Act III. At home again _Fritz_ finds no peace. _David_ tells him

_Suzel's_ marriage has been decided on. _Fritz_ loses his temper; says he will forbid the bans. _Suzel_, pale and sad, comes in with a basket of fruit. When her wedding is mentioned she bursts into tears. That gives _Fritz_ his chance which he improves. _David_ wins his wager, one of _Fritz's_ vineyards, which he promptly bestows upon _Suzel_ as a dowry.

The duet of the cherries in the second act is the principal musical number in the opera.

IRIS

Opera in three acts, by Mascagni. Words by Luigi Illica. Produced, Constanzi Theatre, Rome, November 22, 1898; revised version, La Scala, Milan, 1899. Philadelphia, October 14, 1902, and Metropolitan Opera House, New York, October 16, 1902, under the composer's direction (Marie Farneti, as _Iris_); Metropolitan Opera House, 1908, with Eames (_Iris_), Caruso (_Osaka_), Scotti, and Journet; April 3, 1915, Bori, Botta, and Scotti.

CHARACTERS

IL CIECO, the blind man _Bass_ IRIS, his daughter _Soprano_ OSAKA _Tenor_ KYOTO, a _takiomati_ _Baritone_

Ragpickers, shopkeepers, geishas, _mousmés_ (laundry girls), _samurai_, citizens, strolling players, three women representing Beauty, Death, and the Vampire; a young girl.

_Time_--Nineteenth century.

_Place_--Japan.