Die
Sieben Todsünden (der Kleinbürger) 七宗罪
The Seven Deadly Sins (of the Petty
Bourgeoisie) (1933)
芭蕾舞歌劇 編劇：布萊希特
音樂創作：庫特懷爾
A ballet libretto in seven sections
by Bertolt Brecht, music by Kurt Weill
© Cheung Chi-wai
Set in modern
America.
Two sisters, Anna 1 and Anna 2, are sent out by their family in Louisiana
to earn their fortune. 'One of the two Annas is the Manager, the other
the artist; one (A1) is the saleswoman, the other (A2) the article sold.'
In seven years they traverse seven cities, in each of which A2 is tempted
by one of the seven deadly sins, which would have ruined her. These sins
are in fact virtues: Pride (in one's own best self), Sloth (in performing
an injustice), Anger (at a mean action), etc. She avoids the lot; she
succeeds as blackmailer, cabaret star, film extra; and so the two Annas
are able to return home with enough money for their family to build a
house. In a final episode, other Annas are foolish enough to commit these
sins, and are ruined.
From John Willet: The Theatre of Bertolt Brecht, Methuen, 1959
故事發生在美國。
在路易斯安那州，安娜1和安娜2兩姊妹被家人送出城賺錢去。「一個是經理人，一個是藝術家；一個是推銷員（安娜1），另一個是被推銷的貨物（安娜2）。」在七年裏，她們穿過七個城市，在每個城市裏安娜2都會被一宗罪所引誘，變得墮落。其實這些罪都不過是德行：驕傲（在自己最好的時候）、懶惰（執行不公平事情時）、憤怒（對卑鄙的行動）等。她避免一切，成為成功的勒索者、酒廊歌手和電影臨時演員，然後兩位安娜都衣錦還鄉，為家人建房子。最後一幕裏，其他安娜也愚蠢得犯下這些罪，變得墮落。
