RAOUL SYNOPSIS

In a mystic twilight, the cast is split in several groups, standing on

different levels of a black stage. They are the souls of the survivers,

asking: “Who was Raoul Wallenberg”.

Answering the question, they re-enact the life and times of Raoul.

Single persons step out of the ensemble and play out scenes, while

the rest of the chorus comments on the events, gives advice to

Raoul, or curses his enemies.

We first meet Raoul Wallenberg as a young Swedish tradesman.

Members of his large family are well known bankers and regard

him as a loser. He is still looking for a purpose in life. Raoul travels

a lot. At a German railroad station he witnesses a scene that changes

his life. It is the last summer of World War II.

Being convinced that a horrible crime is being committed in the

midst of Europe, Raoul refuses to accept that nothing can be

done. He learns that Eichmann has started to “cleanse” Hungary

of all Jews, and decides to go to Hungary “to save as many lives

as possible ”.

Knowing the Germans’ respect for official papers, he supplies

many Jews with Swedish ”protective passports”. Among the

saved is a young couple, Serge and Rahel. Their strife for a life

of dignity is told as a subplot.

While Raoul defies Adolf Eichmann and stops the marches to

the camps, some people doubt his honesty. Some believe

Wallenberg is collaborating with the Nazis on behalf of the

Swedish banker’s family whose name he bears. Others, such as

the Soviets, suspect him of being an American spy.

When finally the Soviet army reaches the outskirts of Budapest,

all order collapses in the city. The Hungarian Nazi mob, the so-called

Arrow Cross Brigades, are about to burn down the ghetto.

Raoul learns about it, and at the last moment finds a most

improbable ally helping him stop the genocide.

Raoul believed that one person can make a difference. And he

proved he was right. But after all danger seemed to be over, he

was arrested by the Soviet military and deported to Moscow.

The Jewish people have a legend saying that the world can only

go on as long as there are thirty-six truly good people alive.

Raoul, the opera, portrays this simple man as one of those people

of quiet courage who come forward when needed, and disappear

when the danger is over.