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Richard Strauss Opera The Love of DanaeSynopsis and Character Descriptions, German Drama in Three Acts
The Love of Danae (Die Liebe der Danae), a German opera by Richard Strauss. Die Liebe der Danae opera plot summary, character list, and other opera information.
Richard's Strauss's Die Liebe der Danae (The Love of Danae), is a three-act opera, a story of true love. It was composed by Richard Strauss (June 11, 1864 – September 8, 1949). Libretto is by Josef Gregor in German language and based on a scenario by Hugo von Hofmannsthal. It was first performed in Salzburg, Festpielhaus, August 14, 1952. Richard Strauss didn't live to see his opera performed. Setting was on the island of Eos in ancient times. It is a mythological drama. There's a Prelude before Acts II and III, and Interludes between scenes. There are 8 scenes. Main Characters
Minor Characters
Plot Summary (Synopsis)Act IScene 1. The Throne Room of King Pollux King Pollux is on the verge of bankruptcy and being chased by his creditors. He hopes that his daughter Danae will soon be married to the rich King Midas. News reach King Pollus and Danae that Midas can turn anything to gold, and Midas agrees to woo Danae. Scene 2. Danae's bedroom Danae dreams of riches and vows not to have a poor husband. Scene 3. Pillared hall in the palace Midas arrives disguised as his own servant and received by Danae. Drawn to each other in a strange way, they proceed to the harbour where the supposed King Midas (actually Jupiter) greets Danae. Scene 4. The harbor Danae believes Jupiter to be King Midas. Act IIScene. A room in the palace Jupiter warns Midas that he will make him poor if he attempts to woo Danae. When Midas confesses his true identity to Danae and demonstrates his ability to turn objects into gold with his touch, Jupiter turns Danae into a statue. He makes her choose between himself and Midas. When Danae chooses Midas, Jupiter makes them both disappear into the darkness and announces that she will be cursed and be poor forever. Act IIIScene 1. A country road in the Orient Stranded in the desert, Danae realizes that Midas has lost his golden touch, but touched at what he has given up for her sake. Scene 2. A mountain forest Merkur warns Jupiter that the gods are laughing at Danae's rejection of him. Scene 3. Midas's hut Jupiter tries to woo Danae again, and fails. She loves Midas and nothing else matters. Jupiter accepts his loss with a heart-rending farewell.
Major Operas by Richard Strauss
Source: The Da Capo Opera Manual by Nicholas Ivor Martin, New York: Da Capo Press, 1997
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