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as a true musician.

The scene takes place in Bagdad, in the house of a wealthy young
Mussulman, called Nurredin. He is lying on a couch, surrounded by his
servants, who think him dying. But it is only the flame of love which
devours his strength and deprives him of all energy.--As soon as
Bostana, an old relative and companion of his ladylove, appears, in
order to tell him that Margiana, his adored, is willing to receive him,
Nurredin forgets his illness and only longs for the promised interview.
The ensuing duet between him and Bostana, wherein she gives instruction
about time and hour of the rendez-vous, is delightfully fresh and
piquant.

As Nurredin has neglected his personal appearance during his malady,
his first wish is for a barber, who is speedily sent to him by
Bostana.--This old worthy Abul Hassan Ali Ebe Bekar the barber makes
him desperate by his vain prattle. Having solemnly saluted to
Nurredin, he warns him not to {20} leave the house to-day, as his
horoscope tells him that his life is in danger. The young man not
heeding him, Abul Hassan begins to enumerate all his talents as
astrologer, philologer, philosopher, &c., in short he is everything and
knows everything. When Nurredin orders him to begin his shaving he
relates the fate of his six brothers, who all died before him and
always of love. At last Nurredin's patience giving way, he calls his
servants in to throw the old dotard out of doors. But Abul drives them
all back and Nurredin tries to pacify him with flattery and finally
succeeds.

Now Abul is curious as all barbers are, and having heard Nurredin's
sighs, he determines to find out all about the young man's love. This
scene is most ludicrous, when Abul sings his air "Margiana", which name
he has heard from Nurredin's lips, and the latter is in despair at
being left with only one side of his head shaved. This great work done
at last, Abul wants to accompany the young lover to the house of the
Cadi Baba Mustapha, Margiana's father. Nurredin again summons his
servants, who begin to surround Abul, pretending to doctor him.
Nurredin escapes, but Abul after having shaken off the servants, runs
after him.

The second act takes place in the Cadi's house.

Margiana is full of sweet anticipation, while her father, who has
already chosen a husband for his daughter in the person of an old
friend of his youth, shows her a large trunk full of gifts from the old
bridegroom. Margiana admi