by the Carl Rosa Company
in 1900, the composer contrived very cleverly to put off the grandiose
manner of his earlier operas. Elaborate as the orchestral part of the
score is, it is never allowed to overpower the voices, and the general
impression of the opera is one of rare simplicity and charm. Goldmark's
later works, 'Die Kriegsgefangene' (1899) and 'Goetz von Berlichingen'
(1902), have been less successful.

Cyrill Kistler (1848-1907) was spoken of some years ago as the man upon
whom Wagner's mantle had fallen, but his recent death has shattered the
hopes founded upon the promise of his early works. 'Kunihild,' a work
dealing with a heroic legend, was produced in 1883. It is a clever
imitation of the Wagnerian manner, except as regards the choruses, which
scarcely rise above the standard of the Liedertafel; but neither at its
production nor at an elaborate revival, which took place at Wuerzburg a
few years ago, did it meet with more than a _succes d'estime_. There
seems to be better work in 'Eulenspiegel,' a comic opera founded upon
Kotzebue's comedy. The music is instinct with genuine humour, and though
but remotely suggesting the methods of Wagner shows complete mastery of
technical resource.

The most important contribution to German opera made during the decade
that followed the death of Wagner was Humperdinck's 'Haensel und Gretel,'
which was produced in December 1893. Before that time the composer was
known to fame, at any rate so far as England is concerned, only by a
couple of cantatas and some arrangements of scenes from Wagner's works
for concert purposes, but at one bound he became the most popular living
operatic composer of Germany. The libretto of 'Haensel und Gretel' is a
very charming arrangement, in three scenes, of a familiar nursery tale.
The action opens in the cottage of Peter the broom-maker. Haensel and
Gretel, the two children, are left to keep house together. They soon
tire of their tasks, and Gretel volunteers to teach her brother how to
dance. In the middle of their romp, Gertrude their mother comes in, and
angrily packs them off into the wood to pick strawberries. Tired and
faint she sinks into a chair, bewailing the lot of the poor man's wife,
with empty cupboards and hungry mouths to be fed. Soon Peter's voice is
heard singing in the distance. He has had a good sale for his besoms,
and comes back laden with good cheer. But his delight is cut short by
the absence of the children, and wh