Felix Mendelssohn, The first Walpurgis Night, manuscript sketch, 1831? Irving S. Gilmore Music Library, Yale
Mendelssohn Does Not Live Here Anymore
by Henrik Eger
Synopsis
An exploration of life during the Third Reich and set in Bavaria during WW II, this play is based on historical facts and interviews with people who lived through the Third Reich and their views on Mendelssohn. It juxtaposes the deep emotional connection between a young German couple—Gritt, a beautiful musician, and Alf, her dedicated officer husband—with a violent form of anti-Semitism.
Because of the scarcity of wallpaper during WW II, she papers the walls with old music sheets to create a beautiful environment for his return, including her newly discovered favorite, unaware of Felix Mendelssohn's Jewish background. After her husband's initial erotic bantering, he discovers his wife’s love for Mendelssohn’s music.
He then tries to educate her on the danger of Jewish art and Mendelssohn’s music in particular. However, when she does not believe him and insists on playing Mendelssohn, he flies into a rage. She does not really understand his blatant anti-Semitism and refuses to give up her love for Mendelssohn's music. Her resistance leads to his destructive action and a surprise ending.
Because of the scarcity of wallpaper during WW II, she papers the walls with old music sheets to create a beautiful environment for his return, including her newly discovered favorite, unaware of Felix Mendelssohn's Jewish background. After her husband's initial erotic bantering, he discovers his wife’s love for Mendelssohn’s music.
He then tries to educate her on the danger of Jewish art and Mendelssohn’s music in particular. However, when she does not believe him and insists on playing Mendelssohn, he flies into a rage. She does not really understand his blatant anti-Semitism and refuses to give up her love for Mendelssohn's music. Her resistance leads to his destructive action and a surprise ending.
Excerpt
Gritt: No one had any wallpaper for sale, so, I bought this beautiful box with the music at an auction. (she points at the magnificent box on top of the old piano)
Alf: Beautiful, but an auction? In the middle of war?
Gritt: The auctioneer said that a wealthy family deserted their house and left for a vacation in Poland, leaving everything behind.
Alf: Gritt (he laughs), nobody goes on vacation in the middle of a war. Nobody goes to Poland for fun. (he becomes serious) Did you find out that family’s name?
Gritt: Yes. It has to do with your favorite flower.
Alf: Rosen? Rosental? Rosenblut?
Gritt: Yes, something like that.
Alf:(light snicker) Well, after all, maybe the Rosens did join the Rosentals and the Rosenbluts and went to Poland--on a long “vacation.”
Gritt: But you just told me that no one goes to Poland during a war.
Alf: Well, in a war, things change, people change, we all change. In fact, we become better. (He hugs her, kisses her)
Gritt: (Unaware of what she just heard) That’s true, we all change and become better. I love you more than ever before. (He hugs her and swirls her around, with her feet in the air.) Now put me down, I have another surprise for you.
Alf: Beautiful, but an auction? In the middle of war?
Gritt: The auctioneer said that a wealthy family deserted their house and left for a vacation in Poland, leaving everything behind.
Alf: Gritt (he laughs), nobody goes on vacation in the middle of a war. Nobody goes to Poland for fun. (he becomes serious) Did you find out that family’s name?
Gritt: Yes. It has to do with your favorite flower.
Alf: Rosen? Rosental? Rosenblut?
Gritt: Yes, something like that.
Alf:(light snicker) Well, after all, maybe the Rosens did join the Rosentals and the Rosenbluts and went to Poland--on a long “vacation.”
Gritt: But you just told me that no one goes to Poland during a war.
Alf: Well, in a war, things change, people change, we all change. In fact, we become better. (He hugs her, kisses her)
Gritt: (Unaware of what she just heard) That’s true, we all change and become better. I love you more than ever before. (He hugs her and swirls her around, with her feet in the air.) Now put me down, I have another surprise for you.
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