Thermodynamics on Stage: Schnitzler and Onsager

Abstract

The play by Schnitzler was not to be performed in Vienna around 1900 when it was written. La Ronde had its first performance in Budapest 1912 provoking a huge scandal even here. The translator thought it wiser to conceal his name; most probably it was Sándor Bródy, himself a successful dramatist of the time. Schnitzler was pretty impolite with the Viennese bourgeoisie, a group of society which prized itself on its high moral standards. Classes might have been sharply divided according to wealth, origin, culture and behaviour; this multifarious society still could be entertained by Strauss’s and Lehár’s uncompromising mirth. However, no matter how much the houses of the boasting nouveau rich along the Ring tried to compete with the Baroque palaces of the aristocracy, no matter how far the self-esteem of the Monarchy was that of a rich and mighty empire—literature still knew better: the menacing End was nearing.