Der Schatten von Schönbrunn (The Shadow of Schönbrunn)

Act 1: Flüstern in den Marmorsälen (Whispers in the Marble Halls)

• Der Geist des alten Kaisers Franz appears at night to Herzog Karl and other guards at Schönbrunn Palace, warning of foul play in his death.

• Prinz Heinrich von Habsburg is still mourning his father. Herzog Leopold von Reichenwald informs him of the ghost’s appearance.

• The ghost later appears to Heinrich, revealing that Kaiser Karl, Franz’s brother, poisoned him and usurped the throne.

• Kaiser Karl tries to normalize court life, consoling Heinrich alongside Kaiserin Margarethe, who urges her son to accept the new order.

• Herzogin Lotte von Hohenstamm, torn by affection for Heinrich and her loyalty to the court, tries to reconnect with him.

Act 2: Masken hinter den Kronleuchtern (Masks Behind the Chandeliers)

• Heinrich begins acting strangely, feigning madness to hide his knowledge.

• Graf Friedrich von Steinberg, loyal to Kaiser Karl, interprets Heinrich’s behavior as love-sickness over Herzogin Lotte.

• Kaiser Karl enlists Graf Friedrich and others to monitor Heinrich.

• Heinrich welcomes Niccolò D'Amelio and Monica Albrizzi, two actors from Venice, who arrive to perform a royal commission.

• Kaiser Karl grows increasingly uneasy; the court is tense with suspicion and rumors.

Act 3: Das Spiel hinter dem Samtvorhang (The Play Beneath the Velvet Curtain)

• Heinrich directs Niccolò and Monica to stage a play mimicking the poisoning of an emperor by his brother.

• During the performance, Kaiser Karl abruptly halts the play and storms out, confirming his guilt in Heinrich’s eyes.

• Lotte secretly aids Heinrich, helping orchestrate the play and warning him of growing dangers at court, but remains publicly loyal to the crown to protect him—and herself.

• Heinrich confronts Kaiserin Margarethe in her private chamber, accusing her of complicity. Hidden behind a screen, Graf Friedrich listens.

• Believing it’s Kaiser Karl spying, Heinrich fatally stabs Graf Friedrich.

• Kaiser Karl, now aware of Heinrich's danger to his rule, plots to send him away under the guise of a diplomatic mission.

Act 4: Schatten über Schönbrunn (Shadows Over Schönbrunn)

• Heinrich is sent to Venice, but Kaiser Karl secretly sends orders for his execution.

• Provveditore Enrico Sforza and Contessa Vittoria Zorzi, the Venetian authorities, intercept the letter; Heinrich narrowly escapes and begins his return.

• Meanwhile, Herzogin Lotte, devastated by Heinrich’s exile, descends into despair.

• Ritter Konrad von Hohenstamm, Lotte’s brother, returns to Vienna and demands vengeance for his sister and Graf Friedrich.

• Kaiser Karl manipulates Konrad into agreeing to a “duel of honor” with a poisoned blade.

Act 5: Blut im Ballsaal (Blood in the Ballroom)

• Heinrich returns to Vienna in secret. The duel with Ritter Konrad is arranged.

• During the duel, both men are wounded with the poisoned weapon.

• Kaiserin Margarethe, attempting to stop the fight, drinks from a goblet meant for Heinrich and dies.

• Heinrich, mortally wounded, stabs and kills Kaiser Karl, finally avenging his father.

• As the court descends into chaos, Graf Viktor von Hohenberg, the elected ruler of Munich, arrives.

• Graf Viktor, with support from Venice, restores order, denounces the corruption, and assumes control over the fractured Austrian court, ushering in reform and justice.

• Heinrich dies along with Lotte, honored as a tragic hero. 

Characters: 

• Prinz Heinrich von Habsburg (Male Lead) – The melancholic prince, grieving his father’s suspicious death. 

• Kaiser Karl von Habsburg (Main Antagonist) – Heinrich’s uncle, who has taken both the throne and his brother’s widow. 

• Kaiserin Margarethe von Habsburg – Heinrich’s mother, torn between her son and new husband. 

• Herzogin Lotte von Hohenstamm (Female Lead) – A noblewoman and Heinrich’s love interest, caught between duty and emotion. 

• Graf Friedrich von Steinberg – A high-ranking court official, loyal to Kaiser Karl. 

• Ritter Konrad von Hohenstamm – Lotte's brother, seeking revenge for his family’s honor. 

• Herzog Leopold von Reichenwald – Heinrich’s loyal friend and confidant. 

• Der Geist des alten Kaisers Franz von Habsburg – The spirit of Heinrich’s father, who demands vengeance.

• Graf Viktor von Hohenberg – The elected leader of Munich arrives at the end to restore order and assert Venetian influence over the chaotic Austrian court, symbolizing justice and political resolution. 

• Niccolò D’Amelio & Monica Albrizzi – Traveling Venetian actors who perform the incriminating play that reveals the emperor’s guilt. Allies to Heinrich.

• Provveditore Enrico Sforza & Contessa Vittoria Zorzi – The Venetian authorities who Discover the assassination plot against Heinrich and help him escape and return.

Primary Setting: Vienna, Austria 

Other Settings: Venice, Italy | Munich, Germany

Period: Late 19th century