
A proud and prosperous citizen, the central figure revels in his opulent home, abundant possessions, and the admiration of his peers. Surrounded by servants, friends, and the bustling life of his estate, he basks in the illusion of permanence, confident that his wealth will shield him from any threat. Yet the play’s opening quickly introduces a higher voice that begins to unravel his certainty.
When the Almighty summons Death to deliver a divine summons, the wealthy man is forced onto a stark pilgrimage that tests his values and confronts his mortality. Angelic messengers, a cunning devil, and the relentless presence of Death draw him into a moral reckoning, urging him to weigh his earthly riches against the fleeting nature of life. Listeners are invited to witness his struggle, his fleeting pride, and the timeless question of what truly endures beyond the grave.
Language
de
Duration
~1 hours (73K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Jana Srna, mcbax and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by Bielefeld University.)
Release date
2009-05-24
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1874–1929
A brilliant Austrian writer of the fin-de-siècle, he moved easily between lyric poetry, drama, essays, and opera libretti. He is especially remembered for his collaborations with Richard Strauss and for helping shape the spirit of the Salzburg Festival.
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