heir captivity, appear, to
thank him, then Henry the Lion is conducted to his presence and ordered
to ask his forgiveness. But Henry repeats that he did nothing wrong in
telling the truth. The Emperor decides to give him an hour for
reflection, after which if Henry does not bend his will, he shall be
banished.

When this hard sentence is heard, Clementina in minstrel's guise sings
her song of the German's fidelity to his Prince and his country, and of
his wife's faithfulness, and her highest glory.

The song so touches the Emperor, that he bids her ask a favor. She
takes Henry the Lion's sword and buckler, which are lying near, and
handing them to the captive, entreats the Emperor to give him his
liberty and to pardon him. Her request is granted by Frederick; and
Henry, shamed by his Prince's magnanimity, bends his knee, swearing
eternal fidelity to him. From Henry the young minstrel only asks a
piece of the veil fastened round his helmet, in memory of his
deliverance.

The last act carries us back to Henry's castle, where the wife receives
her husband full of joy. Clementina asks for the missing piece of
veil, and Henry tells her how he gave it away. In the midst of this
intercourse horns sound and the Emperor appears with his whole suite.
He comes to recompense his hero, who has again won for him honor and
glory, with the duchy of Bavaria. Henry presents his consort, as the
best and most {128} faithful of wives, when Irmgard steps forth,
accusing her sister-in law of faithlessness, and relating that she left
the castle with a young knight in pilgrim's attire, and only returned
when the news spread, that the Duke would come home victorious.
Clementina is too proud, to defend herself and forbids even Conrad von
Wettin to speak.

Everybody is convinced of her innocence, but her husband, always rash
and violent, turns from her, when she refuses to say nay, and banishing
her from his castle, casts his glove before Conrad von Wettin.

Clementina silently goes away, but soon reappears in her minstrel's
garb; with the piece of veil in her hand she sings the song, which they
heard in Ancona. Now she is at once recognized and the opera ends with
a paean of praise to the faithfulness of German wives.

HERRAT.

Grand Opera in three acts by FELIX DRAESEKE.

The first representation of Herrat took place in Dresden on the 10th of
March 1892. Its author is long known as one of the first living
composers,