As part of the Folies Parisiennes series, the Palazzetto Bru Zane will present Operetta Four-Hands on October 16, 2025. The concert features pianists Lidija and Sanja Bizjak, whose dazzling four-hands performances bring new life to arrangements of operettas by Hervé, Messager, Offenbach, and Serpette.
The late 19th century was a golden age for opéra-bouffe, whose playful satire, irresistible melodies, and effervescent wit captivated audiences in France and across Europe. Its popularity extended far beyond the opera house. Music publishers, eager to satisfy demand, produced countless piano transcriptions, enabling these lively scores to travel into salons and private homes.
These adaptations had many purposes. Some distilled a single aria into a miniature gem for amateur pianists; others assembled medleys that recreated the highlights of a full operetta. They also lent themselves to social occasions, where the bright, rhythmic music could double as accompaniment for popular dances of the time, including the quadrille. In every case, they testified to the immense reach and cultural resonance of this repertoire.
In Operetta Four-Hands, Lidija and Sanja Bizjak revive this tradition, combining technical brilliance with a flair for theatrical sparkle. Their performance transforms the piano into a miniature stage, where Offenbach’s wit, Hervé’s inventiveness, and Messager’s elegance unfold in quick succession. By channeling the exuberance of the operetta through the intimacy of the salon, the Bizjak sisters invite today’s audiences to experience the joy and charm that made these works the soundtrack of an era.
Website: www.bru-zane.com
Location: Palazzetto Bru Zane, Venice
Schedule: October 16, 2025
