Ich hab geträumt von Manderley – Rebecca




Music by: Sylvester Levay
Lyrics by: Michael Kunze
Directed by: Francesca Zambello
Based on:
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier



Rebecca is told from the point of view of the main character, a naïve young girl who marries the English aristocrat Maxim de Winter on the Côte d’Azur and goes with him to live in his legendary country manor Manderley. Upon her arrival everything is cold and hostile. Everyone keeps talking about Maxim’s first wife, the beautiful and ever-dominant Rebecca. The spirit of Rebecca who drowned while sailing a year earlier is omnipresent, and the housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers preserves her memory throughout the house. Read the complete synopsis to find out what happens next.

For an even more detailed look at what happens, browse through the libretto.


Rebecca is a novel by British author Daphne du Maurier. When Rebecca was first published in 1938, du Maurier became – to her great surprise – one of the most popular authors of the day. Rebecca is considered to be one of her best works. It was partially inspired by Jane Eyre. Much of the novel was written while she was staying in Alexandria, Egypt where her husband was posted at the time. Read more about the book, or about the development of the musical.

There have been a couple of recordings put out by the Vienna cast – so far the only one I have is the original (studio) recording. Read more of my review of the CD, or listen to a clip from one of my favourite songs.
Sadly I haven’t been able to see this show yet. I was in Vienna twice in 2007, but the first time was in the summer, when the show was not playing, and the second time was right before Christmas, and the show was sold out! Still, I hope to be able to see a production of it eventually, and will add my thoughts here when I do.

These Levay/Kunze shows always seem to have fabulous performers, and this one is no exception – read about a few of my favourites that have been in the show.

Once you’re done looking around here, check out some of the other fantastic Rebecca sites that are out there.

Back to Stacy’s Musical Village