Franz Joseph - Blog Posts
Mit ihr stirbt die Welt
You know what's really tragic about the character of Rudolf in Elisabeth das Musical? (Besides, y'know... Everything?)
That he's a LOT like Franz Joseph too, at least when he was his age.
They're both under the thumb of one parent, who doesn't allow them to express their own political view. They both feel like intrigue is ruining their lives, and wish they weren't in the restricting position they occupy. And most importantly: they both express a desire to be "soft", instead of the hard and emotionless leader they're drilled to be.
Why then, is there no song, not a single line, where either of them acknowledge that similarity? Elisabeth and Rudolf both sing about how similar they are, why can't Rudolf and FJ?
Because Rudolf doesn't know. How could he know that his own father went through the exact same pressure he is under.. when the pressure was successful in molding him? He never sees that softer side to him.
Franz Joseph might have chosen Elisabeth over his mother in the end, but he internalized her lessons and sees them as truth. He is hard, he is strict, and he doesn't know any other way to be. He doesn't see anything wrong with how he's treating his son. (And in his childhood, how Sophie raised him). He turned out fine, why should Rudolf be different?
So Rudolf had not one, but two parents who should have been able to relate to at least part of his despair. But both failed to be the parent they wished they had. And I don't know if it's better or worse that he never even knew how his father was similar to him, too.
Halb sieben Uhr abends, in der Augustinerkirche. Merkwürdige Zeit für eine Trauung, aber passend, An diesem 24. April 1854. Sehr passend, porca miseria!
April 24, 1854
On this day 171 years ago: 16 year old Elisabeth married Emperor Franz Joseph in the Augustinian Church in Vienna.
Elisabeth De Musical, Netherlands Premiere
📍Schouwburg Het Park (14.03.2025)
Pia Douwes as Empress Elisabeth
Danique Dusée as Young Elisabeth / Jonge Elisabeth
Milan van Waardenburg as Der Tod / De Dood
Ann Van den Broeck as Archduchess Sophie
William Spaaij as Lucheni
Ronald Jorritsma as Rudolf
Guido Gottenbos as Franz Joseph
Sjoerd Oomen as Maximilian of Bavaria
Stage Adaptations about Empress Elisabeth that's not Elisabeth das Musical (Part 2)
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Sissi – Das Musical
Sissi Das Musical (Also called Sissi – Liebe, Macht und Leidenschaft) is a German musical composed by George Amadé (music) and Jean Müller (book/lyrics). It premiered in Nanjing, China in 2008 followed by the European premiere in April 2012.
Fun Fact: It was commissioned by the Chinese government, reflecting the country's enduring fascination with the empress.
According to reviews, much like the Romy Schneider films, it lacks depth and is weighed down by excessive kitsch.