Blindekuh (operetta)

Blindekuh (Blind Man's Buff) is an operetta written by Johann Strauss II on a libretto by Rudolf Kneisel [de].

It was first performed in Vienna at the Theater an der Wien on 18 December 1878,[1] its composition delayed by the death of Strauss' wife, Jetty Treffz.

It is assumed that the stage forms a large terrace, three steps lead down into the main recess, which are bounded on the right and left by vases on pedestals.

Other guests arrive, including district administrator Silber Tau, his wife Minna, and their children, who are running away from the dusty city to enjoy fine food and lovely weather in the countryside.

Last to arrive is Mrs Sadowitt with her daughters Cecilia and Aurelia, who are there in the hope of meeting suitable male acquaintances.

He explains to Arabella that the reason for this is that Waldine, his daughter from a previous marriage, has been promised to marry the American cousin since she was a child.

Johann returns bringing a letter, which is a bill from Arabella's Viennese stylist for the amount of 500 gulden.

They overhear the argument, which has now degenerated into Arabella's jealousy toward Scholle's exuberant behaviour with housemaids and other women.

To make the matter more tragic, Herr Silber Tau joins them with his children, telling Scholle that they wish to pick cherries and apples from his trees.

Scholle is desperate, as he is an avid lover of nature and hates the thought of innocent animals being hurt, his beautiful flowers ruined and his ripening fruit picked by others.

The conversation moves onto marriage, and we learn that Waldine is not happy at having been promised to the American cousin as she is in love with a young man named Hellmuth.

Hellmuth seizes the opportunity and tells Arabella that he is an employee of a jeweller from Vienna, and has been sent to collect her outstanding debt.

Hellmuth's plan can now begin: he tells Arabella that he cannot return to Vienna until the bill has been paid in full and that he must remain in her house until such a time.

Arabella is now worried that Johann will tell her husband about what he has seen, but she has a plan: she decides to introduce Hellmuth (Herr Meyer) to Scholle using a different name.

He is surprised but, rather than thinking that Hellmuth is making advances on his wife, he mistakes him for his American cousin Adolf.

Waldine has followed her father onto the scene and is amused by the situation in which Hellmuth has landed himself; he must even invent long stories to describe America to his "uncle".

Kragel is puzzled, as he recognises Hellmuth as a young man he has met before in Vienna, which he voices to Elvira.

The reason for his visit is to tell Scholle that he is already married and to pay his uncle 40,000 dollars, which was the fee agreed by both their parents if the wedding were to be cancelled.

Scholle is confused: Arabella tells him that in reality the man introduced as "cousin Adolf" is actually Herr Meyer, and the reason for his presence is to settle her outstanding bill.

Arabella joins them and Hellmuth introduces Betsy as a colleague of his from the shop in Vienna who is here to ask for payment from another bill.

Elvira enters and screams, as she thinks that Hellmuth is the murderer Herr Meyer as described by Kragel, and recounts the story to the room.

Everybody is shocked that Hellmuth is not the real Adolf, so he reveals his true identity and Waldine says that he is the man she wants to marry.