Well Bill,
When it comes to German operetta numbers, there really are loads! They just take a bit of scouring! There's the pig song from Die Zigeunerbaron (humourous, and should be sung in English if you've a predominately English speaking audience!) also Barinkays' aria from the same opera, although that's a real high baritone piece. Actually, that's generally the trouble with German operetta; they're often written for baritenor!
Another gem, and hardly ever done, but it's a wonderful sing, is Two Eyes of Magic from the Circus Princess by Kalman. It starts off Belliniesque, and then becomes very dramatic, and has two versed of the most glorious melody. Of course, there are Danilo's things from The Merry Widow, but again, you need a high lying voice for these too.
Hope these have been of some help. I love to sing operetta myself. You get glorious melodies, and they're a good challenge to sing. I invariably sing them in English: there's some good translations. There is absolutely no point in singing operetta in any other language than the country you're in. Eg: There would be no point in singing Pirates of Penzance in English to a bunch of Italians, it would be gobbledegook. Likewise, with German. Most English audiences haven't a clue, and if something's obviously funny, it would go over their heads. Sort of pointless, when we as singers are communicators!
Anyway, hope that's of some use: I'll try and think of some more, but that was just off the top of my hair-do!
Best wishes,
Ian Voice technician. Bromley, Kent, England
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