Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-21
STORIES OF THE OPERA.
ezra Diavolo."

Id OldVOAOs
The scene Of this romantic story Is in
Italy and the main interest centers upon
Zerlina, the beautiful daughter Of the inn
keeper Matteo.
Zerlina Is in love with Lorenzo, a young
soldier. whose poverty alone prevents him
from finding favor in the eyes Of her
father; and Matteo has determined to
unite his daughter to a rich farmer. whom
he considers a more eligible husband.
Lorenzo, about to set off with his COM
pany of carbineers in search of Fra d.
avolo. a noted bandit chieftain. for whose
arrest reward has been offered. takes
parture is delayed by the arrival of Lord
Allcash and his lady, who declare, with
great agitation. that they have been robbed
on the highway.
sand ducats for the recovery Of his stolen
property-mainly a casket Of jewels-and
then upbrafds his wife for her coquettish-
ness, and particularly the encouragement
she has given to the attentions Of
Neapolitan marquis. In the midst of their
quarrel the Marquis OF San Carlo himself
arrives Ito the great dismay Of Lord ALL
CASH and renews his assiduities toward
the lady.
The marquis is Fra Diavolo in disguise,
and while taking his supper he Is Joined
by two Of his band. Giacomo and Beppo.
and they all obtain lodgings for the night
at the inn.
Lorenzo and the soldiers now return.
having achieved a victory over the bandits.
resulting in the recovery Of the stolen
Jewels. Lord Allcash pays the promised
reward and Zerlina and Lorenzo are
happy.
Act second occurs in Zerlinas chamber.
In which Fra Diavolo, with his two ad-
herents, conceal themselves for the pur-
pose of executing the projected robbery.
Zerlina makes her night toilet and finally
retires to her couch and the robbers are
about to commence their enterprise when
a noise sends them to hiding place in an
old lumber closet. 1t is Lorenzo and the
soldiers returned to the inn-and Lord ALI
cash, awakened by the noise. enters the
chamber. where he is soon Joined by
Lorenzo. The bandits inadvertently over
turn a piece of furniture In their place of
concealment and Lord Allcash and Lorenzo
prepare to search the apartment, which
the marquis anticipates by stepping alone
from the closet and informing Lorenzo
that he was there by appointment with
Zerlina, while he makes the English noble
man miserable by insinuating that he was
there to meet Lady Allcash.
Act third represents the exterior of the
inn with mountains in the background. Fra
DiavOlo deposits in a place of concealment
written orders for his followers and re-
tires, while parties of peasants arrive, ex-
pecting Matteo and the bridegroom upon
whom the innkeeper intends bestowng his
daughter.
Giacomo and Beppo who are in their
| lingering DetiiHu Huu tuc "Eitteh
orders of their chief, read them with much
difficulty and the former secures the paper
upon his person.
Matteo, Zerlina and soldiers now appear,
and the landlord orders wine to treat the
latter and the wedding party. The two
robbers drink deeply: and while Zerlina
is imploring Lorenzo to believe her inno-
cent. they suddenly notice her and recol-
lecting the scene before the looking glass
on the previous night. they ludicrously
Initiate her words and actions. Zerlina
tells Lorenzo that those drunken persons
are repeating word for word language
which she has used as she supposed, in the
privacy of her own chamber Lorenzo i'm
medIately arrests the bandits. discovers
Fra Diavolo's orders and uses them to eff
feet the destruction of their chieftain
With the death Of Fra Diayolo and the
happy reconciliation OF Lorenzo and Ter
lima the opera terminates.