Die Liebe der Danae
Semper Oper
Dresden
Germany
Sat, 14th March 2009 - Wed, 25th March 2009
Richard Strauss's mythological opera.
Act 1
King Pollux has huge debts, his palace is dilapid- ated. He consoles his creditors with the news that his nephews have gone off with their beautiful wives Semele, Europa, Alkmene and Leda to visit the incredibly rich King Midas to try and persuade him to marry Danae, the daughter of Pollux. Jupiter had previously given Midas the donkey-driver the gift of being able to transform everything he touched to gold. Jupiter had also made him the king of Lydia and hopes that Danae will accept Midas as a suitor because he himself is also in love with Danae and intends to approach her in the form of Midas, to prevent his wife Juno from becoming suspicious. An instrumental interlude portrays the golden rain in which Jupiter appears to Danae. She tells her nurse Xanthe about a dream she had in the night in which she was showered by golden rain. She states that the only man she will choose to be her husband will be the one who can impress her as much as this dream. A march announces the return of the royal nephews. Pollux’s ambassadors were successful and have brought with them a golden branch as a greeting from Midas. His golden ship then enters the harbour, and the creditors and the people feel they have been saved. Finally Midas himself appears in the guise of the servant Chysopher because Jupiter claims the role of the king of Lydia. Only the four queens recognise Jupiter as they were his lovers but he obliges them to keep silent. Genies clothe Danae in a golden dress. Jupiter in the figure of Midas is given a ceremonial welcome. Danae has fallen in love with Chrysopher but she recognises the alleged Midas as the man in her dream about the golden rain. She swoons, Jupiter stamps his foot and thunder confirms his divinity...
Richard Strauss's mythological opera.
Act 1
King Pollux has huge debts, his palace is dilapid- ated. He consoles his creditors with the news that his nephews have gone off with their beautiful wives Semele, Europa, Alkmene and Leda to visit the incredibly rich King Midas to try and persuade him to marry Danae, the daughter of Pollux. Jupiter had previously given Midas the donkey-driver the gift of being able to transform everything he touched to gold. Jupiter had also made him the king of
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