The story of the orphan Heinrich is basically a sad one. He is neglected by his Stepmother and then is arrested by the village policeman for allegedly killing the neighbor’s cat. But when it turns out that he is actually the nephew of the Countess, everything ends happily. Rhymed dialogue alternates with music. Alongside the beautiful solo Lieder sung by poor Heinrich there are a series of comic, ironically exaggerated choruses and ensemble pieces. In the interpretation by the children’s choir of the Staatsoper Stuttgart, conducted by Johannes Knecht, the Singspiel Der Arme Heinrich offers adults as well as children an exciting musical entertainment.
