Opera

Intermezzo

Richard Strauss

First performed in Dresden in 1924, Richard Strauss’s Intermezzo provides all manner of insights into his turbulent married life.

A comedy with symphonic interludes in two acts
Libretto by the composer

Performed in German with German and English supertitles

Premiere
1. November 2024

Dates & Cast

01
Fri
November 2024
7 pm
Premiere
Event is in the past
Starting Time: 7 pm
Venue
Semperoper Dresden
Free introductory talk
held in the Semper Opera House cellar 45 minutes before curtain-up
04
Mon
November 2024
7 pm
Event is in the past
Starting Time: 7 pm
Venue
Semperoper Dresden
Free introductory talk
held in the Semper Opera House cellar 45 minutes before curtain-up
Post-Show Discussion
Post-Show Discussion following the performance (free admission).
08
Fri
November 2024
7 pm
Event is in the past
Starting Time: 7 pm
Venue
Semperoper Dresden
Free introductory talk
held in the Semper Opera House cellar 45 minutes before curtain-up
21
Thu
November 2024
7 pm
Event is in the past
Starting Time: 7 pm
Venue
Semperoper Dresden
Free introductory talk
held in the Semper Opera House cellar 45 minutes before curtain-up
24
Sun
November 2024
6 pm
Event is in the past
Starting Time: 6 pm
Venue
Semperoper Dresden
Free introductory talk
held in the Semper Opera House cellar 45 minutes before curtain-up
04
Wed
December 2024
7 pm
Event is in the past
Starting Time: 7 pm
Venue
Semperoper Dresden
Free introductory talk
held in the Semper Opera House cellar 45 minutes before curtain-up
09
Mon
December 2024
7 pm
Event is in the past
Starting Time: 7 pm
Venue
Semperoper Dresden
Free introductory talk
held in the Semper Opera House cellar 45 minutes before curtain-up

In brief

What does it feel like when, in an instant, your life is turned upside down? That’s what happens to Christine, the wife of court music director Robert Storch. A misdelivered letter leads her to believe that her husband is betraying her in a most shameful manner. She goes on an emotional rollercoaster ride, and the story seems to be veering towards a tragic end ...

After finishing the complex opera Frau ohne Schatten, Richard Strauss wished to work on a thoroughly realistic subject; he wanted the stage filled with the lives of real people. What could be easier than to dramatise an incident from his own turbulent married life, namely a piquant misunderstanding that led to a veritable marital crisis in the Strauss household. In short scenes that flash by almost cinematically, Richard Strauss draws a portrait of his wife Pauline and his own artistic life with a sure instinct for uncovering the theatrical in the mundane. The numerous symphonic interludes offer a glimpse into the emotional lives of the characters.

This musical love letter to Richard Strauss’s wife is now to be staged 100 years after the Dresden premiere by Axel Ranisch, a director active in the fields of cinema, television and theatre, who is also a passionate lover of opera.

Storyline

It is November 4, 1924 and in Dresden Richard Strauss takes his wife Pauline, who gave him inspiration for many of his operas to the premiere of his new opera Intermezzo. This time he brings their married life to the stage. Is Pauline going to like it ...?

Act I

The famous composer and conductor Robert Storch has to travel to Vienna for an extended stay. His wife Christine helps him pack – but her seemingly exaggerated care and concern and her quarreling make it easy for him to say goodbye. As soon as he is out of the house, the staff get to experience Christine’s bad mood. When a friend invites her to go skating, Christine’s mood lifts once again.

While sledding, Christine bumps into a skier. The seemingly likeable young man, Baron Lummer, is invited home by Christine.

Christine and the Baron dance perhaps a bit too exuberantly at the Grundlseewirt Hotel. Since the Baron complains about his difficult financial situation, Christine rents a room in the notary’s wife’s house for him at her own expense and writes to her husband about how happy she has been spending time with the young gentleman. Initially, she also offers Lummer the prospect of support from Robert. But when the Baron demands a large sum of money, Christine is outraged. As if that weren’t enough, a letter just delivered to her husband reveals an affair with a certain Mitzi Mayer. After calming down a bit, she announces to her husband their divorce by telegram.

In her distress, she confesses to her son Franzl that they will leave Dad together. The boy defends his father.

Plot

Act II

Robert Storch plays skat with friends, including Kapellmeister Stroh, during which Christine‘s complex character gives the gentlemen occasion for ridicule. Robert, however, defends his wife. Then the telegram is handed to him. He is stunned.

Christine discusses the planned divorce with the notary. He defends Robert, whom he admires, since he believes there has been a mix-up.

Robert is desperate as his telegrams, in which he tries to prove his innocence, are not answered. Kapellmeister Stroh finally confesses that the fatal letter was addressed to him, as he is on rather intimate terms with Mitzi Mayer. Robert asks him to clarify everything to Christine.

On behalf of Christine, Baron Lummer makes inquiries about her husband and Mitzi Mayer. The suitcases are already packed. A message from Robert announces that Kapellmeister Stroh will explain the unfortunate story. But Christine doesn‘t believe it.

Robert returns home; Christine can’t yet believe in his innocence. Once again, an argument flares up between the still-married couple. Even Lummer‘s inquiries do not exonerate Robert. Finally, Christine clears up the mistaken identity. Slowly, the pair are reconciled.

Explore

Recommendations

Salome

Operatic drama in one act by Richard Strauss  

Der Freischütz

Romantic opera in three acts by Carl Maria von Weber  
back to top