The Evening Ménage à trois is dedicated to the three great figures Clara Schumann (née Wieck), Robert Schumann, and Johannes Brahms. It paints a compelling, atmospherically rich portrait of this extraordinary triangular relationship during the years 1853–1856, a time full of artistic breakthroughs, emotional tensions, and musical inspiration. Through poignant diary entries and at times harrowing correspondence, the book traces not only an intense artistic friendship but also the multifaceted mystery of a secret, perhaps unspoken love—a love caught between closeness, loyalty, and inner turmoil.

At the heart of the evening is a stellar cast that lends this historical material a special immediacy. The reading will be led by the internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Waltraud Meier, whose artistic presence and expressiveness have set the standard worldwide for decades. She brings not only vocal experience from the great operatic roles of dramatic literature, but also an extraordinary ability to transform text and emotion into finely nuanced language. It is precisely through the condensation of letters and diary entries that a profound sense of closeness to the historical figures emerges—one that goes far beyond a traditional reading.

The evening will be accompanied musically by baritone Samuel Hasselhorn, whose warm, clear voice further illuminates the emotional depth of the material, and pianist Joseph Breinl, who, as a sensitive chamber music partner, brings to life the musical spaces within this web of relationships. Together, they create a dialogue between words and music that not only portrays the historical figures but also allows their inner conflicts and artistic visions to be experienced firsthand.

This is how Ménage à trois an immersive evening blending literature, music, and psychology—featuring big names from today’s music scene and a special focus on the emotional depth of one of the most fascinating artistic triads of the Romantic era.

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