Der Schwierige

(The Difficult Man) by Hugo von Hoffmannsthal.

   Premiered 1921. Hofmannsthal demonstrated a surprising mastery of the "comedy of manners" format with this play, similar in some ways to his libretto for the enormously popular Der Rosenkavalier. The "difficult man" of the title is Count Bühl, who is not difficult at all. He is indeed an entirely charming gentleman, adept at pleasant conversation and gifted with an urbane wit and desirable companionability. He finds it difficult, however, to approach ladies in a superficial manner and make small talk with them, as he is often required to do at the numerous dinner parties to which he is invited. He finds discussions of marriage altogether "indecent," even though he is an exquisitely eligible bachelor. He meets his match in Helene Altenwyl, who gently and respectfully takes the initiative, which leads to an altogether discreet engagement.