Gustav Klimt - The Musical

A Brief Synopsis

Act 1

1881. Having come from humble beginnings, the brothers Gustav and Ernst Klimt together with their best friend and fellow painter Franz Matsch, now full of enthusiasm and encouraged by the taste of initial success, create the “Künstler Compagnie”

Soon, however, Gustav’s Genius - the embodiment of his creative force - implores him to free himself from drawing simple illustrations of historical subjects and themes . He doesn't succumb initially and instead chooses to enjoy his continued success with conventionally commissioned works.

Through his brother’s marriage to Helene Flöge, Gustav meets her sister Emilie. Gustav is impressed and immediately taken with this independent and unorthodox woman.

The " Künstler Compagnie " receives the Golden Order of Merit for the "Company of Artists" from Emperor Franz Josef l. At the ceremony Gustav is approached by another young artist, Kolo Moser. Moser proposes the idea of forming a group dedicated to the renewal of art in Austria.Gustav declines the offer.

Emilie, feels at once, drawn to Gustav but is disgusted by his liberal lifestyle, as well his adulterous ways. Begging the question could she ever be involved with such a man?

One of Gustav’s models, Mizzi Zimmermann, discloses to him that she is expecting his child. Gustav’s Genius prevents him from wanting to take care of her. Genius wants to keep him from feeling chained to another nor can it allow his creativity to be in any way limited or compromised. Gustav nevertheless pledges to support her, but with the condition that the situation will never be made public.

At the opening of the Flöge sister’s clothes shop, in the style of the “Wiener Werkstätte”, Gustav and Emilie meet and approach each other. Emilie makes it clear to Gustav that they can never have a proper relationship. Gustav accepts and respects her decision and they come to a quiet agreement that they will forever maintain a deep loving friendship.

While the upper class proceeds with the celebration of this occasion, Gustav’s brother Ernst, suddenly breaks down and dies shortly thereafter from consequences stemming from pneumonia.

Ending his friendship with Franz Matsch and reproaching himself, Gustav begins quarreling with all he has ever achieved up to this point in his life. Genius seizes this moment, grabs Gustav by the reins and steers him in a new direction and towards a new courageous style.

Kolo Moser and Gustav, now driven by his Genius, withdraw from the Künstlerhaus-Collective which is dominated by conservative powers,

and create the Vienna Secession. Many young artists join them. Gustav becomes the president of this new society.

The construction of a modern exhibition building as a home for the new art movement is decided upon:

Above the entrance way is written:

"To every age it's art and to art it's freedom"

Act 2

1898 The new home of the art movement - The Secession - opens. During the private viewing Gustav is confronted with dissenters as well as enthusiasts. Upper class ladies are already offering large sums of money for a painted portrait from Gustav Klimt.

Helene and Emilie observe how Gustav, as always, enjoys the fawnings of attentive women. Helene, concerned for her sister, appeals to her conscience. She discovers that Emilie shares a deep friendship with Gustav, but warns her that this “friendship” will prevent her from ever finding a proper relationship. Emilie points out that by still hanging on to her love for Ernst, five years after his death, Helene is also denying herself the chance for a “proper” relationship with anyone else. Both women acknowledge that they share, in different ways, the same unusual type of love.

Franz Matsch and Gustav present their final collective project, the ceiling paintings for the Aula Magna at the University of Vienna, to the Ministry of Art and responsible commission. Gustav's sketches shock and are met upon with incomprehension.

Angry and disconcerted, Gustav even considers quitting his participation at the world exhibition in Paris, where he has submitted "Philosophie"(Philosophy), one of his faculty-paintings. He seeks out Emilie for advice. She once again reassures Gustav and both realize what they mean to each other: in their togetherness they find peace, for within these brief moments time seems to stand still.

1900, Paris. Gustav experiences his greatest triumph, when he receives the gold medal for “Philosophy”.

Having hardly arrived back home, however, he is met with one of his darkest hours. Mizzi is desperate over the death of their common youngest son. Mizzi and Gustav fully feel the weight of their isolated, secret liaison.

The three "Ceiling Paintings", having already been paid for by the Austrian state, are collected by bailiffs for delivery to the University of Vienna. Gustav refuses them the commissioned work due to the fact that the paintings wouldn't be hung properly in the university as previously agreed upon. Following a confrontation with Von Hartel, the competent minister of culture, Gustav finally, with the help of two patrons August and Serena Lederer, succeeds in buying back the paintings.

Gustav and Emilie, just as in countless summers beforehand, spend relaxed days at the Attersee. But this time the two can, for a brief moment, take pleasure in their true feelings. Emilie is ready for the first time to express her feelings to Gustav. Gustav rejects her declarations with a heavy heart. He is afraid of hurting Emilie, like innumerable women before, due to his inability to maintain a relationship. Their impartiality and peace is now past. Genius triumphs: Now Gustav belongs thoroughly and completely to the art.

Gustav plunges himself into his work on the Beethoven-exhibition. Franz Matsch visits the exhibition and is completely overcome by sensual intoxication while regarding Gustav’s creation.Finally he pays Gustav his respects but cannot help pointing out the high price he has paid for the freedom of his art. Gustav does not listen:

He must always, without compromise, push forward. Find a new style. Create a new society. Further, ever further. Create always more, always new until his collapse

After suffering a stroke, Gustav finally dies in 1918 in the arms of the one, unfulfilled love of his life, Emilie Flöge.

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