the
people now proceed to celebrate the solemn rites of marriage.

Vasco, at last recognizing Selica's great love, and believing Ines
dead, once more vows eternal fidelity to her, but alas, hearing the
voice of Ines, who is about to be led to death, he turns pale and
Selica but too truly divines the reason.

In the fifth act Selica is resolved to put her rival to death. She
sends for her, but perceiving Ines' love, her wrath vanishes, her
magnanimity soars above her hatred of the Christians, and she orders
Nelusco to bring Ines and Vasco on board of a ship about to sail for
Portugal.

Selica herself, unable to endure life without her beloved-one, proceeds
to the Cape, where the Manzanillo-tree spreads his poisonous
shade.--Her eyes fastened on the vast ocean and on the white sail of
the retiring vessel, she inhales the sweet but deadly perfume of the
blossoms and the returning Nelusco finds her dying, while an unseen
chorus consoles her with the thought that in Love's eternal domain all
are equal.

{8}

AIDA.

Grand romantic Opera in four acts by GIUSEPPE VERDI.

Text by ANTONIO GHISLANZONI. Translated into German by S. SCHANZ.
English version by KENNEY.

This opera owes its great popularity not only to its brilliant music
and skilful instrumentation, but also to its really magnificent outfit
and decorations. Aida ranks among the best operas of Verdi. The plot
is taken from old Egypt; and the music, with its eastern and somewhat
sensuous coloring is exquisitely adapted to the scenery.

The scene of action is alternately Memphis and Thebes and the story
belongs to the period when the Pharaohs sat on the throne.

In the first act we see the King's palace at Memphis. Ramphis, the
Highpriest of Pharaoh announces to the Egyptian General Radames, that
the Ethiopians are in revolt and that the goddess Isis has decided who
shall be leader of the army sent out against them. Radames secretly
hopes to be the elected, in order to win the Ethiopian slave Aida, whom
he loves, not knowing that she is a King's daughter.

Enter Amneris, daughter of Pharaoh. She loves Radames without his
knowledge and so does Aida. Amneris, suspecting this, swears to avenge
herself, should her suspicion prove correct.

The King's messenger announces, that Amonasro, the Ethiopian King
(Aida's father), is marching to the capital, and that Radames is chosen
to conquer the foe. Radames goes to the temple {9} to invoke the
be