Prussia's Queen in Exile

Schönhausen can roughly be translated as »beautiful dwelling« but King Frederic II’s remark »may she dwell beautifully« is more historical fiction than fact. However, he maintained his distance to the unloved wife and decreed that Schönhausen be her summer residence. While he was posing as the »philosopher of Sanssouci«, she would perform what he considered annoying public duties and remained banned from his island of bliss all her life. So, she filled her hideaway in Schönhausen with splendid decorations and invited top members of the royal court orchestra for musical entertainments. Two contemporary virtuosos celebrate a royal soiree in Elisabeth Christine’s rococo ballroom.