"Viver', e non amar, amar', e non languir,
languir, e non penar, possibile non è."

(Living without loving, loving without pining, pining without suffering, that is not possible, from "Giove in Argo")

The Opera

Built between 1744 and 1748 as comissioned by Margravine Wilhelmine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth,the Margravial Opera House is regarded as the most beautiful remaining Baroque theatre.

Shortly before leaving for the picturesque building the participants assembled for an inciting reception in the hotel "Goldener Anker", where the anticipation was almost seizable.

The view from the stage onto the "Prince's Box". The Margraval Opera House greeted us - golden stucco and the glance of seraphines framed a picture, which surely has been unprecedented during the last decades in that surrounding.

The box slowly becomes crowded...

Time to take a last look into the libretto..

Then the curtain rose and the scenery was unfolded - to reveal a story about temptation and treachery, commitment and conciliation. About the tug-of-war between the austere Goddess Diana

and the libidinous God Jupiter.

Inside the box one listens awestruck and allows to be carried away by the moving music.

Until the crescendo of the applause with standing ovations turned up to mark the end of the meditative mood. After the postmodern audience had left the hall, Diana and her nymphs surged into the auditorium to pay US their respect by applauding up to us.

"Al gaudio, al riso, al canto
si volga il nostro cor!
Chi festeggiar può quanto
merita Giove e Amor?"

(To joy, to laughter, to singing our heart shall turn! Who can celebrate enough, just as Jupiter and Amor deserve? from "Giove in Argo")