The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-21
NEW YEARS AT GERMAN HOUSE.
There Will BE a Performance of 'sThe
MascOt"-The Cast.

The New Years eve entertainment at
the German House will be a performance
of 1.-THE Mascot" light opera, by Edmond
Audran, that was much sung in this coun-
try ten years ago. The Musikverein has
had to go outside its membership for some
of the principal singers, but the organiza-
tons chorus and orchestra will participate
and Mr.. Ernestinoff will conduct. The
stage will be fully dressed and the COM
pany will be completely costumed The
translation from French to English of the
operas libretto is preceded by the following
argument:
1.-THE scene of the opera is laid i'm Piom-
bino, Italy, in the fifteenth century. The
stage represents a farm, when the peasants
are celebrating the vintage festival. Rocco,
the farmer, instead of joining the pleas
ures. sits modify apart. In reply to the
peasants, who ask the reason, he declares
that ii is on account of his ill-luck, which
turns all his efforts to disadvantage. Pip
pc. his shepherd, whom he had sent to his
brother for aid in his msfortunes, returns
bringing only a basket of eggs and a letter.
to the disgust of Rocco. with the Informal
ton that his brother has sent, also, his
turkey keeper, Bettina, who will bring good
fortune to his house, she being a mascot
or hearth angel, whose presence makes a
home happy and prosperous. Pippo gives
a glowing description of Bettina's charms
and accomplishments. which Rocco laughs
erwards, she meets with a cold welcome
from him, and order to return whence
she came. While she is preparing to leave
the scene is interrupted by the arrival of a
hunting party, consisting of Prince Lorenzo,
his daughter, Prince Frederic and members
OF the court, who stop at the farm for rest
and refreshment after the chase. The
prince, who deems himself one of the I'M
lucky ones, takes notice of Bettina, and
by accident learns that she is the possessor
of peculiar virtues, and determines to take
har~ 70. tic nrf
for his own advantage. Rocco appeals
from his decision. but the prince pacifies
him with the promise to make him court
chamberlain, with large powers and emolu-
ments. He then ennobles Bettina. as
Countess OF Panada, and with these added
TO the party, turns gayly homeward, leav-
ing Plppo behind, 10 his great disgust, and
the sorrow of Bettina.
In the second act We find the characters
at the grand-ducal palace at Piombino A
grand fete is to be given in honor of the
marriage of Fiametta. the princes daugh-
ter. to Frederic, the crown prince of Pisa
Bettina is in great favor at the court, and
is believed to be the kings favorite. While
she, weary of the splendor that surrounds
her, pines for peasant life. and for her
absent lover, Pippo. Among the other
wedding entertainments is to be a display
given by company of actors and dancers,
the principal one of which, under the name
of Saltarelle, turns out to be Pippo In dis
guise. The lovers meet and plan an es-
cape, which fails. however, through Rocco,
WHO dliHOulceS the. presence or PlppO TO
the prince. and his arrest. Meanwhile
Fiametta has taken great fancy to
Pippo, and turns her back upon Frederic.
She acknowledges her passion TO the for
mer and tells him that Bettina is false TO
him. and about TO marry her father, the
Prince Lorenzo. AT the last moment, Pippo
and Bettina come together again. and
explain matters. In a moment of general
confusion, resulting from the cross-pur-
poses of all parties. they escape by leap
ing through a window and into the river
below. to the horror of all present.
I'm the third act the scene lies in the
large hall of an Italian inn, in the duchy
of Pisa. Soldiers of the P.san army are
carousing in honor of their recent victories,
gained under the lead of Frederic. over the
armies of Lorenzo Pippo appears as
captain and friend of Frederic, and Bet
tina, as a young trooper in which disguise
she has fought through the war. as the
companion of Pippo. They reveal their
real names ard persons to Frederic. and
Pippo declares his intention TO leave the
army, and marry Bettina at once While
the preparations are making for the we'd
ding Lorenzo, Piametta and Rocco. dis
guised as strolling Ministries and wander