[3] [4] Set in the 17th century, the opera is the story of the search for universal harmony by the astronomer Johannes Kepler.

The widowed Johannes Kepler works as a mathematician and astronomer in the service of Emperor Rudolf II.

The work does not satisfy him, the pay is meager, and to secure his livelihood he draws up horoscopes for wealthy citizens.

The devout Protestant saw the Lord's Supper as merely a symbol of the body and blood of Christ, but not a true transformation of bread and wine.

Kepler's theory of celestial bodies and their orbits is not only admired by his wife and mother, he is also highly valued by his students.

Two flutes, three oboes, three clarinets, three bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, four trombones, a timpani, a drum kit, a harp and 40 strings.

Seven woodwinds, four brass instruments, three strings and a drum kit are needed for the stage music.

This recording was made in the Jesus-Christus-Kirche [de] in Berlin-Dahlem in February/March 2000, with Marek Janowski conducting the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, and François Le Roux in the role of Johannes Kepler.