Austria.

The music of the first act puts one in mind of the Meistersingers; as a
whole it is very captivating, fresh and drastic, especially during the
nine-pin scene. The orchestra predominates, but there are truly poetic
airs, which will linger as much in {377} the heart as in the ear of the
hearer. Such is: "O sweet days of my youth," and in the last act:
"Blessed are they who are persecuted," from Christ's Sermon on the
Mount. Another charming bit of music is the children's waltz, in which
the composer has paraphrased one of Lanner's well-known waltz-motives.

The first scene is laid in the village of St. Othmar in Austria, or
rather in the court of the convent of the Benedictines of that place.
Mathias, a young clerk of the convent has an interview with Martha, the
niece and ward of Frederic Engel, the rich warden of the convent.
John, Mathias' elder brother and the village-schoolmaster sees them
together. Being in love with the girl himself he warns her uncle of
his brother's courtship and excites his wrath against the lovers, so
that Engel, coming across the young people, gruffly tells Mathias, that
he has already chosen a rich bridegroom for his ward. In vain, the
lovers beseech the old man's pity, for his anger only waxes stronger,
and he goes so far, as to discharge Mathias, warning him to leave the
place altogether. Martha left alone bemourns her guardian's hardness,
and John, thinking to profit by the occasion approaches her and asks
for her hand. But he is so decidedly rejected by Martha, that he
swears to have his revenge.

Meanwhile the evening approaches, and the country-folk come to the inn
next to the convent, to play their game of ninepins.--During this very
animated scene Mathias finds Magdalen, his sweetheart's friend, whom he
entreats to take a message {378} to Martha, asking her to meet him at
eleven o'clock in the bower near the skittleground for a last farewell.
John hears this and when night sets in and the gates of the convent are
closed, he remains outside alone, hiding behind the barn-floor. When
the clock strikes eleven Martha and Mathias approach the bower. They
swear to remain true to each other, come what may. Their tender words
excite John's jealousy to the utmost, and while the lovers are
engrossed with their sorrow and make plans for the future, he sets fire
to the barn-floor. Soon the flames leap up to the sky, but the lovers
are oblivious of everything, till they hear