About the work
Liselott is a Singspiel in six scenes by Eduard Künneke with a book by Richard Kessler and Gustaf Gründgens, based on Heinrich Stobitzer's 1901 comedy Die blonde Liselott. It premiered on 17 February 1932 at the Admiralspalast in Berlin.
Plot
The high-spirited Palatine princess Liselott is married off for reasons of state to Duke Philippe of Orléans, brother of Louis XIV, trading her modest Heidelberg residence for the stiff ceremony of the Sun King's court. Her plain-spoken, Palatinate-accented manner clashes with courtly life, while her husband continues to favour his mistress, the Duchess de Grançai. When the couple unexpectedly find themselves in mortal danger, Liselott saves his life through courage and quick thinking.
Cultural significance
The libretto was co-written with the future actor and director Gustaf Gründgens, combining courtly costume operetta with a resolute female lead.