New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-20
RUBINSTEIN'S NEW OPERA.

We translate from the Berlin NOrddeutsche
Zeng the following account of Rubinstens opera,
1.-THE Maccabces," just produced at the Royal Opera
House The text is adaptation by H. s. Mosenhal,
from drama Of the same name by Otto Ludwig:
Near the end OF the opera OF last
favored with Verdi's aida" Now the end of the
present have the aforementioned great opera.
1.-THE Maccabces is 10 the best OF our belief, Rubin
STEMS eighth work or the three which Immediately pre-
ccde it, Kinder der IIade was first given at Vienna in
1861. while "Feramors was gwen at Dresden in 1868,
and The Demon" the light for the first time at ST.
nd1 t ew %sehS hg rei ms r' awo
and they could never secure a good foot
hold in other places the thyd however we've, appears
heard ballet music of "FcramOrs in concert halls
failure Julius Rodenbergs lbretto of "Feramors.D
ranged after Thomas Moores -Rookh" is said to
no permanent success land it will have notwith-
standing numerous fine passages, Rubinsten is this
through its subject matter and in the action which it
calls forth. 1t il text which awakcns interest
neTs operas Mosenthal has condensed Ludwg's drama
for musical purposes. and by the omission of subordinate
the composers demands In order 10 throw bright and
attractive light upon the dark colors OF the picture he has
from the play as whole and conveys almost the
impression as the ballet introduced into the early operas
stems music not attain the hight Of real passion.
Let us look at the course OF the plot 49,,
mountains, celebrate the feast OF the sheepshearing
aidens are making wrsaths and scattering 2wes Tor
house of Lea widow of the priest Natal HAS To bring
her the fleece Of q lamb and ask her blessing: Lea
awaits them with her Benjdmin and JOdrim who are
acrw Joined Eied=er To the last named she tells
how the Lord revealed 10 her In dream that his
head will be adorned by the crown of David. Then the
wife of her Juda, Ndemi. the shimclte,
approaches with the shepherds wreath but Lea
refuses to take IL from her hands. Judo, who
then appears. ard who is regarded as hero
by the people. consoles the woman, who is shedding
tears. Hs inactivity toward the Assyrians who kept
Israel In bondage Is ridiculed by his mother But the
brother, honcd in his ambitious ideas by the prom
Use made the dream regards with jealousy the esteem
In which his mothers rstbOrn is held He declares him
self ready TO follow the priest oj0kn who is To select
the high priest from the host OF Leds During the
manifestations OF JOY thus called forth the shr OF
Amr heard announcing the approach ~ the Assyri
They with warlke sounds, and build an altar
To Palas Athene Eied<ers glitter and urges
him TO action. But she has misunderstood his mien
only through the Assyrians he reach the throne.
This Ia made clear to him perceivng them lie Will
follow them But the herOsn Of Judd Is awakened when
danger Is NJ hand. He TO be brought Sc
cretly Kills Shimcite who has bowed the knee before
the Pagan altar casts down the Minerva, and with the
Jews whom he has animated. drives back the Assyrans
His white gown Is placed upon spear "a standard:
the faithful flock about IL. and In the Of Jehovah
they go into battle
The second act begins with cries Of victory. The enc.
my has been defeated at Emmaus, and now Dayid's
Mountain must he gained. Jida and his followers turn
toward Ion But hrst the Assyrians. who have again
bcgun to assemble, must he dispersed In the heavens
the evening star Ia already yisblc announcing the begin