The Chocolate Soldier

A Musical Play

Book by Lyrics by Rudolf Bernauer and Leopold Jacobson

The Chocolate Soldier, a 1909 operetta with music by Oscar Straus, stands as a celebrated example of early 20th-century operetta. Adapted from George Bernard Shaw's play Arms and the Man, this work transformed Shaw's satirical comedy into a romantic musical with a more humorous and sentimental tone, characteristic of the operetta genre. 

The adaptation, however, was not without its challenges. Shaw, known for his sharp wit and disdain for sentimentality, refused to have any part in the production, and while he allowed Straus to use his plot and characters, he insisted that the music should not stray into overtly romantic sentiment. This restriction, paradoxically, added to the operetta's charm as Straus created a playful and sometimes ironic score that complemented the story’s lighthearted themes.

Set in Bulgaria during the Serbo-Bulgarian War, the musical revolves around the central character, Bumerli, a Swiss soldier who appears unheroic yet charming. His reluctance toward violence contrasts with the dashing, gallant soldier stereotype. Bumerli’s encounters with Nadina, the spirited heroine, mirror Shaw’s original work, revealing a humorous exploration of romantic and military ideals. Nadina's romantic notions are initially tied to the dashing ideal of soldierly heroism, but her encounter with Bumerli challenges these perceptions, leading to a romance that is refreshingly devoid of traditional heroics. This central theme questions the social ideals of heroism and masculinity while adding an element of absurdity, as Bumerli's refusal to engage in warfare to its full extent makes him, ironically, the most sensible character.

The score blends waltzes, marches, and love ballads, allowing audiences to engage with the plot’s whimsy while celebrating its satirical edge. Songs like “My Hero” became iconic, contributing to the operetta’s enduring popularity and securing The Chocolate Soldier a notable place in theatre history. 

ISBN  978-1542500746 

$12.95

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