The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-11-27


nculties presented and the tremendous
demands made by il upon the artists
are such that II Is seldom attempted,
and it may be said. has not been sue
cessfully presented since the days OF
Grisi and Tagiioni until the present
revival by Mordkin.
Giselle is a dainty, piQuant French
romance in two acts. with sombre
vein of tragedy underlying every mo-
ment.
A quaint legend of the period of
Louis XIV. when the French peasantry
expressed the dreamy romance of their
uncuitured souls through belief in
wood nymphs. fairies COLLINS and
wftchcraft, furnished TheOphile eau
tier, the poet. with the material for
the libretto. Adolpe Adam, the COM
poser, breathed life into the poem and
clothed il with enhancing music-the
result OF her joint labor being a work
that iustifies its popularity and which
will live forever.
The opening scene represents a vil-
lage fl the heart of the wine-grOWing
district II is vintage time and gaiety
is the order of the hour. Here dwells
the simple. lovely Giseile. "a maid be-
loved By all, but especially by two
village lads-Hans the gamekeeper
and Logs a youth of mystery. Logs
came into the life OF the hamlet I'M
known and unannOunced, accompanied
by a boon companion. Wilfried. from
whence no one knew and for what
purpose no one could fathom. unless
il might be 20 pay court 20 the beau
tiful Giselle, task he set about as
siGuOusly.
Together Logs and Wilfried took up
their abode close TO that of France
fairest daughter. Their manly char
acter and pleasant ways soon won
them a place in the hearts of the VIII
lagers-that is all save Hans, who re-
CARDS the advent of Logs as detri-
mental 10 his own quest for Giselle's
hand.
Such is the status of affairs when
the curtain rises, disclosing Hans sur
Veyiug the home of the object OF his
affection and that Of his rival. close
by. Logs door swings open and ne
omerges with Wilfried, who is pleading
with him. Seeming an opportunity 10
penetrate the mystery that surrounds
LOys. Hans secretes himself and list
ems. Wilfried's words and demeanor
make il apparent that Logs is his SUI
perior. and that Wilfried seeks 10 dis
suade him from his purpose. But just
Il the moment that il appears the
fates had given Logs secret into the
gamekeeper's hands Logs orders VII
fried 10 be gone and say no more.
Wilfried moves unwillingly away,
and Logs alone proceeds To Giselle's
cottage He knocks softly al the door
and Giseue comes forth joyously 10
meet him. ShOwering evidences of al
lection upon him. Giselle tells Logs OF
the terrors the night has had for her;
she has dreamt again and again that
he had deceived her
Logs. red-faced with confusion. pro-
tests his honest and undying love.
Take heed that You never do de-
ceive me-" she cries, FOR if you DO I
shall surely die"
Hans, who has witnessed this scene.
aud whose love for Giselle is such that
he is consumed with Jealousy. can re-
strain himself no longer. He PUSHES 10
Giselle and upbraids her.
Il love him, and ali the world may
know" cries Giselle. And Hans de-
parts in anger, Vowing 20 take revenge.
Nor is his revenge long delayed.
- The grape gatherers troop By, head
ing for the Vine-clad hills, but Giselle,
in her happiness, stops them. Her
high spirits find expression in dancing.
All are carried away by the dance and
Join in it, The festiVity is at its height
when Giselle's mother. Berthe, arrives.
She stops her daughter and warns her
rot To succumb 10 her passion for
dancing lest il possess her after death.
ThCn she relates the ancient legend.
With wonder written on their faces
the village lads and lasses hand on her
words as she tells of the mad moon
TIT revels that follow the stroke of
midnight when the fairies of the forest
emerge from their graves ia do the
steps of the dance of Death. Beautiful
as the mOOnbeams thaN play about
them. soft as the whispering nocturnal
breeZes that make music for them,
graceful as the forest branches that
Vagrant eddies toss in sympathetic
rhythm, these bewitching sprites are
cursed. In the presence of their ire
sistible charms. woe 10 the traveller
wFO meets them. To dance with them
IS his fate-tO dance and dance and
dance madly on until death ends the
spell.
The mellow sound of the hunters
horn cut shoft the Old WOman's story
at its climax. A party of nOblemen
and grand ladies wearied with the
chase, clatters toward the village. The
peasants hasten TO meet them, but
Loys falls back A bevy of grape
plckers merrily seize upon him. insist
ing that he should join in the welcome
10 the huntsmen. Logs Vainly seeks
10 S0Saln 10 the shelter OF MS COAla5cs
He is gOOd-naturedly struggling with
the villagers. when Hans. the game
keeper arrives. What he heard pass
between Logs and Wilfried but a short
time ago. coupled with Logs present
attitude. Ills him with suspicion. The
moment he has long sought has ar
rived. and he slips into Logs cottage
TO investigate for himself
The hunting party proves 10 be that
of the prince regent and his daughter,
Bathilde, whose attendants lead them
70 Berthe's cottage, where Gisene
meets them and makes tender OF her
homely hospitality
Bathilde. taken with Giselle's rare
beauty. interests herself in the village
girl She questions her as 10 her life,
her occupations. her pleasures Berthe
answers FOR her that her daughter is
very happy indeed. She has no griefs,
no cares.
But has she any Ioves?" questions
Bathilde
.'Ah. yes" Giselle bushingly con-
fesses. and pointing 20 Logs cottage
says, There is the home of my fance.
I love him SO much that all the world