Die Zwillingsbrüder

Die Zwillingsbrüder (The Twin Brothers, D. 647) is a one-act Singspiel (sometimes also described as a Posse mit Gesang) composed by Franz Schubert in 1819 on a libretto by Georg Ernst von Hofmann.

Critics attribute this to the weakness of the libretto as well as to a mismatch between the lightness of the subject matter and the refined nature of Schubert's music.

Franz, now an old veteran whom the villagers had presumed dead, suddenly returns, on the last day on which he can claim his bride, and Lieschen's father must keep his word.

The twins' stories and behaviors do not match (while one brother strives to arrange his marriage to the heroine, the other gladly revokes his right to it), leading Der Schulze to believe that the old soldier has sustained a mentally impairing sword wound and that he is unfit to marry his daughter.

After this confusion is used to comic effect in a variety of ways, the twins finally meet, and Lieschen is allowed to marry Anton.

The Kärntnertortheater , where Die Zwillingsbrüder was premièred in 1820. Lithograph, ca. 1830.
Caricature of baritone Johann Michael Vogl (left), who sang the role of the twin brothers at the 1820 première of Die Zwillingsbrüder , with composer Franz Schubert (right). Drawing by Franz von Schober .