A loving wife. A job promotion. An inheritance. With such a perfect life, how can things possibly go wrong? In The Ring of Polykrates, Wilhelm Arndt is about to discover just how quickly the tables can turn. The return of his best friend, Peter, should be the icing on the cake for Wilhelm’s life, but Peter clearly has other plans in mind. Peter’s jealousy is a worthy adversary to Wilhelm’s marriage, but only one can win. In this Viennese Operetta by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, the stakes are high and sacrifices must be made. Paired with a performance of Korngold’s magnificent Violin Concerto in D major, featuring acclaimed violinist Augustin Dumay, the evening will be a celebration of a genius who is not performed nearly enough.
Starring Augustin Dumay* • Paul Groves • Laura Wilde* • Brenton Ryan • Susannah Biller* • Craig Colclough*
Conductor Emmanuel Villaume • Director Peter Kazaras • Costume Designer Tommy Bourgeois • Set Designer Donald Eastman • Lighting Designer Krista Billings
*Dallas Opera debut
Show Details
Language
Sung in German with English supertitles
Rating
PG-13
Synopsis
Court Music Director Wilhelm Arndt is a lucky man. He has just been promoted at work, the recent death of his aunt has left him with a large inheritance, and he has a wonderful wife, Laura. All he is missing is the company of his old friend, Peter Vogel, who suddenly shows up out of the blue.
Jealous of the life Wilhelm has built, and infatuated by Laura, Peter tries to split them up. Based on Schiller’s ballad “The Ring of Polykrates,” Peter convinces Wilhelm that he must sacrifice something so that fate is not tempted by all his good fortune. In an effort to sacrifice his relationship with his wife, Wilhelm tries to start a fight with Laura about her questionable past. However, Laura’s love for her husband will not be shaken. Wilhelm realizes that the true sacrifice must be his friendship with Peter, who is sent on his way.
Media
Opera in Brief
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