Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-12-07

NO. lJU3 Main street, LOO
The OPERA - ROBERT, THE DEVIL.
Verdis celebrated opera entitled I'm
Ballo in Maschera was presented in ex-
collent style last evening, Madame Chi
oni, Mile Canissa, Signors Irfre, Maria
and Coletti sustaining the principal char
acters. Tonight Meyerbeer's famous
opera, Roberto IL DiacolO, will be pre-
sented, with Madame Ghioni, Mile Ca
nissa, and Signors Irfre and Errani in
the cast. The plot is as follows: Rob
ert," Duke of Normandy, who, by his
dauntless bearing in the field and his
many amours, had achieved the soubri-
quet of lie Diable," arrives in Sicily, to
attend the tournament given by the Duke
of Messna.-having been banished by his
subjects from Normandy. Whilst ca
rousing with his knights,s minstrel
relates the story of "Robert" and his
supposed origin. This incites his anger;
and the minstrel is about to pay the pen
atty of his temerity, when Alice" the
foster sister of Robert" the betrothed
of the minstrel, appears on the scene.
They recognize each other, and to him
alice con6des the dying message of
his mother and her warning against the
spirit of evil no is struggling for su-
premacy over him-bidding him listen
to the voice of his good angel, by the lips
of Alice" Robert" con6des to 'Alice"
his love for the Princess of Sicily,
and the hopelessness of his passion,
owing to his defying her father
and the knights of his court.
He relates being saved from death by
his friend Bertram," in whom "Alice"
recognizes strong resemblance to a
famous picture of the fend. When alone
with Bertram," the inspiration of re-
turning good which Alice" had incul-
Gated vanishes. Bertram tempts him
to the gaming table, from which he re-
turns beggar; further tempted, he for
feits his knightly honor, and fails in be-
ing present at the tournament for the
hand of the Princess Isabella" who in
vain awaits his presence. In the next
act we find Bertram," the fend, at
tending the orgies of the Intervals at the
cave of St. Irene, where Alice has
made rendezvous with her lover, the
minstrel. She overhears the internal
compact, and, sinking in prayer, deter
mines to save "Robert" despite the
threats and maledictions of " Bertram"
Robert next appears oppressed with
sorrow at his losses and degradation.
T" Bertram " promises him restitution Of
all if he has courage alone to visit the
ruined Abbey of st. Rosalie, and from
her tomb to snatch the talismanic branch
which gives life, riches and Immortality
" Robert consents, and departs. In the
next scene, we have the ruined Abbey,
and the incarnation to the buried nuns
by Bertram." They obey his call, and
on the entrance of Robert" commence
the grand scene entitled La Temp
tation." Bewildered by their fas-
cinations, and urged TO the act of
sacrilege, he snatches the branch, and,
amid a scene of diabolical horror, retires
affrighted We next find "Robort" using
the mystic branch, and entering unob-
served the chamber of Princess Isa-
bella" He is about to carry her off,
when, moved by her entreaties and the
of his better angel, he breaks
the branch, and destroys the spell. Driven
forth by the knights, he is next found
in company with "Bertram,"
near the entrance of the Cathedral, where
the nuptial rights are about to be solem-
nized between isabella" and his rival
Tortured by love aud remorse, he is
about TO enter, when "Bertram," as a
last resource and inducement to sign an
eternal contract with him, reveals the Sc
cret of his birth, and proclaims himself
as his fend father He is about to con-
sent, when his good angel, Alice" en-.
iers, and produces his mothers will and
warnings against the tends temrtings.
Whilst yet wavering, the clock strikes,
and the baflled demon disappears, whilst
he scene, changing, exhibits the interior
Of the Cathedral, prepared for the nup-
iials. with the princess Isabella" wait
ing, not for Roberts" trial, but for
Robert" himself, who is saved aud res
.orcd 10 happiness.