The Venetian adventurer, at the age of 53, tired of erotic adventures and nauseated by his past of excessive diplomacy, has but one desire: to return to his beloved Venice. When it seems that his dream is about to come true, an old friend drags him to a country house near Mantova, where Casanova meets the young Marcolina, who rekindles his desire. The gaze of the woman, cold and indifferent, plunges him into desperation: he feels old and without charm. The bitter taste of defeat leads him to an extreme and folly attempt: suspecting that the young woman is the lover of a dandy, a certain second lieutenant by the name of Lorenzi, he does everything in his power to discover the truth. Having confirmed his suspicions, one night, using deception, he takes Lorenzi’s place and thus has the desired love of the beautiful Marcolina. After a mysterious dream, upon awakening, the situation comes to a head.
Casanova’s Return to Venice (1918) is one of Schnitzler’s masterpieces. In this abridged version of theatrical opera, the ploy of allowing Casanova to speak in first person reveals the tragicomedy of modern conscience, detached from traditional values, lead by instinct and false values in an attempt to dodge old age and death.