Der Besuch der alten Dame: Overview

Synopsis

This plot summary is taken from the official program booklet. Spoilers ahead!

Act 1

The citizens of the little town of Güllen gather at the railway station in preparation for the arrival of a former resident, the billionairess Claire Zachanassian (Glanz und Gloria). They have high hopes that her visit will persuade her to rescue her old hometown from its dire financial straits. She makes a suitably grand entrance, accompanied by three bodyguards and a black panther. Alfred Ill, a shopkeeper who runs a general store, has the task of persuading Claire to make Güllen a generous donation by reminding her of the love they shared many years ago. Shortly afterwards, Alfred runs into Claire at the edge of the woods, and they revive the memories of their past (Weißt du noch?). He asks her to help Güllen. Claire promises her support. At a reception for Claire, the town's famous prodigal daughter, the citizens of Güllen gossip excitedly as they wait for her to appear (Sie ist seltsam). Claire offers them two billion, to be divided equally among the town's inhabitants, in return for Alfred's death. In a burst of moral outrage, her offer is categorically rejected (Ungeheuerlich!). Claire leaves the reception. Alfred's wife, Mathilde, stands by her husband and promises that she will always be there for him (Ich schütze dich). The mayor consults the town councillors. They agree that, although the money would be a huge blessing for the town, the price is too high and the subject should be dropped for the moment (Vergiss es!). However, the citizens of Güllen begin to run up enormous debts splurging on material goods (Man gönnt sich ja sonst nichts). Meanwhile, in her hotel suite, Claire is engaged in international business affairs, when Alfred bursts in and demands to speak to her. They talk about the past and about the terrible accident which killed their unborn child and left Alfred believing Claire was dead. The events of the past rise up again. Alfred apologizes, but Claire demands justice for the suffering she endured (Gerechtigkeit). She is now the richest woman in the world, but all her wealth cannot compensate for the emptiness in her heart. Claire's offer begins to have an impact, and Alfred feels increasingly under threat. He turns to the policeman, Gerhard Lang, for help and protection, asking him to arrest Claire because, given his fellow citizens’ mounting debts, his death will soon be the only way to pay them. The policeman denies that Claire's offer was ever intended seriously and reminisces about old times and his lifelong friendship with Alfred (Freunde fürs Leben). Suddenly, a report reaches them that Claire's black panther has escaped from its cage. A hunt is organized (Jagt ihn!), but Alfred suspects that he is the real prey. In desperation, he turns to the mayor, Matthias Richter, but finds no help there either. On the contrary, he discovers that the mayor is planning to build a new town hall. The hunt for the panther reaches its climax. Alfred, in terror, flees to the priest, Johannes Reitenberg, for refuge and support. The priest advises him to pray and to concentrate on his spiritual salvation, but we learn that he too has been unable to resist the temptations of consumerism. The panther is dead. The people mourn the noble animal's death in a song, which Alfred takes for a funeral dirge sung for him (Ruhe in Frieden). He seizes a gun and goes in search of Claire. He finds her in the wood and resolves to kill her. Claire loses her balance and falls over. As she lies helpless on the ground, she screams at Alfred to shoot her. They struggle with each other, but the fight turns into a kiss, and they embrace passionately. Claire recalls how they first met and the overwhelming love they felt for each other (Im Sturm der Liebe). Even so, she cannot escape the shadows of the past.

Act 2

Alfred Ill is unable to bear the pressure in Güllen and decides to leave. The whole town is waiting for him at the station, ostensibly to wish him a safe journey. As the train approaches, Alfred finds himself surrounded (Gute Reise, Alfred Ill!). No one actively prevents him from leaving, but he is convinced he will be held back or shoved to the ground the moment he tries to board the train. The train - the last one this week - eventually leaves without him. Claire's three bodyguards, Roby, Toby and Loby, are bored to tears by small town life and reminisce about the good times they have had. Life with Claire is normally much more exciting, and they are utterly devoted to her (Trio Infernal). To avoid having to accept Claire's immoral offer, the mayor and the teacher make her a proposal. They suggest she buy and reopen the town's defunct factories. Claire rejects the proposal with the shocking disclosure that the factories already belong to her. All their pleas for humanity fall on deaf ears (Die Welt gehört mir). Customers in Ill's shop report that journalists are in town asking questions. The teacher has a breakdown and prophesies in a drunken state that evil will triumph (Das Böse wird siegen). The little girl Lena says she still believes in goodness, the important thing is not to give up. The town, anxious to preserve its reputation and the illusion of virtue, is determined not to let the press find out about Claire's promised billions and the condition attached. The reporters’ questions are met by a united front praising Güllen as a temple of morality (Tempel der Moral). Alfred in particular is ordered to hold his tongue and demonstrate his loyalty to the town. Alfred capitulates and accepts his guilt (Ich hab’ die Angst besiegt). The mayor informs Alfred that the town is holding a special assembly to determine his guilt, since under the state of limitations, his crime was committed too long ago to be tried in court. If he is found guilty, he will have to pay for his actions. The town is unanimous that this is purely a question of justice and has nothing whatsoever to do with the promised billions they will receive if he dies. Alfred agrees to appear before the assembly and to accept the verdict, whichever way it falls. The policeman suggests suicide as a convenient alternative, but Alfred refuses - he has no intention of taking the burden of decision from the citizens’ shoulders and allowing them to believe they are not guilty of his death. He has overcome his fear and feels free at least. Alfred's family has run up debts too. His daughter is having tennis lessons, and his son has bought a sports car. Both children think he is exaggerating. All they want is a bit of fun. After years of marriage, Alfred finally confesses to his wife that he never loved her and only married her for her money. It was money that made him leave Claire and money that will cost him his life. Mathilde's world falls apart. Her grief turns to fury, and she expresses the hope that Alfred will get the punishment he deserves (Ich wein um dich). Alfred and Claire meet once again at the edge of the woods and talk of their shared past, which neither has been able to escape. Alfred admits to Claire that she is the only one he has ever loved. He repents of his actions and admits that he was a coward. He hopes they can start again, saying that it is never too late to be happy, but the tender mood cannot last. Claire has been too deeply hurt to simply forgive him. Together, they evoke their past feelings, because love cannot die (Liebe endet nie). The town assembly sits in judgment on Alfred Ill, emphasizing that they are concerned purely with justice. Their task is to determine Alfred's guilt and thereby to uphold morality in Güllen. The verdict is unanimous: guilty as charged. Claire bursts in to find Alfred lying lifeless on the floor. She kneels beside him in a wave of grief while the citizens of Güllen rejoice that their town has been saved (Im Namen der Gerechtigkeit).

Cast

Main Characters

Minor Characters

Walk-in Covers

Swings

Gabriela Ryffel, Heidy Suter, Arthur Büscher Wolfgang Postlbauer, Bernhard Viktorin

Secondary Cast