Musical of 'Fairy-tale King' Ludwig opens in Germany

Musical of 'Fairy-tale King' Ludwig opens in Germany

FUESSEN, Germany (DPA): A musical about 19th century Bavarian
King Ludwig II made its world premiere at a theater within sight
of one of the fairy-tale castles he built.

A star-studded audience was on hand for the opening night on
April 7, among them the state premier of Bavaria, Edmund Stoiber,
and soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer.

The musical Ludwig II - Longing for Paradise tells the story
of a handsome but lonely king, whose vision of beauty brings him
into conflict with the times.

The DM 74 million (US$37 million) production is being staged
in a dazzling new theater near the town of Fuessen, close to the
romantic Schloss Neuschwanstein that Ludwig had built from 1869
to 1886.

The 1,400-seat theater has the second-largest revolving stage
in Germany after the Frankfurt Opera, and its elaborate sets
include a 22-meter-long lake.

The musical is in three acts, written and directed by Munich
author Stephan Barbarino. The music, by opera composer Franz
Hummel, is performed by a full orchestra as well as by a Bavarian
brass band.

While the dialog and songs are in German, translations will be
projected on overhead screens in several languages, including
English, Japanese, French and Italian.

The storyline also details Ludwig's unhappy love for his
cousin, Austrian Empress Elisabeth, but makes no hint of the
insanity that history says led him to commit suicide by drowning
in 1886.

The ruler also has been the subject of biopics, including
Visconti's Ludwig starring Helmut Berger, which portrayed him as
a homosexual recluse.

The Munich-based production company Ludwig Musical AG & Co.
(www.ludwigmusical.com) said there was heavy demand for tickets
for the coming months.

About 1.3 million people visit Fuessen annually. The
production company expected many of the visitors would be
interested in the musical.