Gypsy Baron

Johann Strauss II

The Gypsy Baron: “Danube, river of dreams”

If Johann Strauss could be here today he would be flattered, amazed and bewildered. He would be flattered that his music (and that of his father and brothers) is still so popular in the 21st century. He would be amazed that, following a tradition that began in Vienna in 1939, it is performed as a regular part of New Year celebrations all over the world. While still flattered, he would be bewildered by what extraordinary things can happen to his music in these events. The melody of what is being presented here today as “Danube, river of my dreams” he would recognise as a waltz song, “Als flotter Geist,” from one of his most successful operettas Der Zigeunerbaron. But he would probably remember that he wrote it for the entrance of his tenor hero Barinkay, the “gypsy baron” of the title. He would surely agree, however, that whether it is sung by a tenor in German or a soprano in English (to words that have little to do with the original), the tune retains its irresistible zest and its authentic Viennese waltz-time style.