The Student Prince

[FosseFan]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 11:19pm

Hey all. I have a quick question...a friend of mine was given a recording of "The Student Prince" and said that this was a great show. The woman who gave her the recording says that we need to do this show at our theatre...but we really know nothing about it. Could anyone help us out? Is it a good show? What is the synopsis? I have heard of the show..but know nothing about it. Thanks in advance!

[jo]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 11:45pm

OMG - that is one of my most beloved musicals!

I have a video of the movie ( voice of Mario Lanza covering the lead actor Edmund Purdom). It is an operetta by Sigmund Romberg. It is the story of a young crown prince who was sent to Heidelberg( Germany) to prepare him better to inherit the throne. He was sent to lodge in a place where he meets and falls in love with a barmaid ( another wonderful soprano actress from Hollywood, Ann Blyth) and the story revolves about how his character changed ( he was quite an arrogant royal) and how he has learned to deal with the not-so-royal. But when they were just ready to elope, duty called because his grandfather king was dying - and when he inherited the throne he had to give up the woman he loves and had to marry a real princess.

The songs are so wonderful, even immortal -- Serenade, Deep in My Heart, Golden Days, Springtime in Heidelberg, the Drinking Song and the simply beautiful I'll Walk with God. Maybe there were other songs but I can't recall them right now. Mario Lanza, a very famous tenor-actor has such a great voice - and so does Ann Blyth.

If you can find the video ( I got mine from Amazon) - you will have a much better appreciation of the operetta other than just listening to a CD version ( many versions are probably available because it is a classic).

[Mamie]

Posted: 8/18/05 at 12:23am

jo -
I couldn't agree more about "The Student Prince". My parents had the old soundtrack (on 78 rpm records!) and they would play them on our old 'hi fi' and I learned the words and melodies to all those beautiful songs. As soon as I got my first VCR, I got the tape. That ending, when the prince is standing by his grandfather's bier and singing "I'll Walk With God" never fails to bring me to tears.