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Elisabeth Söderström

Glyndebourne Festival Philharmonic Sir John Pritchard richard strauss

© SZ Photo/Lebrecht & Arts Photo Library Richard Strauss (1864 –1949) intermezzo A bourgeois with symphonic interludes in two acts by the English by Andrew Porter

Christine Elisabeth Söderström Robert Storch, her husband, a conductor Marco Bakker Anna, their maid Elizabeth Gale soprano Franzl, their eight-year-old son Richard Allfrey spoken Baron Lummer Alexander Oliver The Notary Thomas Lawlor -baritone His wife soprano Stroh, another conductor tenor A Commercial Counsellor Donald Bell Robert’s Skat baritone partners A Legal Counsellor Brian Donlan baritone { A Singer Dennis Wicks bass Fanny, the Storchs’ cook Barbara Dix spoken Marie, a maid Susan Varley spoken Therese, a maid Angela Whittingham spoken Resi, a young girl Cynthia Buchan soprano

Glyndebourne Festival Opera London Philharmonic Orchestra sir John Pritchard

3 compact disc one Time Page

Act I scene 1 1 ‘Anna, Anna! Where can the silly creature be?’ 5:52 [p.28] The Wife, the Husband, Anna 2 ‘Have you got all the master’s things?’ 6:02 [p.32] The Wife, Anna, the Husband 3 ‘And now I’ll have my hair done!’ 11:16 [p.35] The Wife, Anna, The Son, Housemaid, Cook 4 'Oh! Frau Huß! Good morning' 2:59 [p.39] The Wife, Anna

Scene 2 5 ‘You blockhead! Can’t you see, this is a toboggan run?’ 4:08 [p.39] The Wife, Baron Lummer 6 1:55 [p.40]

Scene 3 7 Ball 2:01 [p.40] 8 ‘I can’t go on!’ 4:16 [p.40] The Wife, Baron Lummer

4 Time Page

Scene 4 9 ‘As you know my husband’ 2:51 [p.41] The Wife, Notary’s Wife 10 Orchestral Interlude 1:56 [p.42]

Scene 5 11 ‘“He really is a very nice person”’ 5:39 [p.42] The Wife, the Cook, Marie, Baron Lummer 12 ‘Would you mind if just for a moment I read the paper’ 3:15 [p.45] The Wife, Baron Lummer, Marie 13 ‘Ha, Captain Sturz has resigned his commission’ 5:26 [p.46] The Wife, Baron Lummer 14 ‘I’d rather… Gnädige Frau, it is so hard for me’ 4:36 [p.48] Baron Lummer, the Wife 15 ‘A charming boy. Both charming and young’ 6:02 [p.49] The Wife

Scene 6 16 ‘Frau Notar!’ 5:41 [p.49] Baron Lummer, Notary’s Wife, Resi TT 74:01

5 compact disc two Time Page

Scene 7 1 ‘A thousand marks is he asking!’ 6:09 [p.50] The Wife, Baron Lummer, Anna

Scene 8 2 ‘My darling, darling Bubi!’ 8:11 [p.52] The Wife, the Son

Act II scene 1 3 [Prelude] 1:39 [p.53] 4 ‘Ah! You don’t know his wife, Herr Legal Counsellor!’ 1:42 [p.53] Commercial Counsellor, Singer, Legal Counsellor, Stroh 5 ‘Gentlemen I’m here at last’ 7:44 [p.54] Robert, Singer, Stroh, Legal Counsellor, Commercial Counsellor 6 ‘A wretched business!’ 3:34 [p.59] Commercial Counsellor, Singer, Legal Counsellor, Stroh

scene 2 7 ‘Good Day, Herr Notar’ 4:15 [p.60] The Wife, the Notary 8 Orchestral interlude 1:46 [p.62]

6 Time Page

scene 3 9 ‘This whole business is driving me mad!’ 4:25 [p.62] Robert, Stroh 10 Orchestral postlude 3:20 [p.64]

Scene 4 11 [Introduction] 1:24 [p.64] 12 ‘Anna! I shouldn’t have sent the Baron off there’ 6:28 [p.64] The Wife, Anna, Therese

Scene 5 13 [Introduction] 2:12 [p.68] 14 ‘He’s back. Good lord, I’m so excited’ 5:30 [p.68] The Wife, Therese, Robert

Scene 6 15 ‘I'm back now, gnädige Frau!’ 3:07 [p.71] Baron Lummer, the Wife 16 ‘Who on earth was that?’ 4:18 [p.73] Robert, the Wife 17 ‘Yet I’m certain that he’s no criminal’ 10:30 [p.75] The Wife, Robert TT 76:26

7 Elisabeth Söderström brought all her legendary dramatic skills as an actress and singer to her portrayal of the composer’s wife in Intermezzo, Richard Strauss’s bitter-sweet comedy based on true episodes in his marriage to the tempestuous Pauline. Thanks to Söderström’s insistence, one of Strauss’s least-known but wittiest works was sung in English when given its British premiere at Glyndebourne in 1974 . We are indebted to her and to the BBC for this live radio recording, which has enabled us both to capture Söderström’s artistry whilst introducing this most intimate of Strauss’s to new audiences on our Archive label.

Sir Peter Moores, CBE, DL January 2011

Sir Peter Moores with a portrait of Admiral Lord by Lemuel Francis Abbott, acquired for Compton Verney © Lyndon Parker 8 9 Elisabeth Söderström (1927–2009)

Over twenty-five years, during the period 1956–80, Glyndebourne signed Elisabeth Söderström on for thirteen Festivals. She had to cancel her contracts in 1956 (Pamina) and 1958 (Anne Trulove) due to pregnancy but, with the maternal urge otherwise tamed, she managed to embrace ten different roles at Glyndebourne during this period – quite a chunk of her career.

Her first appearance at Glyndebourne was in the role of the Composer in the Prologue to , a role which had up to that point been the exclusive preserve of – a singer sans pareille, it was thought, until the arrival of Elisabeth, who took the role by the horns and the audience by storm.

In 1959 she performed Oktavian in , with Régine Crespin as the Marschallin and as Sophie – a trio of singers which sent me rushing in search of my old 78s to compare these celestial with those on the famous pre-war recording with Lehmann, Schumann and Olczewska. The Glyndebourne trio won the competition – but, then, they perhaps had the advantage of the added dimension of a staging by in Oliver Messel’s designs, a dimension which these three singers exploited with utter conviction.

Elisabeth’s in the Strauss (the Composer, Oktavian, in , which she sang in four Glyndebourne Festivals, and Christine in Intermezzo, which she sang in two Festivals) stick indelibly in the memory; but, then, her portrayal of Tatyana in Onegin was in my experience unsurpassed – and her Leonora in (not a role she would have contemplated in a larger ) brought myriad insights into the quandary and aspirations of this role, insights which can’t be nearly so exposed in larger .

I longed for her to take on the role of Elle in Poulenc’s (a one- acter which Glyndebourne premiered in 1960 with Denise Duval, and Cocteau as director and designer) – a hope sadly unfulfilled… Come to that I longed for her to take on a multitude of roles, such was the huge compass of her versatility. In one particular year (1959) she sang Sophie at the Met, Oktavian at Glyndebourne and the Marschallin in Stockholm – at which point she must, more than any other singer, have had the measure of Ochs.

She had a voice of distinctive quality which she used to huge communicative effect. She was a consummate singer/actress – a mistress of bathos and an exquisite comedienne. She was beguilingly beautiful. Audiences fell in love with her as did her team-mates on – and off-stage.

At Glyndebourne she reigned supreme. There was no lack of rivals, but she had an indefinable quality which made her the unquestioned, unchallenged queen.

Sir George Christie CH, President, Glyndebourne Productions This tribute first appeared in Opera magazine, February 2010 M Ö E RSTR D S Ö

TH BE EL ISA © Guy Gravett Collection/ArenaPAL Gravett © Guy

12 M r & Ö e E RSTR D O Bakk S Ö

ARC TH M BE EL ISA © Guy Gravett Collection/ArenaPAL Gravett © Guy

13 Söderström’s Intermezzo

The 1970s saw the adoption of Richard to write the libretto, and Strauss’s wife Strauss, alongside Mozart, as the principal Pauline, whom Strauss designated as the house composer at Glyndebourne. The principal subject and who fought it all decade saw productions of Ariadne the way to the triumphant premiere and auf Naxos, Capriccio, Intermezzo, Die beyond. schweigsame Frau, Der Rosenkavalier and The proposed production was decisive . I had the good fortune to direct in Söderström’s agreement to return to these operas and the even greater blessing Glyndebourne. First, it gave scope to of Elisabeth Söderström’s participation in her brilliant gift for comedy, an aspect two of them. of her talent not much seen before, at Söderström had been a deeply loved Glyndebourne or anywhere else. Second, artist with the company from 1957 until it was a plum role for a female singer 1963, when the demands of an expanded whose presence in twelve out of fourteen international career and raising a family scenes was accompanied by a sequence broke the continuity for a while. The of spectacular ; a ball, the ski Strauss cycle provided just the right slopes, the bedroom and the nursery, opportunity for her return to the among others. Third, it was a powerful family with a restudied Capriccio set in expression of the feminine character in the 1920s, followed by Intermezzo, an the full emotional gamut from maternal unknown quantity to the artist and just tenderness through wounded outrage to about everybody involved. intense conjugal love, but within a strong Intermezzo is an autobiographical opera moral assertion of female independence. and as such was viewed with distaste by Her emotional changes were as striking many of Strauss’s friends and collaborators, and as rapid as her changes, and, including the composer’s usual librettist exhausting as these must have been, taken , who refused together, it never showed. There was never

14 any doubt that Söderström would make a Intermezzo has been called Strauss’s worthy successor to the creator of the role, most original work, and in theatrical terms . it is. To begin with the subject matter is Perhaps the most striking detail defiantly commonplace, totally at odds about the show was that it was given with the and rococo of his in English translation, a major breach previous works. Seeking Hofmannsthal’s of the Glyndebourne rule. Söderström collaboration he asked for ‘an entirely insisted that if she were to perform such modern, absolutely realistic domestic a massive role which was – more than and character comedy’. Hofmannsthal’s any other operatic role she had previously response was unequivocal: ‘The things undertaken – an role, then the you propose to me are to my taste truly audience must understand the text. In horrid.’ Strauss also approached the critic this her chief ally was Richard Strauss Herrmann Barr, but when the latter himself, who in his preface to the work discovered that the subject was to be had made the same point and reinforced autobiographical, based on an incident in it by insisting that the premiere 1907 with the central role the formidable in Dresden be given at the smaller Frau Strauss, he took cover behind the Staatstheater and not the . flattering and entirely sound proposal that Glyndebourne management agreed to Strauss should write his own libretto – this without too much resistance and I who better? got in touch with Andrew Porter, the It took Strauss only a week to complete doyen of translators then, and at that the libretto and it was of sufficient quality time in Sydney for the opening of the for the great Max Reinhardt to declare new opera house. He not only agreed to that it should be staged as a . There do it, but also to attend and are fourteen scenes in all, two of them finetune his text as we used it. It was a in , including one in the Prater fruitful and happy collaboration with, in during a thunderstorm, and the rest in the my view, an excellent outcome. mountain resort of Grundlsee, comprising

15 various rooms in the Storchs’ house, a suggested in the ‘Ariadne’ Vorspiel) and toboggan run, a hall, a lawyer’s you have achieved what you wanted.’ office and a furnished room. One scene © 2011 barely lasts three minutes, the longest is just over twenty, but all are separated by John Cox directed the 1974 Glyndebourne Intermezzo full orchestral interludes descriptive of production of the foregoing or upcoming scenes, with a fuller exploration of the emotional and Synopsis psychological issues raised, but often The action takes place in Grundlsee and merely alluded to, in the action itself. Vienna, Austria, 1924 Comparison with the cinema has been made, but the interludes suggest rather compact disc one reel changes than cuts from one location to the next; whether the composer would Act I have sacrificed the principal musical Scene 1 content of the opera in the face of today’s The bedroom, 7am instantaneous scenic technology is a 1 – 2 Robert Storch, a famous composer matter for speculation. As a director, I and busy conductor, lives in this small would certainly not have sacrificed Martin mountain resort with his wife Christine Battersby’s sensitive, witty and supremely and their eight-year-old son Franzl. skilled images which accompanied each Robert is in the final stages of packing interlude, a kind of daguerrotype, but for a two-month-long completely ‘hand dotted’ and projected engagement in Vienna. He is assisted by onto a front cloth. Anna, the efficient and long-suffering Much to Frau Strauss’s irritation, the maid, whose task is not made easier by opera was a resounding success. Even Christine. Tensions run high. Christine’s Hofmannsthal conceded ‘You have striven unhappiness at her husband’s impending here for a new style (starting from what is absence is masked by quarrelsome

16 interventions and claims of neglect. is in Grundlsee for the cure, so Christine A furious row ensues as the sleigh arrives makes herself responsible for his health. to take Robert to the station. 3 Anna is doing Christine’s hair. Scene 4 Anna has but admiration and A furnished room affection for her master, which only 9 – 10 Christine rents a room for Lummer serves to irritate Christine further. In the in her lawyer’s house. She is punctilious ensuing conversation we understand more about cleanliness and the furnishings, of her volatile temperament, her pride in especially the bed. her husband’s fame and success, but also her resentment at being a lonely wife and Scene 5 a second fiddle. The dining room 4 Suddenly, Christine is invited out ice 11 Christine is writing to her husband skating and her mood brightens. while Franzl is having a piano lesson upstairs. She chooses her words about Scene 2 Baron Lummer very carefully, convincing Winter sport herself that Robert will approve of her new 5 – 6 Christine, on a toboggan, has a friend. She protests, but not in , collision with a young man on skis. Her her right to a life of her own. fury and pain are immediately forgotten Meanwhile, the Baron has become a when she discovers that he is a baron and regular guest, especially at meal times. the son of a military colleague of her father. Here he is again. He helps her with her She invites him to visit her. accounts, reveals that he has another engagement for the evening, provoking a Scene 3 little jealousy thereby, 12 then they sit and At the ball read separate newspapers together. 7 – 8 Christine and Baron Lummer are 13 – 15 Lummer, bored to death, finally enjoying a ball at the local hotel. The Baron comes to the point. He wants to borrow

17 money ‘to fund his studies’. Christine to her husband, which she opens at once. advises him to ask her husband. When he It’s from a young woman making an expresses his doubts at this she explains assignation ‘in the bar as usual. Your own that her husband always does exactly as Mitzi Mayer’. Christine draws the only she tells him. The Baron leaves, totally possible conclusion and decides to leave confused by the possible course of this her husband immediately. She sends him a relationship. telegram to this effect and orders Anna to start packing. The Baron has long since fled. Scene 6 The furnished room Scene 8 16 Baron Lummer mulls over the The nursery situation. It is finally clear that Christine is 2 Christine seeks consolation with Franzl. so naïve that she really believes all the lines He refuses to hear a word against his father. he shoots about health and studies. Should he perhaps make a frank declaration of Act II love? This he does in a letter. Meanwhile, Vienna and Grundlsee his ‘date’ for the evening calls for him. Scene 1 Vienna. A game of Skat compact disc two 3 Prelude. 4 – 6 Robert Storch is playing Skat, his favourite card game, with a group Scene 7 of friends when the fateful telegram arrives The dining room from Christine. He is thunderstruck and 1 Christine is incensed by the letter, gives it to Stroh, his chorusmaster, to read. which includes a request for a thousand It emerges that Stroh knows Mitzi Mayer, marks. Lummer arrives unannounced and he assumes that Robert and he have to press his claim on her, but he is given both been using her services. Robert is short shrift. Then a letter arrives addressed furious and quits the party.

18 Scene 2 Vienna to seek out Mitzi Mayer and the Grundlsee truth. A telegram arrives and this time 7 Christine goes to the lawyer to institute Anna persuades her to read it. Shortly divorce proceedings. He assumes it is afterwards, Stroh arrives from Vienna. because of her affair with his lodger, Baron Lummer, so the meeting starts badly. Things Scene 5 get worse when she produces her ‘evidence’ The dining room and refuses to put it to any test. The lawyer 13 [Introduction]. 14 The house at refuses the case. 8 Orchestral interlude. Grundlsee is en fête for Robert’s imminent return. Christine is excited and delighted, Scene 3 but is determined not to show it, unlike Vienna. The Prater. A serious thunderstorm the female staff. Robert arrives and she 9 Robert is beside himself with worry. engages him at once in a terrible row. Christine will not answer the phone or Robert goes to his room in a fury. reply to telegrams. Stroh finds him with the news that it is all a matter of mistaken Scene 6 identity – Stroh/Storch! Mitzi had got the The same scene wrong name, looked it up in the directory 15 Lummer has unwittingly travelled back and sent the note to the wrong address. from Vienna on the same train as Robert. Robert is mightily relieved, but far from He hurries in to report on his enquiries, grateful. He orders Stroh to take the but Christine brushes it all aside. Her first train to Grundlsee and reveal all to beloved, blameless husband is upstairs. Christine. 10 Orchestral postlude. 16 – 17 She offers to introduce them but the Baron declines, leaving as Robert Scene 4 Grundlsee descends the stairs. 11 [Introduction]. 12 Christine is leaving After divulging a few more details about home and the packing is well underway. Baron Lummer and some further haggling Meanwhile, she has sent Lummer to over guilt and blame, Christine and

19 Robert are reconciled and Christine, over company was to last for over twenty breakfast, pays tribute to their perfect years, with roles including Tatiana, marriage. Elisabeth Zimmer in the British premiere of Henze’s Elegy for Young © 2011 John Cox Lovers, Countess (Capriccio), and Leonora (Fidelio). Her Metropolitan Elisabeth Söderström (Christine) was Opera debut in 1959 was as Susanna, and born in Stockholm and studied there she first appeared at Covent Garden in at the and 1960 as Daisy Dodd (Blomdahl’s ) Opera School. At the age of twenty she with the Royal Swedish Opera. She made made her debut as Mozart’s Bastienne her Australian debut in 1982 as Emilia at the Drottningholm Court Theatre. Marty. She joined the Swedish Royal Opera, Elisabeth Söderström often appeared in where she remained a member for the and recital. Her many recordings duration of her career. She pursued an included songs of Sibelius and three international career in a wide variety of volumes of Rachmaninov Songs with roles including Nero (The Coronation of Vladimir Ashkenazy, Missa Solemnis Poppea), Countess Almaviva and Susanna under , The Makropulos (), Tatyana (Eugene Case, Jenůfa and Katya Kabanova Onegin), Octavian and Marschallin under Sir , and (Der Rosenkavalier), Mélisande (Pelléas The Coronation of Poppea under Nikolaus et Mélisande), Ellen Orford (Peter Harnoncourt. Grimes), the Governess (The Turn of the In retirement she gave many Screw), the title role in Jenůfa and Emilia masterclasses, and from 1993 to 1996 Marty (The Makropulos Case). she was director of the Drottningholm In 1957 she made her Glyndebourne Palace Theatre. For her services to British debut as the Composer (Ariadne auf music she was appointed honorary CBE Naxos), and her relationship with that in 1985.

20 Marco Bakker (Robert) studied at the at the . She sang the Amsterdam Conservatoire and made role of Papagena (The Flute) at his debut in ’s opera Glyndebourne in 1973 and returned there The Dream at the Holland Festival. In each year until 1986. Roles there included 1973 he undertook a tour of the United Susanna, (The Marriage of Figaro) Zerlina States, giving eighteen . After (), Drusilla (Dioclesian), in The Pearl Fishers and Bellini’s Titania (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) at the Wexford Festival he sang and Marzelline (Fidelio). She made her the roles of Robert Storch and the title Covent Garden debut as Jano (Jenůfa) role in at Glyndebourne. and subsequently performed the roles He sang many roles in , including of Zerlina, Adele () and Danilo () and is sought Miss Wordsworth (). after as a concert artist. Elizabeth Gale sang with English National For the past eighteen years Marco Opera and made her American debut Bakker has presented a radio programme, in 1986 in Poulenc’s La Voix humaine. The Music Breakfast, in Utrecht, and Her recordings include Amore ( he has made more than eighty-nine ed ) under , recordings. In 2006 for Opera Zuid Zerlina under , he sang the role of Nourabad (The under and a DVD Pearl Fishers) followed by Water Sprite recording of Mrs Julian () (). He has also sung the role of under Kent Nagano. Deuteronomy in the musical Cats. Born and educated in Scotland, Alexander Elizabeth Gale (Anna) studied at the Oliver (Baron Lummer) completed Guildhall School of Music and made her his studies in Vienna, after winning debut in 1970 as Cupid () the Richard Tauber Competition. He with the , going on made his professional debut in 1968 to perform Flora (The Turn of the Screw) with Glyndebourne Touring Opera as

21 Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni) and went Pritchard, Andre Previn and Antonio on to appear with all the major British Pappano. Since 1999 he has been the companies, in particular Glyndebourne Artistic Director of the Dutch National and . His international Opera Academy in the Netherlands where debut came in 1972 with the Netherlands he now lives. Opera as Arnalta in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea. This role Bass-baritone Thomas Lawlor (Notary) was to take him to most of the major was born and educated in Dublin. He European opera houses, including Berlin, studied singing at the Guildhall School , Vienna and and led of Music, and joined the D’Oyly to many major engagements all over the Carte Opera Company chorus in world. Known as a character tenor he September 1963. In 1971 he left to became particularly renowned for his join Glyndebourne. His repertoire interpretations of roles such as Basilio encompassed roles in opera and operetta (The Marriage of Figaro), and he performed with The Royal (), Monostatos (The Magic Opera and . Flute), the title role in Albert Herring, and His recordings include performances Iro (The Return of Ulysses). He performed of operas, and he this latter role at the Netherlands Opera has taken part in a number of televised and on tour with that company in New operas. After holding posts in the opera York and Sydney, as well as at English departments of the Royal Academy of National Opera and with the Canadian Music and of Trinity College of Music in Opera Company. London, he is now a member of the music Alexander Oliver’s long career saw him faculty of Rhode Island College, where work alongside conductors including he teaches voice and directs in the Opera Bernard Haitink, Sir , Sir Workshop. He is the founder and artistic , Nikolaus Harnoncourt, director of Beavertail Opera Productions , Kubelik, Sir John in Rhode Island.

22 Anthony Rolfe Johnson (Stroh) was di Tito) which he recorded under John born in Oxfordshire and studied at Eliot Gardiner, and Pelléas (Pelléas et agricultural college before settling into Mélisande). His link with Britten and farming life. After joining a local he Pears remained strong and during the began to study at the Guildhall School 1980s he taught regularly at Snape, being of Music and with Ellis Keeler appointed Director of the Britten–Pears and Vera Rózsa, and later with Peter School in 1990. He was appointed an Pears. He made his Purcell Room debut OBE in 1992. in 1973, and began to perform with the English Opera Group, with whom he The Canadian Donald Bell (Commercial sang Vaudémont (Tchaikovsky’s Iolanthe) Director) began his studies with Nancy and Albert Herring. He sang in the Paisley Benn in Vancouver. After attending Chorus at Glyndebourne, going on to the Royal College of Music in London he perform the roles of Stroh and Lensky studied with Hermann Weissenborn in (Eugene Onegin). In 1978 he made his Berlin, Boroschek in Düsseldorf English National Opera debut as Don and Richard Miller in Oberlin. In 1955 Ottavio (Don Giovanni), and went on he appeared at Glyndebourne and at to sing Tamino (), Essex the , later making his () and the title role in The Return recital debut at London’s Wigmore Hall. of Ulysses. He appeared at the Festivals in One of his most notable roles was that roles in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, of Aschenbach (Death in ) which , and in und he sang at the Geneva Opera, for Scottish Isolde with Birgit Nielson. He was a Opera and at the . member of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein He sang the title role in in Düsseldorf, where roles included for , at Glyndebourne the title role in Don Giovanni, Count and at the Metropolitan Opera. Other Almaviva (The Marriage of Figaro), notable successes were Tito (La clemenza Wolfram (Tannhäuser), Amfortas

23 (Parsifal), and Kurwenal (Tristan und Meistersinger von Nürnberg), the Sergeant Isolde). In addition to the standard in the British premiere of Shostakivich’s repertoire, he devoted much time to Katerina Ismailov and Luther (The Tales of furthering the cause of contemporary Hoffmann). At Glyndebourne he sang Mr music, singing in the Irish and Italian Lynch in the premiere of Nicholas Maw’s premieres of Britten’s War , as The Rising of the Moon, the Pastor in well as Tippett’s A Child of our Time and ’s The Visit of the Old Peter Maxwell Davies’ Eight Songs for a Lady, and the Opera Singer in Intermezzo. Mad King. After singing the role of Dr Bartolo The( Recordings include St Matthew Marriage of Figaro) for Sadler’s Wells under and Beethoven’s Opera (soon to become English National Ninth under George Szell. Opera) he spent the rest of his career with Donald Bell returned to Canada and that company. Roles with English National began a teaching career, and is currently Opera included Sarastro (The Magic Professor of Voice at the University of Flute), Osmin (The Abduction from the Calgary. Seraglio), Baron Ochs (Der Rosenkavalier), Brother Vicente (Iain Hamilton’s The Dennis Wicks (Opera Singer) was born in Royal Hunt of the Sun), Commendatore Sussex. Originally a joiner, he took singing (Don Giovanni), Varlaam (Boris lessons and joined the Glyndebourne Godunov), and Daland (The Flying Chorus, making his solo debut with Dutchman). the company in 1950 as Antonio (The Marriage of Figaro) at the Edinburgh Sir John Pritchard was born in London, Festival. Other smaller roles followed and the son of an orchestral violinist. He later he covered some more major ones. He studied and piano, and conducting made his Covent Garden debut in 1962 with Sir Henry Wood. In 1947 he joined as Baron Duphol () and his the music staff at Glyndebourne, and two many other roles there included Foltz (Die years later became chorus master and

24 assistant to . Standing in was appointed Musical Director of the for Busch during a of London Philharmonic Orchestra from Don Giovanni in 1951 marked his 1962 to 1966 and undertook conducting conducting debut with the company. He engagements throughout Europe and the was Music Counsellor at Glyndebourne Far East. His later permanent posts were from 1963, from 1969 to Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony 1978, and conducted the British premiere Orchestra (1982–89), and Musical of Henze’s in 1961. Director of the Cologne Opera (1978), He made his debut with the Vienna the Théâtre de , State Opera in 1951 and at Covent (1981), and the Opera Garden in 1952 with Un ballo in (1986). He was made a CBE in 1962 and maschera, later conducting premieres knighted in 1983. of Gloriana, Sir John Pritchard’s recordings include and . His American opera Lucia of Lammermoor and La traviata debut came in 1969 with The Barber of with , Idomeneo, The Seville, and in 1971 he conducted Così Coronation of Poppea, The Elixir of Love, fan tutte at the Metropolitan Opera. He and Hansel and Gretel.

25 In live music performance, the Foundation has encouraged of new work and schemes to attract new audiences, financed the publication of scores, especially for world British philanthropist Sir Peter Moores established the Peter Moores Foundation in 1964. premieres of modern operas, and enabled rarely heard works to be staged by British opera Through the Foundation he has disbursed millions of pounds to a wide variety of arts, companies and festivals. It has also enabled to record rare repertoire environmental, social and educational causes ‘to get things done and open doors for people’. which would otherwise have remained inaccessible to the general public. For further information about Sir Peter and his Foundation’s work, including initiatives in business studies The story behindOpera in English, the award-winning label launched in 1995 by Chandos at Oxford University, and the establishment of Compton Verney Art Gallery in Warwickshire, and the Peter Moores Foundation, goes back more than forty years to the moment when visit www.pmf.org.uk Peter Moores was bowled over by the impact of hearing Reginald Goodall conduct The Valkyrie, sung in English at the London Coliseum. He determined to get the whole ‘English’ Sir Peter Moores was born in Lancashire and educated at Eton College and Christ Church, Ring recorded for a wider audience and for future generations. A linguist himself, Sir Peter Oxford. He was a student at the Vienna Academy of Music, where he produced the Austrian recognised, nevertheless, that nothing ‘speaks to the heart’ so directly as hearing the drama premiere of ’s , and at the same time was an assistant of opera expressed in your own language. Encouraging the first-time listener to ‘give opera a producer with the , working with Viennese artists in , Geneva and go’ has been a key element in building the catalogue, hence the emphasis on Rome, before returning to England in 1957 to join his father’s business, Littlewoods. He was recording mainstream repertoire with a roster of great artists who relish communicating the Vice-Chairman of Littlewoods in 1976, Chairman from 1977 to 1980 and remained a director English text. Today the Opera in English catalogue forms the largest collection in the world until 1993. of operas sung in English translation. He received the Gold Medal of the Italian Republic in 1974, an Honorary MA from Christ Sir Peter’s philanthropic work began with his passion for opera: in his twenties he helped Church, Oxford, in 1975, and was made an Honorary Member of the Royal Northern a number of young artists in the crucial, early stages of their careers, including the then College of Music in 1985. In 1992 he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire by relatively unknown Joan Sutherland and Colin Davis. After he established the Peter Moores HM the Queen. He was appointed CBE in 1991 and received a Knighthood in 2003 for Foundation, many more young singers were supported through scholarships and bursaries, his charitable services to . In July 2008 he received the Stauffer Medal, the highest several achieving international recognition, including Barry Banks, Alice Coote, Simon award of ’s Baden-Wurttemberg Province, and in October 2008 was made an Keenlyside, Mary Plazas, Amanda Roocroft and Toby Spence. Hon. DLitt. of the University of the West Indies. compact disc one The Husband The Wife The Husband Then all the interviews, the fussing, the Perhaps you’ve forgotten you’ve not had That’s because you were with me; and you cause Act I training of them! One summer you had as breakfast! such confusion when you’re travelling – Scene 1 many cooks in turn as you had doctors, you got In the dressing-room. Before the departure of through fifteen at least! The Husband The Wife the Husband, open travel cases. Great disorder. – only takes five minutes! Don’t start that again! Oh God, how I am 7.00am The Wife( triumphantly) longing for some peace when I’m alone here. And in the end did I not employ the one The Wife The Wife I wanted? I insist that you eat a proper breakfast! For The Husband 1 Anna, Anna! Where can the silly creature your nerves – As if I have ever troubled you! be? The Husband But can you keep her? The Husband The Wife The Husband (engaged in packing, his Wife – never better! Simply by being here you get in my way, your helping) The Wife perpetual presence, other husbands go off to Do stop complaining! You’ll drive them mad Are you trying to quarrel? The Wife the office (moaning)– and the work you and they’ll all leave us! I’ll be so glad when at last you’ve left us – make. The Husband Anna, Anna, here! The Wife Not quarrelling, just warning you. The Husband Then I’ll get better ones! Anna (from outside) But not for you! The Wife At once, gnä’ Frau; I’m just closing the trunks. The Husband Don’t need a warning like that! The Wife You’ll never find such excellent maids as ours The Wife( calling to her) For whom then? easily! The Husband And do not forget to give the keys to the More than you think – without me to guide master! The Husband The Wife you, you would land right in a ditch and your For our poor servants – I shall! temper with you. The Husband Why should she forget! The Wife The Husband The Wife But it’s I who give the orders here. I have You’re over confident, you won’t find it easy, You’d better think of leaving! The Wife to supervise everything, and be sure that not in these days! And the ten days in Palermo which we spent everything’s right – when you’re here – why, The Husband sitting on our luggage because she lost the the telephone never stops ringing. The Wife We’ve still got half an before the sleigh keyring – There’s always someone! arrives.

28 28 The Husband The Husband The Wife The Husband Why don’t you leave the servants to answer? I would pay the bills gladly – Working is never a pleasure. You talk as if you were born in a castle and raised like a queen. The Wife The Wife The Husband Then who would ever tidy up? And you’d pay them twice over! And the Then give it up! No need for you do it! The Wife( furiously) ordering, the groceries. We know about your relations. Don’t you dare The Husband The Wife compare them with my distinguished family! I know, don’t tell me, it all falls on you! The Husband (drily) And the house… That’s something I know you really can do – The Husband (pointing to his head) The Wife but it’s hardly serious kind of work. The Husband The distinction comes from here! Well, on whom if not on me? Choosing the Would not come to grief, life would merely be menus? The Wife rather more simple. The Wife Not the kind, maybe, that all you men can Finish your packing, you plebeian! The Husband hope to understand! The Wife That’s a pleasure, not a labour! And everything here would very quickly go The Husband The Husband to pieces. Look, you’d do better to go back to bed, The Wife I understand, I’m not such a fool. instead of inflicting your beastly morning And sweeping, dusting, the kitchen, the cellar, The Husband moods on me, carrying on and shouting the attic, do you think that’s not work? The Wife( sighing) Oh come, you old charwoman! When and finding the same old boring excuse for a And thinking the whole day through thousands and thousands of families live their quarrel, at a time when I’m trying to keep my The Husband lives more simply and perhaps rather more head and racking my brains to be certain that You’re talking nonsense! The Husband smoothly than we. everything’s packed! Does thinking seem such a hard strenuous The Wife labour then? The Wife( furiously) The Wife The garden – Then death would be better! That’s what I am here for! The Wife The Husband The hardest of all: for me at least – exhausting! The Husband (satirically) The Husband The gardener does it better by himself. Though life would be better! No, you jut confuse me and Anna. The Husband The Wife You see that is just where I beg to differ! And The Wife( sneering) The Wife And who would pay the house accounts – only thinking that’s fruitful, the artists, or the Of course, the way that you were raised, you Have you your woolly muffler? scholars, the true creators, that is real thinking never knew anything else! and working like that should be enjoyment too: for me work is a pleasure. 30 30 The Husband (checking) The Wife The Wife( challengingly) The Wife I think so, yes. Let us hope that nothing happens on the Have you nothing to say? Not quite – only I hate this living in public, the journey! Has he got his medicine? His patent artistic milieu and all that goes with it – all the The Wife gargle? The compress? The Husband life of an artist: and your shameless librettists, Button hook and your gloves, toilet water? No, you’d only quarrel. revealing their adventures so that all the world Anna can hear them, and then the conductor, who The Husband All packed, gnä’ Frau. The Wife( flaring up) to amuse the well-fed public in the stalls, What has Anna ever forgotten? In my view, when you go off, leave me for with baton in hand, lays bare his burning The Wife two months you should have a very serious blazing passions and in 4/4 time beats them! The Wife( mockingly triumphant) I confess I’ll be so glad when he’s got off safely! conversation with your wife. Disgusting! Only the keys of those six trunks in Palermo! Anna The Husband The Husband The Husband (already impatient) And then gnädige Frau will grieve, crying every Yes, if my wife were reasonable. Well, you should have considered all that And now you can talk to yourself – breakfast morning and evening, so sad all the long day before we married! I never learnt anything else! time! through. The Wife Far too late for me to change. (He goes quickly into the next room.) You are insulting. The Wife The Wife( impatiently) (Anna rushes in, busying herself with the hand Oh well, with the child alone in the empty The Husband Now it’s high time you started. luggage.) house in this small tedious peasant town! Well, you’re not exactly charming either. The Husband The Wife Anna The Wife Well then, goodbye! Are you really sure you’ve 2 Have you got all the master’s things? Gnädige Frau, it is such lovely weather, why I will not allow such a tone! let off steam enough – enough to last two The sandwiches, the ham rolls, the thermos not go tobogganing today? whole months? flask of hot milk? Is the cake securely packed? The Husband Will the raspberry juice not run over? Ten The Wife Ha, then I? What should I say to you then? The Wife hard-boiled eggs – most nourishing. It’s so You know that bores me. Oh well – if you Not nearly enough: it’s quite useless, you won’t important when working hard that one is think so! You’ve not forgotten to pack his extra The Wife(c ontemptuously) understand. nourished properly. Anna, don’t you agree the pillow? You, you, you are a royal musician. master’s in a nervous state? The Husband Anna The Husband Not so, I think I understand you better than Anna Of course not. (goes into next room) That’s right, and in your opinion that means you yourself. Now be good, we’ve only got a No, gnä’ Frau, not that I can see. I’m less than nothing. few more minutes, before – (The Husband re-enters and silently gathers the last travel items together.) 32 32 Anna (enters and announces) The Husband The Husband (ardently) The Wife The sleigh has arrived. If possible, yes. But, but, I – And my bodice – the buttons?

The Husband The Wife The Wife Anna So soon? Adieu, I’m off then! But don’t I get And be sure you’ve cooled down before you go Don’t send me your press cuttings. Finished. one small kiss on parting? What have I done to into the cold, turn your fur collar up high, keep make you cross? your mouth closed, don’t stay up late… The Husband The Wife( leaps up, runs to the window with a Do you mean that? lorgnette) The Wife The Husband Is he still down there? Nothing. I just find you disgusting. Yes, yes. The Wife I never do read them, they just lie around here Anna The Husband The Wife gathering dust. He’s waving from the sleigh. Oh come, you cannot mean what you say. For early to bed… The Husband The Wife( hides herself behind the curtain) The Wife The Husband But I must write: I shall miss you badly – when Oh why must he always travel? (slowly returns I’ll be glad when at last you’ve left me! I know that. And now, goodbye! I’m far away I need to feel in touch with you. to the dressing table)

The Husband The Wife( embraces him impetuously) The Wife Anna What if something happened on the way – Adieu! Keep well for me! But I don’t. The master I think does not like to stay too you’d be sorry then. long in one place. The Husband The Husband (furiously) The Wife You too. And write now and then! Well then, to hell with you. Keep your letters, The Wife( mocking) Oh heaven help us, what? you unendurable scrubbing-brush you! Adieu! That’s true; I suspect there’s more than a drop The Wife( again disagreeably) of Jewish blood there! The Husband I shan’t have any time to write. The Wife I might fall sick, heart attack – or maybe Goodbye! Don’t miss the train now! (at the Anna (continuing with the hair) pneumonia – a murder – an accident, a train The Husband dressing table) And then his splendid career. crash. Oh, come now… 3 And now I’ll have my hair done! Did you remember to order the shirts for Bubi? The Wife The Wife The Wife Splendid career. So it’s now your turn to start. Be careful then, be sure you sit in the middle In any case I don’t care to; don’t bother to write Anna (beginning to do the Wife’s hair) carriages, not in the front or the back! to me either! I did, gnä’ Frau. Anna He’s so famous.

34 34 The Wife The Wife Anna (nods ironically) The Wife Ha! I thank you for the honour! Then when But you were pulling such a face. I saw in the Of course, gnä’ Frau! You know why: you know I’m needed here, he’s dead, perfect strangers will wonder from mirror. think for yourself, how could I leave here – idle curiosity whether such a great composer’s Cook I, an industrious, faithful, conscientious wife has proved that she was worthy of her Housemaid (hurries in) Gnä’ Frau, about today’s meals? wife. I’m not one of those unheeding, vain, better half. And that’s why I insisted my Gnä’ Frau, the taxman’s here with the forms. frivolous housewives thinking all the time of husband’s dear biographers were ordered not The Wife( flaring up) their hats and their pretty dresses, while their to mention my name. One must preserve the How often must I tell you to come right into houses lie neglected and just grow dirty. ‘Oh, right to remain a private person in one’s own The Wife the room and don’t hang about in the doorway. my French maid takes care of all that sort of right. Ow! If you go on like that, you’ll pull all I knew it. Five minutes after the master has left thing’, that’s what one of them said to me the my hair right out by the roots. You never learn. here! (exhausted) You see now everything that’s (Anna finishes the hair.) other day. Can’t you see I’m needed to keep my And what am I? ‘And what was she?’ unpleasant falls on me. He escapes it, plays skat household going; I hardly find the time to have The wife of the composer! Ha, ha, ha, ha! in Vienna. Tell the man I can’t pay him; he Cook my hair done, or dress myself – and you say Barely presentable. must send the forms on to my husband. What shall I cook today? that I should now forget my duties, and loll in hotels like a lazy lady? There’s no escape for me Anna (pertly) Housemaid The Wife( furiously) – everything unpleasant falls on me when my I think that really suits the master’s taste! Yes, gnä’ Frau. Whatever you want to, you know what to do! husband leaves me for two whole months! (leaves) You see now how everything falls on me – and The Wife it’s simply not right that you should annoy me Anna Kindly hold your cheeky tongue! The Wife further. I think gnä’ Frau is glad to be alone a while? Ha – I quite forgot (jumps up, jangles the (Offended, Anna silently continues with the telephone furiously, shrieking) – I’ll ring any (Cook leaves.) The Wife hair.) way I please; can you give me 178. This is I am always alone, not only when he is Frau Hofkapellmeister Robert Storch. Good Anna (excusing her) travelling, also when he’s with me, lost in The Son (puts his head round the door) morning. Please, dear Frau Pritek, when are you Really, gnä’ Frau, really – thinking, (sighing) lost in all his music. Mama, shall I wear my hobnailed boots? going to let me have that rosehip compote – of course for cooking with. It makes the only jam The Wife Anna The Wife that my husband likes. And you know, when I told you to keep your mouth shut! When my But the master, he is always so kind to the Certainly, my darling in this snow. (to Anna) he’s working so hard, he must have his rosehip husband leaves me – gnädigen Frau. I don’t allow such cheeky behaviour. jam. So please don’t forget it again… (The Cook enters, standing by the half-open door.) Thank Anna The Wife( flaring up) Anna you so much. If you treat people properly you Then why doesn’t gnädige Frau go too? That is the least he can do; but the very least! I didn’t say anything. can twist them round your little finger – As for other things: sitting quietly beside me,

36 36 not working, just talking, that he can’t do. He Anna and I, I, always, I become a monster! Ah, Anna, Scene 2 really is… no sort of cavalier. Gnä’ Frau, I know the master relies so often on I am so unhappy! At the toboggan run. One toboggan after another your judgement – comes down and disappears into the wings. Anna Anna Baron Lummer enters on skis. A voice is heard Gnä’ Frau would not really like such a husband! The Wife Gnädige Frau, you really must be calm! shouting ‘Make way. Look out!’ and another Gnä’ Frau is not really angry with the master. Oh yes, only up to a certain point, though – tobogganer speeds past. The Baron tries quickly to (The telephone rings.) cross the toboggan run but the Wife follows on too The Wife( fiercely) Anna quickly with her sledge and, coming round the He makes me so furious. He often asks for your advice! The Wife( rises slowly and answers the telephone corner out of control, calls out but collides with with a sad voice) the Baron. As the snow settles, she yells. Anna The Wife Hallo. Who is it? (suddenly very bright) Surely there’s no man more kind or more Yes, (eagerly) that’s ’cos he knows well I’m far 4 Oh! Frau Huß! Good morning. And how The Wife thoughtful! more practical then he. are you? At ten o’clock? At the toboggan run? 5 You blockhead! Can’t you see, this is a Oh yes, with pleasure! Ha, ha, ha! Are you toboggan run? The Wife( eager and childlike) Anna coming to fetch me? Oh how very kind. Thank His eternal kindness and thoughtfulness, they’re He too is extremely practical! you. Auf Wiedersehen! (quite transformed and Baron Lummer just the things that drive me mad, so mad. If pleased) Well then, there is a delightful friend, Yes, all the same, you were too quick! he’d only rage and storm and perhaps strike The Wife at least she takes the trouble to ring. I hate it so me, as a real husband should – but his eternal He is ! Has a peasant cunning that I lay when I’m always the one who telephones to ask The Wife ‘kindness and thoughtfulness’ and besides his no claim to. I come right out with what I’m people out! No! You too slow, sir! And now I am badly self-contained, unbearable superiority, and the feeling, he’s so crafty, he can control himself, bruised and hurt. calm lofty way he treats me. conceal things! That only makes me still Anna angrier, I cannot find the words when I want Many ladies are hesitant, fear to disturb you… Baron Lummer Anna them, and that’s why we have terrible quarrels. I am terribly sorry dear Fräulein! Oh no, surely not – The Wife Anna Hold your tongue. Most women are lazy, The Wife The Wife The master knows what lies behind them, that I know them much better! Now I must dress My husband would have a thing or two to tell Yes, yes, I know that he despises all gnä’ Frau loves him – quickly! What shall I wear now? The you, if he were here with me! womankind, for he thinks that we women are spotted one? No the yellow is better. Maybe stupid, idle, vain, uneducated halfwits. The Wife not! Wait! Anna! Anna! Baron Lummer Yes, but it’s no way to win an argument Where have you been hurt then? (sighing) – for I put myself in the wrong. All he Change of Scene. Orchestral Interlude wants is a quiet life, so he lets me have my way

38 38 The Wife( tearfully) ha ha, was the governor’s wife, of whom they The Wife The Wife( enters quickly with the Notary’s wife) That’s not the sort of thing I tell to a stranger. said ‘Let us hope that she commands only her If you are here for your health sir, you must be 9 As you know my husband who is always husband’ – would you like to visit me? very careful! hard at work, who’s always so industrious – Baron Lummer never fails to tell me: if you find an ideal My name is: Baron Lummer. Baron Lummer Baron Lummer companion to go walking with, or skiing – and With the greatest of pleasure! Once again, Well, tomorrow I’ll really start. this Baron Lummer is the son of some friends The Wife( suddenly friendly) please forgive me! who knew my parents in years ago! And Ah! Are you related to the general Baron The Wife so this is the lodging? Very nice too: exactly Lummer who commanded a regiment in Linz, The Wife Good, under my direction! My husband tells what’s needed for my young companion. the one whose wife was a von Müller by birth? All’s well. Only next time try to move slightly me I’m the best doctor he knows. And you now the poor young man cannot even start faster! Auf Wiedersehen! must have many things to tell me about your his studies, suffers from migraine – but in this Baron Lummer life and your family! invigorating climate! And such opposition They are my parents. Baron Lummer from his family! He has natural talent for Yours to command, gnä’ge Frau. Baron Lummer nature study. The desk should stand beneath The Wife (He kisses her hand.) Yes, tomorrow, if you’ll allow me! But I’m the light: my young Herr Baron must from Ah! Delightful! I am Frau Hofkapellmeister afraid that the waltz may soon be ending. Shall time to time do a little work despite his Storch, my husband is the famous composer. Change of scene. Orchestral interlude. we join them? Gnädige Frau light as a migraine. (adjusts the desk) But, haven’t you an 6 Waltz feather! armchair? Baron Lummer Can I help you in any way? The Wife The Notary’s Wife Scene 3 And would you believe it: my husband would My husband’s chair, the one he likes… The Wife 7 Ball at the Grundlsee Inn never dance for he tells me dancing makes him Thank you, no: I feel much better; just a little dizzy. But I love to dance! The Wife bruising! And what brings you here? How long The Wife( comes forward with the Baron and That’s just the thing Therese, go down and are you staying? sinks exhausted onto a chair) Baron Lummer bring it here at once. The bed can stay, far from 8 I can’t go on! For years I have never danced You dance divinely! the window – for as you know with a migraine Baron Lummer quite so wildly as tonight. Anyway, the air is so one must sleep with the windows open! Convalescence, a little sport – three or four stifling! Not good for you, not good for your (They mingle with the dancers again. Change of weeks. migraine. Scene. End of the Waltz) The Notary’s Wife At his age?! The Wife Baron Lummer My parents used to know your parents, knew Well just tonight, only! Scene 4 The Wife them well, when in Linz Frau von Ref – ha, ha, Furnished room in the house of the Notary Twenty-two, I believe!

40 40 The Notary’s Wife And take good care of him. Air the room well he object to in that? Well, he might object to The Wife So young? And he suffers from migraine! before you heat it! And I’ll come back here to ‘lonely’ if he knew that I’ve invited the Baron Shut the door, Fanny. inspect. Remember me to your husband! to dine here – more than once. ‘The other day The Wife we went to a delightful dance at the Grundlsee The Cook Hereditary, it seems. The Notary’s Wife Hotel. Only it was horribly stuffy there. The What about tomorrow’s menu? Yes of course, I’ll see everything is just as you Baron isn’t well off, and his family takes no The Notary’s Wife want. interest in his intellectual pursuits; and so I The Wife Who’d believe it! promised him that you would do something You can choose it, what are we having this The Wife( to Therese) for him. You will, won’t you? He deserves it, for evening? The Baron’s coming. The Wife Wipe the drawers with a damp duster: that is having made himself so agreeable to me. I must His uncle died in madness! Therese! These all important for keeping well. I understand close for today. Keep healthy; don’t smoke too The Cook drawers must be thoroughly wiped with a these things. My husband tells me: a doctor is much; don’t work too hard. The child is well.’ Again? damp duster! what I should have been. And look at him – I think that’s nicely put. After all how could I always well. Adieu! Auf Wiedersehen. not tell him? And I’m certain he’ll understand The Wife The Notary’s Wife it. He really can’t expect me to bore myself to I forbid your cheeky comments! I don’t know Everything is clean, I assure you! 10 Change of scene. Orchestral interlude death with moping… I’ve found at last a young if he’s staying on for dinner, but prepare and lively friend – these antique creatures something in case he does. The Wife( formally) that Robert brings to the house, they think Forgive me please, I must insist on it; you’ve Scene 5 that a woman is nothing but a plaything. And The Cook no idea how dirty it gets here with the tourists, The dining room in the Storchs’ hosue. The Wife whoever comes to call on my account! They I already have. and central heating – I know from seeing my sits by the lamp and re-reads a nearly-finished come to see the famous man! Then they are own window sills! Can you give him breakfast? letter to her Husband. frozen still with respect for him! Dreadful! I Marie (announcing) need a friend of my sort, fond of talking, fond Baron Lummer. The Notary’s Wife The Wife of walking! If he doesn’t like it, I’ll simply have Of course. 11 ‘He really is a very nice person, and to show him who is master in the house! ‘His The Wife exceedingly shy. Because of his severe migraines better half ’ – that’s what the famous critic Oh good! Show him in. The Wife he must have a holiday before he begins his called me once, the one who cannot bear his Perhaps from time to time, some cold supper studies in earnest. And so he is free all day. He works – that really made him angry. Ha, ha, (Baron Lummer enters.) too? He mustn’t go out every evening! You shares my passion for sport, for brisk walks, ha, ha! (The Cook enters.) Fanny, what do you know how young people soon adopt indolent and for fresh air, and so he makes an ideal want? The Wife habits. Well then, très bien! I will pay you by companion for your sad, neglected, lonely wife.’ How are you? Forgive me please. You find the week. My husband gives me plein pouvoir. That’s well put, that’s what I shall tell him! The Cook me deep in my labours (sighing) – my house Well, all’s arranged and I will send my protégé. ‘Your sad neglected, lonely wife’. What can The books, gnä’ Frau! accounts. Do you mind if I…

42 42 Baron Lummer Baron Lummer The Wife The Wife Please continue, gnädige Frau – may I help Twenty-one. I hope you are content with your lodgings? What a good idea. you? The Wife Baron Lummer Baron Lummer The Wife Yes. Thank you. Well that is that, I’m glad it’s They’re wonderful. Just ideal! How can you say that gnädige Frau. What How delightful! Intellectual labour is so over. How are things with you? Will you stay could be more boring! tiring – a friendly word or two of advice can to dine? The Wife help, and smooth one’s task: writing and 12 Would you mind if just for a moment I read The Wife bookkeeping – the hardest work of all. I Baron Lummer the paper; I’ve worked so hard today I’ve found Heavens, in my view all that’s important is that detest adding up figures. counting( ) Six and No thank you kindly. I said that I would meet no time to do so… Would you like a page? you should work! four – a companion. Baron Lummer Baron Lummer (decisively) Baron Lummer The Wife Thank you! No, those dusty legal volumes bore me! Ten – Companion? We know what that means. (They both read the newspaper.) (Marie enters.) The Wife Baron Lummer And ten and nine make nineteen and eight Oh, but I beg you! No really, gnädige Frau! The Wife The Wife makes – Would you believe it? Frau von Hupp is getting Marie, has Bubi finished his piano practice? The Wife a divorce. He’s carrying on with an actress. Baron Lummer No need to tell me! I’m not one who pries into Shocking! Don’t you think that the time has Marie Twenty-seven – things that don’t concern me. And what did come to begin your work in earnest? I think so, gnä’ Frau. you do today? The Wife Baron Lummer The Wife And ten makes – Baron Lummer Ah, that’s just the problem – Then he must have his bath at once, and be got Nothing much. ready for bed before dinner. Baron Lummer The Wife Thirty-seven – The Wife( maliciously) Your brother, did you say, refuses to help? (Marie leaves - the Wife busies herself at the desk, Just as usual! (The Baron shakes his head.) But he could if then picks up the newspaper again.) The Wife he chose? Thirty-seven, that’s three to carry, three and Baron Lummer Baron Lummer nine are twelve, and nine… and nine… well A little skiing – and then toboggoning… Baron Lummer May I dare venture… I’d like to offer a small what are twelve and nine? He could if he chose, but he insists I become suggestion… (The Wife reads busily without a lawyer. listening.) And ask you just a tiny favour.

44 44 The Wife Baron Lummer Baron Lummer The Wife A what? Not even that. You think that he might help me? Fie, Baron, speak of my husband with more respect! If there is anyone who can help you Baron Lummer The Wife The Wife( enthusiastically) he’s the one! An enormous favour – Well then, I don’t see how you can (goes back to Yes, that’s what we’ll do! I’ve written a letter the newspaper) – and told him all about you – he’s often helped Baron Lummer The Wife 13 Ha, Captain Sturz has resigned his friends before. You’ve no idea how good he is: D’you think so, gnädige Frau? (pathetically) From me? (keeps looking at the paper) commission– reasons of health – one knows he’s from a most eminent family, nobly born But your husband doesn’t even know me. what that means; disreputable reasons. He was and bred, knows all the right people – and Baron Lummer an escort of mine, a charming lieutenant –later practical as well, he always knows the right The Wife Since you are so friendly and take an interest in he became a boor – serves him right! What were way to do things. They often say that men Ah, but I know you and know your worth – my future – you saying just now? of genius are inexperienced and useless in that’s enough. You are my delightful companion, worldly matters – that’s far from true: when I and truly I… feel a ‘sympathie’ for you. The Wife( eagerly) Baron Lummer am quite at a loss, and lose my head, he knows Well, what is it? That alas the money for my chosen study is the answer, straightaway sets me right. Oh my Baron Lummer lacking. husband is tender and kind – it often doesn’t Yes, only – Baron Lummer show – at times he seems unfriendly – and I find my life so hard, I have only one ambition, The Wife so he’s misunderstood – not as artist: he has The Wife( impatiently) to spend my life in nature-study! Well, I’ve no idea what you should do. no complaints on that score – his career is so What ‘only’? (emphatically) I do assure you: glorious, honours heaped upon him, success my husband is the kindest man in the world. The Wife Baron Lummer on success, – and yet he is not conceited, no, Would you believe it, my husband has never, Well that’s a pleasant life: voyages to Africa, But there are scholarships; and there is, so to honestly he’s modest, yes truly he’s modest: no never refused me what I ask? Now and then China, , East Anglia, Australia… Not speak, patronage. at home he never talks of himself, or of his we have disagreements, we are not always of my sort of thing! But an uncle of mine was in music – and he’s always so busy, too busy! the same opinion, but it’s not serious: a little Alaska, only I think that you must have lots The Wife And that’s indeed my worry; he sometimes spice makes our life more piquant – finally he of money. Scholarships; you must find a way to get one. neglects me, not through lack of love for me, always will admit: I am right. And he’ll give but because he’s deep in thinking, his head way although at times I may not be right – he’s Baron Lummer Baron Lummer filled with projects – he’s a remarkable man! so good-hearted! In short, he always does just Yes, alas! I fear that I may not know the right people. You’ve never met my husband? what I ask.

The Wife The Wife Baron Lummer (cheekily) Baron Lummer Do you have enough to pay your way at the But as for patronage, perhaps my husband I’m more than content to have made the Yes, I only wish – university? Forgive me if I’m being indiscreet! could assist! acquaintance of his charming wife.

46 46 The Wife Baron Lummer (boldly) The Wife shall I see you? Shall we go walking by the What? 14 I’d rather… Gnädige Frau, it is so hard Today I wrote to Robert and told him about Grundlsee? for me – none of my family understands you: I wrote most warmly! What a splendid Baron Lummer me – I’ve never had the good fortune, never sportsman you were – only not very good at Baron Lummer I only wish – encountered someone who cared for me, conversation. (laughing) Of course I didn’t I’d like that! gnädige Frau, you have already shown me such actually write that. And that I have a delightful The Wife kindness – the ‘sympathie’ of a charming lady – cavalier. Perhaps he’ll even be a shade jealous The Wife Wish what? Out with it! What makes you Oh, how can I express myself? Already I feel so for once. (correcting herself) Oh no, I simply When shall we meet? Ten o’clock? Will you so tongue-tied today? Tempo, tempo as my indebted – had to let him know that you’d been here! Let come and fetch me tomorrow, and be, let husband says, tempo in all things! us hope you can still be here to meet him when us hope, rather livelier! You must leave all The Wife( affectionately) he gets back again! your troubles behind you! I require cheerful Baron Lummer (decisively) And so, then we’ll continue the best of friends companions at my side – (The Baron leaves.) I’d wish you’d not delay things till your and when he’s back then my husband will be Baron Lummer auf Wiedersehen! (lost in dreaming) husband’s back – your true protector. Ah! I get so lonely, just Alas, I can’t… I’ll have to make other 15 A charming boy. Both charming and young. sitting alone here! You’ve no idea what it is like. arrangements if you, gnädige Frau – Once more I sit here alone – My dearest The Wife husband! He is so good, so faithful. Oh, the Why not? I’d never act till I’m sure that he Baron Lummer The Wife lonely, long weary evenings here – I grow so approves! Oh, gnädige Frau, if I… You heard me tell you just now, there’s nothing mournful… (brooding deeply) I can do, other than talking, strolling, skiing, Baron Lummer The Wife( not listening) skating. Change of Scene. Orchestral interlude But gnädige Frau surely said? This dreadful loneliness – Baron Lummer The Wife Baron Lummer Surely you said just now…? Scene 6 Of course, I’m always perfectly free to act as If I dared… The Baron’s room in the Notary’s house. Lying on I choose to! The Wife the sofa, the Baron smokes a cigarette. The Wife What? Baron Lummer It’s no use having a famous eminent husband. Baron Lummer (gets up and calls from the door) In that case I’d much rather – (naïve and guileless) I really need an ordinary Baron Lummer 16 Frau Notar! agreeable man like you! You wanted us to be the best of friends. The Wife( impatiently) The Notary’s Wife( outside) Well, what would you much rather…? Baron Lummer The Wife Yes! I’d gladly, yes I would – but to return now, that Yes we will! Only if you cannot stay for dinner special favour we spoke about? then it is time you left, dearest friend. So, when

48 48 Baron Lummer Resi Baron Lummer (entering) a letter.) From my husband? No, it’s for him. Would you send my trunk up here please? I only looked in, only wanted to see where you I’ve taken the liberty – Forgive me please. ‘Herrn Hofkapellmeister lived. Robert Storch’. Another begging letter? The Notary’s Wife The Wife Another hopeful librettist? (opens it – reads – You surely don’t want to leave us already? Baron Lummer (calls after her) Not like that! First, wipe your feet, if you screams) What is this? Give me ten minutes – and I’ll be with you. please. (Baron exits.) It’s easy to see you’re not Baron Lummer So let me try once more: while we are walking married. (Baron re-enters.) Now for once and Baron Lummer (shocked) I may have to. (whistles) And no doubt she I shall slip my note in her hand: that’s when for all let me tell you straightaway: what you What has happened? thinks that I should spend every evening her mood is most melting and sweet. (sits at ask is totally out of the question. Do you want sitting with her as her companion. ‘We know the desk) So, my first and last attempt. writes( ) to destroy our friendly relation, on which I The Wife what that means!’ (humming) ‘Theresulein, ‘Most honoured gnädige Frau! Today you were placed perhaps too much value? I told you that Unspeakable and vile! Ah! Ah! Theresulein, du bist mein süßes Mädulein!’ so kind and understanding: I did not care, did I felt truly ‘sympathie’ for you! We’ll still be the Ah, well this evening I intend to enjoy myself. not dare tell you in words, all that my beating best of friends, despite it really, it was unkind Baron Lummer Maybe reading papers à deux is the only heart yearned to tell you… Forgive me then, if I behaviour acting in that way – my husband Tell me! pastime she knows! God, what a bore! And try to put into writing…’ when he returns will do all he can to help your then she starts again ‘when will you begin your studies; I told you that he would help you… The Wife studies?’ A perfect schoolmarm! And yet, on Change of Scene. Orchestral interlude My father always said: lending money destroys No, no! ‘My Angel!’ Not you! ‘Let me have the other hand she’s charming and bright. She friendship. two tickets again for the opera tomorrow. believes in my migraine – not so bright! What Afterwards in the bar as usual. Your own Mitzi if I should make a full declaration of love? compact disc two Baron Lummer Mayer.’ Mitzi Mayer! She’s a harlot! ‘In the bar She is perfectly capable of answering me with I’ll pay it back – with interest. as usual’. My husband! Now all is ended! a hymn of praise in honour of her dreary old Scene 7 I guessed it long time ago. (She clasps her head husband. (whistles) The Wife’s dining room. Outside, heavy snowfall The Wife in her hands.) Better make it a present and then forget it, (A young girl dressed for an evening out looks The Wife( holding the Baron’s letter) that’s what Robert says. Couldn’t you give Baron Lummer round the door.) 1 A thousand marks is he asking! He’s surely lessons – others do it. In heaven’s name, gnädige Frau! gone mad? What does he think? A thousand Resi marks! And what would Robert say? Such a Baron Lummer (emphatically) The Wife( stares at the letter as if petrified) Are you ready, love? stupid note! Frightened to say it aloud – now Not while I work hard at my studies – ‘My angel’ – ‘Your own Mitzi Mayer’! I see why he stammered, couldn’t get it out! impossible! Baron Lummer And so it all comes to an end. And I, I really Baron Lummer Good God, what impudence! Off with you at thought – pity. Such stupid fellow! Oh, what a The Wife( drily) Can I help you, in any way assist you? once. What if the Frau Notarin should see you, pity. All the same it just won’t do. Well in that case I have no advice. (Marie brings and tell my generous patroness! 50 50 The Wife The Wife( beside herself) The Wife Legal Counsellor, the Commercial Counsellor, No, I thank you Herr Baron. If I need your Just get on with it. (She sinks exhausted into the You’ll come with me and your Papa you’ll see the Opera Singer and Stroh are help, I’ll take the liberty of sending for you. armchair.) no more. playing skat. The Legal Counsellor shuffles the (The Baron leaves, visibly relieved – after a long cards and deals. pause, at the writing desk, filling in a telegram Change of Scene. Orchestral interlude The Son (begins to howl) form, writing) ‘You know Mitzi Mayer! Your I don’t want to leave Papa! 3 [Prelude] betrayal discovered! We are parted forever!’ (rings – Anna enters – to Anna) Take this Scene 8 The Wife Commercial Counsellor telegram straight to the post office. Pack the The child’s bedroom, lit only by a candle What, you’d stay with that man who’s 4 Ah! You don’t know his wife, Herr Legal bags at once, all of them. wronged me, who’s so bad he has made your Counsellor! A monster! He is a capital fellow. The Wife( sitting by the child’s bed) dearest mother cry? Only his wife – simply terrible. Anna 2 My darling, darling Bubi! I am so But why? dreadfully unhappy! The Son Singer Papa is always good to you. You get angry with You’ve got a grudge against his wife. The Wife The Son Papa. You scold him, behave nastily. We’re leaving. Why are you crying? Commercial Counsellor The Wife I’ll say, the way she treats me. Anna The Wife Oh, I’ve been far too good with him! (She To d a y ? Your Papa is so dreadfully cruel and evil. weeps.) Far more than he deserved! Oh, Bubi! Singer Everything in life is over. Sleep my darling. I’ll Nevertheless she’s really a capable wife! The Wife The Son stay here till you fall asleep, my darling! I’ll And forever. That’s not true! Papa is good. kneel and pray for you, you wretched forsaken Commercial Counsellor child! O wretched, forsaken wife! For him perhaps. Anna The Wife (She kneels praying by the child’s bed.) But gnä’ Frau! No, no! My poor dear child! That shameful Singer wicked man, betrayed me. So we must leave, The Curtain falls. End of Act I Ha ha. Gucki! The Wife we two, all alone. Not a word more! Just pack the bags! We’ll Act II Legal Counsellor leave as soon as you’re ready. The Son Scene 1 – The Skat Game Who leads? But I don’t want to leave. A comfortable living room in the house of the Anna Commercial Counsellor with good modern Stroh In heaven’s name, what’s happened? pictures and bronzes. Under a large chandelier in I do. Knaves are trumps. Ace. (as he plays it) the middle of the room is the skat table where the

52 52 Legal Counsellor Legal Counsellor Robert (comfortably) Commercial Counsellor They say he loves her tremendously. Your game, sir! My favourite pastime, a game of Skat, the only By why ever did you double, for heaven’s sake! recreation after music! Commercial Counsellor Robert (enters) Legal Counsellor You should see the way she treats him. Even 5 Gentlemen I’m here at last. I’m sorry Commercial Counsellor (mocking) With two sevens? in public. I’m late, but the couldn’t be cut Especially when the ladies are absent! shorter. Commercial Counsellor Stroh Robert (good humoured) Even then; just look! In my view, his wife is greatly wronged. She can Singer (mocking) Oh well, the ladies: you know I love my wife be temperamental, perhaps too hasty. At the start of every season you always have this most dearly, but at Skat it is pleasanter when Robert tremendous urge for long rehearsal, but then they are no ladies to disturb us. No post-mortems! Just score it. 200 for me! Singer (calls) when March comes it vanishes. My deal! I win. You’ve got 29, 60 points to me. Commercial Counsellor Robert Every now and then the door opens; she pokes Singer Stroh (continuing) Oh well, once in a year. If you singers only paid her head inside: ‘Have the gentlemen not How long are you staying here this time, A little wild and thoughtless. (They carry on attention to what I tell you, then for three years finished?’ ‘Soon, my Angel’ says he, thinking: ? playing.) Yet I am certain that she is kind at it would suffice you. the Devil take her, or else ‘And who is the heart, and she takes good care of him. winner?’ a mere excuse for her to come and Robert Commercial Counsellor Stroh see if her husband has won, whether he’s lost; Four weeks. Two concerts more as well as the Oh well, she may have her virtues, everyone You still can join in, Maestro, you’re just in when they’re back at home, watch out! other stuff. to( the Commercial Counsellor) has. (to the Legal Counsellor) You happily have time to play this round. Your bid. the virtue not to know her. Wait till the day you Robert have got to know her better – sleepless nights! Singer (threateningly) Come, it’s not that bad. Null ouvert! Commercial Counsellor I can tell you. 18! 18, Herr Kammersänger! ‘Have you said your prayers this evening, Just one moment, you haven’t given me all my Desdemona!’ Legal Counsellor cards yet. Ah, thank you. 10! Singer Double. Just a moment, I haven’t finished counting my Stroh (calls) Singer cards yet. Pass. 59. Can’t you add a king? 59. And no Jacks. Singer No such bid. This is going to cost you a fortune! What, on a null ouvert? Commercial Counsellor Commercial Counsellor 24. Legal Counsellor (sarcastic) Robert Since when? (to the Opera Singer) Most finely played! If Redouble. Just look at this! (shows his cards) you’d led your spade then, you’d not have found it so easy to beat us! 54 54 Singer Robert Commercial Counsellor Commercial Counsellor Trump game only. We always play that way She’s very well. I had a letter from her today. I’ve no desire to know her any better. My Helpless? That is something I’ve yet to see. here. She’s found a new friend to amuse her: he’s nerves are bad enough. good at sport and they go walking, skiing, Robert Commercial Counsellor skating. Singer Yes, she’s often helpless and lost like a child, Well, 18 then. Are we here for conversation, or to play Skat? that has given me nerves of steel. No such thing Singer as neurosis: lack of self-discipline! Singer Watch out then, Maestro! Robert Pass! Sorry. But when he picks on my Christine, of Commercial Counsellor Robert course I must defend her. Oh come now, you go too far! Legal Counsellor Oh no! My wife – but you don’t know her. Pass! Stroh (to Robert) Robert Commercial Counsellor What a stirring example of married life! I stick to it, I believe it! Commercial Counsellor Well, I know her well! Shame on you, stonewalling! Leaving me with Robert Singer my 18. Robert That’s the life for me, it suits me well. No tricks. Not really. Legal Counsellor Commercial Counsellor Commercial Counsellor Tonight it’s the only safe thing to do. Commercial Counsellor I’m always surprised I’ve never seen you And you yourself provide a fine example. Oho! nervous. If I had a wife like her I should soon be in a Commercial Counsellor madhouse. Two Jacks! Robert Robert Just because that one time – Heaven be praised! Thanks to training. Legal Counsellor Singer 65 to me. You see now why we were stonewalling. Commercial Counsellor Commercial Counsellor One time? A thousand times now – That is something you do not lack. Robert (to the Commercial Counsellor) Commercial Counsellor Thanks toyour bad play. Hearts trumps. You might as well surrender! Robert Stroh As I freely admit, her behaviour to you was Lucky fellow! Commercial Counsellor Legal Counsellor (to Robert) not altogether justified. However, that doesn’t I tell you at the very thought of her I begin to And how is your wife Frau Christine? mean you know her well. Robert tremble. Since I’m so lucky to have as companion a fiery, fanciful person, one who because of her lack of self-control is often helpless. 56 56 Robert (with warmth) Legal Counsellor Stroh any more. Adieu. I must think things over. All the same, for me she’s made a perfect wife. Will you tell us? From whom? So you know her too? (leaves quickly) For left to myself I am careless and lazy: my Christine has made me all that I am: she also Robert Robert Commercial Counsellor keeps me healthy! She keeps me clean and Certainly. It’s from my wife. Who is she then? 6 A wretched business! Frau Christine will dusted. rant and rave. Commercial Counsellor Stroh Commercial Counsellor Pricks from the hedgehog? Oh, one of those – so so la la. Singer That’s something she can do: brush you off! I thank my stars I’m not in his shoes now. Robert Robert Robert Forgive me, it’s not a joke! You know her? Legal Counsellor You must not exaggerate! She’s what I need, I’d never have thought it of him – no, not of I need someone who’s fiery and lively around Legal Counsellor Stroh him. me. Everyone’s possessed of two natures: the But I hope it’s not serious? Slightly. difference is this, there are some who only Stroh show their good side, they are fine people who Robert Robert That perfect model husband! present an agreeable surface. While she, she I’m speechless! (to Stroh) Read it. Only I happen not to know her. is really one of those gentle shy and tender Legal Counsellor creatures, but rough on the outside, I’ve met Stroh Stroh Yet I’m sure that he’ll escape somehow. with many and they’re the best kind! You ‘You know Mitzi Mayer. Your betrayal That’s what everyone says, when they are think she’s a hedgehog, all spiny and prickly. discovered. We are parted forever.’ No caught out. Singer (The serving maid enters and gives Robert a signature. ‘If he is weak, weak, all men!’ telegram – to the Opera Singer) Will you play Robert for me please. (opens the telegram and stares at Robert That’s quite enough, Sir! Commercial Counsellor it speechless) That’s her way; my wife never signs a cable. Verily, I say to you: that woman is a monster Has she gone mad? Stroh at the best of times, but when war’s declared Legal Counsellor I’m sorry. I fully understand how awkward it openly oh je, o je! Poor Maestro Storch. What’s wrong? I hope it’s not serious? Commercial Counsellor must be when one’s wife finds out. Bad news, Maestro? It’s not the first time. Singer Robert ‘For one sin, must my suffering be so hard?’ Robert Robert If only I could fathom what it’s all about… What on earth can this mean? That’s quite enough. I said it’s no joke. (suddenly calm) Gentlemen, please excuse me Mitzi Mayer! if I leave you now; but I don’t feel like playing

58 58 Stroh Scene 2 The Wife The Wife That he’s a friend of Mitzi Mayer, that really The Notary’s office Kindly stop talking nonsense, I don’t want to When the simple truth is told, you have no surprises me, I’d never have guessed! be divorced from the Baron. cause to feel insulted. The Wife( enters, solemn and earnest) Legal Counsellor 7 Good Day, Herr Notar. The Notary( drily) The Notary Well, what say you my friends, shall we play a Of course you don’t. But perhaps on his So be it (invites her to sit): let us begin once little, till we recover from the shock? The Notary account. more. You say you’ve come to me to obtain a Ah, good day, gnädige Frau. (rises from his desk) divorce from your husband? Commercial Counsellor And what brings me this honour? The Wife Do you not think, that one of us should go You’re mad, it seems. On account of my The Wife with him, maybe keep him company: for I The Wife husband! That’s what I said. thought he was dreadfully shaken? I’ll give him I need a divorce immediately. a ring tomorrow then, when he’s had time to The Notary The Notary consider what he should do. (They get back to The Notary What – you say, on account of your husband? Have you any ground for divorce? the game - Stroh deals.) 18! Oh, I see? Then I fear you must find yourself a different lawyer: I respect your husband too well, far The Wife( triumphantly holding the letter) Legal Counsellor The Wife too well. Have you heard of Mitzi Mayer? 20! You see – see what? The Wife The Notary Commercial Counsellor The Notary Respect him? Ha-ha, you men are a filthy pack Who is she? 24! Please forgive me, but my wife said to me – of scoundrels, who stick together! The Wife Legal Counsellor The Wife The Notary( hastily) The ground for divorce. Pass. Your wife? How could she know? I really must entreat you! The Notary Singer The Notary( embarrassed) The Wife What’s that? Pass. Well, he lives at our house? I entreat you to hear my case patiently! This is a professional consultation! The Wife Commercial Counsellor The Wife The ground for divorce. Since that husband My game. Clubs are trumps. Who? My husband? The Notary( half laughing) you respect so highly has betrayed me. You Just so, and for that very reason I as your lawyer men are scoundrels – and worthless all! Orchestral postlude. Change of scene The Notary ask you not to insult me. No, no, the Herr Baron!

60 60 The Notary The Wife be some misunderstanding. If I could only Stroh (miserable) I beg you to keep to the subject! What leads Of course. Here is his address precisely. discover what it’s all about. But like this! For me! you to this assumption? If Christine would send me an explanation! The Notary The devil take all this female nonsense! If I Robert The Wife( sneering) And a confusion is out of the question? could get home to see her. But to leave for such You? Assumption? Look at what she calls him! a stupid reason, cancel all, leaving things in ‘My angel’. The Wife such confusion: it just won’t do. Stroh Out of the question! Precisely. Oh, I never have Only she wrote your address on it. The Notary trusted him, I know too well what men are. Do Stroh (rushes in) But who is this Mitzi Mayer? you mean to help me? Yes or no? Meister! Meister! Robert (with rising anger) Wrote my address on it? Well, that’s the end! The Wife The Notary Robert (turns) I’ve no wish to know. She’s a female, that’s No, forgive me please, no, not until I’ve seen Ah, you’re here? What’s wrong? Stroh enough! your husband – not yet. I’ve come directly from her, I guessed that Stroh (faltering somewhat) something like that occurred. For women never The Notary The Wife There’s something important I must tell you. remember a name precisely – she thought that I But surely you need more evidence. Then goodbye! And I shall find another lawyer. was the great composer. A misunderstanding – (leaves) Robert The Wife What? Robert Here is your evidence, I must demand divorce The Notary( shaking his head) Misunderstanding… at once! I lay claim to the child. I lay claim to Curious, most curious! Stroh the house, since he is guilty. The man to whom Mitzi Mayer addressed that Stroh 8 Change of Scene. Orchestral interlude note – She tried to find me in the telephone book, The Notary but… That still remains to be established. Robert Scene 3 There was a note then? Robert The Wife In the Prater. A thunderstorm Telephone book… What? Stroh Robert Yes, only not for you, that note… Stroh The Notary 9 This whole business is driving me mad! Found, found (hesitating) your address there. Well, can you be certain that the note was I’ve written – I’ve sent her cables. No reply. At Robert really written to your husband? the North pole! And I’ve never even heard that Not for me! Robert (breaking out in fury) wretched female’s name. I know there must Well, all I can say is Meister Stroh, I’m eternally

62 62 grateful. God in heaven! You perhaps have Robert Anna The Wife played your part too in this confusion?! You You must go! My patience, by God is at an end! Off where, gnä’ Frau? Oh? Therese, never mind, they’ve been sent, really acquiesced in the heat, knew she was You’ll leave this very instant or… or you will I’d quite forgotten. So stupid and slow, she mistaken, did not like to speak? If I find learn to know me! The Wife should have known (getting angrier) instead something like that Meister Stroh, (shouting) Well, to see that person in Vienna! of standing about for doing nothing. ha! Then, Meister Stroh, you’ll get to know Stroh Don’t forget my black button-boots! Empty me! Three sleepless nights, and my wretched I feel so dreadful, I really am sorry to have Anna everything, pack everything, pack all that’s wife! While I was close to madness, Oh, my caused this fuss! Oh, but how else could you have made sure if mine. A splendid home waiting for him he poor good Christine she cursed me, visited our she really knew the master? Gnä’ Frau couldn’t shall…(shrieking) Now do stop getting in my lawyer to divorce me, he wrote to me telling me Robert have gone there herself to ask her; way. My rings! Where are my rings? I had them the news – and I cannot blame her! (suddenly Thanks to you I spend the three most dreadful that wouldn’t have done. just now. very energetic) You, you are the cause of all this days of all my life, sir! So there’s something that wretched business. You, you alone can put you can be proud of! Now first we’ll send a The Wife Anna (looking) things right again. telegram, then into the train! Then everything Of course it wouldn’t. They’re not here. else we’ll leave till later. I’ll see to your leave of Stroh absence. Go, go, go! God be thanked! I was Therese( from outside) The Wife With joy, dear Meister, I’ll gladly do whatever close to madness! (They both leave quickly.) I can’t find the tablecloths. Then look for them. you ask, – let me at once send her a cable. 10 Orchestral postlude. Change of Scene The Wife Anna Robert Then open your stupid eyes and look for them. I am looking. Do so, but that’s not enough, you’ll go yourself, go to my wife, bearing incontestable evidence, Scene 4 Therese The Wife precise, exact and written evidence of your The Wife’s dressing room in great disorder, open They’re not here. I’m sure you’ve dropped them somewhere. precious mistress! God above, what a creature! wardrobes and drawers which the Wife has been emptying with impatient haste. She storms round Anna Anna Stroh the room without purpose while Anna fills a large Which tablecloths? I would have noticed. Well, I can’t get away just now… number of travel cases. The Wife The Wife( irritated) Robert 11 [Introduction] The damask tablecloths. You never notice anything. (getting annoyed) Sir, will you go or will you not? You’ve been so insolent and lazy these last few The Wife( sinks exhausted into an armchair) Anna days. Stroh 12 Anna! I shouldn’t have sent the Baron off But gnä’ Frau, we sent them off with the Well yes, if possible. there. luggage in advance!

64 64 Anna The Wife The Wife The Wife If I’m no use to gnä’ Frau then I think that I… And what would he do with a photograph of Might have thought, might have thought to Another, that’s the tenth, I think, I shan’t open me? ask me. any more. The Wife( violently) Of course, leave me at once, you clumsy Anna Anna Anna quarrelsome thing, trying to annoy me and Of the master! So what will he do? Perhaps, still… cheeking me at every turn. I’ve never had a maid as rude as you. I knew it: you have all The Wife The Wife The Wife conspired against me, all of you naturally take Yes – no – Could I not send my husband a cable? The You say that every time. Return unopened! the master’s side. Go at once, I don’t need Baron could take him along with him. anyone! (searches again) Ah! Here are my rings. Anna Anna I put them in my pocket. (tired) By the way do But how else could he make certain. Anna (horrified) Please gnä’ Frau, just once again: for I haven’t you know if the Baron knows how to discover Oh no, gnä’ Frau! given up hope yet. It might be… the truth? Would you honestly say that he’s The Wife( understanding) clever? I see! The Wife The Wife( yielding) And thus precisely establish his identity? Against my will then; then Schluß! You read it, Anna (weeping) Anna I refuse to defile my hands with such impurity. Honestly, no. Whether that person in fact knows the master? Anna Gnädige Frau, you cannot expect the master Anna (reads) The Wife The Wife himself to do that? ‘Unfortunate confusion with colleague Stroh, Still it hardly needs a great detective. Good God, you are right! Only why ever did who arrives tomorrow with necessary evidence. you not say that before? The Wife( erupting) Your own innocent, most delighted, Robert.’ Anna Oh, that false shameless betrayer, in cable after That’s true enough. Anna cable claims he is guiltless, (weaker) until I’m The Wife( re-reads the telegram again, a few Because Gnädige Frau didn’t ask. almost tempted to believe it. If it really is true, odd words half-aloud) The Wife he should be pleased that his alibi, or whatever Do you think it might be true? Well, who And after all he was eager to go; nothing to pay, The Wife one calls the thing, would then be established! knows what sort of dirty trick the two might since I paid all expenses to Vienna. Surely that ninny – have cooked up between them. He wants to Therese( enters) get out of it, so the other takes the blame. Well Anna Anna A telegram, gnädige Frau! let’s hope the Baron is clever and doesn’t get Did madam give him a photograph to take Exactly – taken in. ‘Unfortunate confusion’. Stroh – with him? Storch – Do you think it could be possible?

66 66 With evidence ‘arrives tomorrow’, ‘your own The Wife should he return in triumph! Why, after my The Wife( emphatic) innocent’. Anna, do you really want to leave us? Good. Then let the brute be admitted! But let distress and anguish. You seem to have taken it all rather too lightly. ‘Most delighted’. him wait in the study; I’ll join him there. Robert (rushes in) Robert Anna (still weeping) Change of Scene. Orchestral interlude Christinerl! Christinerl! I’m back, dear! (goes to Huh – for three whole days in earnest. But Gnä’ Frau says she has no more use for me. embrace her but she shrinks back and only offers since now our tragic drama has suddenly ended her hand) and turned to farce – The Wife Scene 5 You’re not stupid, just cheeky! The dining room, gaily decorated. Anna busy at The Wife( defensive) The Wife( comically serious) the table Just wait a moment. So you think, no doubt, all I do not find it comical at all. Therese( enters) has been settled? Herr Kapellmeister Stroh would like to see 13 [Introduction] Robert you. Robert Oh come now – The Wife( rushes in) Settled completely! God be praised for that. The Wife 14 He’s back. Good lord, I’m so excited. Is the Three horrible days of torment! God how I The Wife( even more solemn) What! That villain has actually come here? breakfast table laid yet? Ah good. Let us hope suffered. So give me some time to recover quietly and that the cake’s risen nicely! (calls) Therese! come to terms with my bitter disillusion. Anna When does the train get in? The Wife He must have taken the night express. You – you have suffered? And what ofmy great Robert Therese( from outside) anguish, my cruel torment, what about them? Do you expect me to beg forgiveness? The Wife( furious) It’s in. I don’t want him here. He’ll only lie to me. Robert The Wife All men are just a pack of deceitful lying The Wife Oh, yes I realised, you were simply furious! Forgiveness? What I have suffered cannot be scoundrels! (She paces around in a distracted It’s in? He’ll be here any minute I’ll see him! dismissed by a word. fashion.) Tell Master Stroh, tell him to go to The Wife the devil. Therese( rushes in) Furious? I was scarcely furious. I only felt that Robert The Master is here! all was ended; but furious? To be furious with You’re not saying the fault was mine! Anna (leaves) you, I’d not do you that honour. What if he is really telling the truth, and can The Wife prove it – it’s not impossible. Surely gnä’ Frau The Wife( thinks of going to meet him, then Robert (ignoring her comment) Maybe my fault? would do better to see him? Then afterwards pulls herself together) Now it is all forgotten and over, and here you she can draw her own conclusions? No, no. Why should I go to meet him! Why have what you thought you’d lost: your faithless Robert husband! Well, Christine? What’s wrong then? Precisely. Your ridiculous, impetuous temper –

68 68 The Wife The Wife The Wife Scene 6 Mine? Now you’ve gone too far! All my suffering. All my grief and sadness – You me? Baron Lummer (enters quickly) 15 I’m back now, gnädige Frau! Robert Robert Robert Not my fault at all! You could have spared all your suffering, all I you, of course: instead of imploring my The Wife( very cool) your sadness, if you’d been sensible and asked pardon, you make this stupid scene, when you Oh? And what have you found to tell me? The Wife me how matters stood instead of sending me should beg forgiveness. Then whose? those two ridiculous incomprehensible quite Baron Lummer unanswerable cables, which almost drove me to The Wife( scornful) Not much. I didn’t have a photograph of your Robert madness. You asked our lawyer to divorce you? Forgiveness? All that I regret is the fact that I husband. You know that I am free from blame. ever married you, and that I ever married at all! The Wife The Wife The Wife You knew? Robert That was so. That’s something you forgot, Sir. I’m not so sure. For God’s sake! The whole affair has gone All the same you could have bought one in any Robert much too far! bookshop. Robert He sent me a cable himself. But that evidence surely sufficed? The Wife Baron Lummer The Wife Yes, much too far. So now we must be divorced Oh, why didn’t I think of that! The Wife Disgraceful. That was most unprofessional in earnest! So go at once and ask your friend For this one particular case perhaps… only one conduct! Lawyer indeed! the lawyer to arrange our divorce quickly! The Wife never knows… Well then – Robert Robert (furious) Robert Yes, he held a higher opinion of me than my I’ve had enough! You can do that yourself! Baron Lummer You damn well should know! own, loving wife. God in heaven! I’m thoroughly tired of this Well then I called on the lady! absurd comedy! The Wife The Wife( furious) (leaves swiftly) The Wife I do not know! But now at last I’ve learnt just You’re all birds of a feather, all stick together! Lady? what sort of thing can happen! The Wife( rather surprised by his angry Robert (gradually getting angrier) outburst) Baron Lummer Robert (happily) Well, this is really too much! When I like a I always knew that one day it would end like Oh well, whatever you wish to call her… she Only nothing really did. kind good-natured idiot return here, quite this! Rather now than later! knows Herr Hofkapellmeister Storch quite ready to forgive you – well.

70 70 The Wife The Wife Robert (entering) Robert So she knows him? Who’d believe it! I know At last you see it, Herr Baron? All the same 16 Who on earth was that? You are! that too. I have to thank you for trying to help me: (pointedly) though it hardly seems to me that The Wife( rather embarrassed) The Wife Baron Lummer (bewildered) your proper role in life is the great detective. That, that was the young Herr Baron, about You know that I never… You know that? But all is resolved, yes, all is quite explained whom I wrote… now. Robert The Wife Robert (drily) Never. Yes, only you do not know if this Herr Baron Lummer I see. The lawyer also wrote me about him; in Hofkapellmeister Storch is really my husband! Quite explained? I see. fact he was the main reason for my return. The Wife I assure you, you know I’ll always – Baron Lummer The Wife The Wife( hastily) What… Are there two? And my husband’s back, (The Baron flinches.) You didn’t think? Robert he must have caught the same train as you did. Always! Let there be peace between us, peace The Wife Robert for evermore. Yes, there are two… Baron Lummer No, only I did think that it’s not a good idea Your husband’s back? that my wife should be left alone, at any rate The Wife Baron Lummer not for too long. Were you very angry with me? There’s another – The Wife Perhaps you’ll return at a more convenient The Wife Robert The Wife moment? And when you come then you can That is shameful of you! I give you my word… I certainly was, and you? There’s another – But he is called Stroh! meet my husband, who as I can assure you now, is completely free from all blame, as I Robert The Wife Baron Lummer knew from the start, as I never for one moment There’s no need to. I know my gentle loving Everything meaningless, and ended. A misunderstanding? And Stroh? doubted. wife far too well to need to know more details… But all the same it’s not proper that Robert The Wife( nods proudly) Baron Lummer my wife should give cause for village gossip, But did you imagine parting, think of what Stroh was the one who caused all the fuss. Yes, yes, then I’d better take my leave now. malicious and idle chatter, and you know just your life alone would be? how quickly the gossip spreads among your Baron Lummer (stupidly) The Wife friends. The Wife Ah, now I see it! Auf Wiedersehen, my dearest Herr Baron! Well, actually no. I was far too furious with you. The Wife (Baron leaves with a fleeting kiss of her hand.) I’m certain, I always was… Robert As for me, I thought of that three whole days, 72 72 imagined bachelor life as once I knew it, and Robert Robert pictured to myself my lonely days without you. Robert What? Ha, ha, ha ha. I must say… little Bashful? What? And who would have kept our child then? He was always free! Christinchen, that must have been a blow! The Wife The Wife The Wife The Wife( bashful) Yes – he was rather bashful – truly! I would keep it. All the time. 17 Yet I’m certain that he’s no criminal, but just a shade thoughtless and naïve – as soon as he Robert Robert Robert asked, I refused him. What? For quarrelling you would say no doubt And the villa? Excelled in every branch of sport? a husband’s needed? Robert The Wife The Wife In that case no harm was done! Since this The Wife I would keep it. Yes. young man proved kind – you’re sure he was? Oh yes, you need someone you know well, or where’s your subject? You have no common Robert Robert The Wife( more boldly) ground: and then you see, there’s no fun! There wouldn’t have been very much over for Well born? Distinguished? Lively in Most kind and always amiable, till… me then? conversation? Robert Robert But for such fun I can do without. The Wife The Wife Ah yes, till… Well then, hear me: since he No, since the guilty party was you! Well, truthfully no – he was a shade boring. treated my dearest wife kindly I’ll take care of The Wife him and help him, in any way which you may But you must not expect that I’ll always share Robert (casually) Robert ask me, I will support him… your views. I’d lose all my pride, and my self- And that handsome youthful, lively nobleman? And you felt ‘sympathie’ for him? respect. The Wife( whining) The Wife The Wife That’s not what I want. Robert I beg of you, in this peaceful solemn moment Yes – a little ‘sympathie’ till – till – That’s something you’ll always keep as your of reunion, don’t speak of him. Robert dearest ! I’ll be content if you choose to Robert Well, I’ll say no more – We can talk of that pick your squabbles on points that don’t harm Robert Till – ? affair later on. So he was amiable, you say? us, now and then… Yes, I’ll speak of him! He must have been nice? That means you had no serious quarrels? The Wife The Wife( collapsing) The Wife Till he asked me for a thousand marks. The Wife I promise I’ll never contradict you – I will Oh God! Harmless, obliging… (stops) No, for quarrelling he was not very gifted, he honour you in all things, do all that you tell was far too shy and bashful… me, all that you ask me! Today I realise at last

74 74 how dreadful life would be without you, if I Robert

should lose you, I’d die, for there would be Once more to hear those words so tender, M nothing left to live for. Ah, I learnt to know gladly I’d endure far worse sufferings than you r & that only today! When you were wild with me caused me! Ö I was shaken deep inside, overwhelmed, ah! e You were fine when you first showed your rage. The Wife Forgive me for all things! Robert Oh come, don’t exaggerate again now! Robert

For nothing! I felt so very sad for you! E RSTR (They embrace.) Bakk The Wife D o The Wife Yes, my dearest Robert, is ours not what you’d

You are my handsome, faithful marvellous call a perfect marriage? S Ö man! I love you alone for ever and ever – Libretto by Richard Strauss English translation C Copyright 1973 TH

by Andrew Porter Marc Original libretto C Copyright 1924 BE by Adolph Furstner. U.S. Copyright Renewed. Copyright Assigned 1943 to Hawkes & Son (London) Ltd for the World excluding Germany, Italy, Portugal and the former territories of the USSR

(excluding Estonia, Latvia and ). EL ISA Reproduced by permission of Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd © Guy Gravett Collection/ArenaPAL Gravett © Guy 76 M r &

Released by arrangement with BBC Music Ö ve

Whilst every effort has been made to contact all the artists involved in this recording, i

Chandos Records Ltd would be pleased to hear from anyone we have been unable to l contact or inadvertently failed to credit E RSTR r O Photographs from Glyndebourne’s 1974 production of Intermezzo by Guy Gravett D e S Ö Mastering Jonathan Cooper d Operas administrator Sue Shortridge Recording venue Glyndebourne; recorded on 13 July 1974 and broadcast on 31 March 1975 n

Front cover Elisabeth Söderström from WM Trent collection TH C Back cover Photograph of Sir John Pritchard G MacDomnic/Lebrecht Music & Arts xa

Design and typesetting Cassidy Rayne Creative (www.cassidyrayne.co.uk) BE Booklet editor Kara Reed Picture researcher Helen Anderson Ale Publisher Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd Copyright Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd P 2011 BBC EL ISA C 2011 Chandos Records Ltd /ArenaPAL The BBC wordmark and the BBC logo are trade marks of the British Broadcasting Corporation and are used under licence from BBC Worldwide.

BBC Logo © BBC 1996 © Boosey Hawkes and 78 SO strauss: Intermezzo L O I STS Richard Strauss (1864 –1949) Recorded live Printed in the EU MCPS /

S at Glyndebourne LC 7038 AAD TT 150:27 öderström/LP intermezzo 13 July 1974 24-bit/96 kHz digitally remastered CD1 TT 74:01 | CD2 TT 76:26 A bourgeois comedy with symphonic interludes in two acts Libretto by the composer English translation by Andrew Porter

Christine Elisabeth Söderström soprano

O Robert Storch, her husband, a conductor Marco Bakker baritone /Pr Anna, their maid Elizabeth Gale soprano

i Franzl, their eight-year-old son Richard Allfrey spoken tchard Baron Lummer Alexander Oliver tenor The Notary Thomas Lawlor bass-baritone His wife Rae Woodland soprano Stroh, another conductor Anthony Rolfe Johnson tenor A Commercial Counsellor Donald Bell Robert’s Skat baritone partners A Legal Counsellor Brian Donlan baritone { A Singer Dennis Wicks bass Resi, a young girl Cynthia Buchan soprano

The BBC wordmarks and the BBC and BBC Radio 3 logos Glyndebourne Festival Opera are trade marks of the British Broadcasting Corporation and are used under licence from BBC Worldwide. London Philharmonic Orchestra BBC Radio 3 logo © BBC 2001 sir John Pritchard BBC logo © BBC 1996 CHAN 3174(2)

p 2011 BBC c 2011 Chandos Records Ltd Chandos Records Ltd • Colchester • Essex • England