From the world of the Golden Apple – The myth

All the gods of Olympus are invited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, except Eris, the goddess of discord. Enraged by this insult, she throws a golden apple inscribed with the words ‘To the Fairest’ among the celebrating gods. This not only leads to the modern-day term ‘apple of discord’, but also, as intended, to a dispute: Hera, Athena and Aphrodite all feel addressed by the inscription. Zeus, as the highest Olympian, withdraws from the affair and leaves the judgement in the hands of the young, handsome Paris.

He is now besieged by the goddesses, each of whom tries to bribe him: Hera promises him rule over all of Asia or the entire world, Athena promises him heroism, victory in war or artistic skill, and Aphrodite offers him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world. With this token of love, Aphrodite is able to decide the verdict in her favour.

However, this most beautiful woman, Helen, is already married to the King of Sparta, Menelaus. But a promise is a promise, and so Helen is abducted, leading to the famous Trojan War.

For the opera ‘Il pomo d'oro’, librettist Francesco Sbarra expanded the plot with numerous additional strands. In addition, the narrative was used to praise the Empress, who was also sitting in the audience. In 1668, Paris therefore presented the golden apple to the 17-year-old Margarita Theresa of Spain. In the libretto, the three rivals renounce the golden apple in favour of the Empress, thereby paying homage to the virtues of wisdom, courage and beauty united in Margarita Teresa.

In the first modern performance, the apple is also used to pay homage to a ‘beauty’. Everyone who comes to the opera on 7 & 8 August, 11 & 12 August or 15 & 16 August will find out who this will be. Tickets are available here.