reads a letter which she believes is written to her husband by a female fan, seeking marriage. In her anger she telegrams Robert, seeking divorce. The second interlude is one of the most intense, romantic moments of the opera. Christine is sitting by the fireplace; her thoughts wander between the baron and her husband, which she loves, after all. Lyrical themes in the clarinet and violins carries away the listeners to her reverie. While the first two interludes focus on the character of Christine, the next two focus on Robert. In the third interlude he is gambling, playing cards - a kind of recreation favored by Richard Strauss. Piano and pizzicato strings represent the shuffling of the cards. While playing, Robert receives the telegram from his wife. In a wonderful coincidence, one of the other gamblers is the conductor for whom the fan actually intended to send her letter. The fourth interlude represents the joy and relief of everybody after the misunderstanding was clarified. All’s well that ends well. Oded Shnei Dor
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