Debts and even more debts! King Pollux sees only one way to escape his creditors: to marry his daughter Danae to the fabulously rich King Midas. Jupiter, father of the gods, who has long had his eye on Danae, knows of her dreams of gold as well as her aversion towards erotic advances. So he forges a plan for how he can still have his way with Danae: he turns the poor donkey driver Midas into the King of Gold and can now slip into his body. Midas himself encounters Danae as the messenger »Chrystopher«, the bringer of gold. Both like each other at first glance. So Midas insists on his identity when he meets Jupiter. The enraged father of the gods now decrees that everything that Midas touches turns to gold. The first victim is Danae – a golden doll. Now Jupiter confronts her with a choice: Either him, the god, or the poor donkey driver Midas. Danae opts for Midas. However, Pollux’ debt problem is not yet solved. And the god does not give up. Once again, he tries to win over Danae, who is living in simple conditions. Again to no avail. After all, true love is worth its weight in gold and is simply godly.
A cheerful mythology in three acts by Richard Strauss
Running time 3 hours
Premiere 20 Nov 2005
Staging: Günter Krämer
Set Design: Gisbert Jäkel
Costume Design: Falk Bauer
Lighting Design: Jan Seeger
Choir: Ulrich Paetzholdt
Choreography: Otto Pichler
Dramaturgy: Ulrich Müller (48nord)
