Das Hollandweibchen
Libretto by Leo Stein and Béla Jenbach
Premiere: Johann-Strauss-Theater, Vienna, January 30, 1920
Act I: In the small German principality of Sonneburg-Glücksburg, Princess Jutta eagerly awaits her arranged marriage to Crown Prince Paul Roderich, whom she has not met but whose letters and portraits have won her heart. A deputation arrives at the railway station to greet the arriving prince, who, amidst cheering crowds, announces that he is not Paul, but rather his private secretary Dr. Udo von Sterzel. It seems that Paul has developed cold feet about marrying solely for reasons of state, and has decided, instead, to go yachting on Wyk-On-Sea in Holland. Jutta is told by the Lord Chamberlain that her bridgegroom is ill, but that the ceremony will go ahead as planned, with Von Sterzel acting as proxy. Resentful of Paul’s snub, she forgoes the wedding and decides to track Paul down on his yacht and teach him a lesson.
Act II: Jutta arrives, incognito, at Wyk-On-Sea, accompanied by her friend, Baroness Elly von der Weyde, who had hit it off with Udo back home and hopes to continue the relationship. The two girls take waitress jobs at the Yacht Club—Jutta under the name “Bella,” and Elly under the name “Kaatje.” Paul’s attention is caught by a beautiful “little Dutch girl” singing of a faithless lover—he begins courting her, unaware that his Bella is really the girl that he stood up. Ministers from Sonneburg-Glücksburg arrive to formalize Jutta’s marriage to Paul. He wants no part of it and will tell her so personally. Jutta reveals her dual identity and sails away, as Paul laments his tough lesson learned.
Act III: Two days later, back home, Jutta despairs over her lost romantic opportunity. Paul arrives, intent to win her back. After playing with his emotions a while, she calls for the proxy marriage contract and tears it up in front of him. Paul’s utter dejection turns to joy when she reminds him that his refusal to marry a princess does not prevent him from wedding a “little Dutch girl.” She removes her cloak and stands before him in Bella’s peasant outfit—they fall passionately into each other’s arms.
