Balthasar and Other Works - 1909

In this lyrical and slightly satirical tale, a young Ethiopian king named Balthasar sets out on a grand expedition to the legendary court of the Queen of Sheba. Accompanied by a pompous court magician and a singing eunuch, his caravan snakes through desert landscapes alive with jackals, pomegranate trees and fragrant rose gardens, hinting at a world where commerce, mysticism and courtly intrigue intertwine. The story opens with Balthasar’s awe‑struck encounter with the radiant queen, whose jeweled robes and cool, perfumed courtyard set the stage for a delicate dance of diplomacy and desire.

As the two sovereigns exchange polite pleasantries and curious questions about each other’s lands, the narrative brims with witty repartee and vivid descriptions of exotic goods—cinnamon, myrrh, gold dust—while subtle humor undercuts the grandeur of royal protocol. Listeners will be drawn into a richly imagined ancient world where a king’s simple heart meets the allure of a powerful queen, promising a thoughtful exploration of love, trade, and cultural exchange.