Nathan der Weise: Ein Dramatisches Gedicht, in fünf Aufzügen

In the bustling heart of medieval Jerusalem, a wealthy Jewish merchant returns home to find his world upended. Nathan’s reunion with his steadfast housekeeper Daja quickly turns frantic as they grapple with rumors of fire, missing loved ones, and the tangled debts of a city caught between faiths. Their exchange reveals a household where generosity and sorrow sit side by side, hinting at deeper bonds that stretch beyond religion and social rank.

Beyond the immediate crisis, the play introduces a mosaic of figures—a sultan’s court, a rescued Christian girl, a compassionate crusader, and a wandering dervish—each drawn into Nathan’s sphere of hospitality. As these characters converge, the drama invites listeners to contemplate the nature of true wisdom, the power of compassion, and the ways ordinary people can become bridges across entrenched divides. The first act sets a vivid stage for a timeless exploration of tolerance and humanity.