, 1885-02-24
An HOUR OF OPERA.
An Interview With Emma Nevada
and Col. MapIeson.
Two Important Additions to This
Evenings Opera.
Lucia DI Lammermoor" And an
Interesting Musical Chat.

As the time draws near for the appear
ance Of Nevada at the opera house the
interest in that event becomes general
and lively. Approaching hat fact a re-
porter of THE LEADER last evening called
at the Inter Ocean hotel and sent his
card to the apartments Of Col. Mapleson,
the veteran operate manager. A few
moments later the colonel greeted the re-
porter with that courtly and dignifed
grace which becomes his fifty odd years
and which marks him a cultured gentle
mar Of the old school. After a few
moments conversation about the jour
ney Her Msiesty's Company to this
city and matters connected with the opera
of Lucia III Lammes7noor the reporter
asked Col. Mapleson to give a brief ac-
Gun of the plot ofthe opera for the ben
eft Of those who may never have heard it.
THE dramohspersonae of the opera,
and a beautiful OPERA it is, consists said
Col. Mapleson. of Sir Henry Ashton,
a brother of Lucy, Edgar of Ra~venswood,
Arthur, a friend Of Sir Henry Ashton
and bridegroom Of Lucy Raymond, an
aged priest and adviser of the Ashton
family, Norman, a retainer of the fam
lily, Lucie Ashton, a sister of Sir Henry
who is betrothed in secret to Edgar of
Ravenswood, Alice, her attendant, and
huntsmen, retainers, guests, servants, etc.
The plot Of the opera is one Of interest
and is given in the librettoes."
Although the colonel did not repeat the
plot it would doubtless be wise, in order
to give the reader a clearer understanding
of the entertainment this evening. to men
ton it at this time.
''Sir Edgar Rayenswood, a poor but
proud Scotch nobleman. becomes enamor-
ed Of "Lucie, the sister Of Lord Ash
ton, who holds the forfeited Ravens
wood estates, and is still further embitter-
ed against Sir Edgar by political
prejudices. Added to this he desires to
effect a marriage between "Lucie" and
Lord Arthur Bucklaw.' that he may re-
pair a fortune somewhat impaired by dis
"Lueie," however, loves the
landless Edgar better than the Lord
Of B~ucklaw,' and when Edgar is sent
on an embassy to France, she'plights her
to him.
While in France, ''Sir Edgar dis
many fond missives to his below
ed Louie but they are intercepted by
her brother, who is ever ready, beside, to
put the worst construction upon the APP
parent neglect Of the absent lover.
'Lucie," however, still loves, in spite of
neglect and her brother, annoyed by her
steady faith, and urged on by his personal
wants, not less than by bitter hate of "Sir
Edgar at last FORCES a paper tending to
prove thar ''Sir Edgar is unfaithful to
her.
Torn by conflicting emotions, glowing
love, tortured by jealousy, and
almost to madness by the cease
less taunts and solicitations of her brother,
he unhappy "Lucie' at length, I'm will
Ingly, consents to become the bride of
'sBucklaw." The dreaded marriage takes
place, but amid the festivities of the
after the newly-wedded pair have
groans are heard proceeding from
Inc nuptiai chamber on entering which
Lord Bucklaw" is discovered, bleed
ing to death. The storm of passion has
proved too much for "Lucie," and now,
N wild mania, she brandishes the sword
IF the husband whom she has slain, men
icing the horror-stricken guests. Soon
her senses return, but only as life departs,
The terrible event which completes her
catalogue of miseries, and precipitates
her death. ~startles and wakes rcmorse in
heart of Lord Henry Ashton her
brother, and he c~ontemplates, with min
sled terror and grief, the result of his
Vaccinations. Sir Edgar returns to
take a last look upon her whom he loved,
and deemed false, but is undeceived-
inds that she has been faithful unto death
md mingles his tears with those of her
preceptor, Raymond over the sad fate
'i the unfortunate LUCE.
n scene oil ms opera Is iald IN Scot
and, and the facts upon which the plot Is
BASED occurred IN loov.
referring TO the argument OF the opera
.ol MapleSon sad
Az the opening oil the third act Ed
IS discovered alone IN his house.
brother enters suddenly and
Edgar thinks the storm has blown open
he door. a moment later the famous