moment Gilfen re-enters, telling them, that
his carriage has broken down. Trott hastens out, to see to its repair
and leaves husband and wife alone.

Now Gilfen owns that the carriage is intact and that he only come back,
because he felt, that he had left the best thing behind him. "What is
it, that would keep you at home?" asks Louise. "A wife, who would
plead with a smile: do not go," he answers.--

A pretty duet follows, in which they indulge in sweet reminiscences of
the past, and at last discover, that they still love each other as
fondly as ever. Embracing her husband Louise whispers smilingly: "Do
not go!"

When Trott returns Gilfen astonishes him by telling him that he has
decided to stay at home. Trott perceives at last that it is his turn
to go. While he still lingers, he receives a note from Louise, showing
him unmistakeably, that he is not wanted in their house. He retires
crestfallen, while Louise and Gilfen gaily wave their hands to the
departing friend.

{420}

DELILA.

An Opera in three Acts by FERDINAND LEMAIRE.

With Music by CAMILLE SAINT-SAENS.

German translation by RICHARD POHL.

The first performance of this opera in Dresden on November 13th 1900
proved a great success.

This opera which was written almost thirty years ago did not meet with
a favourable reception either in France or in any other country. In
the year 1877 it was however given in Weimar through Liszt's influence,
but fell flat.

At last it was performed in Rouen in 1890, and in November 1892 the
Grand Opera in Paris followed suit. Since that time it has been one of
the standard operas in Paris.

Its performance in Dresden has shown, that it well deserves its place.--

The vivid contrast between the simple yet stirring choruses of the
Israelites and the pompous and warlike ones of the Philistines, the
exquisite love-song of Samson and Delila, and last but not least the
charming ballet-music, with its truly Eastern character entitle the
opera to rank amongst the very best of the past century.--

The libretto is a biblical one; the scene is laid in Gaza, in
Palestine, 1150 years before Christ.

In the first Act the Israelites, groaning under the yoke of the
Philistines, pray to God for deliverance. They are derided and
insulted by Abi {421} Melech, satrap of Gaza but Samson, unable longer
to endure the blasphemy hurled by the Heathen against the God of
Israel, rises up in mighty wrath, and so insp