"¶ Three stars I saw shine" "¶ three stars shone brightly," "¶ but they weren't the stars," "¶ they weren't the homeland's stars." "¶ I saw three roses standing" "¶ in shimmering blue air," "¶ the homeland's rose," "¶ it wasn't your perfume." "¶ it wasn't your perfume." "¶ Three palms stand on the seashore," "¶ the strange country is so empty." "¶ Three kisses I give to the wind," "¶ he'll carry them across the sea." "¶ There stands in a garden" "¶ a green linden tree." "¶ I kiss his bark" "¶ at night in my dream," "¶ at night in my dream." "The film's action takes place in a small German principality 1885" "Am I disturbing, sister-in-law?" "I've just been writing a bit, Leopold." "Another novel, Fränze?" "The inspiration keeps flowing." "It's a gift of God, Leopold." "Yes, and God sees to it that the inspiration is followed by streams of gold." "I've come, sister-in-law, to appeal to you..." "I don't have to point out ... that making this appeal is quite painful to me." "but..." "Marie is the only child left to me..." "Your Marie is a sweet child, my dear Leopold." "But why on earth does this child have to marry a poor officer for whom this exorbitant deposit is demanded?" "The answer is very simple, Fränze:" "because she loves him." "I say, Fränze, if one can make two young people happy... one has the God damned duty to do so." "Leopold, why so exited?" "You know I only have my pension and a few thousand marks of savings..." "It's my belief, my dear Leopold, that the young people should first prove their strength of character." "We'll talk about it later, maybe later..." "But at the moment I cannot spare those 60,000 marks." "I need them myself." "What for?" "To donate new church windows, or to found some new committee... to endear yourself up there, at court." " But Leopold, not in this tone!" " Excuse me, but ..." "Marie's happiness and my own are at stake here." "You know I've had enough unhappiness." "But that's your own fault, Leopold." "You should have been stricter with Magda." "Let's keep silent about that daughter." "For me, Magdalena doesn't exist anymore." "Madame, gentlemen, at this final meeting of our festival committee I have the pleasure to announce that Madame Maddalena dall'Orto has accepted to appear at our festival." "She also agrees with the program." "She'll sing Orpheus and the alto in the St. Matthew's Passion." "Your Highness will forgive me if I object." "It's just that an American..." "might be acceptable for the opera, but... for Bach, a German singer would be more suitable." "Unfortunately I must join the the cathedral organist in his misgivings." "It is against my principles, ladies and gentlemen to speak of personal matters." "But you all know me as a devoted man of the church." "With all due respect for your well-known convictions, ladies and gentlemen, but we are dealing with an international celebrity!" "I myself have seen Madame dall'Orto perform," "I know her, how shall I put it... exceptional voice, what an unusually enchanting evening it was, some time ago in London, at the... well, doesn't matter..." "Forgive me, Your Highness, as a poetess I am certainly broad-minded... and the gentlemen know my books, but that really is...." "Well, we still have the rehearsals before us, and... and I must ask you, Madame, gentlemen, to postpone your doubts until then." "Agreed?" "I thank you for your consent." "Music Festival Ilmingen 1885 Under the protection of His Highness Prince Ludwig von Ilmingen" "Program - 5th February:" "reception in the Concordia 6th February: court ball at the old palace 7th February: gala performance at the court opera Orpheus and Euridice by Chr." "W. Gluck 8th February:" "St. Matthew's passion by Joh." "Seb." "Bach, at the St. Mary Cathedral with the gracious participation of:" "Miss Leonore Hunzinger (soprano)" " Herr Andreas Rau (bass) Herr Waldemar Fahrenkrog (tenor) - the artistic ensemble of the Grand-Ducal Court Opera the municipal orchestra conducted by General Music Director Wögerer the St. Mary Choir conducted by Cathedral Organist Heffterdingk and as guest:" "Maddalena dall'Orto Metropolitain Opera, New York" "Step back!" "Miss dall'Orto." "I welcome you in Germany." "And I thank you for taking part in our festivity." "Allow me to present myself." "Ludwig von Ilmingen." "And this is Mr. Erich, the director of our theater." "And this is Mr. Lerchner." "Thank you for the surprise reception, but Your Highness can speak German," "I speak German, I only seem to have forgotten it a little." "Why, Madame is German?" "That's it." "Wonderful, then there can be no further objections." "What objections, Your Highness?" "Nothing important, a few petty minded bourgeois got upset by the fact that you were supposedly an American." "An American?" "For eight years she's been trying to become one." "She didn't succeed, cross my heart." "Let me present my advisor and friend, court singer ..." "Rohrmoser, the well-known Rohrmoser." " Also not from America ..." " From Feldaffing, Bavaria." "Ah Feldaffing!" "On lake Starnberg, I've been there." "In here?" "I think it'll do." "Enough sunlight, and the view is satisfactory." "Madame's bedroom is next door, the young ladies stay in there." "But nothing has been prepared for the gentleman, I'll get a room ready at once." "That won't be necessary, my good man, I don't intend to spend the night under this roof." "I only want to see if everything's in order." "You see Magda, everything's in order, even the piano is out of tune." " Please give me paper and pencil." " Here you are, Madame." "Will you please ?" " Shall I prepare something for you, Madam?" " Thanks, I'm not hungry." "My dear Fräulein von Schwartze!" "Please come at 4 o'clock to the cathedral's cloister." "I have important news for you." "Maddalena dall'Orto" " Please have this letter posted at once." " Yes Madame." "Now it's getting serious, my child." "We can still leave, if you wish." "Secretly, sneaking away, during the night..." "Your voice is much too good for this backwater anyway." "This backwater is my homeland." "I always thought we gypsies had our homeland in HERE, Magda." "HERE!" "And HERE there can't be any disappointments." "Eight years are a long time." "My father never answered any of my letters." "Don't you be afraid now, my child." "You've dealt with thousands of people." "You'll deal with the old gentleman too." "Good-bye." " You're leaving already?" " Yes." "Give my love to her, will you?" "And take good care." "You know me, Magda." "I'll write when you may visit me here, till then ...." "But this I tell you:" "I'll be back for the St. Matthew passion!" "Good bye." "Ah, Fränze." "A glass of water." "Wouldn't you rather have a liqueur, sister-in-law?" "Don't joke, Leopold." "Don't you see how exited I am." "You like to be exited." " Your hand, brother-in-law." " What's all the fuss?" "I'm so excited." "Such luck for your house, Leopold." " So you've changed your mind about Mietze." " Who's talking about Mietze?" "Be calm and prepared now, Leopold." "I think Magda is in town again." " Who?" " Your lost daughter." "I don't think I'm mistaken." "The Prince himself came to meet her." "The great famous singer from America who's going to perform at the Festival Week." "... exceptionally beautiful... and her fur coat, takes your breath away." "Stop telling such fairy-tales!" "Fairy-tales?" "Don't you have a heart, Leopold?" "Just imagine, the Prince himself kissed her hand!" "I forbid you to speak any further." "Magda..." "Excuse me, Madame." "Do I have the honour to address myself to Madame dall'Orto?" " Yes." " Von Wendlowsky." "I see, someone sent you." "As Fräulein von Schwartze's fiancé I took the liberty to undertake this errand on her behalf." " As her fiancé?" " Yes." "Mietze has become engaged?" "Yes indeed." " You permit, Madame..." "You permit me, Lieutenant, to wish you luck... with all my heart." " Thank you Madame." "Mietze engaged!" "Madame, could you tell me the meaning of your letter?" "I am sorry, Lieutenant, I must tell this to your fiancée myself." "Marie doesn't keep any secrets from me." "But I have secrets I couldn't tell you, Lieutenant." "Pardon." "Won't you visit me tonight at my hotel, with Marie?" "Well, Madame is very kind... and generous, but...." "As you wish." "Farewell Lieutenant... and give my love to... my sister." "I beg your pardon?" "My sister." "Golly!" "Now you be wise and tell Marie she shouldn't say anything to father yet." "First I want to speak to her myself." "At your service, Madame." "I'll transmit your wish." "What do you mean?" "Can't I see Marie?" "I regret, I am unable to inform you on that point." "Has father..." "I ask for permission to take leave now." "Madame." "Who's down there?" "A lady, Herr Heffterdingk." "I couldn't keep her away." "Good evening, Franz Heffterdingk." "Magda!" "Magda von Schwartze!" "Magda!" "What are you doing in Ilmingen?" "Not causing you some more grief, I hope." "Still full of irony?" "Not at all, I'm serious, Herr Heffterdingk, we'll be working together." "We are?" "Why?" "I sing the St. Matthew passion." "Maddalena dall'Orto!" "Tell me Magda, tell me." "How is my father?" "You haven't seen him yet?" " No." " But Magda..." "Leaving home is easier than returning." "Shall I help you?" " You?" " Yes." "I hurt you very much when I ran away." "I didn't understand you at the time." "But I understand you very well today, Magda." "At the time, you've had to jump into life's fullness, not into love's comfort." "What about you, what did you do these long years?" "I've waited for you, Magda." "Still with your heart full of music?" "Oh my God." "How did she look?" "Fabulous, but I must say, a bit flashy." "People will talk." "Mustn't we to go to her at once?" "Impossible, child." "It'll be the talk of the town within two hours." "But we must do something!" "Not now." "Later." "What's the matter with papa?" "The Colonel has locked himself in." "You must go to him, Magda." "As the lost daughter?" "Begging his forgiveness?" "You must overcome your pride!" "He's waiting for you, believe me, I know it." "I'm afraid for him, and afraid of him." "But he's your father." "Give me some time." "Then it'll be too late, Magda." "He mustn't learn from a stranger that you're here." "I'll go to him, I'll tell him that you'll come, yes?" "But he must not ask, you hear, he must not ask!" "I couldn't bear it." "He mustn't ask what?" "How I managed all those eight years, and.... he'd never understand it." "So no questioning!" "I'll tell him." "But we can't leave her alone at this moment!" "You didn't know Magda!" "She used to be a great guy." "I'm sure she's still the same today." "She caused your father a lot of grief, Marie." "She was just disobedient." "Obedience!" "That's the only thing you soldiers know about." "Marie, good heavens, the Colonel!" "You know he doesn't like it." "I think it's about time we all get used to it again." "¶ Why do the soldiers assemble... ¶ why are the people running about so wild ... ¶ Roses are in bloom on the heather ..." "I beg you, Marie," "I don't want this." "Especially not today." "I don't want any music in my house." "Never again, papa?" "We were delighted to hear, Madame, that you are German." "I conclude with the sincere wish ... that your German homeland you have returned to from strange countries, may bring you happiness and joy." "I say, they make a fuss as if she were a member of the royal family... and why all that fuss: because of a singer." "If I may say so, those "things"..." "But Your Excellency!" "But we all think it very fortunate for Ilmingen that this lady participates in our music festival." "Music festival!" "What's the use of a music festival, I wonder?" "I think, Your Excellency, to cultivate the nation's ideal treasures, that is a duty..." "He who wants to cultivate the nation's ideal treasures, and I don't object to that, should join a warriors' association." "But not everybody is so fortunate to have been a soldier, Your Excellency." "But everyone ought to have been a soldier, my good man." "Of course one cannot compare Ilmingen with America." "But we are very generous too, Madame." "I mean, in a spiritual sort of way." "Such a decolleté." "But she's a "person"." "Well, such are modern times, Your Excellency, morals tend to relax." "But not in Ilmingen, if you please!" "I'll introduce you with pleasure, Frau von Klebs, one moment." "Excuse me, Madame, I would like to introduce you to a lady..." "She's already trapped the Prince." "Well, men are so easily fooled, Your Excellency." "Really?" "Our famous poetess, Fräulein von Klebs." "Each year a new novel." "And each more beautiful and sadder than the last." "You flatter me, You Highness." "How do you do." "You intend to stay here longer?" "I don't know, Your Excellency, that depends on my future engagements." "But one must have a home, a cozy place of one's own." "You think so?" "I've learned that it's more important to work, to have a profession." "That's a matter of opinion." "Here in Ilmingen, those ideas are very strange to us, my dear young lady." "Occasionally a lady comes from Berlin and gives a lecture." "But the good families stay away from it." "I can understand that." "The good families don't have to work." "They like their food anyway." "work..." "Is art then such a hard occupation?" "That depends on how you practice your art, Your Excellency." "My three daughters are having singing lessons too, they find it very tiring." "So do I." "I am so sorry." "But I tell you, Mr. Mayor, it must be her." "It couldn't be otherwise." "I tell you she is Magda von Schwartze." "I gave her her confirmation in church." "What are you saying!" "The run-away?" "Run along girls, get yourselves a piece of cake." "Do you really think so?" " But that would be..." " That would be great." "If you are so sure, why not confront her?" "You think so?" "I'll do it." "The girl always knew what she wanted, and this pleases God too." "You can count on that." "I don't understand you, Heinrich." "One wouldn't think that you're a theologian." "But that's Magda." "Her living image." "How so, Klebs, you know our famous visitor?" "I think so." "Yes." "Aunt Fränze, it's me." "I've fooled you nicely, haven't I." "Your Highness, it can no longer be kept a secret, I am Magda von Schwartze." "Magda von Schwartze!" "But then you're a child of our county." "That's very charming." "I won't be subject to any conditions." "I must ask her." "I must question her." "It's my right." "My duty." "I must know if she has led a decent life." "If she is still decent enough to enter my house." "What does she want here anyway?" "To ask for my forgiveness?" "To justify what she did to me at the time?" "No no, my dear." "I'll tell you want she wants:" "she wants to impress us." "You, me, everybody... to show the poor devil of a father how far you can rise in the world." "if you only run away from him.." "I am not impressed." "That's defiance, that's pride, I don't want it." "I have expected my child, my child," "not a primadonna." "She has remained your child, Colonel." "And you have all the more reason to be glad about it, that this child has risen in the word by her own strength." "Risen in the world?" "Is that so?" "It is you who are defiant and proud, Herr von Schwartze, not Magda." "Herr Heffterdingk!" "You can shout at me as much as you like, I'll tell you anyway." "I know exactly what's your trouble, Colonel." "You want to have something to forgive." "And you're annoyed that there is nothing to forgive." "Colonel, make a small effort and offer your hand when she comes." "When she comes, yes." "Why doesn't she come?" "I can fetch her." "But you promise, Colonel..." "I promise to be fair and just." "I won't accept any other conditions." "So you've recognized us at once?" "Of course, those dear old familiar faces." "The public in America must be a very mixed crowd, suspicious characters and so on ..." "Of course, Your Excellency, negroes, dish-washers and frauds." "So Madame has in fact performed in the cabaret?" "In fact, I've "tingled"." ""Tingeln", Your Excellency, that's a special term for singing in the varieté." "But it was great, I saw it myself." "All London went crazy." "Madame, don't you remember?" " But Your Highness, in these noble rooms?" " oh sh.... doesn't matter" "¶ Only through love can a woman be beautiful," "¶ only through love" "¶ that's why she always yearns for love," "¶ craving for love," "¶ only by kissing will she bloom," "¶ and glow hot and wild," "¶ sparkle like a fire," "¶ until she reveals all her hidden charms." "¶ Only through love can a woman be beautiful," "¶ only through love" "¶ that's why she always yearns for love," "¶ craving for love," "¶ and she wishes it would stay like that forever," "¶ because love makes her so beautiful." "¶ Do you know, sir," "¶ what you can discover in a woman" "¶ Do you realize, sir," "¶ what she can hide, and whom, very clever?" "¶ What does she do behind her silks, velvets and tulle?" "¶ hides mysteriously" "¶ nothing but a woman's heart." "¶ Do you know at all, mon cher," "¶ that all ornament is only superficial," "¶ Only through love can a woman be beautiful," "¶ only through love" "¶ that's why she always yearns for love," "¶ craving for love," "¶ and she wishes it would stay like that forever," "¶ because love makes her so beautiful." "Ladies and gentlemen, good evening." "Magda!" "Madame, I want to compliment you on your singing and your courage." "And if you ever need any help, I'm at your disposal." "Thank you, Your Highness." "Good night." "At last!" "I've been waiting for you." "What did father say?" "It would be wisest, Magda, if you talked to him yourself..." "You see, you didn't achieve anything." "It was all a mistake, Heffterdingk." "I shouldn't have come." " Go to him!" " No!" "Never!" "That Bismarck, capital fellow!" "Doesn't mince his words." "But that's what we need." "Everybody nowadays thinks he can command." "Authority, that's what we need!" "Authority, everywhere!" "You ought to read this, my child." "Yes papa, tomorrow." "Permit me, papa, I'm on duty now." " Very well, my boy." " Good night, papa." "I'll see you to the door." "Coachman, please pass along Sophia street." "St. Mary choir ..." "and Maddalena dall'Orto (alto) from New York" "Rubbish!" "Magda" "Father." "Please come in." "You've turned all white." "But you're beautiful now." "I am so happy to be here again." "Why... didn't you come at once?" "Don't talk, papa." "Let me rest first." "Magda!" "Mietze!" "Mietze!" "How tall you've become!" "But so pale and thin..." "Beautiful ... beautiful." "Look at this." "Two tall pretty daughters." " But papa!" " Yes yes, that's right!" "That's the proper way: one on the right, one on the left." "Looks very nice." "It's late papa, I have to go back to my hotel, I'll see you tomorrow morning." "You want to leave again?" "But all my luggage is at the hotel, and I can't just..." "Such nonsense, I won't let you go, you stay right here where you belong..." "This is your place, here in your parents' house, and nowhere else..." "I'll talk to the coachman..." "You'll sleep in my bed, please, Magda." "I'll stretch out on the sofa, so that we can have a nice chat." " Bunked down already?" " Yes papa." "And I'm really tired." " Papa, may we?" " Yes yes" "Good night. father" "Good night ... my child." "And a good first night ... at home." "Come Magda." "Good night, papa." "Wolsdorfer, isn't it?" "From the tree on the left, in the garden." "That you remember!" "So his name is Max?" "But I call him Mäxchen." "Do you like him?" "I think he's wonderful." "Do you love him very much?" "I'll never love another man." "Never, Magda." "Now he's just a second lieutenant, but later he'll be a lieutenant commander and then ..." "And for how long have you known each other?" "It can't be true." "And why don't you get married?" "Papa doesn't have enough money to pay that horrible deposit..." "And Aunt Fränze  prefers to choke on her bank account rather than help you." "¶ only love makes a woman beautiful" "¶ that's why she only yearns for love ... ¶ only through love" "Disgusting!" "Did you manage the luggage?" "There wasn't much." "I was told to leave the big suitcases there." " The two wanted to come with me straight away, Colonel?" " Who?" "The two ladies at the hotel." "And they surely were upset." "Wondering if any harm had come to Miss Magda tonight here at the house." "If we could cook proper food for her..." "Those Americans..." "But she wasn't a negro, Colonel." "Then we can count ourselves lucky." "Yes Colonel." "She couldn't find the bathing salts." "She asked if we had some." "Bathing salts?" "Rubbish!" "Yes sir, rubbish, that's what I said too." "When we take a bath here in Ilmingen, we use soap." "We are used to cleanliness, I said." "That's correct, Kreschan." "Obviously so." "Papa, good morning." " Did you sleep well?" " Thank you, papa." "You want to go out that early?" "But you haven't had your breakfast yet." "I don't have time, I have to go to the bank to draw a lot of money, 60.000 marks." "60.000, that's the sum..." "Marie shall have her Max, it makes her happy and it gives me great pleasure." "Well, you dropped this last night." "Aren't you glad, papa?" "I'm a bit astonished... and I wonder if the children may accept the money..." "Please, not like that, I've earned a lot of money." "One earns differently in the States." "You were poor when you left from here.." "Yes, and I managed!" "But how?" "How did you manage?" "Well, it was a desperate and bitter fight, as you can well imagine." "A girl, all alone..." "I am afraid, Magda" "You've kept your good heart, but... in your eyes I see something I don't like." "Dear good old papa..." "Yes yes, this is how you calm down a child..." "I beg your pardon, Colonel, but His Highness Prince Ludwig has just arrived on horseback." "Good morning, Madame." "Good morning, Colonel." "May I ask how Madame spent her first night in her hometown?" "Thank you, very well." "Too kind, Your Highness." "I would be very pleased if you could ride out with me one day." "That's quite impossible, Your Highness, I ride side-saddle." "The mayor would arrest me straight away." "I swear, I'd defend you with my own blood against the mayor." "If I may be excused, I have to go to the bank and then to rehearsals." "Till tonight." "Goodbye papa." "Magda." "Colonel, à propos, of course you and your family are invited too tonight." "Out of the question, you've refused so often." "We must celebrate your daughter in style." "Do you realize how anxious my uncle is to meet the residency's most famous daughter..." "Too kind, Your Highness." "Goodbye, Colonel." "60.000 marks?" "I'm sorry, Madame, but we cannot pay out such an amount without the bank's confirmation." "But I need the money at once." "If Madame would speak with the manager, I'm sure he'll help out." "Please announce me." "If Madame would take a seat for a moment." "Magda." "What a charming surprise, my dear child." " Not yet." " Why?" "I am afraid you'll have to wait a bit." "Wait for what?" "For the surprise, auntie." "What do you mean?" "I see, Herr von Keller." "Won't you at least welcome me?" "So you are Maddalena dall'Orto?" "Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you." "Let's shake hands." "I'm glad that you remember your old friend so kindly." "So this is how you look like." "This is what you've become." "A pillar of society!" "And here... you've established yourself." "I had imagined our meeting a thousand times," "I wouldn't have thought there'd be a big scene, but that it would turn out to be a just business deal..." "That's right, I've been informed... a check from New York, 15,000 $" "If you could cash it..." "I hope my credentials are in order?" "I'm glad that you've kept your old sense of humour." "We'll see to it at once." "You see, I do everything to reestablish our good relations." "Of course on another basis." "You must feel very grand when you remember the sins of your youth." "Oh well, one has acquired a position, moral obligations..." "Bravo!" "Please take care of that." "So much for business..." "Well... those were the times... youth..." "Let me think, how long ago was it?" "Truly, eight years, the way time flies..." "Those were very nice weeks in Berlin... the old flat on Steinmetz street with the two pianos, your singing, you know I have always though highly of your voice.." "and Ellie with her petroleum stove and Käthe writing her own couplets..." "Yes indeed, Käthe and Ellie," "I wonder what became of them?" "They disappeared one day without a trace, just like you did." "But I beg of you, that's the way it was in those days, surely you realize that." "I could scream at you right now!" "Liar!" "Coward!" "But I must acknowledge:" "I even owe you thanks," "Don't mention it, a small sum for your education..." "Education?" "You don't understand me, Keller." "I was all alone in Berlin at the time, and you brought a whiff of the homeland... and I think.." "I even loved you then." "Strange..." "I really loved you." "I was foolish and naive... and through you I became a woman." "After you were gone without a trace... that was terrible." "Then the poverty, the misery..." "You suffered?" "I'm sorry to hear that." "I've had to fight, Herr von Keller!" "The hardest fight there is for girl." "The fight for her child." "What did you say?" "Yes, you've asked about Käthe and Ellie, but you haven't asked about your child." "My child?" "Did I say "your" child?" "I didn't mean to." ""My child", belonging to me alone." "Do you hear?" "I am deeply distressed." "We used to have some champagne left." "Down there the row of shining corks, Colonel." "1875 Mumm Cordon Rouge" "The Colonel ought more often to... in our old days, my dear..." "He who drinks a lot, Colonel, has a long life." "So, you'll be prudent, Herr von Keller." " As you wish." " We'll pretend to know each other slightly from old times." "But Magda, we could meet sometimes." "What did you say?" "Come in." "The payment order." " Here you are." " Thank you." "So?" "Here you are, Magda." "I'm very glad." "And I thank you with all my heart that you found your way home yesterday, that was very brave." "You see, everything has turned out fine." "Careful with those bottles, Sergeant." "And put them on ice at once." "Papa." "Please don't leave me alone with him." "It's so good that you're here." "So Magda, did you really do it?" "Yes papa, everything's all right." "We have a surprise for you, dear Miss." "Surprise?" "I don't care for surprises." "A nice one?" "Very nice." "You good children..." "And there's Aunt Fränze again." "We've met before today, in the bank." "May one ask what business you had with Herr von Keller?" " One moment, you'll learn presently." " That's right, keep her in suspense." "Such secrecy.." "Heffterdingk, will you tell me what this is all about?" "An engagement, that's what it's about." "Really?" "Without deposit?" "With deposit." "Magda gives us the money and Mietze gets him." "Well, this is..." "Great, if that's what you were going to say." "The poetess Klebs has again found the right word." "You'll get a glass of champagne for this." "Kreschan, champagne." "And then she may spread the joyous news in town." "She's dying to." "Champagne, Champagne!" "Dear Magda, I want to thank you with all my heart." "Thank YOU ("dir")." "You permit..." "Let's try the '75." "Good vintage." "Magda, you were victorious." "Heffterdingk, the struggle hasn't even started yet." "Herr von Keller!" "How charming." "Won't you join us?" "I beg Your Highness' pardon, but I've just asked this young lady to dance." "Pardon, a lady takes precedence." "If you please, Mademoiselle." "Enjoy yourself, Herr Privy Councilor." "I think I've revealed something too early." "Privy councilor?" "How so, Your Highness?" "Keller a privy councilor?" "The highest sun is shining benevolently." "By the way, by tomorrow the entire Christianity shall be decorated." "I don't understand." "That Keller used to be a terrible womanizer in his youth." "Why only in his youth." "Look at him now..." "Look at our flaming Christian pillar of society, almost flickering with lust..." "If don't shut up at once, Keller, I'll end this dance." "Will you indeed?" "One shouldn't endanger one's secrets." "You are despicable, Keller." "And you are a charming woman." "Well Heffterdingk, also trying your luck at dancing?" "I don't dance, Colonel." "You don't say." "I love you, Magda." "You wouldn't want to make me your enemy, do you hear?" "Let go of me!" "There's no harm in a little dancing, Your Excellency." "A man living only for his work and his duties." "Is that so?" "But my husband knows Herr von Keller from the old days." "And?" "Please tell me, I've trusted him with my whole fortune." "You don't say!" "I'm sure your fortune is in the very best hands with Herr von Keller." "Wonderful." "A picture of colours in motion." "Looks great." "When and where can I see you?" "Tomorrow afternoon?" "I'm counting on you." " You must be mad." " You're coming?" "Listen Keller, if you don't let go of me at once, I'll create a scandal... that will put you to shame forever." "Charming charming ..." "We'll have to excuse Herr von Keller, Your Highness." "Well, it was a pleasure, Herr von Keller." "Your Excellency." "If you please, Madame ..." "Well, privy councilor..." "Your Excellency." "I'd be very happy if I could help you." "You've already helped me more than you know, Your Highness." "But one must lighten the life for a woman like you, as light as music." "And now, gentlemen, this calls for a drink." "Our old comrade Colonel von Schwartze has returned to our midst." " Your health, Colonel." " Thank you." "I am extraordinarily happy." "My dear Schwartze, yesterday at the reception your daughter showed such spirit... as if her father had been in the cavalry." "Great girl, your Magda." "We are all very exited about the opera performance tomorrow night." "I've heard it's a brilliant role for the esteemed artist." "What's the matter, Magda?" "I have to leave this town, Heffterdingk." "What happened?" "I am being trapped." "Who's trapping you?" "Keller." "Keller?" "Because he's the father of my child." " Here you are, papa." " Of course, where else?" "And this is my dear Max.." "But papa, we want to dance." "All you want to do is dance..." "Once moment, gentlemen..." "Let me present Lieutenant Max von Wendlowsky, engaged to my daughter Marie." "I don't know what to do..." "There'll be a scandal that will ruin us all." "Father, Marie, Max and..." "I must go away." "Don't go, Magda." "Where is the child?" "In Oberwald." "Magda," "I want to see the child, Magda." "What business do you have with me and the child, Heffterdingk." "To love you." "You and the child..." "Keller!" "Angry?" "Urgent business." "If you look at him, tell me, could you believe that of him?" "Ridiculous." "Out of the question." "Keller is a "character"." "I wonder if one should change one's bank, just to be sure.." "if only he weren't so occupied all the time..." "I've been trying to see him for eight days on behalf of my shares, but he has never the time..." "He avoids you?" "Well Magda hasn't inherited it from me, I can hardly tell a horn signal from a drum roll." "Gentlemen, you'll be amazed tomorrow, but opera remains opera, I mean..." "It's a good thing the opera is on tomorrow, as for today, I don't know if I could hear double..." "We'll have to clear our heads first..." "Excellent idea." "What about a sleigh ride to Oberwald?" "A hang-over stroll." "Bravo!" "Breakfast and drinks included." "All present are invited." "We'll meet at 10 o'clock and then up the mountains." " Fritz, look, three sleighs." " Let's ask for a ride." "Stop!" "Stop!" "All right, coachman, stop the sleigh." "Today's youth." "What do you want?" "We want to take a ride." "Halt!" "Let go of the child!" "Poldy!" "I mustn't." "I have to go back home." "You run along home, but you'll drive with us, aren't you?" "With pleasure." "Leopoldine, what are you doing?" "The uncle has invited me to a ride." "But gentlemen, that's impossible." "Now get out, my child." " But it's nice and warm here." " Come on, let the child have some fun." "I'm responsible for the little girl." "Then you jump in too, there's one vacant seat left." "We'll drive to Ilmingen, you can return by the midday train." "Ilmingen?" "That would be an occasion." "If you permit..." "This is incredible." "I am being stolen from, and you call it a trifle." " I must ask you to moderate your tone." " In your account Prussian coupons ?" "worth 14.000 mark are missing." "We'll find them." "But at the moment the money isn't there." "And I too have always trusted you, Herr von Keller." " Rightly so." " Unlimited trust..." " You know it." " I do." " After all, I am a woman all alone." " On top of it!" "My ladies, I don't know why you get so excited." "A small error of accountancy, a mistake of form .." "I feel myself obliged, Herr von Keller, to notify the police of that small mistake of form." " Police?" " But my ladies... be patient." "I'll drop everything and will only look after your affairs." " Are you content?" " But I must ask you to start today!" "We'll find them today." "So this is how far you'd go, Keller?" "You dare enter this house?" "I humbly ask you to listen to me for a few minutes." "Last night was an ordeal to me." "I've passed my whole existence in review." " and realized..." " that a rich wife would fit perfectly, wouldn't she?" "You aren't very helpful, Magda." "Of course a man in my position has to take the pecuniary exteriors into account, but that is not the essential." "And the essential is..." "I've realized that I owe you satisfaction." "Satisfaction?" "Satisfaction as a gentleman." "I want to devote my life to you, Magda, in the proper form." "Do you understand?" "Yes, I understand you very well, Keller, but I won't let you ruin my life a second time." "But Magda, you can't be serious." "You'll think about it." "Leave at once, Keller." "You throw me out?" "I'll get what I want, you can depend on it." "Leave this house at once, I never want to see you again." "But Magda, listen..." "Colonel." "Herr von Keller... would you have the goodness to explain the meaning of this scene?" "I regret, Colonel," "I am not authorized to do so." "How is it possible that my daughter... feels obliged to... show you the door." "That's only temporary, Colonel, I'm sure." "What do you mean?" "I beg your pardon, Herr von Schwartze, but my time is limited." "If you find it necessary to continue this conversation later..." "I am at your disposal." "You are familiar with my apartment." "A good day, Colonel." "Magda." "Magda!" "Magda!" "Magda!" "You showed Keller to the door." "What did that person want from you?" "You didn't let me finish yesterday, my child." "I am deeply distressed." "I beg you to deliver me from this distress." "Magda, that Keller, he used to be in Berlin too at the time." "Did he have a right to speak to you that way?" "Magda!" "I want to know the truth." "The whole truth?" "Yes." "So?" "I'll tell you everything, please sit down." "I'll stand." "Come in." "How do you do." "How do you do." "Won't you shake hands?" " So you are little Poldy?" " Yes." "I want to talk to your mama." "She isn't here." "Where is she?" "I don't know." "Can I help you, sir?" "Heffterlingk, organist at the cathedral." "The strict gentleman from the Ilmingen orgue." "You already know me?" "Know him?" "And how!" "Look at me." "Look right." "Excellent." "Not bad." "You may sit down." "Papa is upstairs with Magda." "He's terribly upset." "And?" "He helped me at the time." "And?" "I loved him." "And?" "I have ... a child." "This little girl's mother is an extraordinary woman." "She's a great and wonderful person." "One must admire her, one must love her..." " So?" " So!" " And woe betide him who doesn't!" " But I already do!" "Then you're lucky." "I hope so." "What do you hope." "I hope that I'll be lucky one day, that we'll be lucky." "You have betrayed us." "You've soiled your father's coat." "You've dishonoured the morals and the order which are law in this house." "There's only one law for me:" "the honesty of my feelings." "Being true to myself." "A very comfortable law." "What do you know... how strict and uncomfortable this law can be?" "And your law acquits you, does it?" "Frees you from all guilt?" "No." "But it helped me deal with my guilt." "Congratulations." "And thus, you think, everything's all right again, don't you?" "I shall leave Ilmingen today." "That's no solution." "You won't leave Ilmingen, till your child bears its father's name." "You can't force me to agree to that!" "This is no matter concerning you." "This concerns your child." "This concerns my life." "This concerns your honour!" "Your honour ... and my honour!" "I won't marry Keller, father." "Never!" "He shall marry you!" "I'll go to him." "What do you want?" "Pistols, papa?" "Beautiful pistols, aren't they?" "Fabulous pistols." "Papa, I ask you to let me deal with this affair on your behalf." "I have a right to." "A right?" "How?" "Do you want to marry into a dishonoured family?" "I stand by Marie." "I see." "So you want to take off our regimental coat?" "Run around in civilian clothes?" "As a traveling salesman for sparkling wine or liquor, Lieutenant?" "And sell some life insurances on the side?" " Papa, I ask of you..." " I forbid you to enter this house again, Lieutenant." "Or enter it only when you can do so in good conscience." "That's all, Lieutenant." "What happened?" "Tell me, Max!" "Please Marie, let's not all lose our head." " Magda, what happened?" " Where are you going?" "Away." "Where I ought to have stayed." "Forgive me that I'm running away." "Farewell." " She's gone." " Yes." "And we must stay." "We can only stand at attention and obediently await what'll happen to us." "What should happen to us?" "Max?" "It's over, Marie." "Everything's over." "How do you mean?" "I never saw your father like this." "So helpless, so hunted down, as if he were being pursued by someone." " Keller?" "I don't know, Marie." "But if that Keller has the power to pursue him, him and your sister..." "Do you imagine that I could remain soldier in a town where a Herr von Keller brags about Colonel von Schwartze's daughter..." " That's not true!" " Isn't it?" "You father has just forbidden me to enter your house." "Well Marie," "I can forget about the "coloured coat"." "Poldy, darling." "How good that you're here." "Why do you cry?" "Because I love you so." " Let's travel." " Where to?" "I don't know." "Tell Sophie to pack Poldy's things, we'll leave as soon as possible, maybe tonight." "And our work, Magda?" "You are singing tonight and tomorrow." "I must sing?" "Yes, sing!" "You want to flee away from Keller." "Are we that small?" "Are we so weak, you and I?" "I understand your agitation, Magda." "But especially when life plays with all the registers, it not only drives us, it also carries us." "And nobody can get lost." "You must stay and sing." "You talk about art, and my life is at stake!" "Since when does one small life come before art, Magda?" "You mustn't go away." "I mustn't stay, Marie." "I cannot stay." "When we were children and had done some something wrong, and when we had to go to father's room for roll call, and when I was afraid, you used to laugh at me!" "And now..." "Yes, maybe I'm a coward." "But I would perish if I stayed here." "Here, with those people... it would be my end..." "Your going away would be the end of us all!" "But Marie, you cannot force me to give everything away, my happiness, my art, my whole life, and for what?" "For this thing called honour in Ilmingen." "The so-called good reputation, and... what do I know..." "For us, Magda." "This is not about myself." "This is not about Max either." "It's about papa!" "You can't leave him alone right now." "Magda, if you leave him again now, he'll do himself some harm." "And you don't ask about me." "I don't think it's that important what becomes of us." "of you and of me..." "But there must be order in life." "Frau Weigand, please pack at once, I have to leave on a voyage tonight." " It's urgent." " Yes, Herr von Keller." " Anything else?" " There's a gentleman waiting for you." "Really?" "Colonel von Schwartze." "Colonel von Schwartze?" "Magda von Schwartze's father." "Yes, Herr von Keller." "Yes?" "I am waiting for an explanation." "May I ask, Colonel, whether your daughter approves of your visit... ?" "Drop your babbling..." "I want to know how to deal with you." "You aren't going to shed blood, Colonel?" "I want to know whether you intend to marry my daughter." "Now that's really..." "Marry?" "My decision has been taken for a long time." "So?" "I have never stopped admiring your daughter." "For eight years we've been united, if I may say so, in tender admiration." "Colonel," "I have the honour to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage." "Far too much rouge, Magda." "But you're playing a guy tonight, don't you?" "I mean, Orpheus is a guy, isn't he?" "You have done me a great wrong." "But I thank you, because you want to redeem your wrong." "I'm afraid, Colonel, that your daughter might get a wrong impression about my decision." "I give you my word of honour... that Magda will marry you." "¶ Ah I've lost her" "¶ all my happiness is gone now," "¶ I wish I had never been born," "¶ woe that I have to live on earth," "¶ woe that I have to live on earth." "¶ Euridike, Euridike," "¶ in vain are rest and hope," "¶ life's consolation" "¶ is nowhere for me anymore." "¶ Ah I've lost her" "¶ all my happiness is gone now," "¶ I wish I had never been born," "¶ woe that I have to live on earth," "¶ I wish I had never been born," "¶ woe that I have to live on earth..." "I'll stay." "I'll do everything you want." "I haven't expected anything else." "Keller will call on us tomorrow." "Well Magda, you wouldn't have thought... that we'd see each other again so soon." "Be brief, Keller." "You permit..." "Let me point out to you that I'm not being forced in any way..." "My visit yesterday is the proof that I'm only motivated by my feelings." "I know, you've never stopped loving me." "Certainly." "I've always thought of you with special pleasure." "Is that so?" "And if I paid you off, how much would that cost me?" "But my dear Magda, how can you say such a thing!" "I know you're rich." "You overestimate me, Herr von Keller." "I've given all my savings to my sister." "You're joking?" "At last, an honest feeling." "You're such a bad actor." "Then I shall change my profession and residence." "It is understood that you too will leave the stage and the concert hall." "Is that so?" "I beg of you, a man of my qualities couldn't possible live off his wife." "Or should I turn over the music sheets for you?" "But we shall lead a social life in a great style," "Allow me to mention that I'm about to be appointed privy councilor." "Have you finished, Keller?" "I think so." "A wonderful program." "Only you forgot one thing." "What might that be?" "You forgot the child on whose behalf this marriage will take place." "True, the child..." "By the way, is it a boy or a girl, well, doesn't really matter ..." "Of course the child must remain a secret, no one must even suspect anything." "What are you saying!" "The child isn't to live with us?" "How do you mean, live with us?" "Go out for a walk with us?" "But dearest Magda, the very thought of it, absurd!" "We'll give it away, somewhere abroad." "Abroad?" "Naturally, we could now or then leave for a short trip." "And later, when we're old, I shall be happy to oblige you, then we could adopt it under some pretense..." "What kind of person are you?" "Are you human?" "Father!" "Father!" "Get this person out of this house." "Throw him out." "He wants to deny me my child, he wants to take it away from me..." "I was ready to lower myself, to sacrifice myself.." "but not my child, never, never..." "Don't you want to explain, Herr von Keller..." "I am completely taken aback, Colonel." "The conditions I had to impose in the interest of both of us... don't seem to your daughter's liking." "Unfortunately my daughter in no position to demand conditions." "I beg your pardon for the scene you have just been exposed to." "My daughter didn't know what she was saying." "Please go now." "You have my word." "She shall keep it." "I'm glad to hear it, Colonel." "Magda, come here." "We'll go to my room." "Now we are alone." "Nobody can see us." "Only the One up there... and He should see us." "You must admit, my child, that I am very quiet now." "Aren't I, very quiet..." "Yes." "Yes." "What has happened, has happened." "No one can change that." "But I have just given your fiancé ... my word of honour." "Two gentlemen called for you, Herr von Keller, they'll be back." "From the bank?" "No, from the police." "So, Magda... either ... you swear to me by your child's life to become its father's wife, or .." "Or?" "Or none of us shall leave this room alive." "Shouldn't I open?" "No." "But there's a light burning, damn it." "But you can't do this, Herr von Keller, all the neighbours will come out." "Please." "No." "May God have mercy on us." "Magda!" "Right on the target, privy councilor." " How lucky that you've come." " What happened?" "Where's Madga?" "With father." "But Colonel!" "What kind of a world do you think you live in?" "In a world where there's some honour left." "In a world where not even a tough guy like you, Colonel, can't overcome his fear of other people." "In a world that stifles living feelings ... and where dead phrases are still reigning, in a world full of lies, Colonel, in an evil word." "I have grown up in that world," "I know no other world," "But you do, Herr von Schwartze, you know this other world, it rises with new faces and with a new honour." "It beats against our hearts and doesn't stop with you." "The life that grumbles inside you is too great, too violent, it'll break lose of those old forms, and you sense it very well, you just don't want to admit it." "Leave me be." "I have to be used up the way I am." "Please go now." "You all go now." "The passion." "Dead, you say?" "And do you know why?" "He was wanted by the police." "A bank manager and the police, I think, papa, there's no need to explain any further... ¶ Then the chief priests, scribes, and elders of the people gathered at the palace of the high priest, named Caiaphas," "¶ and conferred on how they might, by treachery, seize Jesus and kill him." "But they said:" "¶ Not on the feast day, in case a riot should start among the people." "¶ Repentance and remorse" "¶ gnash my sinful heart in two..." "Do you remember me?" "¶ Repentance and remorse" "¶ gnash my sinful heart in two... ¶ gnash my sinful heart in two... ¶ Repentance and remorse" "¶ gnash my sinful heart in two..." "¶ Wait!" "Let's see whether Elijah comes and helps him." "¶ But Jesus again cried aloud, and expired." "¶ When at last I must depart, do not depart from me!" "My mummy." "¶ When I must endure death, then stand by me!" "¶ When my heart reaches its most fearful state," "¶ snatch me out of my anguish by virtue of your own anguish and pain!" "Engl. subtitles: serdar202@KG"