Opernkarte I

This is the first of two opera-themed packs produced by the Altenburger Spielkartenfabrik, Altenburg. This pack celebrates four operas: Chaikovsky’s “The Queen of Spades” (spades), Bizet’s “Carmen” (diamonds)’ Verdi’s “Aida” (clubs), and Wagner’s “Tannhäuser” (hearts). Each ace and court card displays a character from the relevant opera, while the deuces have illustrations of the composer, and the tens display a vignette of a character from the respective opera. The humorous designs are the work of the graphic artist and illustrator Peter Becker (whose name appears on the two of spades and is barely visible on the back of the cards). There is an extra title card and two jokers: one featuring a comic illustration of Sir John Falstaff from “The Merry Wives of Windsor” and the second showing Kezal from Smetana’s “The Bartered Bride”. Interestingly, the pip cards have 4-corner indices while the aces and court cards have 2-corner indices.

Above: Opernkarte I, with artwork by Peter Becker, produced by Altenburger Spielkartenfabrik, 1984.

Opernkarte II

This second pack of the opera-themed cards was produced by the Altenburger Spielkartenfabrik, Altenburg in 1989, and also features the wonderful, humorous designs of artist Peter Becker on the Jokers, Aces and court cards. The court cards of each suit illustrate the characters from a particular opera: “Margarete” by Gounod (Clubs); “Rusalka” by Dvořák (Diamonds); “Der Rosenkavalier” by Strauss (Hearts); and “Tosca” by Puccini (Spades). In addition, the deuces have illustrations of the composers. Like Opernkarte I, the pip cards have 4-corner indices while the aces, deuces and court cards have 2-corner indices (the indices are at the opposite corners in this edition, and in different typefaces). The artist’s name appears on the three of diamonds.

Above: Opernkarte II, with artwork by Peter Becker, produced by Altenburger Spielkartenfabrik, 1989.