The plot is almost identical to Donizetti’s Don Pasquale except that the “old man” is not a fool here and his relationship with his nephew, Henry, is loving. It is more human and tender but still has bite. All the old man, Sir Morosus, wants is silence. Richard Strauss' Die schweigsame Frau was first presented in 1935; Hitler and Goebbels refused to attend because Stefan Zweig, the librettist, was a Jew and Strauss refused to remove his name from the program after the Nazis had insisted it be excised. It was a great success but was withdrawn for just that political reason after only three performances. Presented here is the complete, with some minor tweeks, uncensored version.

Cast

Harold Wilson

Sir Morosus

Jana McIntyre

Aminta

David Portillo

Henry Morosus

Edward Nelson

Schneidebart, the barber

Ariana Lucas

Widow Zimmerlein

Matthew Anchel

Vanuzzi

Chrystal E Williams

Carlotta

Anya Matanovic

Isotta

Federico DeMichelis

Farfallo

Jorell Williams

Morbio