15 years;
its success showed, that it is still full of vitality. The music is
exceedingly fresh and characteristic; indeed it surpasses both
Trovatore and Rigoletto in beauty and originality. Verdi has scarcely
ever written anything finer than the Ensemble at the end of the second
act, and the delightful quartette "Is it a jest or madness, that comes
now from her lips."

The libretto may be explained shortly, as it is almost identical with
Auber's "Masked Ball".

Count Richard, governor of Boston is adored by the people but hated by
the noblemen, who resolve upon his death. He loves Amelia, the {369}
wife of his secretary and best friend Rene, who in vain tries to warn
him of the plots of his enemies, but who faithfully watches over his
safety.

An old sorceress of negro blood Ulrica, is to be banished by the decree
of the high Judge, but Richard's page Oscar speaks in her favour, and
the count decides to see her himself and test her tricks. He invites
his lords to accompany him to the sybil's dwelling, and orders Oscar to
bring him a fisherman's disguise. His enemies Samuel and Tom follow
him.

The second act shows Ulrica in her cottage seated at a table conjuring
Satan. A crowd of people are around her, amongst them Richard in
disguise. A sailor Sylvan advances first to hear his fate, and while
Ulrica is prophesying that better days await him, Richard slips a roll
of gold with a scroll into Sylvan's pocket and so makes the witch's
words true. Sylvan searching in his pockets finds the gold and reads
the inscription on the scroll: "Richard to his dear officer Sylvan",
and all break out into loud praises of the clever sybil.

A short while after a servant announces Amelia, and the sorceress
driving the crowd away ushers her in, while Richard conceals himself.
He listens with delight to the confession of her sinful love to
himself, against which she asks for a draught, which might enable her
to banish it from her heart. Ulrica advises her to pluck a magic herb
at midnight, which grows in the field where the criminals are executed.
Amelia shudders but promises to do as she is bidden, while Richard
secretly vows to {370} follow and protect her. Amelia departs and the
people flock in again. Richard is the first to ask what is his fate.
The sybil reluctantly tells him that his life is to be destroyed by the
first person who shall touch his hand on this very day. Richard vainly
offers his hand to the bystan