f in his presence. Then John decides to
die also and after {283} the soldiers have led his mother away, he
himself sets fire to the vault.

Then he appears at the coronation-banquet, where he knows that he is to
be taken prisoner. When Oberthal, the Bishop and all his treacherous
friends are assembled, he bids two of his faithful soldiers close the
gates and fly. This done, the castle is blown into the air with all
its inhabitants. At the last moment Fides rushes in to share her son's
fate, and all are thus buried under the ruins.

THE QUEEN OF SHEBA.

(DIE KOeNIGIN VON SABA.)

Grand Opera in four acts by CHARLES GOLDMARK.

Text by MOSENTHAL.

Charles Goldmark was born in Hungary in 1852. He received his musical
education in Vienna.

The well-known name of Mosenthal is in itself a warrant that the
libretto is excellently suited to the music. The opera is considered
one of the best and finest of our modern compositions.

It is noble, original and full of brilliant orchestral effects, which,
united to a grand, not to say gorgeous mise en scene, captivate our
senses.

The contents are these:

A magnificent wedding is to be celebrated in King Solomon's palace at
Jerusalem. The High-priest's daughter, Sulamith, is to marry Assad,
King Solomon's favorite. But the lover, who has in a foreign country
seen a most beautiful and haughty woman bathing in a forest-well, is
now in {284} love with the stranger and has forgotten his destined
bride.

Returning home Assad confesses his error to the wise King and Solomon
bids him wed Sulamith and forget the heathen. Assad gives his promise,
praying to God to restore peace to his breast.

Then enters the Queen of Sheba in all her glory, followed by a
procession of slaves and suitors. Next to her litter walks her
principal slave, Astaroth.

The Queen comes to offer her homage to the great Solomon with all the
gifts of her rich kingdom.

She is veiled, and nobody has seen her yet, as only before the King
will she unveil herself.

When she draws back the veil, shining in all her perfect beauty, Assad
starts forward; he recognizes her; she is his nymph of the forest. But
the proud Queen seems to know him not, she ignores him altogether.
Solomon and Sulamith try to reassure themselves, to console Assad, and
the Queen hears Solomon's words: "To-morrow shall find you united to
your bride!" She starts and casts a passionate look on the unfortunate
Assad.