Henry of Ofterdingen: A Romance.

A young Henry grows up amid the quiet, pious life of his Saxon family, already marked by day‑dreams and a love for poetry that sets him apart from his playmates. Surrounded by the gentle influence of his mother’s devotion and the disciplined yet restless spirit of his father, he discovers an inner world of spirits, fables, and a yearning for something beyond the ordinary. His early education in Latin, Greek, and history fuels a restless curiosity, while secret poetic games with his brothers awaken a deeper sense of wonder.

When Henry leaves his cloistered home for the university towns of Jena, Leipzig and Wittenberg, his longing for a mysterious “blue flower” begins to guide his steps. Along the way he encounters scholars, mystics and travelers who each reflect facets of his own soul, prompting him to question the limits of knowledge, love, and artistic inspiration. The first act follows his transition from sheltered boy to wandering seeker, setting the tone for a romance that blends medieval legend with the restless imagination of the early Romantic spirit.