Lulu

Anyone who sees her is already lost and anyone who wants to kiss her will, sooner or later, get bitten. In droves, men are dashed to pieces on the apparently so cuddly Lulu as if she were the rock of the Loreley. Corpses pave her way, she is a femme fragile and a femme fatale all at the same time, the "prototype of a woman", the most lethal female figure in the history of opera. But it is only the glance of men that makes her into the personae in which we meet her: She creates the image of a woman he  craves and on this constraining perspective the object of his lusts must again be destroyed. Alban Berg has described Lulu's path in subtle symmetry, with a score that bears within it the entire wealth of the history of music's form and colour.

Act One

Scene 1

Lulu has been in a relationship with Dr Schön, the editor of an influential newspaper, for a long time. He has known Lulu since she was a child.

Lulu is now married to married to a physician, Dr Goll.

Dr Schön and his son Alwa meet in the artist’s studio. Lulu is posing for the artist, who is painting her portrait.

Left alone with Lulu, the artist chases her round the studio proclaiming his love.

On his return, Dr Goll discovers his wife in the arms of the artist and immediately has a heart attack.

Scene 2

Lulu is now married to the artist, who has become successful and very rich, thanks to the patronage of Dr Schön.

She receives a visit from an old man, Schigolch, who is in some way part of her dubious past. Later she has a visit from Dr Schön. The latter informs her in no uncertain terms of his imminent marriage and tells her that he has decided to end their relationship.

Schön has a conversation with the artist in which he reveals the truth of his situation. Once the artist has learned the merest fragment of the story of Lulu’s past – and the fact that his wife is the mistress of his patron – he commits suicide.

Scene 3

As the protégé of Dr Schön, Lulu dances on stage at a performance for which Alwa has composed the music. From the stage, Lulu catches sight of Dr Schön and his fiancée in the audience. Lulu faints and refuses to dance any more. Dr Schön is extremely annoyed and goes backstage. He accuses Lulu of merely pretending to have fainted and insists that she should carry on dancing. After an agonizing conversation with Dr Schön, Lulu forces him to write a letter to his fiancée breaking off their engagement.

Act Two

Scene 1

Lulu is now married to Dr Schön but their life together has become a nightmare. He is irritated by simply everything, including the presence of Countess Geschwitz, a secret admirer of Lulu, in their lives. He imagines his wife has lovers hidden everywhere, even behind the curtain over the door.

Schön discovers Lulu at home in male company: that of his son Alwa, an athlete from the circus and a schoolboy. In a fit of rage he urges Lulu to kill herself but, instead, she shoots him.

Lulu is arrested.

Scene 2

After some time Lulu returns from prison.

Risking her own life, Countess Geschwitz has organized Lulu’s escape. The plan involves the countess changing places with Lulu in the prison bed while Lulu flees the country with false papers. As part of the plan Lulu is meant to be accompanied by Schigolch and the athlete in the role of her fiancé, but the athlete decides to have nothing to do with it.

In the end Lulu flees abroad with Alwa, the son of the deceased Dr Schön.

Act Three

Scene 1

Lulu is now on the run from the police and finds herself under fire on all sides from the people who are pursuing her: various blackmailers and tormentors demanding love and gratitude. The marquis, a pimp, threatens to hand her over to the police if she will not work in a brothel in Cairo. Countess Geschwitz demands love, and gratitude, as a reward for everything she has done for her. The athlete puts her under pressure with demands for money. Schigolch also asks for money for his new mistress.

Lulu flees from her pursuers.

Scene 2

Lulu is working as a prostitute. She ekes out an existence in poverty in a remote place with Alwa, Schigolch and the countess.

Lulu receives three clients one after the other: the dumb professor, the negro, who kills Alwa, and Jack the Ripper, who kills both Lulu and the countess.