The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-04

winch Ihey make thelr way through the
water, singing in liquid consonents:
W Wss wv Wa W,sse wog Ws da ws sI:;
Walala, Wela weia
Now 1t must be understood that some of
their words-which by the way have been
much criticised-belong to the mermaid Ian
guage. Absolutely meaningless in them
selves their effect is exquisite when taken in
connection with the enhancing music and
motion of the pretty singers. Suddenly a
harsh dissonant chord is heard and the dwarf
Alterich appears, climbing laboriously over
the large rocks of the river-bed The or
chestra plays theme descriptive of forging,
for this gnome, who tries to woo the Rhine
daughter. A merry, frolicsome scene ensues
in which he is alternately allured by them,
then repulsed with jeers and laughter. AT
last Alterich gives up, tie pursuit of these
tantalizing water mikes. and stands, the
image of rage and dispair, threatening them
with clenched his fist When loI the sun
which has slowly arisen touches huge lump
OF gold fastened to rock overhead. This is
the Rheingold, treasure which is guarded
by the Rhine daughters Awakened by the
sun, its light streams downward through the
blue waters with wondrous simmer and
glow. lighting all things with its soft radi-
ance. The instruments take up a most ex-
quisite shimmering melody, the ''gold fam
fam and the Rhine maidens sing a joyous
greeting to their charge. Alterich gazes and
listens, lost in wonder. in the conversation
which follows he learns from these maidens,
who can gossip like any other little maidens,
that to acquire this treasure one must re
nounce the highest of all earthly Joys, wom-
ans love, and devote the entire strength of
mind and body to the accumulation of gold.
Also. that whoever fashions ring from it
will become invested with Illimitable power.
Alterich reflects that he is unable to win the
love of either maiden, therefore the gold will
be no mean substitute. He climbs eagerly
toward the rock to which it is fastened
while we bear the ''Nibelung motive" again.
in sharp hurried movement. lie reaches
the summit. "Hark We foods! Love / re
nounce forever" he cries. A crashing
mighty chord is struck as he tears the treas
ure from the rock. Immediately all becomes
dark. The frightened Rhine maidens rush
after him urging him in piteous despairing
accents to give back the gold. But Alterich
remains satisfied with his choice and will not
listen to them and the scene ends in the
bitter laments.
Henceforth the Rheingold which in its
proper place was source of joy only, be-
comes curse to its unlawful posse ssor, and
1t causes crime and misery until it is at last
restored to its home in the Rhine alter.
Scene second introduces us to Walhalla
the abode Of the gods. There we find Wotan
and his wife Fricka who is the guardian of
the family relations. She had sister named
Freia, the goddess of youth and beauty,
two brothers Bonner and Froh are gods of
thunder and war. Loge or Loki is the fire.
god.
In the background we see stately castle.
Through deep valley beneath flows the
Rhine In the foregroun upon a grassy
slope, recline the sleeping forms of Wotan
ana fricka. We hear the majestic Walhalla
music as the mists slowly roll away before
the morning sun. Wotan gradually
awakens and fixes his delighted gaze upon
the CASTLE This structure has Just been
erected by the giants Fafnir and Fasolt. 1t
is to be an everlasting stronghold for the
gods from whence they may in safety rule
the world. But alasl Even the gods are
not exempt from the exhorbItant demands of
architects and builders. The price of this
fine house is very dear; nothing less than
the beautiful Freia. Wotan having thrown
on his drowsiness sings the praises of his
castle. Economical wife that she is
tne prudent Fricka does not share his
enthusiasm. She has counted the cost.
snc reproaches her spouse for making sucb
a bargain Soon the lovely .'Freia motive,
breaks In upon this conjugal spat and Freia
enters In flight from the giants The melody
then changes to hard relentless tbeme ana
we hear the heavy tread of the giants who
have come to claim their reward. Bonner
and Froh come to the rescue of their sister
Froh snatches her to his arms but Wotan
dares not offend these big fellows He is
about to surrender Freia when Loge appears
The theme which precedes him is of crafty
Pickering character like his own nature and
the uncertain element he rules. Loge saws
that he has searched the whole world through
and has found nothing that can requite men
for woman's love or in short would induce
the giants to relinquish Freia, except the
wonderful Rheingold. He describes the
theft by Alterich and so eloquently does the
willy fellow portray its power that all present
begin to feel It's subtle influence. Each be-
gins TO burn with desire to possess it while
we again hear the lovely Rheingold music.
Wotan eagerly reflects that it will give
him more power. Freia asks if from it may