The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-15

In the Covent Garden production the principal characters were taken by the following artists:
 Tess, Mile. Destinn; Jack, M. Gilbert; Joan, Mime. Lejeune: Any, Mile. De Lys; Angel Clare Signor Zenatello; Alec DUr- bervflle, Siignor Sammarco; Torronton, Signor Zucchi; Dick M. D'Oisly; Nancy, Mile. Egener; Dark-Car. Mile. Bour- geois; Conductor. signor Panizza The scenes are:
 Act I-The Yard of Jack Durbeyfield's s House.
 Act II-rhe Garden of Alec D'Urber- ville's House.
 Act III-Interior of the Dairy Farm. Act Iv-Tess and Angels Cottage.
 Briefly, the incidents as dealt with in the opera, are as follows: The first act shows Tess performing her menial duties doing the farm work, feeding the horse, Prince-the moving spirit amid the sordid surroundings in which her life is cast. Her father, Jack. made aware of the fam fly pedigree Ourbeyfield being merely a corruption of d'Urberville), gets the idea of sending Tess to the rich cousin. Alec, with a view to the main chance; that is say. marriage. A duet, in which Angel is on the point of declaring his passion for Tess, is interrupted by the ar rival of the girls from the club who carry Tess away. Angel left alone, takes the audience into his confidence. and in an aria, which is ono of the most impor- tant sections of the score. avows his love for Tess. at the same time declaring that 1t Is only timidity that prevents him from making known the truth to her. Jack and Joan. who have become aware of Angels feelings, are anxious to send Tess away there and then; but Tess intense love for her home wins the day The death, however, of the horse Prince (practfca1ly the family's main stay) and her fathers dispair at the loss, coupled with desire to tighten the load of poverty which now presses the heavier upon him, eventually decide her to go. The opening of the second act finds her fellow-servants making Tess life un- bearable, throwing her supposed rela- tionshfp in her teeth. and generally an- moving her in every way they can. Alec arrives upon the scene only Just in time to prevent them coming to blows. Tess left alone, gives vent to her feelings She longs for home. Her little brother Aby arrives with the news of her mothers illness and a request for pecuniary as- sistance. Tess, upon the point of throw ing up her situation, sees it is her duty to stay where she is, in order that she may be in a position to help the family financially Left alone in the garden, she soliloquises the stars. Meantime the house is closed. and Tess finds herself shut out. Alec enters and the end of the aot deals with the dramatic episode which eliminates in the ruin of Tess.
 Tn the third act, which takes place in the Dairy Farm. Tess again meets An gel and falls in love with him. She is anxious to reveal the truth, but fears the effects which the disclosure may en- tail. Her father arrives with an offer of marriage from Alec, who has lost his mother. and Is now repentapt But the mention of Alec's name rouses her hatred. She confesses her love for An gel. Her father promises to break the secret to her lover and to put matters straight with him-a promise he hover intends to keep The act ends with tho