The age-herald., 1902-03-03
PRETTY STORY OF
 HE'S HUGUENOTS"
Opera to be Sung by French Opera Company Here Next Sat
 urday Night.

Every theatre goer is familiar with the story of Faust" Gounod's setting of which will be sung at the Jcifereson The atre next Saturday afternoon by the French Opera Company of New Orleans, but comparatively few persons know the ltbretto of Meybeer's Les Huguenots, because the opera is seldom presented outside of New Orleans and New York. Les Huguenots'' will be sung here next Saturday night and this is the story:
 A short time previous to the massacre of the Huguenots, Raoul de Nangis is in- troduced to his brother officers at the chateau of the Count de Meyers. During the festivities, he relates the manner Tn which he rescued a lady from a party of students, and how he lost his heart'
 During the festivities yelled lady en- ters and requests an audience with De Meyers, and at the request of Queen Mar guerite asks to be released from her promise to marry him, to which, like generous knight, he agrees. The fair Visi- tor Is Valentine, daughter of the Count de St. Bris, maid of honor to the Queen Mar guerite de Valois, and in her Raoul rec ognizeS the lady ne rescued.
 A moment later, Urbian, Page to the Queen, enters and gives Raoul a letter which informs him that, about midnight he will be sought for and led away blind folded. Rather than appear coward he promises to obey.
 Valentine is also deeply in love with Raoul, and the Queen determines to mar F1- AI,of bn young soldier is conducted blindfolded to the gardens in which Marguerite and her ladies are enjoying themselves. The Queen informs him of her intention of giv- ing him in marriage to Catholic lady Valentine the daughter of the Count de St. Bris, the knight promises obedience but when Valentine is introduced before him, he refuses the alliance under the Expression that her affections have all ready been bestowed on another. St. Bris challenges the young soldier to mortal combat for the insult thus offered his daughter but the Queen interposes and disarms the combatants.
 The match being thus broken off, Valen- tine is persuaded to marry De Meyers. Raoul returns to Paris and challenges St. Bris to meet him at the Preaux-Clercs.
 Bent on treachery, St. Bris leads his friend MaIS'evert into a chapel in which Valentine Is praying and discloses a plot to murder Raoul. This is overheard by Valentine who informs Marcel of the intentions of his masters opponents. The ccmbatants meet, and Raoul and Marcel are attacked by a party of armed men, but a band of Protestants rush in to their assistance and the battle becomes gen. eral. until Marguerite enters and inquiries the cause of the disturbances Marcel denounces tho treason. Valentine appears at the chapel gate and St. Bris, tearing off her veil, is thunderstruck at seeing his daughter
 Raoul learns that Valentine loved him alone, but at this instant De Meyers en- ters to lead his bride home. At night, Raoul repairs secretly to De Meyers chateau, and obtains an interview with Valentine; but, on the entrance of her husband and father he conceals himself and overhears a plot to massacre the all swewar, excepting De Meyers, who Is placed under arrest by the conspirators.
 Raoul prepars to leave the chateau to warn his friends, but Valentine cings to him and declares her love, he consents to remain, but when he hears the signal for the massacre. he tears himself from her arms and rushes out.