Richard Strauss Opera The Love of Danae
Synopsis and Character Descriptions, German Drama in Three Acts
Jan 13, 2008
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
- Pollux (Tenor)
- Danae (Soprano)
- Midas (Tenor)
- Jupiter (Baritone)
Minor Characters
- Xanthe (Soprano)
- Queen Semele (Soprano)
- Queen Europa (Soprano)
- Queen Alkmene (Mezzo-Soprano)
- Queen Leda (Contralto)
- Four Kings (2 Tenor, 2 Bass)
- Merkur (Tenor)
Plot Summary (Synopsis)
Act I
Scene 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 II
Scene. 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 III
Scene 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
- Salome
- Electra
- Der Rosenkavalier
- Arabella
Source:
The Da Capo Opera Manual by Nicholas Ivor Martin, New York: Da Capo Press, 1997
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