Because I've been wondering how that would go, and also, he can sing a song. There are even already het relationships to cover that angle, and you can still put the one with Heinrich in the centre.
Act 1: Young Lehndorff arrives in Berlin like a Disney heroine, wide-eyed, full of hope, singing the obligatory "this is what I want!" Disney heroine opening song. (Solo number with background chorus: "Berlin!", variation "Cool City"))
He gets bad news from home; his intended and cousin has been sold to the Katte clan (Lehndorff/Du Rosey farewell duet: Our love was not to be.) Also, the job he gets is Chamberlain at the Queen's, and as he quickly finds out, this means no contact with the King and much boredom (Ensemble song: Bored Now!) A despondendet Lehndorff wanders through the nightly palace garden, wondering whether he shouldn't resign and return to East Prussia (Reprise: Berlin!", variation: Cruel City), when he comes across another nightly wanderer in distress, a young man about to marry very much against his will, wondering whether to flee. Lehndorff feels an instant powerful connection/attraction, as the two find comfort in each other (Duet: Two of Us). Only the next morning does he find out the young man in the garden is none other but the King's younger brother, Prince Heinrich. Lehndorff attends Heinrich's wedding as a part of the Queen's entourage, ponders the irony that the two of them have given each other the courage to stay and endure just as he is realising he's fallen in love with a man who will never be his. (Big orchestral number "The Wedding" with Lehndorff recitative.)
Some years later. Lehndorff hangs out with the Divine Trio (quartet: The Best of Friends), enjoying the Berlin party life. After Heinrich departs with his latest lover, Prince Wilhelm holds Lehndorff back; he's spotted the true love in Lehndorff's eyes and, having just lost the chance to marry Sophie von Pannewitz due to his brother refusing to grant a divorce, urges Lehndorff to confess the depth of his feelings to Heinrich. (Duet: Love will prevail.) Lehndorff takes all his courage, gets Heinrich alone and is about to follow AW's advice when terrible news arrive: Austria has managed a treaty with France and Russia. Heinrich is sure this will mean war. (Heinrich solo number: This Brother of Mine/He's Done It Now). Sure enough, since we're dealing with a time compressed musical reality, summons arrive from the King that Heinrich is supposed to join the war effort: Heinrich says farewell to Lehndorff and, asking for one good memory of peaceful Berlin, kisses him passionately goodbye. Act One ends with Lehndorff's heartrendering solo number: Will I Ever See You Again?
- INTERLUDE -
Act 2 opens with a 7 Years War montage. On one part of the stage, we see Lehndorff and the court, fretting about news from the front ("Waiting, Hoping"), while on the other part, we see Heinrich, King Frederick the Great and AW ("Life's a Fight").
As the court gets evacuated to Magdedburg, Lehndorff, who has just learned of his older brother's demise making him the heir of the estate and isn't able to find his way in the new location, comes across a local, charming, shy Fräulein von Häseler, who helps him out (duet "This is the way"). Terrible news of AW's disgrace arrives, followed by Prince Wilhelm himself (remember, compressed time and events). (AW solo number: "Ruin!" with chorus backup.) AW gets a heartrending death scene in which Lehndorff takes Amalie's place because due to the severe cutting down of characters from rl in a stage play; Heinrich arrives just too late to find his brother still alive; what he does find is the terribliy distressed Lehndorff getting hugged and consoled by Fräulein von Häseler. (Trio: "Comfort/No Comfort") Heinrich, who has sung his part of the trio unobserved in the background, decides that he will avenge his brother by murdering the King once the war has been won.
The war is before its last big battle. Having not heard from Heinrich after AW's death, Lehndorff has married Fräulein von Häseler, trying to live as good a life as possible under the circumstances, vowing to regard the royals only as a subject now. A conversation with Heinrich's aide and current lover, the boastful Kalkreuth (Fame! We're gonna live forever! chorus number), who is visiting the court, reveals that the Prince, now a famous war hero, has changed in other regards, too. Lehndorff is about to resign himself to the fact that the Heinrich he knew and loved is gone when Kalkreuth accidentally reveals that Heinrich did, in fact try to reach the dying AW in time and came just too late. When new Mrs. Lehndorff mentions that yes, there was this odd stranger in the background, Lehndorff realises the truth. ("What happened that day?" Lehndorff recitative.)
Heinrich has won the battle of Freiberg, the last battle of the 7 Years War. He's supposed to get honored by the King at the victory parade. The court gets ready to celebrate the won battle, the impending peace and the prince. ("Oh Glorious Day" ensemble number.) Only Lehndorff, much as he would like to, is sure that there is something seriously off and something terrible could be about to happen. He seeks out Heinrich, imploring him to open his heart again and say what he truly feels. Heinrich refuses at first, and the musical's most passionate duet ensues as Lehndorff finally manages to get through to him and learn of Heinrich's terrible vow of vengeange. ("I Know Your Soul/Blood Will Have Blood").
The big moment is there, as the King arrives to honor his brother's victory and declare peace. ("Fridericus Rex", ensemble number with "This brother of mine" reprise from Heinrich as counterpoint.) Lehndorff, caught in the terrible dilemma of either watching his beloved become a murderer and die, or an unsuccesful assassin and die (if he denounces him), chooses a third option: he steps forward, seemingly to petition the King in the name of East Prussians whose country has been ravaged by war and who urgently need peace and royal help. But his petition/song, praising peace and the importance of reconciliation and rebuilding over ongoing hate, is really aimed at Heinrich. (Lehndorff Solo number with Chorus backup: "Give Peace A Chance") At last, the King, growing impatient, orders Lehndorff to step aside so he can go on with the victory/Heinrich honoring ceremony. Lehndorff refuses, even as the King threatens him with disgrace and banishment. Overwhelmed at this spectacle of loyalty and affection which only he understands, Heinrich throws away the dagger he's held. He embraces Lehndorff in front of the King and declares he wishes no further honoring but for the King to grant Lehndorff's petition. As Friedrich does so, the big finale number consists of the entire ensemble celebrating the arrival of peace while Heinrich and Lehndorff sing "Now the future can be ours again".
omg I LOVE THIS SO MUCH yessss Lehndorff gets to be the tenor hero! it really would make a brilliant musical! I envision it as one of those Frank Wildhorn spectacles, like the Scarlet Pimpernel :D
*tries to write lyrics and fails utterly* I guess this is a little harder than I thought, lol :D
I was thinking Frank Wildhorn as composer, too, I admit.:) I hear you re:lyrics, but with your expertise, you get to say which character sings in which register (other than Lehndorff as the tenor hero, which is obvious)!
Du Rosey: had better be a soprano, though a light-voiced one Heinrich: had better be a baritone, mostly because I NEED MORE tenor/baritone duets in my life (oh, okay, I suppose that Heinrich as the major love interest would be a tenor really in a Broadway play, but sorry, he's going to be a baritone if I get to choose) Fritz: baritone (btw, Fritz is turning over in his grave at this libretto — what do you mean he only has one solo verse in his song, and then Heinrich comes in?? Who wrote this thing anyway??) AW: bass (or low baritone), again mostly because I would like to see a song called "Ruin!" sung in a low register :D and because baritone-baritone-bass trio (or tenor-baritone-bass trio if we bow to convention for Heinrich) would be made of awesome Fräulein von Häseler: soprano, though a richer soprano than Du Rosey Kalkreuth: mm. Whatever voice part Heinrich isn't. (Baritone if he's a tenor; tenor if he's a baritone.)
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timeasmymeasure
Lehndorff - The Musical!
Date: 2020-03-25 06:16 pm (UTC)Act 1: Young Lehndorff arrives in Berlin like a Disney heroine, wide-eyed, full of hope, singing the obligatory "this is what I want!" Disney heroine opening song. (Solo number with background chorus: "Berlin!", variation "Cool City"))
He gets bad news from home; his intended and cousin has been sold to the Katte clan (Lehndorff/Du Rosey farewell duet: Our love was not to be.) Also, the job he gets is Chamberlain at the Queen's, and as he quickly finds out, this means no contact with the King and much boredom (Ensemble song: Bored Now!) A despondendet Lehndorff wanders through the nightly palace garden, wondering whether he shouldn't resign and return to East Prussia (Reprise: Berlin!", variation: Cruel City), when he comes across another nightly wanderer in distress, a young man about to marry very much against his will, wondering whether to flee. Lehndorff feels an instant powerful connection/attraction, as the two find comfort in each other (Duet: Two of Us). Only the next morning does he find out the young man in the garden is none other but the King's younger brother, Prince Heinrich. Lehndorff attends Heinrich's wedding as a part of the Queen's entourage, ponders the irony that the two of them have given each other the courage to stay and endure just as he is realising he's fallen in love with a man who will never be his. (Big orchestral number "The Wedding" with Lehndorff recitative.)
Some years later. Lehndorff hangs out with the Divine Trio (quartet: The Best of Friends), enjoying the Berlin party life. After Heinrich departs with his latest lover, Prince Wilhelm holds Lehndorff back; he's spotted the true love in Lehndorff's eyes and, having just lost the chance to marry Sophie von Pannewitz due to his brother refusing to grant a divorce, urges Lehndorff to confess the depth of his feelings to Heinrich. (Duet: Love will prevail.) Lehndorff takes all his courage, gets Heinrich alone and is about to follow AW's advice when terrible news arrive: Austria has managed a treaty with France and Russia. Heinrich is sure this will mean war. (Heinrich solo number: This Brother of Mine/He's Done It Now). Sure enough, since we're dealing with a time compressed musical reality, summons arrive from the King that Heinrich is supposed to join the war effort: Heinrich says farewell to Lehndorff and, asking for one good memory of peaceful Berlin, kisses him passionately goodbye. Act One ends with Lehndorff's heartrendering solo number: Will I Ever See You Again?
- INTERLUDE -
Act 2 opens with a 7 Years War montage. On one part of the stage, we see Lehndorff and the court, fretting about news from the front ("Waiting, Hoping"), while on the other part, we see Heinrich, King Frederick the Great and AW ("Life's a Fight").
As the court gets evacuated to Magdedburg, Lehndorff, who has just learned of his older brother's demise making him the heir of the estate and isn't able to find his way in the new location, comes across a local, charming, shy Fräulein von Häseler, who helps him out (duet "This is the way"). Terrible news of AW's disgrace arrives, followed by Prince Wilhelm himself (remember, compressed time and events). (AW solo number: "Ruin!" with chorus backup.) AW gets a heartrending death scene in which Lehndorff takes Amalie's place because due to the severe cutting down of characters from rl in a stage play; Heinrich arrives just too late to find his brother still alive; what he does find is the terribliy distressed Lehndorff getting hugged and consoled by Fräulein von Häseler. (Trio: "Comfort/No Comfort") Heinrich, who has sung his part of the trio unobserved in the background, decides that he will avenge his brother by murdering the King once the war has been won.
The war is before its last big battle. Having not heard from Heinrich after AW's death, Lehndorff has married Fräulein von Häseler, trying to live as good a life as possible under the circumstances, vowing to regard the royals only as a subject now. A conversation with Heinrich's aide and current lover, the boastful Kalkreuth (Fame! We're gonna live forever! chorus number), who is visiting the court, reveals that the Prince, now a famous war hero, has changed in other regards, too. Lehndorff is about to resign himself to the fact that the Heinrich he knew and loved is gone when Kalkreuth accidentally reveals that Heinrich did, in fact try to reach the dying AW in time and came just too late. When new Mrs. Lehndorff mentions that yes, there was this odd stranger in the background, Lehndorff realises the truth. ("What happened that day?" Lehndorff recitative.)
Heinrich has won the battle of Freiberg, the last battle of the 7 Years War. He's supposed to get honored by the King at the victory parade. The court gets ready to celebrate the won battle, the impending peace and the prince. ("Oh Glorious Day" ensemble number.) Only Lehndorff, much as he would like to, is sure that there is something seriously off and something terrible could be about to happen. He seeks out Heinrich, imploring him to open his heart again and say what he truly feels. Heinrich refuses at first, and the musical's most passionate duet ensues as Lehndorff finally manages to get through to him and learn of Heinrich's terrible vow of vengeange. ("I Know Your Soul/Blood Will Have Blood").
The big moment is there, as the King arrives to honor his brother's victory and declare peace. ("Fridericus Rex", ensemble number with "This brother of mine" reprise from Heinrich as counterpoint.) Lehndorff, caught in the terrible dilemma of either watching his beloved become a murderer and die, or an unsuccesful assassin and die (if he denounces him), chooses a third option: he steps forward, seemingly to petition the King in the name of East Prussians whose country has been ravaged by war and who urgently need peace and royal help. But his petition/song, praising peace and the importance of reconciliation and rebuilding over ongoing hate, is really aimed at Heinrich. (Lehndorff Solo number with Chorus backup: "Give Peace A Chance") At last, the King, growing impatient, orders Lehndorff to step aside so he can go on with the victory/Heinrich honoring ceremony. Lehndorff refuses, even as the King threatens him with disgrace and banishment. Overwhelmed at this spectacle of loyalty and affection which only he understands, Heinrich throws away the dagger he's held. He embraces Lehndorff in front of the King and declares he wishes no further honoring but for the King to grant Lehndorff's petition. As Friedrich does so, the big finale number consists of the entire ensemble celebrating the arrival of peace while Heinrich and Lehndorff sing "Now the future can be ours again".
THE END
Re: Lehndorff - The Musical!
Date: 2020-03-27 03:52 am (UTC)Truly, I bow before your genius. All we need now is to pitch this to the right people!
Re: Lehndorff - The Musical!
Date: 2020-03-27 05:22 am (UTC)*tries to write lyrics and fails utterly* I guess this is a little harder than I thought, lol :D
Re: Lehndorff - The Musical!
Date: 2020-03-27 06:45 am (UTC)Re: Lehndorff - The Musical!
Date: 2020-03-31 05:13 am (UTC)Du Rosey: had better be a soprano, though a light-voiced one
Heinrich: had better be a baritone, mostly because I NEED MORE tenor/baritone duets in my life (oh, okay, I suppose that Heinrich as the major love interest would be a tenor really in a Broadway play, but sorry, he's going to be a baritone if I get to choose)
Fritz: baritone (btw, Fritz is turning over in his grave at this libretto — what do you mean he only has one solo verse in his song, and then Heinrich comes in?? Who wrote this thing anyway??)
AW: bass (or low baritone), again mostly because I would like to see a song called "Ruin!" sung in a low register :D and because baritone-baritone-bass trio (or tenor-baritone-bass trio if we bow to convention for Heinrich) would be made of awesome
Fräulein von Häseler: soprano, though a richer soprano than Du Rosey
Kalkreuth: mm. Whatever voice part Heinrich isn't. (Baritone if he's a tenor; tenor if he's a baritone.)
:D