Millöcker: Der Bettelstudent / The Beggar Student

For many years, Carl Millocker's Der Bettelstudent was one of the most frequently-played operettas of all time. Polish resistance to Saxon rule in the 18th century supplies the political background to a romantic comedy that gave the composer the chance to spice up the Viennese operetta style with Polish mazurka rhythms. For this Electrola production, whose "verve and liveliness" were praised by critics, conductor Franz Allers had several of the EMI ensemble's best singers at his disposal.