Characters
| Werner Kirchhofer | Baritone |
| Konradin, a peasant | Bass |
| The Stewart | Tenor |
| The Rector | Bass |
| Baron von Schönau | Bass |
| Maria, his daughter | Soprano |
| Count von Wildenstein | Bass |
| His Divorced Wife | Alto |
| Damian, Count von Wildenstein's son | Tenor |
Prologue. In the Heidelberg palace courtyard there is a merry company of students and peasants gathered in a drinking bout. The enthusiasm for "Old Heidelberg the fine" and for the gay life of a cavalier takes on such a noisy expression that the steward of the Rector's wife orders them to be quiet. Werner Kirchhofer, a law student, leaps on a table, the peasant Konradin lends him his trumpet and now there echoes forth the sweet song "which once the Palsgrave Friedrich sang" in honour of the "Palsgravin, the most beautiful of women." But the Rector and the Senate entertain other views of the nightly noise of trumpets and the entire body of students is expelled. So they all seek to become cavaliers.
Act I. In Säkkingen a great festival is being held, Fridolin's day. Peasants from the suburbs have come to town for it. There is a suspicious agitation among them. Konradin who is now in the service of the state has his hands full keeping order. What happiness when he sees his old comrade Werner. But now as Maria, daughter of the Baron von Schönau; together with her haughty aunt, the divorced wife of Count von Wildenstein, arrive at the church, insurrection breaks out. Who knows what the peasants would not have done to the ladies had not Werner as knightly protector sprung between them. Love at first sight seized the two young people. (Change of scene.) Above in Schönau castle the old baron is again tormented by chills. Serving as a means of lessening his pain comes a letter from his brother-in-law, Count von Wildenstein, who announces that he is coming to visit him. He has a son, Damian, who would be just the right husband for Schönau's daughter Maria. Moreover that would be an opportunity to bring about a reconciliation between the count and his divorced wife, none other than Maria's aunt. The marriage was dissolved and their son was once stolen by gypsies. Damian is a son of the second wife of Count von Wildenstein, who is dead. Out of his pleasant thoughts about his future son-in-law and protector of the castle in these evil days the Baron is frightened by the reports of his women about the uprising of the peasants. In the praise that Maria gives to the brave trumpeter is echoed his playing from the Rhine to here. That stirs the old baron like an elixir of youth in his bones. The trumpeter is summoned and a look in Maria's love-warmed eyes is enough for him to accept the Baron's offer to become trumpeter of the castle. Of course the proximity of the young people will not please the aunt.
Act II. That they love each other both already long know but the acknowledgment nevertheless would be very beautiful. But the old aunt is always at hand especially at the music lessons which Werner gives to the young woman. A real piece of luck that Konradin is coming today to the castle to bring wine for the May festival. He knows how to arrange it so that the old woman must go to the wine cellar. Now it is all over with pride. Maria lies in the arms of the humble trumpeter. Unfortunately, the old aunt comes back. She is not moved by their prayers, but tells all about it to the excited Baron. Nothing helps, the trumpeter must leave the house. Maria's bridegroom is already chosen. At today's May festival he will take part. Damian is certainly stupid enough but that does not help the lovers. "Would to God that it had not been so beautiful, would to God it had not been!"
Act III. But Damian is not only stupid, he is also a miserable coward. That is shown as it now behooves him to defend Baron von Schönau's castle against the revolted peasants. The knights there would have been lost had not relief suddenly come. It is Werner who arrives with a troop of country people. Maria flees to her lover's arms. But alas, he is wounded in the arm. And what is that? That mole? The old Countess Wildenstein recognizes in the trumpeter her son, whom the gypsies once stole. Now naturally there is nothing in the way of the union. Now "young Werner is the happiest man" and who can deny that "Love and trumpet sounds are very useful, good things."
DER EVANGELIMANN
THE EVANGELIST
Music-drama in two acts by Wilhelm Kienzl; text by the composer after a tale by L.F. Meissner. Produced: Berlin, May 4, 1895.
Characters
| Friedrich Engel | Bass |
| Martha, his niece | Soprano |
| Magdalena, her friend | Alto |
| Johannes Freudhofer, teacher at St. Othmar's | Baritone |
| Matthias Freudhofer, his brother, actuary in a monastery | Tenor |
| Zitterbart, a tailor and other artisans | Tenor |