at his
insolence, and the angry {271} Burgomaster bids him leave the town at
once, without his money. But Hunold, nothing daunted, begins to sing
so beautifully that the hearts of all the women yearn towards him, he
continues still more passionately, addressing himself directly to
Regina, and never stops, till the maiden, carried away by a passion
unconquerable, offers her lips for a kiss, swearing to be his own for
ever. A great tumult arises and Hunold is taken to prison,
notwithstanding the remonstrances of Ethelerus, who bitterly repents
having had anything to do with Rhynperg's bad joke.

The fifth act takes us to the banks of the Weser, where Gertrud sits in
despair. She deems herself betrayed by Hunold, but resolves
nevertheless to save his life.

Hunold is brought before the judges and condemned to be burnt alive as
a sorcerer, when Gertrud steps forth, claiming his life. In pursuance
of an old privilege, Hunold is free when a maid of the town claims him,
but he is banished from the country and Gertrud with him.

Hunold promises never to return, but Gertrud throws herself into the
river.

Then Hunold swears to avenge the death of his bride. While the
citizens are in church, he lures away their children by playing on his
pipe; all follow him, both great and small. When he has led them
safely over the bridge, he calls the people from church. All gather on
the banks of the stream, but they are only just in time to see {272}
the bridge fall into the river, while the mountain opposite opens,
swallowing up Hunold and the children for ever.

THE POACHER

or

"THE VOICE OF NATURE"

by LORTZING.

Text after a comedy by KOTZEBUE.

The music of this opera is so fresh, so full of gaiety and of charming
melodies, that it might be compared with Lortzing's "Czar and
Zimmermann", if only the text were as well done. Unhappily it lacks
all the advantages which characterize the opera just named, as it is
frivolous, without possessing the grace and "esprit", which distinguish
French composition of a similar kind.

Nevertheless the good music prevails over the bad text, and the opera
holds its own with success in every German theatre.

The contents of the libretto are the following:

A schoolmaster, Baculus by name, has had the misfortune unintentionally
to shoot a roe-buck, belonging to the forest of his master, Count of
Eberbach. Baculus, who is on the eve of his wedding with a young girl,
named