Haber's Law: libretto

Don Bogen donald.bogen@uc.edu

Haber's Law

Bogen 2

Synopsis for Program: Fritz Haber was born in 1868 to a prosperous Jewish family in Prussia. His father owned businesses in chemical dyes and pharmaceuticals. Converting to Lutheranism as a young man, Haber performed a year of military service and apprenticed briefly in his father's factories before taking a research and teaching position in chemistry at the University of Karlsruhe. He rose rapidly in the field and was named Director of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry in Berlin. Among his friends and colleagues in science were Max Planck, Albert Einstein, and his fellow chemist Chaim Weizmann, a Zionist working in England who eventually became the first president of Israel.

Haber married Clara Immerwahr in 1901. A converted Jew like Haber, she was the first woman to earn a doctorate in chemistry in Germany. Their son, Hermann Haber, was born in 1902. A dedicated pacifist, Clara opposed Haber's experiments with poison gas during World War I. As a patriot who felt that a scientist must serve his country during wartime, Haber was instrumental in the development of chlorine gas and oversaw its first successful use at the second battle of Ypres in April, 1915. For his service he was promoted to the rank of captain on the order of Kaiser Wilhelm and presented with a service revolver. After an argument in spring of 1915, Clara killed herself with the revolver. Haber left the following day to supervise the use of poison gas on the eastern front.

Haber continued his research into poison gas during and after World War I, working with mustard gas (dichlorodiethyl sulfide) and other agents, including Zyklon B, a cyanidebased pesticide later used in Nazi extermination camps. Though he was allowed to remain as director of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute when the Nazis came to power, in 1933 he was ordered to fire his Jewish colleagues. Haber left Germany shortly thereafter, working briefly at Cambridge University before accepting an offer from Chaim Weizmann to direct an institute in what is now Israel. He died of a heart attack in Basel, en route to the Palestinian Mandate, in 1934.

Haber was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1919 for his synthesis of ammonia from hydrogen and nitrogen, which led to the development of nitrogen fertilizers and greatly increased agricultural production. In addition to his work on poison gas and insecticides in the 1920s, he explored the possibility of extracting gold from seawater.

Haber's Law, which relates the toxicity of poison gas to its concentration and exposure over time, is widely taught.

Bogen 3

Production Notes: Haber's Law consists of two acts with an instrumental interlude between them. Action and music are continuous in each act. Scene references are noted only for convenience; instrumental music may provide transitions between scenes as necessary.

Each act of the opera features one actual character alone in a room: Clara in Act I and Fritz in Act II. Other figures who appear are memories arising in the course of the actual character's thoughts and should be indicated as such by costume or other devices.

Cast: Clara (in Act I) and Memory of Clara (in Act II) Fritz (in Act II) and Memory of Fritz (in Act I) Chorus: Three male voices who appear as Memory of Officials; three to six other voices who may double as Memory of Party Goers and Memory of Prize Committee

Bogen 4

Act I: Clara's Room at the house in Berlin, May 1915. Includes some bedroom furniture, a daybed stage right, a chair and writing table facing a window stage left. On the writing table, some paper and a pen, along with a closed wooden case holding Fritz's service revolver in the left rear corner. Clara, an attractive woman of 45 dressed fairly formally as if for a party, is writing.

[Scene 1]

CLARA: Because now in the night I can see Because the means are clear as steel and at hand Because it is the only result all the variables yield Because chemistry Because you and I and the promise of our research Because mercury, copper, lead, cadmium, zinc Because ammonia conjured from the air Because the trenches are wounds that open and open Because I brought our son into this century Because I must make public what should have been private Because you took the state for your lover Because patriotism--ah patriotism!

Because the green gas floats in the air like a last moan Because toxicity is proportional to concentration and exposure over time Because Ypres Because a service revolver shouts what a pen might just whisper Because you, you were proud of this thing Because there is no one near me, you were never near me Because you betrayed me

Bogen 5

[Scene 2] (Pause. Clara no longer writing but looking out the window in a dreamy way. Memory of Fritz, a man of Clara's age, enters stage right as she sings.)

CLARA: Do you remember when we met?

At a dance lesson--so frivolous now (Memory of Fritz approaches and they dance a little stiffly: a waltz, but they keep their bodies apart. His movements are heavier than hers.)

CLARA: And your proposal then--frivolous too (They stop dancing.)

CLARA: I'm glad I turned it down (Memory of Fritz backs away but remains visible upstage.)

CLARA: But then when I had the doctorate and I'd taken the oath When we were both scientists and you came back And I could see us on our way to great things With the whole century open before us I said yes I said yes again and again To our son, to our research and our textbook To Karlsruhe, the Institute, to Berlin To post after post as you rose and moved out into the world To the world itself (Pause.)

CLARA: A marriage of equals, of equally dedicated scientists with the future before us Even our old-fashioned Jewish families--so upright, so bourgeois--were for it MEMORY OF FRITZ (coming forward and interrupting, but not engaging her directly): Jewish--What is a Jew? No, really--what is a Jew? Or rather, who is a Jew? Am I a Jew? Are you?

What is the formula, precisely

Bogen 6

For Jewish identity?

And what the variables?

(Clara begins to pay attention) MEMORY OF FRITZ: If a young man should In the blossoming of his mind CLARA: Blossoming MEMORY OF FRITZ: In the first full possession of his native wit And an eye for the future CLARA: The future MEMORY OF FRITZ: Decide he is no longer a Jew And mark that occasion With a little sprinkling of symbolic water Who would deny him that choice?

Not Jesus, no, not Herr Luther Not the state, not the church CLARA: It was never the church, no It was never CLARA and MEMORY OF FRITZ: The little sprinkling of water It was never the Luther Or the Jesus It was never the state It was chemistry Post after post Rising and moving out Into the world It was the choice, the future (Memory of Fritz backs away and exits stage left as Clara continues.)

CLARA: The university, study My doctorate, my teaching (Pause) CLARA: My oath

Bogen 7

[Scene 3] (Memory of Officials enters stage right. They administer the oath with Clara repeating their words, building into a quartet.)

MEMORY OF OFFICIALS: Never CLARA: Never MEMORY OF OFFICIALS: In speech or writing to teach CLARA: In speech or writing to teach MEMORY OF OFFICIALS: Anything that CLARA: Anything that MEMORY OF OFFICIALS: Is contrary to my beliefs CLARA: Is contrary to my beliefs (Pause) MEMORY OF OFFICIALS: To pursue truth CLARA: To pursue truth (Pause) MEMORY OF OFFICIALS: And to advance CLARA: And to advance MEMORY OF OFFICIALS: The dignity CLARA: The dignity MEMORY OF OFFICIALS: Of science CLARA: Of science

Bogen 8

(Pause) MEMORY OF OFFICIALS: To the heights CLARA: To the heights MEMORY OF OFFICIALS: Which it deserves CLARA: Which it deserves (Clara turns from Memory of Officials. They exit stage left.)

CLARA (To herself): And that dignity is peace

Bogen 9

[Scene 4] CLARA: Have I pursued truth?

What did I advance?

Myself, to be sure The memory of my mother And my father's dreams Truth in study, truth in the exams In all the equations with their variables known Advancing to the doctorate as no woman before In pursuit of, yes, advancement But also of truth, pure as the elements New as our dream for the century (Memory of Fritz enters stage right.)

MEMORY OF FRITZ: Pursuit, then advancement With you as no woman before A dream, pure as the elements Conjured from air (Clara approaches Memory of Fritz and they sing dreamily together.)

CLARA and MEMORY OF FRITZ: Dream of pursuit Advancement Of truth pure As the elements, new As the century, dream Of elements Conjured from air, Truth new as The century, elements Pure as dream Conjured from Advancement As the century Of elements, pure truth, Air conjured from Pursuit, new Advancement, advancement Of truth, of elements Of dream, pure

Bogen 10

Advancement, advancement As the century The century dreams Advancement, advancement MEMORY OF FRITZ: With you as no woman before

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[Scene 5] (Clara and Memory of Fritz move to opposite sides of the stage. Enter Memory of Officials stage right and Memory of Party Goers, a group of three or more, stage left.

One of the three Memory of Officials takes the wooden gun case from the table and joins the other two gathering around Memory of Fritz. Memory of Party Goers clusters around Clara. In the singing that follows, neither Clara nor Memory of Fritz take part.

Clara attempts to interact but is interrupted and becomes increasingly uncomfortable; Memory of Fritz basks in the glow of praise. The two groups' lines are interwoven in a song, with occasional individual outbursts and emphasis on the phrases in boldface.)

MEMORY OF PARTY GOERS, to CLARA (rapid, enthusiastic): You must be so proud of his rapid advancement No longer just a scientist but a national hero now And a captain, a captain in our nation's army A commission declared by the Kaiser himself The new service revolver gleaming in its case Tomorrow he leaves for the eastern front You must be so proud, your son too must be proud, of his service MEMORY OF OFFICIALS, to MEMORY OF FRITZ (slower than above, more solemn, with admiration): On this occasion, before you leave for the eastern front As a symbol and a capstone of your rapid advancement And in recognition of your long, heroic service to the state And your commission, declared by the Kaiser himself We are proud to present this service revolver To a man no longer just a scientist but a national hero With our deepest esteem (Near the end of the song one Memory of Officials steps forward to present the service revolver in its case to Memory of Fritz. He opens the case and Fritz accepts the honor.

Memory of Party Goers and Memory of Officials exit stages left and right.)

Bogen 12

[Scene 6] (Memory of Fritz looks admiringly at the service revolver in its case. He keeps it in view throughout what follows, occasionally taking it from its case to hold and examine.)

CLARA: And so you are leaving for the eastern front MEMORY OF FRITZ (absently): Yes, tomorrow CLARA: As you left for Ypres, suddenly, that fine spring day MEMORY OF FRITZ: The winds were turning CLARA: Our son just a boy MEMORY OF FRITZ: My fortunes were turning--Ypres made my career CLARA: Not as a scientist, not in the world MEMORY OF FRITZ: In peacetime the scientist belongs to the world, In wartime to his country (He pauses.)

MEMORY OF FRITZ: And you, what have you done for the world?

For this new century, for your country too Doctor of chemistry, as no woman before you CLARA: I dreamed of our future In the dignity of science MEMORY OF FRITZ: Which we both revere CLARA: The pursuit of truth MEMORY OF FRITZ: I follow it too CLARA: Beyond the state Beyond patriotism MEMORY OF FRITZ (Interrupting): In wartime the scientist

Bogen 13

CLARA (Interrupting): A pursuit That would lead As reason naturally advanced To peace MEMORY OF FRITZ: My work can end this war CLARA: And when the state asked I did nothing for its cause And yours I did nothing I tried to do nothing I said no MEMORY OF FRITZ: I served, I advanced I conjured ammonia from the air CLARA: And you took up that revolver And all it represents As if you were proud (Pause) MEMORY OF FRITZ: Of course I am proud (After a pause, Memory of Fritz leave the service revolver in its open case on the table and exits stage left.)

Bogen 14

[Scene 7] (Clara returns to writing, as at the beginning of the Act.) CLARA: Because now in the night I see you Because I tried to do nothing and you went to Ypres Because a green cloud holds you in esteem Because our son, just a boy, sees the world carved into trenches And they will scar him Because universities, institutes, and oaths Because advancement, because the century Because no woman before Because your trophy gleaming in its case Because anything that is contrary to my beliefs Because there is no formula for the marriage of equals Because hydrogen, nitrogen Because each single element in its little box on the table Because conjured from the air Because wind is a variable Because a country floats over its slaughter like gauze Because proportion, concentration, and exposure Because toxicity Because time, time, time Because I am alone and still see you (Clara carefully lifts the revolver and, with two hands, aims it toward her face.

Blackout.)

Bogen 15

Instrumental Interlude: Music and possibly a scrim to indicate World War I and the passage of time. Photos or silhouettes and relevant chemical formulae for Haber's Law, ammonia, chlorine gas, etc. may be projected on a scrim.

Bogen 16

Act II: Fritz's hotel room in Basel, January 1934. Setting is similar to that of Act I, but with less furniture. The daybed from Act I is now a single hotel bed, and the gun case is no longer on the writing table. Fritz, now 65, has aged considerably since he appeared in Act I. His movements are more stiff, and he breathes with difficulty. Dressed in traveling clothes, he has loosened his vest and tie and unbuttoned his jacket. He sits uncomfortably at the table, trying to write.

[Scene 1] FRITZ: Since circumstances Since unforeseen circumstances Since circumstances unforeseen have brought me To this place, this room here--Why am I here?

Since circumstances unforeseen necessitate Since the state, state patriotism Since patriotism necessitates service to the state Since medals, rank, higher and higher posts To this one, in transit--Why am I here?

Since ammonia conjured from the air Since chlorine, dichlorodiethyl sulfide, Zyklon B Since easterly winds on a cool spring day in Ypres Since toxicity is proportional to concentration and exposure over time Since office, lab, and institute Since a service revolver as a token of esteem Since time, time, this room here--Why am I here Since prizes, prizes and the Prize Since a scientist belongs to his country And time, time, this room here--Why am I here?

Bogen 17

[Scene 2] (Pause. Fritz, calmer now, moves toward the window and begins to reminisce. Memory of Clara enters upstage right and approaches as they near their duet. She appears the same age as she was in Act I but more pale and dressed now as a Memory. Her movements are considerably more fluid and active than his.)

FRITZ: I belonged to the world then Even in sleepy Karlsruhe, remember?

(Memory of Clara approaches and watches him.)

FRITZ: It was a relief to be free of the dye factory To have my father and, yes, My patriotic service behind me To be a scientist The whole new century before me FRITZ and MEMORY OF CLARA: Scientists Opening the century To a new world Scientists together making Discoveries Gifts to the century Scientists Close to the elements Coming to see Chemistry Belonging to the world Scientists A new century's Discoveries Pure elements Scientists Close to A new world Together Scientists Coming to see The gift of Bread from air

Bogen 18

(Memory of Clara steps back as if lost in thought at the idea of bread coming from air.

She remains upstage as Fritz continues.)

FRITZ: Karlsruhe to Berlin Higher and higher posts A scientist Advancing To the Institute And Planck then My friend And Weizmann And Einstein World-renowned Scientists My friends My colleagues Scientists My institute And chemistry All the elements Hydrogen, nitrogen Ammonia Conjured from the air (Memory of Clara moves further upstage as Fritz muses.)

Bogen 19

[Scene 3] (Enter Memory of Prize Committee, a group of three to six, stage right. They are dressed formally. One is carrying a certificate in a flat leather case, with a closed wood case on top of it. Memory of Clara remains upstage but does not take part. She observes the ceremony blankly.)

MEMORY OF PRIZE COMMITTEE: Therefore, in recognition Of the synthesis of ammonia from its elements And the consequent possibility Of supplying fixed nitrogen to the soil And the consequences thereof For increased food production on a considerable scale And the consequent advancement Of the dignity of science and the pursuit of truth In this second decade of the twentieth century We congratulate you Distinguished Professor and Director of the Institute Fritz Haber On your outstanding achievement In the service of your country And the whole of humanity And herewith award you The Nobel Prize in Chemistry (Memory of Prize Committee member with the diploma and case steps forward, holds the case in front of Fritz, and ceremoniously opens it to reveal the service revolver from Act I. Fritz is shocked at first but the Committee is unmoved. Fritz regains his composure and bows slightly. Committee Member mimes hanging a sash and medal around Fritz's neck, closes the box, and puts it on the table. Fritz bows to the Committee Member, to the Other Committee Members, and to the imaginary audience stage downstage. Memory of Prize Committee exits stage left. Clara remains upstage right but comes forward somewhat, as if curious.)

Bogen 20

[Scene 4]

(Fritz "wears" the imaginary sash and medal and moves ceremoniously as if walking to a podium. He stops and begins to remember his speech.)

FRITZ: The Swedish Academy of Sciences (Memory of Clara approaches from upstage. She begins the duet by singing with him and ends by more contradictory interjections, following her own pattern. As her comments become more fragmentary, she starts to pace back and forth. Though she recognizes Fritz's presence, he does not see her as he stands and presents his acceptance speech.)

MEMORY OF CLARA: Of sciences FRITZ: Has seen fit to honor MEMORY OF CLARA: To honor FRITZ and MEMORY OF CLARA: The method Of producing Ammonia From nitrogen and hydrogen FRITZ: This outstanding distinction MEMORY OF CLARA: Distinction FRITZ: Puts upon me the obligation MEMORY OF CLARA: Obligation FRITZ and MEMORY OF CLARA: Of explaining Within the subject Of chemistry As a whole FRITZ: I was never in doubt MEMORY OF CLARA: In doubt

Bogen 21

(Memory of Clara begins to pace back and forth, eventually almost marching.)

FRITZ: Installations On a considerable scale MEMORY OF CLARA: Your sash and medal FRITZ: To achieve Impressive results MEMORY OF CLARA: Your sash, medal, impressive FRITZ: Installations MEMORY OF CLARA: Your helmet and sash impressive FRITZ: On a considerable scale MEMORY OF CLARA: Your sash, your medal and helmet FRITZ: To synthesize insecticides To draw gold from seawater To fix nitrogen and give it back to soil MEMORY OF CLARA: Your sash and helmet FRITZ: To draw gold To synthesize MEMORY OF CLARA: Your medal, helmet, sash FRITZ: Insecticides From which the welfare MEMORY OF CLARA: Sash, medal, helmet FRITZ: Of future generations MEMORY OF CLARA: Medal sash helmet FRITZ: Will grow MEMORY OF CLARA: Black sash medal

Bogen 22

FRITZ: Impressive results MEMORY OF CLARA: Black helmet sash FRITZ: And insecticides MEMORY OF CLARA: Medal and sash FRITZ: I was never in doubt MEMORY OF CLARA: Black medal sash FRITZ: For use in MEMORY OF CLARA: Helmet black sash FRITZ: Future generations MEMORY OF CLARA: Ashes, ashes (Memory of Clara stops pacing and stares at Fritz from stage left.)

FRITZ: On a considerable scale MEMORY OF CLARA: Helmet medal ashes ashes FRITZ: From which the welfare MEMORY OF CLARA: Ashes, ashes FRITZ: It may be MEMORY OF CLARA: Sh . . . .

(Memory of Clara continues her Sh . . .like a kind of static, as Fritz concludes.)

FRITZ: That this solution Is not the final one (Memory of Clara exits stage left.)

Bogen 23

[Scene 5] Memory of Officials enters stage right. They approach Fritz who is still musing and confused after the previous scene. As in Act I, Scene 3, they form a kind of quartet, in this case with Fritz.)

MEMORY OF OFFICIALS: Therefore, in accordance With the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service, and With due respect FRITZ: Yes, respect MEMORY OF OFFICIALS: For the achievements FRITZ: Achievements, yes MEMORY OF OFFICIALS: Of the Director And the significance FRITZ: Yes, significance MEMORY OF OFFICIALS: Of his patriotic service To date To wit, Ypres To wit, chlorine, dichlorodiethyl sulfide, Zyklon B, and other methods of promise FRITZ: Of promise, yes MEMORY OF OFFICIALS: It is requested FRITZ: Requested, yes MEMORY OF OFFICIALS: He continue His directorship Of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry FRITZ: Yes, directorship MEMORY OF OFFICIALS: And immediately In the function of his administrative duties

Bogen 24

FRITZ: Duties, yes, immediately MEMORY OF OFFICIALS: Terminate his subversive Jew colleagues FRITZ (Stunned and slowly understanding): Yes (Memory of Officials exit stage left.)

Bogen 25

[Scene 6] (Fritz moves to table, as if to write something quickly, then pauses, thinking better of it, and begins to pace. He is trying to make sense of things.)

FRITZ: Time, time They are scattered to the winds This place I Said yes, I Tried, I Time, time In transit, transit To the Mandate To some "promised land" because because Weizmann invited me To this promise and so, so What is a Jew? Or rather Who is a Jew? Or rather When or where? Here In this room, in transit, Transit to some, some Promise I said yes (Memory of Clara enters stage left as Fritz continues to pace. Fritz is more agitated than Memory of Clara throughout the scene, and neither character sees the other. Their singing is interwoven musically but they do not sing directly to each other.)

MEMORY OF CLARA: A promise Never in speech or writing to teach FRITZ: Of promise, yes And so I who MEMORY OF CLARA: This perversion Of science, a sign FRITZ: In transit, transit A Jew in Transit to the Mandate

Bogen 26

MEMORY OF CLARA: Of barbarity A sign FRITZ: Yes, I said Of promise, to The Mandate MEMORY OF CLARA: Of barbarity A sign of barbarity Never in speech FRITZ: Or transit, transit Berlin, Cambridge Scattered to the winds, this Room where I MEMORY OF CLARA: Writing to teach Barbarity FRITZ: Transit, transit A Jew who MEMORY OF CLARA: A sign never In speech or perversion of science FRITZ: Of Zion, Weizmann I tried, I Said yes Of promise MEMORY OF CLARA: A sign of Barbarity (Memory of Clara moves toward stage right. She lingers a bit until Fritz moves toward desk, sits down, and begins to write. Then she exits stage right.)

Bogen 27

[Scene 7] (Fritz starts off writing but then becomes more emotional and moves around the room.)

FRITZ: Since, in my responsibility Since I, fully accepting, as director Since circumstances find me In this room, this place--why Since, contrary to my beliefs Since at this time I Since all variables lead Since the winds have shifted, the experiment will proceed Since accepting the Prize, the directorship, all responsibility Since science, the century, patriotism, yes, I Since Zion Since a sprinkling of symbolic water, ammonia conjured from the air Since a young man--all the young men Since no woman before Since transit--why Since scattered to the winds Since I bowed to accept the medal, to take the field glasses Since a field of trenches in a green breeze Since toxicity is proportional to concentration and exposure over time Since advancement Since patriotic service, yes I Since time, time Since scientists Since chemistry Since conjured from the air Since the promise, the promise I (Fritz grimaces and clutches his chest. He steps back and sits heavily on the bed.

Blackout.)