Act V. A forest. _Don Quichotte_ is dying. He tells _Sancho_ that he
has given him the island he promised him in their travels; the most beautiful island in the world--the "Island of Dreams." In his delirium he sees _Dulcinée_. The lance falls from his hand. The gaunt figure in its rusty suit of armour--no longer grotesque, but tragic--stiffens in death.
CENDRILLON
CINDERELLA
Opera, in four acts, by Massenet, text by Henri Cain. Produced, Opéra Comique, Paris, May 24, 1899.
CHARACTERS
CINDERELLA _Soprano_ MME. DE LA HALTIÈRE, her stepmother _Mezzo-Soprano_ NOÉMIE, her stepsister _Soprano_ DOROTHÉE, her stepsister _Soprano_ PANDOLFE, her father _Baritone_ THE PRINCE CHARMING _Soprano_ THE FAIRY _Soprano_ THE KING _Baritone_ DEAN OF THE FACULTY _Baritone_ MASTER OF CEREMONIES _Tenor_ PRIME MINISTER _Bass_
_Time_--Period of Louis XIII.
_Place_--France.
The story follows almost entirely the familiar lines of the fairy tale. It may differ from some versions in including _Cinderella's_ father, _Pandolfe_, among the characters. In the third act, sympathizing with her in her unhappiness with her stepmother and stepsisters, he plans to take her back to the country. But she goes away alone, falls asleep under the fairy oak, and in a dream sees the _Prince_, with whom she has danced at the ball. The fairy reveals them to each other and they pledge their love. In the fourth act the dream turns into reality.
As for the music, it is bright, graceful, and pretty, especially in the dances, the fairy scenes, and the love scene between _Cinderella_ and _Prince Charming_.
LA NAVARRAISE
Opera in one act by Massenet; libretto by Jules Claretie and Henri Cain. It was performed for the first time at Covent Garden, June 20, 1894, by Mme. Calvé and Messrs. Alvarez, Plançon, Gilibert, Bonnard, and Dufriche.
The opera is one of other days. Now it is seldom given. There were two famous _Anitas_--Emma Calvé and Jeanne Gerville-Réache. The extraordinary success of "Cavalleria Rusticana" no doubt impelled Massenet to try his hand at a tragic one-act opera, just as "Hänsel and Gretel" was responsible for his "Cendrillon." It is among the best of his works. The music is intensely dramatic. It has colour, vitality. The action is swift and stirring, uninterrupted by sentimental romanzas. The libretto is based on a short story, "La Cigarette," written by Jules Claretie and published in the _Figaro Illustré_ about 1890. Later it gave the title to a collection of short stories.
The time is during the last days of the Carlist war. The place is Spain. _Araquil_, a Biscayan peasant, loves _Anita_ madly, but her parents frown upon his poverty. No crime seems too great to win his bride. _General Garrito_, the Spanish chief, has promised a reward to any man who will deliver up _Zucarraga_, the Carlist. When this dangerous foe is injured in battle, _Araquil_ poisons the wound and claims the promised reward. The general pays the sum, but, disgusted, orders _Araquil_ to be shot. _Anita's_ father consents to the wedding before the execution. But _Anita_ refuses disdainfully, and _Araquil_ is killed as he puffs a cigarette. This is Claretie's story. At his suggestion and for the purposes of opera the parts were changed. _Araquil_ became _Anita_ and the peasant with the cigarette became _La Navarraise_.
LE JONGLEUR DE NÔTRE DAME
Opera in three acts by Jules Massenet. Libretto by Maurice Léna.
The opera was first sung at Monte Carlo, February 18, 1902, when the part of Jean was taken by Mr. Maréchal, for this miracle play with music was composed originally for male singers. The only two women in the cast were represented as angels. The part of _Boniface_ the cook was created by Mr. Renaud.
The story was first published by Gaston Paris as "Le Tombeor de Nostre Dame" in 1874-75 in the review, _Romania_, and later in his "Étude sur la Poésie Française au Moyen Âge." The story is better known, however, by Anatole France's version, included in his "Étui de Nacre" (1912).
A poor juggler after performing in the streets to earn his bread, begins to think of the future life and enters a monastery. There he sees the monks paying homage to the Virgin in eloquent prayers. Unable in his ignorance to imitate their pious learning, _Jean_ decides to offer homage through the only means in his power. He shuts himself in the chapel, turns somersaults, and performs his feats in Our Lady's honour. When the monks searching for _Jean_ rush in and cry "Sacrilege" at his singing, dancing, and tumbling, the statue of the Virgin comes to life, smiles, and blesses the poor juggler, who dies in ecstasy at her feet, while the monks chant the beatitude concerning the humble.
Massenet was later persuaded to turn the part of _Jean_ into a soprano. It is known to New York through Miss Mary Garden. It is said that the libretto of this opera was handed to Massenet by the postman, one day, as he was leaving for the country. In the railway carriage, seeking distraction, he opened the registered package. He was delighted with the libretto and wrote at once to the author, a teacher in the university.
WERTHER
Opera in four acts by Jules Massenet with a libretto by Édouard Blau, Paul Milliet, and G. Hartmann. First performance in New York, April 19, 1894, with Mme. Eames and Sigrid Arnoldson and Jean de Reszke.
In the first act the bailiff, _Charlotte's_ father, is seen teaching his youngest children to sing a Christmas carol, while _Charlotte_ dresses for a ball. Ready before the carriage arrives, she gives the children their bread and butter as she has done every day since their mother died. She greets _Werther_, her cousin, who is also invited to the ball, with a kiss. After they have gone, _Albert_ returns. He has been away six months. He wonders whether _Charlotte_, his betrothed, still cares for him and is reassured as to her fidelity by her younger sister _Sophie_. When _Charlotte_ and _Werther_ return from the ball _Werther_ declares his love. At that moment the bailiff announces _Albert's_ return. _Charlotte_ tells _Werther_ that she had promised to marry him only to please her mother. _Werther_ replies: "If you keep that promise I shall die."