Editing Lulu (opera) (section)

===Act 1===

''Scene 1: A spacious but shabby artist's studio. A podium, folding screen, easel with unfinished portrait of Lulu, divan with tiger skin, step ladder and sculpture. Lulu is standing on the podium, posing as Pierrot, holding a shepherd's crook''

The Painter is painting Lulu's portrait. Dr. Schön is watching, and is joined by his son, Alwa. He excuses himself because he has to go to a rehearsal, and he and Schön leave. Alone with Lulu, the Painter makes passes at her. She rejects him initially, as he pursues her round the studio (''[[Canon (music)|canon]], beginning with Lulu motif'': ''Gnädige Frau ... Frau Medizinalrat – Wer hätte das gedacht!''; Dearest Lady ... Frau Medizinalrat – Who would have imagined it!), during which the ladder falls and the statue breaks. At one stage, he calls her ''Eva''. She explains that she is expecting her husband. Eventually she succumbs to his advances. The artist has locked the studio door, and when Dr. Goll arrives, there is consternation. Goll breaks the door down, and on finding Lulu and the artist together, dies of a stroke. At first they do not realise her husband is dead and call a doctor. Lulu is alone with her husband's corpse (''canzonetta: Auf einmal springt er auf''; In a moment he will spring to life). When she accepts that he is dead, she reflects that she is now rich, to the artist's horror, ''Jetzt bin ich reich – Es ist grauenerregend'' (Now I am rich – How revolting). They sing a duet in which he questions her beliefs, and the answer is always the same, ''Eine Frage: Kannst Du die Wahrheit sagen? – Ich weiss es nicht'' (A question: Can you tell the truth? – I don't know). While Lulu is changing into her street clothes, the artist addresses her husband's corpse (''arioso'': ''Ich möchte tauschen mit Dir, Du Toter! Ich geb' sie Dir zurück''; I would trade places with you, dead man. I would give her back to you).

''Interlude''

''Scene 2: An elegant drawing room in Lulu's apartment, the studio beyond, her finished portrait on the wall. Lulu, on a chaise-longue is gazing into her hand mirror''

The artist enters with the mail, again addressing her as Eve. In the mail he learns he has sold another painting of her, and mentions he has sold a number of paintings since they were married. She places one, a letter from Countess Corticelli, in her bosom. Another brings notice of Schön's engagement, which seems to trouble her. They sing a love ''duettino'', ''Ich finde, Du siehst heute reizend aus – Ich komme aus dem Bad'' (I find you so beautiful today – I have just come from my bath). She is visited by Schigolch, who remarks of the artist (''chamber music'', ''Den hab'ich mir auch ganz anders vorgestellt''; I thought he would be different than he is). Schigolch is an asthmatic beggar who seems to have been featured in her past in an unspecified way, he asks for money which she gives him, and when he calls her "Lulu", she says she has not been called that in a long time. As she is showing him out, Schön arrives (''sonata movement'') and recognises him, referring to him as Lulu's father, which she does not deny.{{efn|However, in act 2, scene 1, Schigolch categorically denies being Lulu's father in an exchange with the Athlete and the Schoolboy, adding the comment ''Sie hat nie einen gehabt''! (She has never had one).}} Schön asks Lulu to stay out of his life from now on, since he is engaged and it would be scandalous for them to see each other socially, but she says she belongs only to him (''coda: love theme''. ''Wenn ich einem Menschen auf dieser Welt angehöre, gehöre ich Ihnen''; If I belong to any man in this world, I belong to you). Their discussion reveals that all the good fortune Lulu has experienced comes from Schön's interventions, and that they have been meeting regularly. The exchange becomes increasingly agitated, until the return of the artist, who asks what has transpired. Lulu leaves in a huff, while Schön implies that he has had a longstanding affair with Lulu, since she was 12, and rescued her from the streets as a flower seller. The artist becomes increasingly distressed as he learns how little he knows about Lulu, not even her name, which appears to be different for every lover. Schön informs him about Schigolch being her father, and that after the death of his wife, Lulu appeared to be trying to take her place, so that he arranged to marry her off to Goll. Increasingly Schön urges the artist to confront Lulu, which he agrees to, leaving the room, but a terrible groan is heard offstage and Schön discovers the artist has locked the door. Lulu returns and they discuss what to do next, but are interrupted by the arrival of Alwa, who announces that revolution has broken out on the streets of Paris, which is causing consternation at the newspaper office. Lulu brings a hatchet, and they force open the door to find the artist dead. From a partly audible telephone conversation Schön has, which he implies is with the police, it is revealed that the artist cut his throat. Lulu, once again, is unmoved by the tragedy, while Schön and Alwa hope that the political news will sweep aside the scandal. When Schön calls her ''Ungeheuer!'' (Monster!), Lulu hints that she and Schön will be married after all (''Lulu motif'': ''Sie heiraten mich ja doch!''; You will marry me after all). The curtain falls as the doorbell rings, which they believe is the police.

''Interlude (Love theme)''

''Scene 3: In Lulu's dressing room in the theatre, a folding screen upstage, a poster of Lulu's portrait is seen''

Lulu is changing behind the screen, Alwa is pouring champagne. The two discuss whether Schön will come that night, and a Prince who wants to take her to Africa. Alwa recalls his mother's death, and how he had hoped that Lulu would replace her, while Lulu observes that his father put her on the stage in the hope that someone rich would marry her and take her off his hands. Lulu emerges in a ballet dress, Alwa appears smitten and they drink. At the sound of a bell, Lulu leaves to take the stage. Alwa watches her leave and then contemplates writing an opera based on her life, but as he draws out the scenes he concludes that they are too gruesome. Applause can be heard, and the Prince enters and reveals his wish to marry Lulu. It is apparent her sudden fame is due to favourable reviews published by Schön. Suddenly the bell starts ringing incessantly and an uproar is heard offstage. Alwa appears startled and Lulu enters suddenly, flinging herself in a chair, followed by the dresser and theatre manager, who explain that she fainted. She implies it was because she saw Schön with his fiancée, ''Mit seiner Braut!'' (With his bride!) whereupon Schön himself enters and Lulu refuses to continue because his fiancée is in the audience. All try to persuade Lulu to return to the stage, in a sextet ''Das hättest Du Dir besser erspart!'' (This you could have spared yourself!), then Schön dismisses the company leaving Lulu and himself alone. He admonishes her, ''Wie kannst Du die Szene gegen mich ausspielen?'' (how can you play this scene to get me?), they argue and she taunts him with the Prince and his inability to break off their relationship. It is apparent that he is torn between the two women, and she begins to exploit his weakness, compelling him to write a letter that she dictates, breaking off the engagement (Letter duet: ''Sehr geehrtes Fräulein …''; Most respected Fräulein ...). Schön expresses feelings of impending doom, ''Jetzt – kommt – die Hinrichtung...'' (Now – comes – the execution) and Lulu, having achieved her purpose, prepares to return to the stage.