VORLESUNG I
1. Austrian provinces (9): Vienna, Lower Austria, Burgenland, Upper Austria, Styria, Carinthia, Salzburg,
Tyrol, Vorarlberg
2. Languages: German; regional: Croatian, Slovene, Hungarian
3. Political system: Constitution from 1920
4. The Republic of Austria is a Federal State composed of nine autonomous federal provinces. Its federal
nature is one of the principles laid down in the Constitution and can only be changed by referendum.
Unlike the situation in states with a centralist form of organisation, the legislative and executive powers
are shared by the federal and provincial governments.
Administration in the Länder (provinces, or federal states) is the duty of the state governments, the
Landesregierungen. A state government is made up of the governor (Landeshauptmann or
Landeshauptfrau), his deputies, and other government members (Landesräte). The governor represents
the province. Before taking office, the governor is sworn in on the federal constitution by the Federal
President, the other members of the regional government by the governor.
5. Parliamentarism: 2 chambers (National Council – 183 deputies directly elected by population; Federal
Council – deputies sent by provinces)
6. Key players in politics:
Federal President – mostly representative function
Federal Chancellor – like a prime minister
STRUCTURE:
- Provinces (states): the head is called Landeshauptmann
- Below: districts
- Below: communes
7. Currently 5 parties in parliament:
ÖVP (Conservative Party) – currently leading the federal government
SPÖ (Social Democrats) – in government in Vienna
GRÜNE (Green Party) – left and ecological party, currently junior partner in the federal
government
NEOS (Liberal Party) – socially and economically liberal party
FPÖ (Freedom Party) – far right
VORLESUNG II
a) The German name of Austria, Österreich, was first mentioned in the The Ostarrîchi Document. The
document was written in Old High German and was issued by Emperor Otto III in 996 and presented to
Bishop Gottschalk of Freising. The document concerns the donation of some land (locally called
Ostarrchi) to the bishop. The land is located in modern-day Lower Austria.
The Flag of Austria is similar to the coat of arms of medieval Babenberg dynasty (it is a silver band
in red field). According to a legend, the flag was invented by Duke Leopold V of Austria as a consequence
of his fighting during the Siege of Acre (1189–91). After a battle, his white surcoat was drenched in
blood. When he removed his belt, the cloth beneath remained unstained, revealing the combination of
red-white-red. After the 13th century, the flag was associated with Austria, but it didn’t become the
national flag until after WWI.
The current Coat of Arms of the Republic of Austria has been in use in its first forms by the First
Republic of Austria since 1919. The Eagle symbolizes sovereignty (1919). The mural crown is a symbol for
the cities, by extension the urban population or even the bourgeoisie (1919). The Sickle symbolizes the
farmer’s class (1919). The hammer is a symbol for the working class (1919). The broken chains symbolize
the liberation from Nazi rule (1945).
b) When issued, the Ostarrichi document was not important (only locally) However, such documents
play a big role in ideological constructions: construction of longevity and continuity, the idea of “rights”
to a territory and symbols, which tell us how a country wants to be represented, how it sees itself, how
it wants to be viewed. Historical “firsts” are also important because they show just how long it took for
the first of a kind to be recognised or appreciated.
c) The “Venus of Willendorf” excavation has its roots in the Stone Age. It was discovered in 1908 in a
village in Lower Austria. It is about 25,000 years old and 11 cm tall. It likely symbolizes fertility. It can be
found today in the Museum of Nature in Vienna.
d) The culture of Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age is called “HALLSTATT CULTURE” (12th – 8th century
BC). It is named after a town in Upper Austria and it is a major excavation site (graves).
e) Roman Era
Noricum is the Latin name for the Celtic kingdom or federation of tribes that included most of modern
Austria and part of Slovenia. It was incorporated into the Roman Empire as a province (like Dacia) in 16
BC. Important towns founded: Vindobona (Wien), Juvavum (Salzburg).
The baths and theatre at Carnuntum can be found today on the Danube in Lower Austria halfway
between Vienna and Bratislava in the Carnuntum Archaeological Park.
The “Pagans’ Gate” can be found in Petronell-Carnuntum in present-day Austria.
Comagena was a fortified Roman camp on the Danube, on the site of the modern town of Tulln on the
Danube in Lower Austria, Austria.
f) The Holy Roman Empire (800-1806) included the following European countries and territories:
England, Wales, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium, Gibraltar,
Romania, Moldova, Ukraine. Austria was dominated by the House of Habsburg and House of Habsburg-
Lorraine (Haus Österreich) from 1273 to 1918. In 1806, when Emperor Francis II of Austria dissolved the
Holy Roman Empire, Austria became the Austrian Empire.
g) The imperial certificate entitled ‚ ”Privilegium minus” was emitted in 1156. Through this document,
Austria became dutchy (in its own right).
h) The Hofburg Castle is the official residence and workplace of the President of Austria and was
formerly the principal imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty. Located in the center of Vienna, it was
built in the 13th century and expanded several times afterwards.
i) Bella gerant alii, tu felix Austria nube
– ‘Let others wage war: thou, happy Austria, marry’.
This saying is quoted when the rise of the Habsburgs is put down to the success of their dynastic
marriage policy, in which young archdukes and archduchesses were frequently married off as children to
members of other dynasties, or indeed to relatives of their own.
Vorlesung 3
a) Charles V is a Habsburg who became King of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor (1530).He ruled over
territories in Europe, the Americas, and East Indies. Born in 1500 in Ghent (Low Countries), he became
ruler there as a child. In 1516, he became the king of Spain. In 1519, he inherited the Habsburg
Heriditary Lands, but transferred them to his brother two years later (to secure successions; in some
generations only one male was the heir). He became Holy Roman Emperor in 1530.
b) During the Era of the Lutheran Reformation, the Peace of Augsburg took place (1555). Its principle
was: “cuius regio, eius religio”, which resulted in a divided confessional map: some provinces Lutheran,
some Catholic.
c) The Siege of Vienna (1529) was part of the Ottoman Wars. In 1529, the Ottoman Empire made a
determined effort to capture Vienna, the capital of the Hapsburg Austrian Empire. The failure to take
Vienna marked the end of Turkish expansion into Europe and was followed by the diversion of Ottoman
effort toward Asia and the Mediterranean.
The Battle of Vienna (1683) was also part of the Ottoman Wars. It took place at Kahlenberg Mountain
near Vienna after the imperial city had been besieged by the Ottoman Empire for two months. The
battle was fought by the Holy Roman Empire led by the Habsburg Monarchy and the Polish–Lithuanian
Commonwealth, both under the command of King John III Sobieski, against the Ottomans and
their vassal and tributary states. After the war, which lasted until 1699, the Ottomans lost almost all of
Hungary to the Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I.
d) The Pragmatic Sanction (1713) was an edict issued by Charles VI, through which all Habsburg lands
were declared an integral whole and couldn’t be divided [e.g. after inheritance]. Undivided heritage had
to go to the ruler’s son, but if there was none, a daughter. The Habsburg Empire became a “nation
state”.
Maria Theresa ruled the Habsburg Monarchy from October 1740 to December 1741. As the only female
ruler in the House of Habsburg, she was the Archduchess of Austria and the Queen of Hungary and
Bohemia.
Reforms (“Enlightened Absolutism”)
- Modern bureaucracy: unified, centralized; professionalization of civil service
- Military reform (e.g. education: academy founded)
- Economic reforms (no internal tariffs), tax reform (nobility and church taxed)
- 1774: compulsory schooling for children in all
- Habsburg Hereditary Lands (long-term project!)
Joseph II (ruled 1780–1790) was “the” enlightened ruler.
Reforms
- Serfdom Patent: basic civil liberty for serfs
- Continued education and public health reforms
- Ordered change of educational language from Latin to German
- Reform Church, limit its influence
- 2/3 of monastaries disbanded
- limit influence
- alter services, rites etc.
- Patent of Toleration (1781): religious freedom for Lutherans, Calvinists, and Orthodox;
Edict of Tolerance (1782) extended religious freedom for Jews
e) The chief characteristics of the Mettermich Era are the onset of the Industrial Revolution, an
intensification of social problems brought on by economic cycles of boom and bust, an increasingly
mobile population, and the rising tide of nationalism.
The Biedermeier Era refers to a period of relative conservatism between 1815 and 1848. It was once
perceived negatively but now valued for its contributions to interior design and other artistic media.
Viennese Popular Music has its roots in late 18th Century, Biedermeier. Salon music can also be
associated with this era.
VORLESUNG 4
1. Revolution of 1848 – In 1848-1849 there were revolutionary events in several places in Europe. The
revolutions were essentially democratic, liberal and burgeois, with nationalist demands: „nations”
attempted to receive autonomy, independence or even hegemony over other nations.
2. Industrialization – Industrialization manifested later in the Western Europe and was always
fluctuating, because Austria never had enough acces to the sea, but only two ports, factories
establishment were barely put into practice, because the Emperor Franz was reluctant. After 1848
farmers could acquire land, and the lordship over land ends. Some farmers moved to the city and
mecame laborers, because they couldn’t afford to buy the farm. Also, at a certain moment, the railway
construction had begun.
3. Austro-Hungarian Empire – Hungarians received their own government, with a single currency and
some a few coordination in economic policy. Franz Joseph was the head of both Austria and Hungary,
and a river separated the two halves.
4. In 1867 was promulgated the Austro-Hungarian Compromise (Ausgleich) by Franz Joseph Emperor,
and it established the dual monarchy of Austria and Hungary. This compromise was the result of the
defeat of Austria by Prussia and Italy, because of the intern conflicts caused by Hungarian. Therefore,
the division between lands to be administered from Vienna and lands to be administered from
Budapest. From 1878 Bosnia was jointly administered.
5. Political parties - 3 important parties
• Christian Social Party
• Social Democrats
• German Liberals
• From late 1870s on also German Nationalist Party
6. First Republic – In the first instance Austria was proclaimed as „Deutschösterreich”, but the Allied
Forces were against it. Therefore, the First Austrian Republic was created after signing the Treaty of
Saint Germain in 1919, but there were still territorial questions.
VORLESUNG 5
1. Romanesque Architecture: time frame, at least four important characteristics, 2 examples in Austria.
Romanesque architecture was an architectural style of medieval Europe during 1050-1250. Among its
characteristics, the following shall be listed: simple overall impression, thick walls, semi-circular arches,
sturdy columns and green or latin cross. Two buildings containing this style are the Saint Stephen’s
Cathedral and the Saint Rupert’s Church.
2. Gothic Architecture: time frame, at least four important characteristics, 2 examples in Austria.
Gothic architecture was an architectural style from 1250-1510 which evolved from Romanesque
architecture. Some characteristics of this style are: pointed arch, large windows, thin walls, rib vaults,
rose window. Two examples that contains this style are the Neuberg Abbey and the Bummerlhaus.
3. Baroque Architecture: time frame, at least four important characteristics, 4 examples in Austria.
Baroque architecture appeard in Austria between 1600-1760. As characteristics, Baroque architecture
has: overhead sculpture, mirrors, domes and eliptical or oval spaces. In Austria there are some buildings
of this kind, such as: the Saint Charles Church, the Melk Abbey, the Belvedere Palace and the Jesuit
Church
VORLESUNG 6
1. „4 Strausses” (names, relationship to one another) – Johann Strauss I (father), Johann Strauss II (son
of Johann Strauss I), Josef Strauss (son of Johann Strauss I), Eduard Strauss (son of Johan Strauss I).
2. Name one composition by Johann Strauss I (father) and one by Johan Strauss II (son).
Johann Strauss I – ”Täuberln-Walzer”
Johann Strauss II – ”Der Zigeunerbaron”
ULTIMU WORD
1. What is a Requiem and what is its importance in Mozart's oeuvre?
A Requiem is a catholical Mass for dead persons, containing biblical passages and prayers for admission
of the dead to heaven. Mozart got interested in church music and wanted to achieve a certain position,
but also he knew that he will die soon and the piece was for his own funeral.
2. What did the composer Gustav Mahler mean when he called himself three times homeless?
Calling himself three times homeless, Gustav Mahler meant that he was not feeling at home anywhere,
because he was a Jew in a German-speaking enclave in Czech-speaking Bohemia.
3. Name three features of Gustav Mahler's symphonic works.
Three features of Gustav Mahler’s symphonic works are: references to folk and popular music,
references to nature and harsh contrasts.
4. What is historicism in architecture? List three historicist buildings in Vienna and name the styles they
reference.
Historicism in architecture entails the styles from several thousand years of architecture. For example,
the House of Parliament refers to Greek Antiquity, the Votivkirche refers to Neo-Gothic and the
Burgteather refers to Neo-Baroque.
5. What was the "Secession"? (2 different meanings/definitions!)
The “Secession” was an art movement formed in 1897 and it also reffers to an historic break of a group
of avant-garde artists.
6. Which city is described in Georg Trakl's poem "The beautiful city"? How can it be recognized in the
poem?
Georg Trakl’s poem describes Salzburg. Georg Trakl was born and lived the first 21 years of his life in
Salzburg, but later he moved to Vienna where he started to compose this poem. He describes his
hometown, Salzburg, as he remembers it, beautiful and covered in silence, the predominant leitmotif of
his poetry, and with specific features such as: churches, princes, emblems, crowns.
7. What is the Strudlhofstiege and why is it relevant to Austrian literature?
The Strudlhof Steps is a social novel, named after the outdoor staircase in Vienna. The novel is about
Vienna from a certain time period and it is one of the main works of Austrian literature.
VORLESUNG 8, 9
Religious denominations in Austria
At the end of the 20th century, about 74% of Austria's population were registered as Roman Catholic,
while about 5% considered themselves Protestants. Catholicism has gradually declined in Austria over
the past decades. As of January 2011, the percentage of catholics in Austria was 64,1% and the
percentage of protestants was 3,8%.
In 2001, about 12% of the population declared that they have no religion. Of the remaining people,
around 340,000 are registered as members of various Muslim communities. About 180,000 are
members of Eastern Orthodox Churches (mostly Serbs), more than 20,000 are active Jehovah's
Witnesses, and about 8,100 are Jewish.
The Austrian Jewish Community of 1938—Vienna alone counted more than 200,000—was reduced to
around 4,500 during the Second World War, with approximately 65,000 Jewish Austrians killed in the
Holocaust and 130,000 emigrating. The large majority of the current Jewish population are post-war
immigrants, particularly from eastern Europe and central Asia (including Bukharan Jews). Buddhism was
legally recognised as a religion in Austria in 1983.
Significance of the years of 1781 and 1782 for these communities
The Patent of Toleration (1781) offered religious freedom for Lutherans, Calvinists, and Orthodox.
The Edict of Tolerance (1782) extended religious freedom for Jews.
Lecture 10
The First Republic (1919–1934) was first proclaimed as “Deutschösterreich” and as part of Germany. The
Allied Forces were against it. The Peace Treaty of St. Germain took place in September 1919. However,
some territorial questions persisted. The treaty officially registered the breakup of the Habsburg empire,
recognizing the independence of Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, and the Kingdom of the Serbs,
Croats, and Slovenes (Yugoslavia) and ceding eastern Galicia, Trento, southern Tirol, Trieste, and Istria.
The first election took place in 1919. It was thefirst time women could vote, and the Social Democrats
got a majority. The Democratic constitution of 1920 was adopted. The First Republic suffered enormous
economic challenges, and several tensions among political parties arose during this time.
Events of 1933 and 1934
In March 4th 1933, the “Self-Elimination” of the Austrian parliament took place. In April of the same year,
Austrian chancellor Engelbert Dollfuß meets Benito Mussolini. In June, the NSDAP was forbidden in
Austria.
In February 12th–15th 1934, Austria dealt with a Civil War, street fights between paramilitary Social
Democrats on the one hand and the Austrian Army (supported by far-right paramilitary units) on the
other hand. As a result, the Social Democratic Party was disintegrated. In May of the same year, a
Constitution for a new (more or less fascist) Austria was adopted. In July, there was an Attempted Coup
by the Nazis, and Chancellor Dollfuß was killed as a result.
Federal State of Austria
The Federal State of Austria (“Ständestaat”) was a continuation of the First Austrian Republic between
1934 and 1938 when it was a one-party state led by the clerical fascist Fatherland Front.
The Chancellor of the state was Kurt Schuschnigg. During this time, there was enormous pressure from
Hitler’s Germany. The state resigned in March 1938. Austria existed as a federal state of Germany until
the end of World War II, when the Allied powers declared the Anschluss void and reestablished an
independent Austria. After the “Anschluss” (the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in March
1938), Austria became part of the Third Reich. As a result, about 65,000 Jews were murdered by German
and Austrian Nazis from 1938 to 1945 and 125,000 were forced to flee Austria as refugees during the
Holocaust in Austria.
In the immediate aftermath of World War II, Austria was divided into four occupation zones and jointly
occupied by the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and France (from 1945 to
1955). Vienna was similarly subdivided but the central district was collectively administered by the Allied
Control Council.
Lecture 11
Austropop
“Austropop” is a term used since the late 1960s for popular music from Austria. Originally, it was mostly
used for pop music sung in Austrian dialect. Austropop includes a wide range of musical styles: pop,
rock, Neue Volksmusik (“new folk music”).
Singers and songs
Wolfgang Ambros – “Schifoan“ (1976)
Georg Danzer – “Jö schau“ (1975)
Rainhard Fendrich – “Macho, Macho” (1988)
Lecture 12+13
In Austria, writers are indignated if they are treated like German writers. The Austrian writers are
represented with great respect to the population of Austria. Until the 18th century there hadn’t been
any pieces of literature made by ”Austrians”, because before that time anything about literature had
been generally considered to be German. In the following centuries Austria increased awareness of
nationality and the distinctive features between them and the Germans. One can experience Austria
through literature, whereas the Austrians have a lot of relevant information translated in manuscripts
created by Austrian writers. They have plenty of personalities and an impressive culture which can
amaze people and with which they can be proud of. Examples of such exceptional writers were: Joseph
Roth, Johann Nestroy, Ingeborg Bachmann.
Minnesang (Mittelalter)
Walther von der Vogelweide
probably born around 1170, not certain where
minnesinger – writer and performer of poetry
– metrical and formal variety in his poetry unsurpassed, perhaps most important German-
language poet of Middle Ages
– Austria? "ze Osterriche lernt ich singen und sagen"
– Minnesang: poetry about love
– language: Middle High German
Old Viennese Popular Theatre
a form of theater that developed in Vienna in the 18 th century
Features
– synthesis of court theater and theater of traveling stage
– sung couplets
– "comic figure" or "funny person": Hanswurst – link between stage and the audience
Theatres in the suburbs
– in the late 18th century, theaters were built in the Viennese suburbs: Leopoldstadt, (1781),
Freihaustheater (1787), Theater in der Josefstadt (1788)
– in late 18th century Singspiel developed; a very famous one by Mozart: Die Zauberflöte (The
Magic Flute); in it role of Papageno (Hanswurst)
Ferdinand Raimund
Active between Congress of Vienna 1814/15 and Revolution of 1848; this time is called Metternich
period (after a politician who helped install a police state) or Biedermeier period (referring to a culture
of withdrawal to the private sphere; a time of small gatherings, "salon")
Lecture 14
Titles – Hofrat (Court Councilor) Eusebie Mandicevschi, 1922; Landeshauptmann/Frau
Landeshauptmann/Frau Landeshauptfrau
Calendar / Important regular events
Jan. 1: New Year’s Day
• Pummerin Bell
• Waltz
• Die Fledermaus performed at the Staatsoper (Dec. 31/ Jan. 1)
• New Year’s Concert
Jan/February:
• “Fasching” (numerous Carnival events)
• Opernball (almost a state ball)
Easter
• May 1 (Labour Day / Tag der Arbeit)
• Maibaum (unrelated)
October 26
November 1 and 2
December 24, 25, 26
Carol Reed, The Third Man (1949)
- The theme of death
- The theme of love
- The theme of friendship
In the post Second World War, Holly Martins, an American author of western fiction arrives in Vienna to
meet with his old friend from school, Harry Lime, who has offered him a job. On the arrival, he learns
that Harry was killed by a car while crossing the street, and he goes to his funeral. Holly Martins meets
Anna Schmidt, and a friend of Harry and soon he learns that Anna was Harry's lover. The porter of
Harry's building tells that there was a mysterious third man that helped Harry. Holly Martins is intrigued
with the inconsistency and decides to further investigate the case. Soon, he finds out that that Harry
Lime was the leader of a gang that robbed penicillin from the military hospital to adulterate and resell it,
and has caused the death and anomalies in many children. He continues to investigate and he has a
great surprise when he finds who the third man is.
The movie's relationship to Austria is that it is set in post-WWII Vienna.
Ernst Marischka, Sissy (1955)
- The theme of love
- The human condition (happiness)
- The royal family
The Emperor Franz Joseph is on his way to his summer residence at Ischl, where his birthday will
be celebrated. His mother, Archduchess Sophie, has decided that he would marry Princess
Helene of Bayern, and that the engagement would be offi cially announced at the ball. Franz
Joseph doesn't know Helene yet, but his mother has already prepared everything. To avoid
suspicions of what is going on, her sister, Duchess Ludovika of Bavaria, brings not only Princess
Helene, called Néné, to the ball, but also the somewhat younger Princess Elisabeth, called Sissi.
Archduchess Sophie dislikes her niece Sissi, who is a free spirit. To keep Sissi inactive, her room
in Ischl is locked from outside, but Sissi escapes through a window. She goes to the wood, and
when she is fishing in a river, the Emperor Franz Joseph passes by in his royal carriage. He
immediately falls in love with Sissi, who doesn't reveal her true identity. When Franz Joseph
recognizes Sissi at the ball the same evening, he defies his mother, and announces that Sissi will
become his wife and the new Empress of Austria.
The movie’s relationship to Austria is that the plot includes the Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria and
the same story he had when he was alive: the arranged marriage by his mother with the same princess,
Helene, as in the movie, but he fell in love with her younger sister, Elisabeth (Sissy) whom he wanted to
marry.
Joseph Vilsmaier, Schlafes Bruder / Brother of Sleep (1995)
- The theme of love
- The theme of jealousy
In the beginning of the 19th century, Johannes Elias Alder is born in a small village in the
Austrian mountains. While growing up he is considered strange by the other villagers and
discovers his love of music, especially rebuilding and playing the organ at the village church.
After experiencing an "acoustic wonder", his eye color changes and he can hear even the most
subtle sounds. Elias falls in platonic love with Elsbeth, the sister of Peter, a neighbor's son, who
has longstanding homosexual feelings towards Elias. After Elsbeth, out of frustration from Elias'
not returning her love and instead being obsessed with music, chooses to be impregnated and
marries someone else whose love she had declined for Elias. The village burns and most
villagers, including Elsbeth, leave it and go to the closest town. Elias stays behind. A music
master with the offi cial task to register all the organs in the country arrives at the burnt village.
There he discovers Elias' prodigy and invites him to an organ challenge in the town where the
villagers relocated. Elias performs there and amazes the audience which includes Elsbeth. She is
unable to meet with Elias before he is rushed to a waiting carriage. She calls to him and he
hears her, but it is too late. Elias is taken on a brief tour by his mentors but soon returns to his
spiritual site near the burnt village where he takes his own life. Elsbeth later returns there, a
widow with a young daughter, hoping to find Elias but instead discovers his spiritual site has
disappeared.
The movie's relationship to Austria is that the protagonist is a musician born in a state from Austria.
Michael Haneke, The Piano Teacher / Die Klavierspielerin (2001)
- The theme of love
- The human condition (loneliness)
Erika Kohut is a pianist, teaching music. Schubert and Schumann are her forte, but she's not
quite at concert level. She's approaching middle age, living with her mother who is domineering
then submissive; Erika is a victim then combative. With her students she is severe. She visits a
sex shop to watch DVDs; she walks a drive-in theater to stare at couples having sex. Walter is a
self-assured student with some musical talent; he auditions for her class and is forthright in his
attraction to her. She responds coldly then demands he let her lead. Next she changes the game
with a letter, inviting him into her fantasies.
The movie's relationship to Austria is that the fantasies and behaviours of Erika Kohut can be a reference
to Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysis, more exactly the unconscious part of the mind, or id (principle of
desire).
Der Verschwender (The Spendthrift)
- The theme of love
- The theme of death
The main character, Julius von Flottwell, is a rich nobleman who own a castle and has a lover:
fairy Cheristane. She gave him almost all of her pearls of her crown and asked him to give her a
year of his life as a farewell before she returns to the fairy realm. After three years, Flottwell
lived in booze, having his servant, Valentin, and his valet, Wolf, around. A mysterious beggar
kept appearing always demanding a rich gift from Flottwell. Flottwell wanted to marry Amalie,
but her father was against it, because he was not pleased with the lifestyle of her lover.
Flottwell even threw the expensive jewelry of her, but the beggar collected them. Flottwell
wounded Amalia’s intended bridegroom in duel and fled together to England. After a long time
Julius returns, impoverished and alone, because he lost his wife and his child. Even though only
his loyal Valentin welcomed him, Flottwell was thrown out by Rosa and wanted to commit
suicide. The beggar appeared again and gave him back the gifts. The beggar was the
Cheristane’s subservient spirit, Azure. Regaining his things, Flottwell returned a part of his
fortune to Valentin.
ominous magic crown
prodigal (is in the magic game tradition)