s Dr. Hirschfeld's merit to have revived and rearranged this
charming specimen of the old master's genius. And again it was Ernst
Schuch, the highly gifted director of the Dresden opera who had it
represented on this stage in 1895, and st the same time introduced it
to the Viennese {351} admirers of old Haydn, by some of the best
members of his company.

The music is truly Haydn'ish, simple, naive, fresh and clear as
crystal, and it forms an oasis of repose and pure enjoyment to modern
ears, accustomed to and tired of the astonishing oddities of modern
orchestration.

The plot is simple but amusing. A young man, Mengino, has entered the
service of the apothecary Sempronio, though he does not possess the
slightest knowledge of chemistry. His love for Sempronio's ward
Grilletta has induced him to take this step and in the first scene we
see him mixing drugs, and making melancholy reflections on his lot,
which has led him to a master, who buries himself in his newspapers
instead of attending to his business, and letting his apprentices go on
as best they may.

Sempronio entering relates that the plague is raging in Russia; and
another piece of news, that an old cousin of his has married his young
ward, is far more interesting to him than all his drugs and pills, as
he intends to act likewise with Grilletta. This young lady has no
fewer than three suitors, one of whom, a rich young coxcomb enters to
order a drug. His real intention is to see Grilletta. He is not slow
to see, that Mengino loves her too, so he sends him into the drug
kitchen, in order to have Grilletta all to himself. But the pert young
beauty only mocks him, and at Mengino's return Volpino is obliged to
retire.

{352}

Alone with Mengino, Grilletta encourages her timid lover, whom she
likes very much, but just when he is about to take her hand Sempronio
returns, furious to see them in such intimacy. He sends Mengino to his
drugs and the young girl to her account books, while he buries himself
once more in the study of his newspapers. Missing a map he is obliged
to leave the room. The young people improve the occasion by making
love, and when Sempronio, having lost his spectacles, goes to fetch
them, Mengino grows bolder and kisses Grilletta. Alas, the old man
returns at the supreme moment, and full of rage, sends each to his room.

Mengino's effrontery ripens the resolution in the guardian's breast to
marry Grilletta at once, he is however