Lola M.
Concert Version by and with Georg RingsgwandlConcert Version by and with Georg Ringsgwandl
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Lola Montez was one of the most dazzling female figures in the history of Bavaria and the city of Munich. When Lola – who was actually born Elizabeth Rosanna Gilbert – arrived in Munich in 1846, the immigration police recorded her as: «artist, dancer from Sevilla, Spain, 24 years old, Catholic, no passport.» A short time later she had become the lover of the Bavarian King Ludwig I. She stayed in the city for almost two years and in that time brought a real swagger to Munich’s Catholic, Biedermeier atmosphere. The countless affairs and intrigues with which she was associated led to a popular uprising, after which the King was forced to abdicate and Lola had to take refuge in Switzerland. However, it would be too simple to reduce this fascinating woman to the scandals that were often no more than allegations against her: because in both her thinking and her actions she was centuries ahead of her time.
«If we leave the myth about this woman to one side, and look at the historical facts of her life of only 39 years, we have to be amazed. Not only did she experience a fourteen-month love affair with the King of Bavaria, the most successful time of her life did not begin until she had to leave Europe. Theatrical tours across America and Australia, lectures in front of vast audiences – she was the most famous woman of her time: dazzling, intelligent, wealthy and respected in even the highest circles. She articulated insights and opinions about the position of women similar to those of Susan Sontag one hundred and twenty years later.» Georg Ringsgwandl
In his homage to Lola Montez, Georg Ringsgwandl – an institution, not only as a songwriter, but also as a writer for theatre and actor – attempts to rehabilitate King Ludwig I of Bavaria’s notorious lover and the most exciting woman seen in and excluded from Bavaria in the 19th century. Following his stage play about the fairy tale King «Ludwig II. The Whole Truth», he has now been commissioned by the Residenztheater to adapt another chapter of Bavarian history in a concert version.
Artistic Direction
