The Washington herald., 1908-07-19
THE BOHEMIAN GIRL. /,
Plot OF ODerR Concealed to Max
Music the Feature.


Music the Feature.
The plot Of an opera is more or less
concealed from the audience by the ef-
fort on the part Of the composer 10 make
the music the principal feature Hence
It is always interesting and Instructive to
know the argument before the rise Of
the curtain
The Bohemian Girl has for its locale
the town OF Presburg. in Austria The
action Of the opera begins at the chateau
OF Count Arnheiu1. Peasants are making
preparations Tor t.rs chase. when Thad-
deus. a Polish exile. arrives in search of
shelter and concealment- Here he en-
counters a band OF gypsies. headed BY
Devilshoof. vino, learning from Thaddeus
that he is pursued by soldiers. gives him
a disguise. conceals him. and puts the
pursuing troops on the wrong track Just
at this time shouts OF distress are heard
and FlOrenstein appears. surrounded by
huntsmen. The counts child and her at
tendant have been attacked By an infuri-
ated stag In the forest. Hearing this.
ThaddeUs seizes rife. hastens 10 their
relief, and by a well aimed shot kills the
animal and saves them from destruction
The count returns in time to hear Of the
child's peril and TO see Thaddeus bearing
3
Thaddeus with grateful thanks and in
vites him to join in the festivities about
TO take place at the chateau. They seat
themselves at table. and the count pro-
poses the toast: Health and long life to
the Emperor" All except ThaddeUs DO
honor to the toast, and the count chal-
lenges him 10 empty his goblet as the rest
have done. Thaddeus. to the surprise Of
all. dashes the wine to the earth. bring
ing forth a burst Of indignation and
threats Of violence. At this moment Dew
ilshoof returns and takes sides with Thad-
deus. The count orders Devilshoof to be
secured. and ne is tied and carried into
the chateau Thaddeus departs and the
festivities are resumed. During the fete
DeyilshoOf escapes. taking with him the
infant daughter who has Just been saved.
His flight with Airline being instantly dis
covered, the greatest excitement prevails.
The unhappy father sinks IN despair as
the curtain falls on the first act
Twelve years are supposed to elapse.
when the scene IS transported 70 the cen
ter Of the city OF Presburg- GypSies are
encamped in the suburbs. and little airline
is under the care Of the gypsy queen.
Ficrenstein. the f0ppish attache to the
count, Is met by Devilshoof and robbed
OF his jewelry- Among the articles taken
Is a medal lion. which Devllshoof takes
for himself Thaddeus. who has since
Joined the band. is now in love with Ar
line who has grown TO be a handsome
girl. He tells her Il was he who saved
her life IN infancy. but he still conceals
from her the secret Of her birth. airline
confesses her love for Thaddeus. and they
are betrothed according to the gypsy Gus
tom.
A grand fair Is in progress in the plaza
I ~ af II
the gayety OF the scene. Florensteln ap-
pears and is Immediately taken BY the
beauty Of airline. While trying to en-
gage her attention he sees the stolen me
I dallion hanging from her neck and claims
{ It, charging her with having stolen L.
! The supposed thief Is brought before
I Count Arnhein. and he Immediately sees
Z the mark left by the wound inflicted by
I the deer when she was but an infant He
asks her about the scar. and she repeats
i the story as told TO her by Thaddeus- The
/ count recognizes his lonE-Iost child. and
I the act ends with an affect.onate reunion.
In the third act we ind Airline restored
to her rank IN the home Of her father
I But the change in her life does not dirnin-
[ ish her love for Thaddeus He. daring
Z al dangers. comes TO see her and bid
Z farewell. asking that she still remember
[ him, even when surrounded by the luxury
2 OF the court Airline pledges herself @
I him Here il is found that the gypsy
l queen, who also loves ThaddeuS, has beer
plotting TO take him from airline and
Z that i was she who arranged for the dis
covery Of the medallion on the person o,
I Airline Thaddeus. determined 10 win Ar
| line. relates his history 20 the Count
/ Arnheiu. who. in recognition Of his Pol
Z ish rank and IN memory Of his noble
/ work IN the saving Of Airline. bestows his
I daughter upon him Desire for vengeance
now fills the heart Of the gypsy queen
I She induces one Of her tribe 10 IRE or
{ Thaddeus as he is embracing Airline. but
Z by timely movement on the part OF
| Devilshoof she Tushes between and the
I bullet reaches her own heart