Duration: full evening
Text by Ingo Zimmermann
Place and time: City in the DDR, end of the 60ies of the 20th Century

Characters: Prof. Hausmann, Director of a biochemical research institute (baritone) - Christine Hausmann, his Daughter, Student in natural sciences (soprano) - Dr. Peter Clausnitzer, Hausmanns assistant, Christines Fiancé (baritone) - Frau Gärtner, Administration Director of the Institute (alto) - Prof. Janusz, Biochemist, a guest from Warsaw, Prof. Hausmanns friend (tenor) - Christoph Meinhardt, civil Engineer, Clausnitzers school friend (bass) - The other Hausmann (speaking part)

The subject is as topical as ever today, thirty years after its origin. An incredible discovery is made in the field of genetic technology on the evening before the start of a scientific conference. Hausmann, an aged scientist, is inwardly torn because he knows that the new knowledge has the potential to harm mankind. His assistant reminds him that another researcher could make the same discovery and act less responsibly. Hausmann seeks advice from a Polish colleague who nearly became a victim of genetic manipulation in Auschwitz. This man urges the professor to act immediately. After lengthy deliberation, Hausmann decides to reveal his knowledge while at the same time trying to forestall its possible abuse. Zimmermann wrote the opera in 1969 for the inauguration of the Department for Human Genetics and Medical Genetic Technology at Magdeburgs Medizinische Akademie. It was at this time that American scientists succeeded for the first time in isolating a gene cell, thus creating the basic condition for genetic manipulation.