The Opera’s Public Rejection

Reunion

The opera encounter forces Hans to confront the difference between Konradin’s private affection and his behavior under the gaze of his aristocratic family.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Night of Music A Night of Music from "Reunion". A Night of Music Hans among the audience Hans attends Fidelio with a ticket arranged by his mother and waits among Stuttgart’s formal opera crowd.

A Night of Music from "Reunion". A Night of Music Hans among the audience Hans attends Fidelio with a ticket arranged by his mother and waits among Stuttgart’s formal opera crowd.

A Night of Music Hans among the audience Hans attends Fidelio with a ticket arranged by his mother and waits among Stuttgart’s formal opera crowd. An unexpected appearance The Hohenfels family enters in a display of wealth and public status. The family’s arrival makes Hans’s private connection to Konradin newly vulnerable.

The Family Procession The Family Procession from "Reunion". The Family Procession Aristocratic spectacle Konradin appears with his parents, dressed for a prestigious public occasion and surrounded by attention.

The Family Procession from "Reunion". The Family Procession Aristocratic spectacle Konradin appears with his parents, dressed for a prestigious public occasion and surrounded by attention.

The Family Procession Aristocratic spectacle Konradin appears with his parents, dressed for a prestigious public occasion and surrounded by attention. Hans recognizes the gap Seeing his friend within the family’s ceremonial world makes Hans feel the distance between their social positions.

Recognition Withheld Recognition Withheld from "Reunion". Recognition Withheld A deliberate silence Konradin notices Hans but passes without greeting him, while his parents remain beside him.

Recognition Withheld from "Reunion". Recognition Withheld A deliberate silence Konradin notices Hans but passes without greeting him, while his parents remain beside him.

Recognition Withheld A deliberate silence Konradin notices Hans but passes without greeting him, while his parents remain beside him. An injury anticipated Hans had feared exactly this rejection. His awareness that Konradin sees him makes the silence more painful than a missed encounter would be.

The Question Asked The Question Asked from "Reunion". The Question Asked Hans demands an answer Hans asks why Konradin ignored him and explains that he had already suspected the family’s hostility.

The Question Asked from "Reunion". The Question Asked Hans demands an answer Hans asks why Konradin ignored him and explains that he had already suspected the family’s hostility.

The Question Asked Hans demands an answer Hans asks why Konradin ignored him and explains that he had already suspected the family’s hostility. Fear spoken aloud He says he would rather be alone than be humiliated. The confrontation restores his voice even as it risks the friendship.

The Cause Named The Cause Named from "Reunion". The Cause Named Prejudice acknowledged Konradin tells Hans that his mother hates Jews and fears the influence she attributes to them.

The Cause Named from "Reunion". The Cause Named Prejudice acknowledged Konradin tells Hans that his mother hates Jews and fears the influence she attributes to them.

The Cause Named Prejudice acknowledged Konradin tells Hans that his mother hates Jews and fears the influence she attributes to them. An unresolved boundary Konradin asks for forgiveness and continued friendship, but the household remains inaccessible. Explanation clarifies the conflict without repairing it.

An evening in 1932, before the performance begins

Before the first act of Fidelio

During the first interval at the opera

The following day, when the boys walk home

Later in the same conversation