Synopsis

Act I

The opera opens at an orchestral rehearsal of an early work written and conducted by Charles Frieth, pre-eminent composer and prodigious womaniser. He muses on how this music no longer touches him but is suddenly struck by a wrong note. Charles accuses and verbally abuses the horn player, Joan. Charles's assistant, Robin, fears that this will be another of his episodes - "humiliation, forgiveness then seduction".

At home, Antonia is visited by her doctor, Simon, a long-standing friend. She is ill and needs further tests, but she is terrified of another general anaesthetic. There is a deep unspoken attraction between them and though they are both aware of Charles's adulterous behaviour, they have never become lovers. Unnoticed, Maria, the Frieths' Polish housekeeper, watches the end of their conversation. Left alone, she reveals her passionate idolisation of Charles and her contempt for Antonia and Simon.

Robin enters. He resents working for Charles. He tries ordering Maria around but she's having none of it. She is proud and sings about her homeland with a melody that is a recurring theme in the opera but is here treated like a folk-song.

Charles arrives home in a state of excitement accompanied by Joan. He has written a 32 bar cadenza for horn to be inserted into his new work, Demonic Aubade, due to be rehearsed tomorrow. Robin will have to stay up all night writing out the parts. Charles flatters Maria and asks her to bring supper for two to his studio but Maria can barely contain her excitement, this flattery convinces her that Charles is only interested in her. Charles then asks for a word in private. He wants to know how Antonia is but becomes disturbed when Maria reveals that the Doctor has visited the house and that there may be something improper going on between them. Jealous, and sickened by his own behaviour, Charles vows to Maria that Joan will be his last fling, but Maria believes he is making a different pledge to her. She is almost delirious with delight.

Charles's Studio. Charles can't understand why he isn't able to make love but he persuades Joan to try again. Maria suddenly bursts in with supper, separating the lovers and tidying the bed around them. She is followed by Robin who has found a problem with the music he's been asked to copy and then by Antonia, with a suitcase packed for hospital, closely followed by Simon. Everyone is experiencing pain and confusion (echoing the initial ‘tuning up' music from Scene 1) mixed with a degree of self-righteousness.

Act II

The Hospital. Antonia is coming round from the operation and starts to remember the blossoming of her relationship with Charles, when they were young and in love. He sits in the shadows listening. He loves her and is full of remorse and when he tries to convince her of this she reveals how hurt she has been. Charles becomes agitated by the conversation and accidentally knocks over a monitor, witnessed by the medical staff. It looks to them like Charles is trying to kill Antonia. Simon wants him to leave but Charles confronts him about his relationship with Antonia.

Charles returns home to find Robin still working on the manuscript revisions and Maria tidying his studio. Robin is despatched to make arrangements for the rehearsal in the afternoon and Charles airs his frustration at the anguish his faithless marriage with Antonia has caused. How can he persuade Antonia that he still loves her? Maria listens to his every word and when he muses that if murder was among her household duties he'd send her to the hospital now she fails to understand this is about his fury at Simon. Maria is convinced she and Charles are now united but she decides to take one further step to ensure he remains hers alone.

The Hospital. Antonia is still weak and Simon warns the staff not to leave Charles alone with her. He stays behind to watch her and as she wakes they finally declare their love. Simon leaves and as Antonia drifts off to sleep Maria sneaks into the room, wearing Charles's coat. To a wild variation of the music of confusion, she turns off Maria's life support and departs, leaving the coat behind.

The Rehearsal Room. Charles begins conducting his Demonic Aubade. This is the work he has aspired to all his life. It is his artistic zenith. As it reaches its climax Simon arrives, accompanied by two police officers with the coat. Charles is cross about the interruption and can't believe what they are saying. It just doesn't make sense. As he is arrested for his wife's murder he realises what must have happened. He asks Maria to reveal the truth but she remains calm. Now she finally has him all to herself.