to
invite him to her wedding, she bursts into tears. Then the real state
of her heart is {105} revealed to him, and with passionate avowal of
his own love, amico Fritz takes her to his heart. So David wins his
wager, which however he settles on Susel as a dowry, promising at the
same time to procure wives before long for the two friends standing
by.--

GENOVEVA.

Opera in four acts by ROBERT SCHUMANN.

Text after HEBBEL and TIECK.

The music of this opera is surpassingly delightful. Though Schumann's
genius was not that of a dramatist of a very high order, this opera
deserves to be known and esteemed universally. Nowhere can melodies be
found finer or more poetical and touching than in this noble musical
composition, the libretto of which may also be called interesting,
though it is faulty in its want of action.

It is the old legend of Genoveva somewhat altered. Siegfried, Count of
the Palatinate, is ordered by the Emperor Charles Martell to join him
in the war with the infidels, who broke out of Spain under Abdurrhaman.
The noble Count recommends his wife Genoveva and all he possesses, to
the protection of his friend Golo, who is however secretly in love with
his master's wife. After Siegfried has said farewell she falls into a
swoon, which Golo takes advantage of to kiss her, thereby still further
exciting his flaming passion. Genoveva finally awakes and goes away to
mourn in silence for her husband.

{106}

Golo being alone, an old hag Margaretha, whom he takes for his nurse,
comes to console him.

She is in reality his mother and has great schemes for her son's future
happiness. She insinuates to him that Genoveva, being alone, needs
consolation and will easily be led on to accept more tender attentions,
and she promises him her assistance. The second act show Genoveva's
room. She longs sadly for her husband and sees with pain and disgust
the insolent behavior of the servants, whose wild songs penetrate into
her silent chamber.

Golo enters to bring her the news of a great victory over Abdurrhaman,
news, which fill her heart with joy.

She bids Golo sing and sweetly accompanies his song, which so fires his
passion that he falls upon his knees and frightens her by glowing
words. Vainly she bids him leave her; he only grows more excited, till
she repulses him with the word "bastard". Now his love turns into
hatred, and when Drago, the faithful steward comes to announce that the
serv