Intermezzo

Intermezzo (Strauss). Libretto by composer; 2 acts; first performance Dresden 1924, conducted by Fritz Busch.

Grundlsee and Vienna, 1920s: The composer Robert Storch, his wife Christine Storch, and their son Franz live in a villa beside the Grundlsee. He is leaving for Vienna to conduct and she is packing for him, assisted by their maid Anna. Christine complains about all her responsibilities. While Robert is away she goes sledging and collides with Baron Lummer. She helps him rent a room locally and promises Robert's help with his career. A letter arrives for her husband from one Mieze Maier, couched in affectionate terms and requesting tickets for the opera. Christine at once assumes the worst, orders Anna to pack their bags, and sends a telegram to Robert announcing that she is starting divorce proceedings. Robert, frantic, meets his friend Stroh, for whom the letter was really intended - Mieze Maier had confused their names. Stroh arrives at Grundlsee to explain the mix-up. Robert arrives home and there is a passionate reunion with his wife.