Аn der Wien: Thaïs

Athanaël lives in the desert in a monastic brotherhood with other ascetics. They have forsaken all worldly goods and desires. But this is not enough for Athanaël: he is ambitious and wants to convert others to his way of life. His aim is to lead the most famous courtesan in all Egypt, Thaïs, to God. He travels to Alexandria, where he grew up. There he encounters his childhood friend Nicias with whom he once shared adventures centred very much on earthly pleasures. But at some point Athanaël heard God’s call and renounced this life of wild abandon. Nicias, on the other hand, did not and became very successful. He has amassed a huge fortune and can afford to keep the most costly mistress – and this is currently Thaïs. Athanaël, although disgusted by all the decadence his former friend wallows in, nevertheless accepts an invitation to a banquet so that he can approach Thaïs. And he does indeed succeed in drawing her into a conversation and is able to speak to her about his mission. Thaïs, though, merely laughs at him. But later, when she is alone, it becomes clear that she no longer finds fulfilment in her life and fears growing old. Athanaël refuses to give up and continues to try to win her over. When he again talks to her of God’s love and of contempt for all matters of the flesh she becomes thoughtful. In the end she sees a chance of a new life in Athanaël’s ideas and agrees to let him take her to a convent. Her hedonistic admirers at first prevent her from leaving, but Nicias, with heavy heart, distracts the crowd with money and so allows them to escape. To reach the convent they must cross the desert. Thaïs’ strength fails her and she collapses. Suddenly Athanaël realises that he loves Thaïs – with both soul and body. He now sees his fanatical rejection of sensuality and love as a mistake. He confesses his feelings to Thaïs and begs her to love him in return. But it is too late, Thaïs is dying. She firmly believes in Athanaël’s promises of salvation through God and has a vision of herself in heaven while Athanaël is still asking her to love him. She dies without hearing or understanding his words.