The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-05
.EPITORIZED STORY
. OF THE SERENADE"
Plots and Counter Plots
That Keep Audience in
Perfect Maze.

1t is one Of the traditions Of the
stage that the plot of an opera should
be carefully concealed, in order that
the audience may give undivided at
tention to the score As a rule, the
singers cannot. or Will not. enunciate.
thus keeping the plot vague and hazy,
10 the great annoyance Of those IN
familiar with the story. For this
reason here is the complete plot OF
1.-THE Serenade
The scene is laid IN Spain. a syn
dicate Of bandits, Of which Romero is
president. has it's main camping
grounds in the mountains near a
haunted castle belonging to the Duke
ward, Dolores, 10 this castle in order
10 separate her from an admirer, Al
verado. baritone Of the Madrid opera
Company. Alve-ado has won Dol
ores by a peculiarly striking serenade,
which he sang 70 her from the stage
at Madrid. The duke can identify Al
verado only BY this serenade- Al
verado learns OF the dukes Journey
with Dolores and takes the place Of
position, afterward engaging as
chef at the castle in order 20 be near
her
Three new characters are here intro
duced: Colombo. sUperannuated
French tenor; Yvonne. his daughter. q
ballet dancer. AID Gomez, a tailor
Colombo and YvDlne are on their way
10 fill an engagement IN a pantomime
in which Colombo is 10 play the devil
In the mountains they encounter Co
mez, and all three. pursued by bri-
gands. take refuge in the castle Co
mez. having fallen IN love with Dolores.
and thiuki1g AlveTadO's success with
that lady was due 10 the serenade, de-
terInines 70 learn the song He takes
70 the wooG 70 practice In this way
lie meets Colombo and demands that
the latter give him lessons in the
serenade. ColOmo) does so. The music
lesson IS overheard by the duke. who.
taking Colombo 70. AlveradO, locks up
the former in the castles haunted tow
er. BY appearing IN a window OF the
castle. dressed as Nephisto. Colombo
! frightens his pursuers away The first
act enGs with the repulse OF the bri-
gands by the servants OF the duke, led
by Alverado.
The second act opens with the scene
laid in the adjoining gardens OF a
monastery and a convent school Do
lores has been placed in the convent
by the duke Alverado takes refuge in
the monastery from his creditors.
Dolores learns that AlveradO IS IN
proposes that she and Yvonne. who IS
seeking AlveradO. change costumes. As
gardeners boy, Dolores will find Alive
RADIO in the monastery. while in the
gown and veil Of a novice. Yvonne 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 practicing in a hollow tree Co
nsez and Alverado teach the serenade
10 the monks, in order 10 throw the
! Duke OF the track The monks sing -
as a chant. and the school girls. across
I in the convent. take Up the song. The
duke enters the convent, 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 bTigand syndicate
is found al a 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 to YvOune, thinking she is DolO-
res Yvonne reveals herself TO him and
asks him 10 help in her escape from
the duke and release her father, Co
lombC. This is accomplished. The
duke. still haunted by the serenade,
suspects both Gcaez and Colombo. AS
he is about 10 wreaic vengeance on
them. the whole party Is captured by
the brigands. now headed by AlveradO.
The duke, being a magistrate, is given
this choice: he may pardon everybody
and consent to the marriage Of anyone
who wishes 70 marry anyone else, or
he shall be hanged instantly. The duke
1 chooses wisely.
A general amnesty and matrimonial
/ epidemic ends the opera.