Mes amies, I just discovered that after "Friedrich - Mythos und Tragödie", MT will now also get her very own musical, to premiere this year. The English language version of the website I wasn't surprised to discover that Fritz is a main character (he's named third after MT and FS), but you know who will also be included? One Michael Gabriel Fredersdorf (to be played by the same actor/singer who plays MT's Dad, but still: Fredersdorf isn't a guarantee in an MT musical (hell, he was completely left out of the Fritz musical). So thank you, libretto writers, for including him. I'm hoping for a dramatic quartet where MT and FS are duetting on one end of the stage and Fritz and Fredersdorf at the other.
The kids seem to be all represented as well (i.e. not just Joseph and Marie Antoinette as the two most famous ones), though note Joseph has his own actor while Leopold is played by Fredersdorf's understudy. And MT's beloved governess (the one buried with her in the Habsburg crypt), Countess Fuchs. What amazes me is that among the ministers, Bartenstein is there (and his understudies are some of the lesser boys), but no Kaunitz! OMG Kaunitz would be so insulted by that.
The composer, it seems has previously composed a musical about the late Falco (not the Roman detective, the Austrian rock star) and feels MT is the next logical icon to tackle. I note it will premiere mid October and will just say this is a signifant date.
!! WHAT That's amazing! I am shocked that Fredersdorf is included (especially given that he wasn't in the Fritz musical, lol). No Kaunitz?? But, like. MT is surely a natural for a musical, I'm actually kind of surprised there isn't already one!
Clearly you need to research this, by which I mean you need to go see this musical and report back! And where is prinzsorgenfrei?? (Aren't they active on tumblr? Do they know about this?? Will they find a bootleg with English subtitles so I can watch it too??)
I think whether or not prinsorgenfrei shows up will depend on the size of Fritz' role. :) Also there's no Katte. I mean, that is not a problem for me, because I'd rather have a Fredersdorf whose stage and musical debut this will be, unless I'm mistaken or have missed a Fritzian play featuring him, but Katte is her firm favourite.
(More seriously, I do expect Fritz to show up a lot in that musical, given he is the third named character directly after MT and FS. Now of course the big question is - tenor or bariton for Fritz? I mean, I really don't see him as a basso, and there are some villainous tenors, not just heroic ones. Otoh FS is bound to be a tenor, so he'll probably be a bariton.)
I have a crowded autumn, but I've been meaning to visit Vienna again for eons, and this is a great excuse. :)
Fredersdorf?! Our Fredersdorf? That's awesome! I hope he doesn't get dismissed for embezzlement.
I guess it doesn't surprise me that they picked Bartenstein for character development (MT transitioning from untried young woman into seasoned empress), nor that there's only one minister, even if Kaunitz is the more famous of the two (certainly the only one I remembered from my teenage 18th century history-studying days). I'll be interested to see if they attribute any of the latter's personality or accomplishments (the Diplomatic Revolution?) to Bartenstein.
I bet Bartenstein gets to be the Diplomatic Revolution guy as well. ((I note August of Saxony is among the cast, but not Brühl. So Bartenstein will really get the entire credit.)
Re: Fredersdorf: no way there is room for this subplot, but between Fredersdorf getting slandered and the story of FS selling supplies to the Prussians (which if I understood the later biographers correctly came from Fritz in his Histoire, and contradicts an actual letter of his during the war where he complains FS buying so many supplies for Team Austria is getting the prices up), there clearly needs to be an AU where Fredersdorf and FS get into business together. :)
More seriously, fictional versions of Fredersdorf I am familiar with so far outside of our very salon writing community:
1) Fredersdorf in "Sachsens Glanz und Preußens Gloria". Is accurately depicted as Fritz' confidant and spymaster, but is inaccurately smaller than Fritz. And also in good health.
2) Fredersdorf in "Der Meister von Sanssouci": is the closest thing the novel has to a main villain, jealously scheming against Knobelsdorff and contributing to the enstrangement between him and Fritz; is depicted as your avarage corrupt and ambitious servant, no hint of a special connection with Fritz.
39 Not!Fredersdorf in "Mein Name ist Bach": Isn't called Fredersdorf and wears Heinrich's wig, but has in many ways Fredersdorf's position - seems to be something between a main steward, chief spy and exhausted therapist for Fritz when Fritz rp's himself and Katte in the middle of the night.
And that's it. My current guess is that the musical's Fredersdorf will at the very least be Fritz' closest confidant (and on a Doylist level probably is there so Fritz doesn't have to monologue about his intentions in all three wars but can have dialogue with someone), but the fact he's listed with both first names and not just the last one indicates the librettists have done their research, and we might get an indication he and Fritz aren't just servant and master but something closer. All kidding aside, a Fredersdorf and FS parallel (as loyal spouses grounding their high maintenance ruling partners, whose deaths do devastate them and signal a long widowhood of loneliness) would be dramatically useful and interesting, and I do hope for that quartet.
I know there are at least 2 more fictional Fredersdorfs; Luise Mühlbach's (scheming with Pöllnitz* to be the powerful favorites but learns the error of his ways), and one where the focus is on his alchemy, but I ran into that years ago and can't find it again in a quick google search. Possibly also Mühlbach but a different volume.
* I like to think Fredersdorf would have better taste as well as judgment. At least pick Keyserlingk!
Isn't called Fredersdorf and wears Heinrich's wig
This is still hilarious.
exhausted therapist for Fritz when Fritz rp's himself and Katte in the middle of the night.
Somebody should still write the fanfic in which Fredersdorf does it as a one-time thing!
Eh, I don’t think Fritz would do the rp with Fredersdorf, but I could see him do it with some of those handsome hussars he knows he can fire if needs must. Once he realised Fredersdorf became emotionally important to him, he’d have thought it would negatively affect their relationship. Also, Fredersdorf’s inability to speak French would destroy the therapeutic illusion, since he talked in French with Katte, so no matter whether he’s playing himself or Katte, he’d do it in French.
Agreed that Pöllnitz would not have been Fredersdorf’s choice to conspire with, especially if the goal is to gain more influence and power. He knew damn well Fritz didn’t trust Pöllnitz was far as he could throw him and just regarded him as an amusing anecdote collection. (And yes, he was aware Keyserlingk meant something. Some of the few preserved Fredersdorf letters were about taking care of Keyserlingk’s widow and daughter on Fritz’ behalf, after all, and they include the observation that litte Miss Keyserlingk already is as chatty as her Dad.
(Lehndorff: I still can’t believe what that young Miss later got away with, just because the King felt sentimental!)
Eh, I don’t think Fritz would do the rp with Fredersdorf, but I could see him do it with some of those handsome hussars he knows he can fire if needs must. Once he realised Fredersdorf became emotionally important to him, he’d have thought it would negatively affect their relationship. Also, Fredersdorf’s inability to speak French would destroy the therapeutic illusion, since he talked in French with Katte, so no matter whether he’s playing himself or Katte, he’d do it in French.
I now want a story where Fritz, not as a regular habit but as a one time only thing once in a blue night asks Fredersdorf to do this roleplay with him and Fredersdorf for a variety of reasons says yes.
Cahn and I both immediately also wanted this fic! I've never quite given up on writing it, although let's be real, I haven't written (or at least finished)fanfic in 5 years, and I'm unlikely to start now! Too much nonfiction to be written (and finished!). Mostly I just fantasize that it exists and that someone else writes it for me. :P Though I agree the French might be a sticking point. Hmm.
there clearly needs to be an AU where Fredersdorf and FS get into business together
omg would read!!
Is accurately depicted as Fritz' confidant and spymaster, but is inaccurately smaller than Fritz.
I remember this freaked me out!
All kidding aside, a Fredersdorf and FS parallel (as loyal spouses grounding their high maintenance ruling partners, whose deaths do devastate them and signal a long widowhood of loneliness) would be dramatically useful and interesting, and I do hope for that quartet.
yessss! (I am just a sucker for quartets in musicals in general, to be honest.)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
MT: The Musical
Date: 2025-08-07 02:08 pm (UTC)The kids seem to be all represented as well (i.e. not just Joseph and Marie Antoinette as the two most famous ones), though note Joseph has his own actor while Leopold is played by Fredersdorf's understudy. And MT's beloved governess (the one buried with her in the Habsburg crypt), Countess Fuchs. What amazes me is that among the ministers, Bartenstein is there (and his understudies are some of the lesser boys), but no Kaunitz! OMG Kaunitz would be so insulted by that.
The composer, it seems has previously composed a musical about the late Falco (not the Roman detective, the Austrian rock star) and feels MT is the next logical icon to tackle. I note it will premiere mid October and will just say this is a signifant date.
Re: MT: The Musical
Date: 2025-08-08 12:06 am (UTC)Clearly you need to research this, by which I mean you need to go see this musical and report back! And where is
Re: MT: The Musical
Date: 2025-08-08 04:54 pm (UTC)(More seriously, I do expect Fritz to show up a lot in that musical, given he is the third named character directly after MT and FS. Now of course the big question is - tenor or bariton for Fritz? I mean, I really don't see him as a basso, and there are some villainous tenors, not just heroic ones. Otoh FS is bound to be a tenor, so he'll probably be a bariton.)
I have a crowded autumn, but I've been meaning to visit Vienna again for eons, and this is a great excuse. :)
Re: MT: The Musical
Date: 2025-08-08 11:22 pm (UTC)I hope he doesn't get dismissed for embezzlement.I guess it doesn't surprise me that they picked Bartenstein for character development (MT transitioning from untried young woman into seasoned empress), nor that there's only one minister, even if Kaunitz is the more famous of the two (certainly the only one I remembered from my teenage 18th century history-studying days). I'll be interested to see if they attribute any of the latter's personality or accomplishments (the Diplomatic Revolution?) to Bartenstein.
Re: MT: The Musical
Date: 2025-08-09 07:00 am (UTC)Re: Fredersdorf: no way there is room for this subplot, but between Fredersdorf getting slandered and the story of FS selling supplies to the Prussians (which if I understood the later biographers correctly came from Fritz in his Histoire, and contradicts an actual letter of his during the war where he complains FS buying so many supplies for Team Austria is getting the prices up), there clearly needs to be an AU where Fredersdorf and FS get into business together. :)
More seriously, fictional versions of Fredersdorf I am familiar with so far outside of our very salon writing community:
1) Fredersdorf in "Sachsens Glanz und Preußens Gloria". Is accurately depicted as Fritz' confidant and spymaster, but is inaccurately smaller than Fritz. And also in good health.
2) Fredersdorf in "Der Meister von Sanssouci": is the closest thing the novel has to a main villain, jealously scheming against Knobelsdorff and contributing to the enstrangement between him and Fritz; is depicted as your avarage corrupt and ambitious servant, no hint of a special connection with Fritz.
39 Not!Fredersdorf in "Mein Name ist Bach": Isn't called Fredersdorf and wears Heinrich's wig, but has in many ways Fredersdorf's position - seems to be something between a main steward, chief spy and exhausted therapist for Fritz when Fritz rp's himself and Katte in the middle of the night.
And that's it. My current guess is that the musical's Fredersdorf will at the very least be Fritz' closest confidant (and on a Doylist level probably is there so Fritz doesn't have to monologue about his intentions in all three wars but can have dialogue with someone), but the fact he's listed with both first names and not just the last one indicates the librettists have done their research, and we might get an indication he and Fritz aren't just servant and master but something closer. All kidding aside, a Fredersdorf and FS parallel (as loyal spouses grounding their high maintenance ruling partners, whose deaths do devastate them and signal a long widowhood of loneliness) would be dramatically useful and interesting, and I do hope for that quartet.
Re: MT: The Musical
Date: 2025-08-16 07:53 pm (UTC)I know there are at least 2 more fictional Fredersdorfs; Luise Mühlbach's (scheming with Pöllnitz* to be the powerful favorites but learns the error of his ways), and one where the focus is on his alchemy, but I ran into that years ago and can't find it again in a quick google search. Possibly also Mühlbach but a different volume.
* I like to think Fredersdorf would have better taste as well as judgment. At least pick Keyserlingk!
Isn't called Fredersdorf and wears Heinrich's wig
This is still hilarious.
exhausted therapist for Fritz when Fritz rp's himself and Katte in the middle of the night.
Somebody should still write the fanfic in which Fredersdorf does it as a one-time thing!
Re: MT: The Musical
Date: 2025-08-17 05:48 pm (UTC)Agreed that Pöllnitz would not have been Fredersdorf’s choice to conspire with, especially if the goal is to gain more influence and power. He knew damn well Fritz didn’t trust Pöllnitz was far as he could throw him and just regarded him as an amusing anecdote collection. (And yes, he was aware Keyserlingk meant something. Some of the few preserved Fredersdorf letters were about taking care of Keyserlingk’s widow and daughter on Fritz’ behalf, after all, and they include the observation that litte Miss Keyserlingk already is as chatty as her Dad.
(Lehndorff: I still can’t believe what that young Miss later got away with, just because the King felt sentimental!)
Re: MT: The Musical
Date: 2025-08-17 06:10 pm (UTC)Interesting! A few years ago, you thought otherwise:
I now want a story where Fritz, not as a regular habit but as a one time only thing once in a blue night asks Fredersdorf to do this roleplay with him and Fredersdorf for a variety of reasons says yes.
Cahn and I both immediately also wanted this fic! I've never quite given up on writing it, although let's be real, I haven't written (or at least finished)fanfic in 5 years, and I'm unlikely to start now! Too much nonfiction to be written (and finished!). Mostly I just fantasize that it exists and that someone else writes it for me. :P Though I agree the French might be a sticking point. Hmm.
Re: MT: The Musical
Date: 2025-08-18 03:14 am (UTC)omg would read!!
Is accurately depicted as Fritz' confidant and spymaster, but is inaccurately smaller than Fritz.
I remember this freaked me out!
All kidding aside, a Fredersdorf and FS parallel (as loyal spouses grounding their high maintenance ruling partners, whose deaths do devastate them and signal a long widowhood of loneliness) would be dramatically useful and interesting, and I do hope for that quartet.
yessss! (I am just a sucker for quartets in musicals in general, to be honest.)
Re: MT: The Musical
Date: 2025-08-18 03:16 am (UTC)