Ludwig - Requiem for a Virgin King

Three norns introduce Ludwig II of Bavaria as suffering from a curse, given to him by Lola Montez, which will make him the last king of Bavaria. The king organises his court according to infatuations and aesthetical preferences. He is opposed to industrialism, progressivism and the emerging modern mass society. He complains about his aching teeth and behaves eccentrically, but interacts with ordinary people to stay in contact with life outside the court. Early in his life he began to protect and finance the then unknown Richard Wagner, who greatly apprecietes the support, but others see this as scandalous. Empress Elisabeth of Austria sympatises with the king, who is her cousin, and compares him to Sitting Bull. A group of ministers led by Ludwig's uncle Luitpold, Prince Regent of Bavaria plot to assassinate the king so they can industrialise the country.