German Emperor

The story of the Waltz Kings: today Donald Macleod finds out how Strauss II, Austrian national hero enjoying the adulation of Europe, became a German citizen. Unknown to Strauss, the Nazis would later "alter" his ancestry.

In order to marry his third wife, Strauss converted to Protestantism and became a German citizen. He still longed to write a "serious" comic opera, but accolades from across the globe poured in as Vienna celebrated the anniversary of the first performance of its favoured son. In a bizarre twist of history however, Strauss's ancestry would later be falsely doctored by the Nazis.

J Strauss II: Simplicius - Introduction to Act II
Louise Martini, spoken (Schnapslotte)
Martina Jankova, soprano (Tilli)
Heikki Yrttiaho, bass (Kurassier)
Chor des Opernhauses Zürich
Orchester der Oper Zürich
Franz Welser-Möst, conductor

J Strauss II: Ritter Pazman (Czardas)
Alfred Walter, conductor
Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra

J Strauss II: Waldmeister (Overture)
Lorin Maazel, conductor
Wiener Philharmoniker

J Strauss II: An der Elbe, Walzer, Op 477
Alfred Walter, conductor
Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra

J Strauss II: Neue Pizzicato Polka, Op 449
Willi Boskovsky, conductor
Wiener Philharmoniker

J Strauss II: Kaiser-Walzer, Op 437
Willi Boskovsky, conductor
Wiener Philharmoniker

J Strauss II: Aufs Korn, Marsch, Op 478
Gerhard Track, conductor
Wiener Männergesang-Verein
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra

Producer: Dominic Jewel.