(The Impresario), K. 486, is a comic singspiel by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, set to a German libretto by Gottlieb Stephanie, an Austrian . Originally, it was written because of "the imperial command" of the Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II who had invited 80 guests to a private luncheon. It is regarded as "a parody on the vanity of singers", This competition pitted a German singspiel, presented at one end of the room, against a competing Italian opera, the Italian entry being Antonio Salieri's opera buffa, Prima la musica e poi le parole (First the Music, then the Words), which was then given at the other end of the room. is surrounded by much spoken dialogue, typical in its day. One highlight, which Erik Smith describes as very funny, is where "each lady sings about the nobility of her art while trying to defeat her rival with ever higher notes". and thus the "audition" of Madame Herz includes her aria "" ("There tolls the hour of departure"), while Mme Silberklang sings the elegant rondo, "" ("Dearest Youth").
The cast included Anthony Michaels-Moore, Brenda Rae, Meredith Arwady, and Erin Morley.
The 1966 recording by the English Chamber Orchestra (conducted by André Previn), was performed with an English libretto penned by Previn's then wife Dory Previn, who transplanted the amusing tale to the 20th century.
Bronx Opera performed it in 1972, 2008, and in 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as a video version in Zoom format.
Roles
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Role
!Voice type
!Premiere cast, 7 February 1786
|-
|Madame Krone, an actress
|spoken role
|Johanna Sacco
|-
|Madame Vogelsang, an actress
|spoken role
|Maria Anna Adamberger
|}
Synopsis
:Place: Vienna
:Time: 1786
Frank, the impresario (along with the buffo singer, Buff, who assists him) auditions two actresses to be part of his new theatrical company. While both are hired, they then argue over who will get the prime role and who will be paid the most. To illustrate their strengths, each sings a striking aria to back her claim (Herz: "", Silberklang: ""). An agreement is reached when the tenor, Vogelsang, intervenes, in what Julian Rushton describes as a hilarious trio, "" (I am the prima donna) compromise is agreed to with each receiving "large salaries and star billing".
|-
|1966
|Judith Raskin,<br />Reri Grist,<br />Richard Lewis,<br />Sherrill Milnes
|André Previn,<br />English Chamber Orchestra<br />Leo McKern as Impresario