New-York tribune., 1901-12-08

fidelity of his wife, and says TO his chaplain
that he would defy the Devil himself to over
come her LOYALTY Whereupon the Devil appears
and makes bet with the marquis that the
Young spouse Will not remain true TO her vows.
taking from the marquis the wedding ring IN
token of the wager. After the departure OF the
marquis, the Devil and his wife, Ffamina, plan
all sorts OF stratagems to bring about the perdi-
ton of Griselidis By the aid of complacent
sylphs the Devil brings into the presence OF
Criselids her former lover, Alain. Grisehdls
seems perilousy succumbng. when her
child Lows. Unexpectedly runs in, and the
rnotber saves the wife. Nothing daunted by this
failuye. the Devil. who perceives the most vul-
nerable pont in the womans nature, succeeds
8, stealing the infant Loys. What has become
NJ the child? The faithful servants of the castle
seek for Loys in vain. One morning an old man
appears and hands message to Grisehdls as
she is kneeling in prayer before the statue OK
Saint Agnes. The message announces that Loys
is in the possession of a pirate, who consents TO
restore the child in exchange for a kiss. The
faithful wife. burning with Indignation, takes
from the wall a dagger, which she dips In holy
water and hastens to the seaside
Meanwhile the crusader returns to his castle
The Devil with mocking words, Is there alone
to welcome him. Griselidis of whom the mar
suspicious appears. The crusader embraces his
wife draws his sword and vengeance
upon the abductor of his son. We are now In
fairyland but a celestial fairyland contrasting
with the diabolical fairyland Of the second act
The statue of Saint Agnes is spirited away, as Is
also the panoply of arms belonging to the mar
ouis The crusader falls in prayer before the
altar Suddenly the golden crucif1 is trans
formed into radiant sword. The tapers and
candles Of the chapel miraculously lighted
A Magnificat is chanted by invisible voices. The
centre of the sacred triptych opens and dis
closes the image of Saint Agnes holding the In
FAINT Loys in her arms. The Devil is forever
banished from the castle, and the curtain 1aiis.
This medieval fairy tale affords Massenet an
admirable canvas for the embroidery of grace
full and delicate musical themes. enhanced oy
sklful orchestration. The vocal music is dreamy
and poetic and the melodies are fully worthy OF
tne reputation of the composer of Manon,
"Herodiade." "Esclamonde" "Cendrillon" Sap
pho" and That's The prologue, which in
PRODUCES all the personages of the opera except
the Devil and the Devils wife. Fiamina, is de-
l,ghtful The song of the love stricken shepherd
Alan
Ouvrez-vous sur front, portes du paradis!
Je vais revofr Grisehdis
will certainly be heard in many a drawing
room during the coming winter. At the end OF
the prologue. after the marquis surrounded oy
his hunting attendants, has proclaimed his love
for Griselidis and escorts his bride to his castle
beneath an archway of laurel branches. the hap
less Alan resumes his theme. and as he sinks to
the ground singing the words
Fernez-vous sur mon front. portes du paradis,
Car TAI perdu Griseiidis,
the curtain falls the prologue.
The Devil. as introduced to US by Massenet. is
by no means the fashionable. staggering cox
comb OF the familiar Mephtstopheles type. He
is a little wizened wry faced. monkeylike Devil
of the Middle Ages. with uncanny. batlike claws
and Holsters tail.
There is captivating poetry in the temptation
scene in the first act where the sylphs bring
the young shepherd Alain into the presence Of
c;riselidis It is in the midst Of forest Satanic
love incantations are chanted by mysterious
voices Scores of sylvan nymphs, clad in waving
mauve garments. the spangles Of which glisten