Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-05
STORIES OF THE OPERA.
"The Serenade."

It is one Of the traditions of the stage
that the plot of an opera should be care
fully concealed in order that the audience
may give undivided attention to the score.
AS rule the singers cannot. or VIII nQt.
enunciate thus keeping the plot vague
and hazy, to the great annoyance OF thos"
unfamiliar with the story. 1t Is FOR this
reason that The Star prints the complete
plot of THE Serenade" for the benefit of
those anxious to know just what y is all
about.
The scene is laid in Spain. A syndicate
of bandits of which Romero is president,
has it's main camping grounds in the
mountains near a haunted castle belong
ing to the Duke of Santa Cruz. The duke
brings his ward, Dolores, to this castle in
order to separate her from her admirer.
Alverado. baritone Of the Madrid Opera
Company. Alverado has won Dolores by
a peculiarly striking serenade. which he
sang to her from the stage at Madrid.
The duke can identify Alverado only by
this serenade. Alverado learns of the
dukes Journey with Dolores and takes
the Mace of position, afterward engag-
ing as chef at the castle In order to be
near her.
Three new characters are here intro
duced: Colombo. superannuated French
tenor: Yvonne. his daughter. Daiiet
dancer. and Gomez. a tailor Colombo
and Yvonne are on their way to NIL an
engagement in pantomlme IN Wnlcn Co.
lombO Is to play the devil In the noun
tains they encounter Gomez. and all three,
pursued by brigands' take refuge IN me
castle Gomez, having fallen In love with
I.Dolores and thinking Alverado's success
with that lady was due to the serenade,
determines to learn the song lie taxes
to the wood to practice. In thls way ne
meets Colombo and demands that the rat
ter give him lessons in the serenade. Co
lombo does So The music lesson is over
heard by the duke. who. taking Colombo
for Alyerado looks up the former In the
castles haunted tower. BY appearing In
a window of the castle. dressed as Me-
phsto, Colombo frightens his purSuers
away The first act ends with the repulse
of the brigands by the servants or the
duke, led by Alverado.
The second act opens with the scene laid
in the adjoining gardens of monastery
and a convent school. Dolores has been
placed in the convent by the duke. AL
verado takes refuge in the monastery
from his creditors. Dolores learns that
Alverado is in the monastery. and In or
der to see him and escape from the con-
vent she proposes that she and Yvonne.
who is seeking AlveradO, change cos
tunes. AS gardeners boy. Dolores Will
find Alverado in the monastery while IN
the gown and veil of novice fVonne
can take Dolores place In the convent.
This is done. The duke returns to the
convent, pursuing Gomez whom he heard
singing the serenade. Gomez has been
practicng in a hollow tree. Gomez and
AlveradO teach the serenade to the monks
in order TO throw the duke Off the track.
The monks sing it chant and the
school girls across in the convent, take
up the song. The duke enters the con-
vent and Yvonne. heavily yelled. answers
to his call for Dolores. The duke takes
Yvonne away with him, thinking she Is
Dolores.
In the third act the brigand syndicate
g found at business meeting. and the
legend of the haunted tower Is sung by
Romero. Colombo. who was left in the
castle by the duke, has made free with
the wine. The duke, returning with
Yvonne. who has never lifted her veil.
hears Colombo singing in the tower and
goes to investigate. Gomez makes love
10 Yvonne, thinking she Is Dolores
Yvonne reveals herself to him and asks
his help in her escape from the duke and
release of her father. Colombo. This is
accomplished. The duke. still haunted
by the serenade. suspects both Gomez and
Colombo. AS he Is about to wreak VEN
geance on them the whole party is cap
tured by the brigands. now headed by AL
verado. The duke, being q magistrate. IL
given this choice: He may pardon every
body and consent to the marriage OF any
one who wishes to marry any one else. or
he shall be hanged instantly. The duke
chooses wisely
general amnesty and matrimonial cpl
demic ends the opera.