Die Königin von Saba (The Queen of Sheba) is an opera in four acts by Karl Goldmark.

While in the present-day the opera is rarely performed, its historical popularity led it to be staged over 250 times in Vienna in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Bettelheim possessed a striking voice and the role was written to show off her wide range and dramatic skills.

[2] After a long gestation, Die Königin von Saba finally made it to the stage on 10 March 1875 at the Hofoper in Vienna.

The premiere was highly successful, partly due to the theatre manager's ability to persuade Goldmark to make sizable cuts following the dress rehearsal.

As she greets the king, she pulls back her veil, revealing to Assad that she is in fact the mysterious woman he had met on his journey.

[2] Celebrations in honour of the Queen of Sheba continue with a performance of Bienentanz der Almeen, a ballet, and a bacchanal.

He rejects her advances and in a bitter soliloquy reveals his regret and desire for a death that might redeem his offense against God.

[2] Die Königin von Saba is written in the style of grand opera; with the usual large-scale cast and orchestra, the use of local color, and a plot set in history all typical of that genre.

Although Goldmark never adopted a fully-fledged system of leitmotifs, certain passages are reminiscent of Tristan und Isolde.

The religious character of these parts of the opera may well have been influenced by the ideas of the great Viennese cantor Salomon Sulzer, who was concerned with restoring Jewish music to its oriental origins.