The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-03-13
The Valkyrie' Delights
Lovers of Grand Opera

the landgrave, enter, recognize him and
persuade him to rejoin them.
Act Ii is the tournament of song.
The theme of the contest is to be the
nature and praise Of love, and the prize
of the victor the hand of Elisabeth,
whom Tannhauser loves, and by whom
he is beloved. During the contest Tam
hauser disputes all the other MINISTRIES
say, and, having loved profanely, out
RACES the assembly by his revelations
of what he conceives to be love. The
Ministries, challenge him, and would de-
stroy him, but for the sudden interpo-
sition of Elisabeth. A train of pill
grims is taking its way to Rome; Tam
hauser,s who sees too late than an illu-
sion had blinded him, despairingly joins
them, whilst Elisabeth, on whom the
discovery of his nnworthiness has struck
a mortal blow, conjures him to repent.
In act III Wolfram, a man of noble
| Elisabeth, awaits with her the return
/ of the pilgrims. They come, but Tam
hauser is not amongst them; Elisabeth
now solemnly consecrates herself to the
1 Virgin When she has departed, Tam
hauser enters furtively, in .pitiable
| plight, ON, his way to re-enter the Hill
of Venus. He tells Wolfram of his pill
/ grimage, of his self-tormenting remorse,
of his humble appeal to the pope, who,
/ learning the nature of his sin, declared
/ it as impossible for him to be absolved
as for the staff he held in his hand
! again to put forth fresh leaves. Spurned
| and accused by all, nothing is left for
him but to return to the joys he loathes.
Wolfram appeals are vain to d1ssuade
! him. he ipYokes the internal train,
/ which is becoming dimly visible, when
a chant is heard, followed by the fu-
neral procession of Elisabeth, and
second band Of pilgrims appears on the
/ heights announcing that miracle has
I been wrought.
4 During the night the staff of the
i pope has put forth fresh green leaves,
and he sends into all lands to declare
the Almighty 8, pardon to the repented
sinner.
i Faust-Wednesday Evening.
! The story of Faust is, perhaps, the
best known of all the operas. In the
first act, Faust is seen alone in his
study about to drink from poisoned
chalice, but he is recalled by first one
chorus of happy voices and then an
i other until he curses all human pas
sions and calls on Satan to aid him.
Mephistopheles appears and offers him
riches, glory, power, but Faust prefers
youth. and a compact is made by which
4 during life, but at death the master
4 becomes the slave. Faust hesitates and
is shown a vision of Marguerite. En-
1 raptured, he signs the document, drinks
the cup handed to him, and is trans
formed from old age to youth.
In Act II Mephistopheles tells the
fortunes of the Siebel, the sutton Of
Marguerite, and of Valentine, her
brother. Valentine takes exception to
the way his sister s name is mentioned,
there is a quarrel, but Mephistopheles
entrenches himself behind a magical bar
rier traced by his sword. The soldiers
present their crosstshaped sword hits
and Mephistopheles is compelled to re-
treat. He returns and is Joined by
Faust, who desires to be brought face
to face with Marguerite. She follows
the happy villagers and, encouraged by
Mephistopheles, Faust accosts her but
is gently repulsed.
In Act III, Siebel leaves flowers in
/ Marguerite garden. Mephistopheles
aids Faust in placing a casket beside
the blossoms. Marguerite enters and,
passing the flowers by, opens the casket
of her childish admiration her neigh
: Dor, Martha, finds her. While she is
! trying to explain, ,Mephistopheles and
Faust appear, and Marguerite confesses
she has lost her heart to Faust.
Act ". finds Marguerite at her spin
ming wheel waiting the return of Faust,
WHOSE lung dDSeuce SHe refuses TO De-
| 1ieve is desertion Her former COM
, panious gather outside and leer at her
in her misfortune, and Siebel offers to
find Faust and avenge her wrongs. Mar
!; guerite seeks comfort in the church, but
! at the threshold meets the fiend. She
struggles against his influence and
rushes into the sanctuary. Valentine
comes back from the war and, learning
the truth, draws his sword against
Faust. who has returned. He is NOR
tally wounded and dies cursing his SIS
ter.
In Act V, as Faust joins in scene
Of revelry,. he is reminded of Mar
i guerite and, dragging Mephistopheles
!, with him, forces his way into the prison
where Marguerite,is asleep. He wakens
her and urges her to fly with him.
, Mephistopheles joins in the entreaty,
, and Marguerite, at sight of the fend,
!, calls on heaven to protect her. She sees
: in Faust the murderer of her brother.
E and, repulsing him, sinks ifeless to the
, floor while the celestial voices proclaim
] her "saved.''