New-York tribune., 1907-11-17

ing and at the Saturday matinee. signor Alhani.
the new italian tenor. will again be heard as Man
rico in III Trovatore at the next popular Saturday
night opera.
"rhals' was composed by Massenet for the late
Sybn Sanderson and with it the American soprano
helped to keep alive the admiration shown for he's
by French audiences The book OF "Thais"
written by Louis Galet. after the well known
nance by Anatole France, and the work had its
first production at the Paris Opera March 16.
1895. Delmas then created the role OF Athauael,
which Renaud will assume here. The story of
''Thals'' is that Of the redemption Of courtesau
through the urseIdsh efforts OF a Jealous man who
at the last finds that his feeling for her has be-
come oue of earthly as we'll S of spiritual love
The story takes place early in the Christian
i opens in the Desert Of Thebcs. where Athanacl,
of n religious order known the Ccuobites.
in a vision That's the r"guing beauty of alex
andria. acting in the theatre before great throng
Waking, Ii" determines to save her soul, and
turns to alexandria. where, youth, be had
, been among the reckless. The second scene is i'm
= the sumptrous house of Nrias, in AIexanirIa. Nj
receives Athauacl kindly but when me tells his
mission laughs him TO That's comes. and
Athanael tells her bluutly taat lie has come 60
bring her to the only true God Thais is sfepti-
cal though the earnestncss of Athanarl makes AN
impression hcA
In the second act, the FIST scene shows "a room
in the abode of TaaIs Sh" priys The goddess for
eternal beauty Athanacl appears. She treats his
words hippantly AT first hut lac proc, eds she
grows frightened ana at last defiant. Athauurl de
parts saying he will pass thc night on her doorstep
The second scene shows the square in front of the
house. Athanael sleeps. That's comes from the
house to tell him that she is ready follow II ne
will lead. All she would keep is "a small statuc;te
of Eros But Athanae breaks ii to pieces and tells
her 10 90 within and put lighted torch to al hey
earthly possessions. At this moment Nicas who
has won fortune at gaming. emerges from
house opposite with his companions and orders q
diversion Of singing dancing and drinking. As this
proceeds That's comes out, meauIy clad, followed
by her lamonting women. She tons Athanae and
flames are seen to issue from the house. As it
burns. the populaee grow excited ard resent the
Athanael. but Nicias causes diversion by throw
ing gold to the people. In the midst Of the mad
scramble That's and Athanael escape.
In the third after a long and painful journey
Athanael and Thats reach the oasis. Athanael
bathes her bleeding feet and brings her food and
at the appearance of Albine and the White Ladies
delivers her TO them to pass l,sr life. When
they bid farewell That's is spiritually exalted. but
I the mans affection has become more human
, Scene II shows Athanael in despair He confesses
that despite his prayers and 1ageations the image
of That's is always before hinr-he loves her Then
in Il vision That's appears to him. first was
and dying at the monastery in the desert The
third shows the monastery. That's lies dying
The White Ladies look her a saint, for she
is worn out wi'h renance and repentance. Athanac
comes He hopes 20 bring her back to life and love
but she is beyond earthly emotion. Quoting Atha-
nael's own msxms, she sees heaven open before
her and hears the rustic OF angels wings while
he calls upon her in desparing tones her spirit
passes away.