The Portland daily press., 1864-05-16
TWENTIETH REGIMENT.
Der Freischutz.

This grand opera by Won Weber opens with
an exciting scene. As the curtain rises some
shots are fired, the target falls and chorus Of
lively and spirited, conveying to the hearers
the shouts OF victory. A dialogue in music
aud then enter foresters with their rifles
Cuno, the head ranger, lectures Max for his
wild shooting, and Caspar tells him to go a
cross road on Friday and draw a charmed cir
Gle around him with a blood-staiued sword,
calling upon the Black Forester for help. If
Max fails in the trial shot, he wins not the fair
maiden for whom they exercise their skill In
shooting. Cuno then informs them about the
trial shot aud what resulted from it in the
olden time. Once prince was moved to pity
at the sight OF poacher bound upon the back
ola stag running in the woods, and offered a
reward to him who would kill the stag and not
wound the man. A brave hunter did the deed
and saved the man, commencing his bullet to
the guardianship OF angels. Rivals inslnuated
that the bullet was guided by an Evil spirit,
being charmed by some witchcraft. The whole
scene is enlivened by chorus Of hunters and
peasants and closes with the Bohemian waltz.
In the fourth scene are an aria and recita-
tive, the burden of which is love and despair.
During the next scene a beautiful drinking
song us sung. Agathe's health is drank. Ia
miel the wild hunter, appears as bar-maid.-
Max and Caspar sing and drink. A rifle is dis
charged at an eagle far up in the clouds, at the
same moment flendish laughter is heard
Caspar shouts victory, and tells Max it was a
charmed bullet that brought the bird down
from the clouds at twilight. Agathe is the OBJ
ieetive point to which Max is aiming. In
scene fourth Caspar sings an aria Hush
hush! that no one may alarm theen'
In the second act and first scene Agathe and
Annchen, her cousin, appear and sing duet.
The music is very fine. Then follows song,
"If youth should meet maiden, need she
run away with fright" &c. This music is
charming melody. Agathe is now left alone
and sings long piece beginning with the
words,
"How sweetly wal mr. slumber
Ere tasted loves first kiss
Now sorrows without number
Go side best de with bliss"
This is grand music and thrills the audi
ence. Following this are dialogue and trio.
In scene fifth is VOLTS den, and then Caspar
appears, strikes and raises a scul with his
sword, shouting "Zamiel! Zlmiel appearsl" A
rock opens and Zamiel appears, and Caspar
prostrates himself But we have space to
give scarcely an outline of this opera. In the
third act Agathe sings a splendid aria, "The
clouds by tempests may be driven" In the
third scene an aria is sung by Annchen,
"Once dreamed my poor and dead old aunty'
Several other songs and duets are sung. The
chorus of Hunters is very spirited music and
famous the world over. There is great va
riety of music in this opera, and of very
pleasing character. The opera closes with
the chorus "Let us raise then our hearts and
our voices to heaven.,' Our readers will re-
member that this celebrated opera will be
performed at Deering Hall tomorrow evening.
No doubt it will suit some tastes better than
Faust. We advise the lovers Of Instrumental
music to listen to the overture which precedes
the opera. 1t Is among the best musical com
positions ever heard on earth. Remember that
and govern yourselves accordingly.