Omaha daily bee., 1898-11-13

revenge, the bewitched child. who VISA a
weakling. The Count di Luna enters and
at the sound Of his voice. which Leonora
mistakes for that Of Manrico-Il Troyatore
(the troubadour)-she enters upon the scene.
greets the count and is followed by Manrico.
in person. who, feeling that he has been
betrayed. upbraids her.
And so the usual operate misunde-stand-
ing occurs.
Then there comes the necessary duel, when
the troubadour is wounded by the count, and
eventually finds his way to a gypsy encamp-
ment. Here Azucena tells Manrico the story
that opens the opera. adding also that she
sacrificed her own child by throwing 1t into
the flames which were burning her mother,
thinking 1t was the child Of the count. This
is in the second act Immediately following
the e-hallowed anvil Chorus in the
gypsy camp. Azucena's aria. Stride lie
Vampa." Is one OF the features OF the opera,
as is also the counts famous al Balen.''
Manrico is summoned by a messenger VINO
is heralded by the sounds of a morn and he
leaves to rescue Leonora, who has entered
a convent, believing his wound fatal. He
arrives in time to prevent her taking the
vows and carries her to the castle. which
is attacked Immediately by the count. The
third act is opened by a soldiers chorus.
and Azucena, the unfortunate, is dragged In
and calls upon Manrico fo- help. This in
censes the count, who orders that Azucena
be burnt. Fernando makes an effort to res
cue her, as he has heard her call to Manrico
and recognizes her as his mother. Leonora
appeals to the count to spare Manrico, say
ing she will marry the count, but Manrico
refuses his liberty. Leonora having taken
yatcpn II avntI fhn p,nrriau o rnnsranf fo11a
dead. Manrico is dragged to his death, the
count showing the event to Azucena, who
informs the count that he has murdered his
own brother.
The last act has the fine 'Miserere'' and
the beautiful duet "Li la Stanchezza."
The "Cavalleria Rusticana," or Rustic
Chivalry," is a short musical melodrama
in one act by Pietro Mascagni. 1t opens
with a beautiful prelude, growing gradually
more animated until it loses itself in the
andante movement of the "Siciliana," which
is Turridu's serenade to Lola. This gem
breaks rapidly and loudly into q bit Of
theme which Is suggestive of what preceded
the Song, then an allegro or fast movement
follows. until shortly the love theme, which
is afterward heard in the great duet be-
tween santuzza and Turridu (soprano and
tenor, is introduced, and gradually dimin-
ishing, closes the prelude.
The scene is laid in Sicily. The time is
Easter Sunday morning. The curtain rises
on an empty stage with a church to the
right, to the left an inn and Mother Lucia's
house. There is quite a long Introduction
to the first chorus, then come peasants
crossing the scene. and in continued mo-
ton they sing a bright morning song. Some
enter the church and some withdraw.
San.uzza enters and asks Mother Lucia
(contralto) where Is Turridu, the son" The
mother wants to know the evil news, when
Santuzza says, II am communicated. u
The conversation Is interrupted by the en-
trance Of the chorus cracking whips and
followed by Alto (baritone), the husband
OF Lola, for whom Turridu has deserted
santuzza. Here ensues a jolly chorus,
"Crack, Goes the Whlplash.'i The crowd
Of happy waggoners and peasants disperses
and Alto enters the church. Then comes
the great church scene, with the celebrated
Easter hymn. a ~favorite concert number.
Here, as the organ ceases, all enter the
church except Mother Lucia and Santuzza,
The latter tells how she has been betrayed
and that she will beg Turridu to be faithful
Lucia enters the church and Turridu APP
pCaiS, thtAO 10 al oSSuS
between the two, interrupted beautifully by
the song in the distance Of the approaching
Lola, who comes in and enters the church
Then the scene 10 resumed to b. continued
with tremendous passion until finally Tur.
ridu dashes Santuz,a from him and enters
the church. ALTO enters and learns from
Santuzza OF the faithlessness OF his wife
Lola, and the terrific ending Of the scene
where he swears vendetta leads into the
peaceful and beautiful "intermezzo." After
this the chorus resumes it's first theme ant
Is followed by the drinking song, which
brings Alto on the scene: after some parle,
he embraces Turridu, ears are bitten ant
the challenge Is complete. A scene Of Patio,
is here introduced, when Turridu, repentent
asks his mothers blessing and tells her {,
take care OF Santuzza. She is alarmed AM
asks what is the matter and receives tn
answer, "Ah! nothing! the wine has turne,
my head" His kisses OF farewell are tn
last notes OF the sto' v: which ends in hi
death. practically speaking. Santuzza fall
insensible, the people are terror-stricke
and a quick curtain ends the opera.
Il Pagliacci" is the title which Leoncayal,
chose for the opera of his which made al
instantaneous success. The title mean.
clowns. Mascagni broke away from ira
dition when he introduced a song in tn,
middle of the overture Of "Cavalleria Rus
t%icana,' and Leoncavallo has done the sam
by having a prologue in his prelude t
"Pagliacci." The scene Is laid in Italy, an,
like Cavalleria, the time is the observanc
OF a religious holiday. After a harangu
to the villagers the com pany goes to hay,
some liquid refreshments-all except Tonic
who waits behind to make love to Media
the wife Of Canio. who Is the proprietor
Media sings what is usually known as tn
Bird Song" and at the end Of 1t Toni,
makes his declaration Of the tender passion
His overtures, however, are resented an
he leaves in high dudgeor and with a re
solve to- be avenged. He discovers Nedd
some tim after with her real lover. Silvie
and fastening to find Canio, he proceeds I
show him his wife's infdelity; Canio jus
misses seeing his rival and asks his wifi
the name Of her lover. She refuses to tel
and is Therefore about to be stabbed by he
husband when Beppo, the harlequin, inter