Terzett

The subtitle of this musical sets the scene: ‘Terzett or the attempt to represent human coexistence under difficult conditions – namely under the conditions of love!’ The castle Burg Gleichen in Thuringia – today a major tourist attraction in the Thuringian Forest – was in the thirteenth century home to a certain Count Ernst von Gleichen who, according to legend, was happily married simultaneously to two women! The three-part tomb containing the Count and his two wives still exists today in the cathedral of Erfurt. It is said that there was also a huge bed for three persons called the ‘grüne Tannenschrein’ [green pine shrine] which was however destroyed by Napoleonic soldiers and burnt as fuel.
The castle watchman Corbatty, a somewhat strange apparition between 50 and 800 years old, is keen to offer today’s tourists the story of the count with two wives as a historical fact. One day, the opportunity arises of transforming this legend into reality: the archaeologist Florian visits the castle accompanied by Leila, an Egyptian who acted as his interpreter on his previous expedition. The couple aim to spend a few quiet romantic days together in the castle. They soon however make acquaintance with Otti who has separated from her husband…