugelhorn



http://www.bonniejjensen.com
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Castle Schönbrunn

Culture Office Vienna is a nationally and internationally operating organization, headquartered in Vienna, Austria.

One of our specific focus of the Culture Office Vienna is Adult Education within the framework of our unit Lifelong Learning.

Culture Office Vienna is drawing expertise from specialized network members with experience in a variation of professional fields.

These experts are ready to provide tailor-made, effective and high level solutions for the complex needs and tasks of e.g. Culture & Art projects.

Our focus lies in

* finding partners and discussing projects concerning cultural cooperation in Europe,
* cultural heritage and performing arts - through digital libraries and virtual visits,
* culture and their international distribution development of innovative tools,
* cooperation between Europe's culture, education and training institutions in arts,
* innovative education and training modules,
* intercultural dialogue and social integration,
* exchange of experience in performing arts.
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Burg Güssing - Vinotheque

The province of Burgenland is known for producing among the best wines all over Europe. Specifically the country around the castle area is famous for the blue grape "Blaufraenkisch", which is unique in its quality worldwide.

Winegrowers having vineyards in the near surrounding will present their wines at the welcome reception together with cheese and products of nature. A short course on winetasting will be given, and winemaking procedures will be explained.

Try to visit some Buschenschank or some Winery and start trying and tasting right away, as the local Wineries will be happy to assist you in a professional degustation.

UHUDLER

Being a special wine which must only be served in Southern Burgenland and the bordering styrian area, you will not find it anywhere else. It is drunk cold, and though its appearance has some resemblance with rosé, it tastes entirely different. It has the smack of berries, after the uncultivated grapes from which it is made.
This wine is supposed to be drunk - pure or with soda - together with friends, in a warm autumn evening, in the open air, having a nice talk and laugh on a candle lit table. Most Buschenschanks will provide you with those prerequisites; you still need to bring the friends, though.
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The "Road of Castles" (Schlösserstrasse) starts in mid-Burgenland and goes right down to the most southern place in eastern Styria
Ordered north to south:

Burg Bernstein 13th century

In this small castle in Bernstein, which was owned by families like Batthyány and Almásy, you will find a small hotel, a restaurant and a nice garden, which is open to visitors. The Castle is very ancient with big rooms and a knight's hall. (Hotel: phone: +43 (0) 3354 6382, mail: bergeralmasy@netway.at)

Burg Lockenhaus 13th century

A stronghold and knight's castle located in Lockenhaus, with knight's saloon, frescos and a subterranean apsis hall. The knight's hall is regularly used for chamber music festivals and big stylish weddings. The hotel has ancient apartments, a wedding suite, a tavern and other features. (phone: Tel: +43 (0) 2616 2394 or +43 (0) 2616 2321, mail: burg.lockenhaus@wellcom.at)

Burg Schlaining 13th century

The Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution is located here, as well as the European Museum of Peace. In the village Stadtschlaining you will find a medieval heart, churches, and a synagogue. In the castle Burg Schlaining you will find remarkable medieval architecture, a knight's saloon, pomposity saloons and a chapel. (Castle: phone: +43 (0) 3355 2201-30, opening times 11. April - 31. October, Tue to Sun 9.00 to 18.00, closed on Mondays)

Schloss Burgau 14th century

This former water castle in Burgau (Styria) has, among others, also been in the property of family Batthyàny. It is suitable for concerts, theater, weddings and other festivities. There are also exhibitions of modern art taking place. You can expect theater events and concerts in summer. (Kulturkreis Schloss Burgau: phone: +43 (0) 3383 2111 mail: gde@burgau-steiermark.at)

Burg Güssing 12th century

The oldest castle in Burgenland, built around 1157 on an extinct volcano, served as a defence castle against threats from the east. It features an ancestors gallery, cultural items of the renaissance and barock, a restaurant with atmospheric music events and an excellent vinotheque. In the summertime, the Burgspiele take place, an open-air theater framed by the picturesque castle. (Phone: +43 3322 43400, http://www.burgspiele.eu, http://www.burgguessing.info)

Riegersburg 11th / 17th century

Originally built in the eleventh century, the styrian Riegersburg in the similarly called village has its today face from a renewal in the 17th century. It is layn in eastern Styria, on a 482m high extinct volcano. The Riegersburg features three kilometers of defence walls, eleven bastions and five entries on a 15 hectare big rock plateau. The castle was part of the styrian eastern defence against the osmanic and magyar threats. The Riegersburg, referred to as the strongest fortress of Christianity, with its impressive quality of fortification, remained untaken throughout the history. Since 1822, the castles is owned by baronial family Liechtenstein and is one of the best conserved medieval castles in Europe.
(Prinz Liechtenstein'sche Gutsverwaltung: phone: +43 (0) 3153 8346 or +43 (0) 3153 82131 mail: tourismus@riegersburg.com web: http://www.veste-riegersbur... or http://www.riegersburg.com; opening times: April-October daily 09:00-17:00)