e purpose. But just as he
seizes his prey, Manrico comes up, and liberates her with the aid of
his companions, while the Count curses them.

Leonore becomes Manrico's wife, but her happiness is shortlived.

In the third act the Count's soldiers succeed in capturing Azucena, in
whom they recognize the burnt gipsy's daughter. She denies all
knowledge {332} of the Count's lost brother, and as the Count hears
that his successful rival is her son, she is sentenced to be burnt.
Ruiz, Manrico's friend, brings the news to him. Manrico tries to
rescue her, but is seized too, and condemned to die by the axe.

In the fourth act Leonore offers herself to the Count as the price of
freedom for the captives, but determined to be true to her lover, she
takes poison. She hastens to him, announcing his deliverance. Too
late he sees how dearly she has paid for it, when after sweet assurance
of love and fidelity she sinks dead at his feet.

The Count, coming up and seeing himself deceived, orders Manrico to be
put to death instantly.

He is led away, and only after the execution does Azucena inform the
Count, that his murdered rival was Luna's own long-sought brother.

DER TROMPETER VON SAeKKINGEN.

(THE TRUMPETER OF SAEKKINGEN.)

Opera in three acts with a prelude by VICTOR NESSLER.

Text by RUDOLF BUNGE after SCHEFFEL'S poem.

Seldom in our days is an opera such a complete success in all German
theatres, as this composition of Nessler's has proved to be. To tell
the truth, it owes its popularity in great degree to the libretto,
which has taken so many fine songs and ideas from its universally known
and adored original. Nessler's Trompeter is however in every way
inferior to Scheffel's celebrated poem.

{333}

Nevertheless the music, though not very profound is pleasing, and there
are several airs in it, which have already become popular.

The prelude opens at Heidelberg, where a chorus of students make a
great noise after one of their drinking-bouts. They presently serenade
the Princess-Electress, and a law-student, named Werner, a foundling
and the adopted son of a professor, distinguishes himself by a solo on
the trumpet. He is heard by the trumpeter of the Imperial recruiting
officers, who tries to win him, but without success, when suddenly the
Rector Magnificus appears, to assist the major-domo, and announces to
the astounded disturbers of peace, that they are dismissed from the
university.

Werner