title: Der Zigeunerprimas
text: # Der Zigeunerprimas
  
  Der Zigeunerprimas (The Gypsy Band Leader, known as Sari and The Gypsy Virtuoso in English speaking countries) is a three-act operetta, which was composed by Emmerich Kálmán. The libretto was written by Julius Wilhelm [de] and Fritz Grünbaum. It premiered at the Johann Strauß Theatre [de] in Vienna on 11 October 1912.
  
  In 1929 it was adapted into a German silent film The Gypsy Chief directed by Carl Wilhelm.
  
  ## Roles
  
  Roles, voice types, premiere cast :
  
  | Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, 11 October 1912 |
  | - | - | - |
  | Pali Rácz, a Gypsy violinist and orchestra leader | tenor | Alexander Girardi |
  | Laczi, Pali's son | tenor | Willy Strehl |
  | Sári, Pali's daughter | soprano | Grete Holm |
  | Juliska Racz, Pali's niece | soprano | |
  | Gaston, Count Irini | baritone | Max Brod |
  | King Heribert VII, disguised as Count Estragon | baritone | Josef Victora |
  
  ## Synopsis
  
  Pali Rácz, a thrice-widowed gypsy violinist, is adored by women and hailed widely as a virtuoso. His daughter Sari cares for their large family. His young son Laczi is also a violinist, but has chosen to forsake his father's playing style and study classical violin at the Academy of Music. Pali wants to marry his niece, Juliska, as a companion in his old age, but she prefers his son, Laczi, and Laczi, in turn, loves her. Pali criticizes Laczi's musical talent so much, and Laczi yearns so for Juliska, that he leaves home. Reunited in Paris, father and son reconcile after Countess Irini, an old admirer, convinces Pali not to interfere with the course of Laczi and Juliska's relationship. Irini's grandson marries Sari.
  
  ## Recordings
  
  * Josef Metternich, Julius Katona, Annemarie Jürgens, Liselotte Losch [de], Daue, Willy Hofmann [de] – Westdeutscher Rundfunk – Franz Marszalek – 1949
  * Thompson, Meacham, Lengfelder – Ohio Light Opera – McMahon – 2001 (0098).
  * Gabriele Rossmanith, Edith Lienbacher, Roberto Saccà, Wolfgang Bankl [de]; Claus Peter Flor – Classic Produktion Osnabrück 058-2-2003
  
  ## Radio adaptation
  
  Sari was presented on The Railroad Hour on 17 March 1952. Baritone Gordon MacRae and soprano Margaret Truman starred in the episode, which also featured Carmen Dragon's orchestra and Norman Luboff's chorus.
  
  