This is one of three recordings by the Long Island-based Yiddish Light Opera Company,
which has performed G&S operas in Yiddish everywhere from Florida to Toronto
to London. (See also Der Yiddisher Pinafore, and
Der Yiddisher Mikado.)
The production is not a literal translation, but a free adaptation. (The
Nightmare Song from Iolanthe is interpolated.)
Fayvl's nursemaid, Rivke, has Fayvl apprenticed to a group of bearded men whom
she mistakenly thinks are rabbis (rabonim), but they turn out to be
pirates (gazlonim).
When Fayvl turns 21, he tells the pirates that he is about to leave their band.
Rivke, who is old enough to be his mother, asks that he take her with him and
make her his wife. Fayvl, who has never seen any other women, is about to accept
when he suddenly discovers a group of beautiful girls. They are the daughters of
Der Groyser General. Fayvl angrily rejects Rivke and falls in love with Malke,
one of the daughters.
The gazlonim reappear and seize the girls. They want to marry the girls
at once but their father, Der Groyser General, arrives. He tells the gazlonim
a terrible lie, i.e., that he is an orphan. The gazlonim feel sorry for
him and release his daughters.
Fayvl soon learns that the General is no orphan, and he tells the gazlonim of
the General's deception. The gazlonim decide to punish Der Groyser
General for lying. They battle with the police and beat them to the ground.
The police sergeant charges the pirates to throw down their swords in the
name of Der Lubavitcher Rebbe! Upon hearing this, the gazlonim yield
and start to kneel, but Rivke suddenly makes a startling announcement: "They
are not really pirates, but they are all noblemen who have gone wrong!"
The play ends in general rejoicing as Der Groyser General says to the former
pirates, "Take my daughters!" and they each take a daughter and dance off
happily.
You can order this recording (on CD) from the G&S Yiddish Light Opera
Company's website.
