Mayerling is one Kenneth MacMillan’s most powerful and dramatic works: a ballet in three acts chronicling the last anguished months in the life of Crown Prince Rudolf, heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
On January 30th, 1889, Rudolf, the only male descendant of the 600 year old Hapsburg dynasty, tragically took not only his own life, but also that of his 17-year old mistress Mary Vetsera in his hunting lodge near the small town of Mayerling, thus sealing the fate of an entire empire. Thanks to MacMillan's supreme storytelling, this stark historical subject matter unfolds on stage as a gripping chronicle of human self-destruction in dramatic scenes which perfectly capture the stiff and corrupt ambience of the Habsburg court as well as Rudolf's delusional despair. In particular, the riveting pas de deux demand everything of the lead dancer, both psychologically and physically. Legendary designer Jürgen Rose has outdone himself with the Stuttgart Ballet’s magnificent new 2019 production of MacMillan’s masterpiece: opulent costumes, props true to the original epoch and a monochromatic set which provides the perfect framework for MacMillan’s darkly glittering drama.
On January 30th, 1889, Rudolf, the only male descendant of the 600 year old Hapsburg dynasty, tragically took not only his own life, but also that of his 17-year old mistress Mary Vetsera in his hunting lodge near the small town of Mayerling, thus sealing the fate of an entire empire. Thanks to MacMillan's supreme storytelling, this stark historical subject matter unfolds on stage as a gripping chronicle of human self-destruction in dramatic scenes which perfectly capture the stiff and corrupt ambience of the Habsburg court as well as Rudolf's delusional despair. In particular, the riveting pas de deux demand everything of the lead dancer, both psychologically and physically. Legendary designer Jürgen Rose has outdone himself with the Stuttgart Ballet’s magnificent new 2019 production of MacMillan’s masterpiece: opulent costumes, props true to the original epoch and a monochromatic set which provides the perfect framework for MacMillan’s darkly glittering drama.
Synopsis
Prologue
The cemetery at Heiligenkreuz before dawn
I. Act
1. Scene
The ballroom at the Hofburg (Imperal Place), Vienna
At the ball to celebrate his wedding to Princess Stephanie of Belgium, Crown Prince Rudolf offends his parents and bride by flirting openly with Princess Louise. Left alone, Rudolf meets Countess Larisch and Baroness Vetsera, who introduces her young daughter, Mary. They are interrupted by four Hungarian officers, friends of Rudolf, who forcefully plead the separatist cause of their country. Countess Larisch returns and tries to revive the intimacy of her past relationship with Rudolf. The Emperor discovers them and angrily orders Rudolf to return to his wife.
2. Scene
The Empress's apartments at the Hofburg
Empress Elisabeth has retired from the ball and is enjoying the company of her ladies-in-waiting. Rudolf visits her before going to his bride. He is unhappy at his enforced marriage and attempts to engage the Empress's sympathy.
3. Scene
Rudolf's apartments at the Hofburg
Stephanie is prepared for the wedding night. Rudolf finds her alone and, before making love to her, terrifies her with a revolver.
The ballroom at the Hofburg (Imperal Place), Vienna
At the ball to celebrate his wedding to Princess Stephanie of Belgium, Crown Prince Rudolf offends his parents and bride by flirting openly with Princess Louise. Left alone, Rudolf meets Countess Larisch and Baroness Vetsera, who introduces her young daughter, Mary. They are interrupted by four Hungarian officers, friends of Rudolf, who forcefully plead the separatist cause of their country. Countess Larisch returns and tries to revive the intimacy of her past relationship with Rudolf. The Emperor discovers them and angrily orders Rudolf to return to his wife.
2. Scene
The Empress's apartments at the Hofburg
Empress Elisabeth has retired from the ball and is enjoying the company of her ladies-in-waiting. Rudolf visits her before going to his bride. He is unhappy at his enforced marriage and attempts to engage the Empress's sympathy.
3. Scene
Rudolf's apartments at the Hofburg
Stephanie is prepared for the wedding night. Rudolf finds her alone and, before making love to her, terrifies her with a revolver.
II. Act
1. Scene
A notorious tavern
Accompanied by Bratfisch, Rudolf and Stephanie arrive at the tavern in disguise. Seeing that Stephanie is unhappy, Bratfisch does his best to amuse her. The whores are resentful and try to recapture the attention of their clients; Stephanie leaves in disgust. Rudolf devotes his attention to his mistress, Mizzi Caspar, and to his Hungarian friends. There is a police raid, during which Rudolf, Mizzi and the Hungarian officers hide. Arrests are made and the police leave. In a mood of despair brought about by the constant surveillance, Rudolf suggests to Mizzi that they should commit suicide together. Count Taaffe enters, having been informed that Rudolf is in the tavern. Rudolf again conceals himself, but Mizzi indicates his presence to the Count, with whom she departs.
2. Scene
Outside the tavern
As Rudolf leaves his friends, Countess Larisch, aware of his identity, contrives to present Mary Vetsera, whom she is ostensibly chaperoning.
3. Scene
The Vetsera house
Countess Larisch calls on her friend, Baroness Vetsera, and finds Mary absorbed by a portrait of Rudolf. She takes a pack of cards and tells Mary's fortune, assuring her that her romantic dreams will come true. Mary gives her a letter for Rudolf.
4. Scene
The Hofburg
During Franz Joseph's birthday celebration Count Taaffe confronts Rudolf with a political pamphlet. At the same time "Bay" Middleton offers the Prime Minister a joke cigar, greatly amusing Rudolf. Elisabeth presents the Emperor with a portrait of his "friend", Katherina Schratt. A firework display diverts everyone except Elisabeth and "Bay". Rudolf observes their amorous exchange and is bitterly resentful. The resumption of the firework gives Countess Larisch the opportunity to tease Rudolf with Mary's letter.
5. Scene
Rudolf's apartment at the Hofburg
Mary and Rudolf meet in secret for the first time.
A notorious tavern
Accompanied by Bratfisch, Rudolf and Stephanie arrive at the tavern in disguise. Seeing that Stephanie is unhappy, Bratfisch does his best to amuse her. The whores are resentful and try to recapture the attention of their clients; Stephanie leaves in disgust. Rudolf devotes his attention to his mistress, Mizzi Caspar, and to his Hungarian friends. There is a police raid, during which Rudolf, Mizzi and the Hungarian officers hide. Arrests are made and the police leave. In a mood of despair brought about by the constant surveillance, Rudolf suggests to Mizzi that they should commit suicide together. Count Taaffe enters, having been informed that Rudolf is in the tavern. Rudolf again conceals himself, but Mizzi indicates his presence to the Count, with whom she departs.
2. Scene
Outside the tavern
As Rudolf leaves his friends, Countess Larisch, aware of his identity, contrives to present Mary Vetsera, whom she is ostensibly chaperoning.
3. Scene
The Vetsera house
Countess Larisch calls on her friend, Baroness Vetsera, and finds Mary absorbed by a portrait of Rudolf. She takes a pack of cards and tells Mary's fortune, assuring her that her romantic dreams will come true. Mary gives her a letter for Rudolf.
4. Scene
The Hofburg
During Franz Joseph's birthday celebration Count Taaffe confronts Rudolf with a political pamphlet. At the same time "Bay" Middleton offers the Prime Minister a joke cigar, greatly amusing Rudolf. Elisabeth presents the Emperor with a portrait of his "friend", Katherina Schratt. A firework display diverts everyone except Elisabeth and "Bay". Rudolf observes their amorous exchange and is bitterly resentful. The resumption of the firework gives Countess Larisch the opportunity to tease Rudolf with Mary's letter.
5. Scene
Rudolf's apartment at the Hofburg
Mary and Rudolf meet in secret for the first time.
III. Act
1. Scene
Countryside: a royal shoot
The pleasant day is shattered when Rudolf unaccountably fires wildly, killing a member of the court and narrowly missing the Emperor.
2. Scene
Rudolf`s apartment at the Hofburg
The Empress discovers Countess Larisch with Rudolf and dismisses her, unaware that Mary is waiting outside. Mary joins Rudolf, who asks her to die with him.
3. Scene
The hunting lodge at Mayerling
Rudolf, drinking with Count Hoyos and Prince Philipp, indicates that he is unwell and they leave. Bratfisch arrives with Mary, and Rudolf commands him to entertain them. Bratfisch realizes he has lost their attention and withdraws. Calming his nerves with an injection of morphine, he embraces her once more then shoots her. Loschek, Hoyos and Philipp, disturbed by the shot, are reassured by Rudolf who, left alone, shoots himself.
Countryside: a royal shoot
The pleasant day is shattered when Rudolf unaccountably fires wildly, killing a member of the court and narrowly missing the Emperor.
2. Scene
Rudolf`s apartment at the Hofburg
The Empress discovers Countess Larisch with Rudolf and dismisses her, unaware that Mary is waiting outside. Mary joins Rudolf, who asks her to die with him.
3. Scene
The hunting lodge at Mayerling
Rudolf, drinking with Count Hoyos and Prince Philipp, indicates that he is unwell and they leave. Bratfisch arrives with Mary, and Rudolf commands him to entertain them. Bratfisch realizes he has lost their attention and withdraws. Calming his nerves with an injection of morphine, he embraces her once more then shoots her. Loschek, Hoyos and Philipp, disturbed by the shot, are reassured by Rudolf who, left alone, shoots himself.
Epilogue
The cemetery at Heiligenkreuz before dawn
