Sämtliche Werke 5-6 : Die Dämonen

The opening plunges listeners into a restless Russia where religious dissent and burgeoning nihilism intertwine. From the early schisms of the Raskolniki—who wrestle with faith, ritual and the lure of heresy—to the chaotic mix of disgruntled officials, escaped soldiers, and wandering outlaws, a volatile brotherhood forms beneath the surface of empire. Their secret ties, forged through forged papers and smuggled relics, hint at a network that will soon test the limits of both church and state.

Against this backdrop, the narrative follows a generation of restless youths—decembrists, idealistic radicals, and salon debaters—who absorb the fire of the French Revolution and the ideas of Saint‑Simon, Proudhon and Owen. Their gatherings, lacking a single doctrine, become fertile ground for the nascent political nihilism that will shape Russia’s turbulent future. The story captures the fevered atmosphere of a nation on the brink, inviting listeners to hear the early rumblings of revolt and the moral questions that echo through its streets.