Hands Around [Reigen]: A Cycle of Ten Dialogues

In this elegant collection of ten short dialogues, a series of intimate encounters trace a subtle circle of desire across Viennese society. Each scene pairs a different man and woman—a street girl and a soldier, a parlor maid and a young husband, a poet and an actress—revealing how flirtation, ambition and vulnerability intertwine. Schnitzler’s background as a physician lends the conversations a keen psychological edge, turning light wit into a careful study of the human heart.

The dialogues unfold with a light, self‑aware tone that reflects the waning optimism of a world on the brink of change, echoing the refined elegance of 18th‑century French comedy and the playful decadence of late‑imperial Vienna. While the characters drift from one encounter to the next, the subtle shifts in power and longing keep the listener attuned to the unspoken rules governing love and propriety. The result is a portrait of desire that feels both timeless and distinctly rooted in its aristocratic setting.