Der König Candaules: Drama in drei Akten

This three‑act drama re‑examines an ancient legend through a modern, introspective lens. First staged in the early twentieth‑century German theatre, the work balances a scholarly awareness of dramatic form with vivid, poetic language, inviting listeners to experience a piece that feels both timeless and freshly examined. Its careful translation preserves the original’s rhythm while offering a glimpse into the theatrical debates of its era.

The story follows a powerful monarch whose fascination with his queen’s beauty leads him to a risky invitation for a trusted courtier to glimpse her in private. As the king’s pride collides with the courtier’s sense of honor, the tension escalates, exposing questions of loyalty, voyeurism, and the limits of authority. Listeners are drawn into the characters’ inner conflicts, feeling the pull between desire and duty that drives the drama forward.