Opera Plots I - MDC Faculty Home Pages

character, and is herself leading a pure life and is a secret Christian. Vindex offers to protect her,
but when the -revellers burst into the room and Nero himself is found to be the ringleader all are
amazed. Vindex, who has fallen in love with Chrysa, is filled with grief on now learning that she
is the courtesans daughter, and thinking her of the same class, protects her no longer; but when he
sees her fall senseless from a drug administered by her mother, who, in order to save her beloved
child from the tyrant, now announces that she has poisoned her, his love overcomes all, and he
furiously denounces the licentious Emperor.
In Act 2 we are taken to the house of Poppoea, who has been Neros favourite mistress until the
advent of Chrysa, and she is bemoaning her fall from favour when an astrologer enters and tells
her that Chrysa has been poisoned, and that the Empress Octavia has also been commanded to end
her life. When Nero enters she reproaches him for his recent desertion of her, but is quickly
consoled on learning that she now has a chance of sharing his throne. Chrysa, meanwhile, has
recovered from the potion, and has fallen into the hands of Agrippina, Neros mother.
In Act 3 she is visited by Vindex, who now declares his love for her, to which she gladly responds.
Epicharis also gains entrance, and the pair comfort each other. Finally Poppoea and the lord
Saccus burst into the apartment, the latter announcing that Rome is burning; and the scene ends
with the half-crazed Nero singing and playing on his lyre as he watches the flames, whilst Chrysa,
on declaring herself to be a Christian, meets her death at the hands of the angry mob, her mother,
Epicharis, also being crushed beneath the ruins of a smouldering house.
In Act 4 Nero is shown in a passionate and frenzied state, the people having risen against him; and
as Saccus announces the approach of his enemies he slays himself as the victorious
revolutionaries, headed by Vindex, appear on the scene. As the tyrant falls a brilliant cross is seen
in the heavens, being the symbol of the end of Paganism and the dawn of Christianity.
138. THE DEMON
Opera in Three Acts By Anton Gregor Rubenstein
Libretto By Wiskowatofi (Adapted from Lermontoffs Dramatic Poem)
First Produced St Petersburg, January, 1875
Chief Characters Tamara, The Demon, The Angel of Light, Prince Sinodal, Prince Gudal
THE scene of this fantastic opera is laid in Grusia in the Caucasus Mountains. The arch-fiend is
shown in the prologue, defying the power of the Angel of Light, and engaging in endless strife
against Heaven. He is weary of everything, even of strife; but soon a new interest arises for him.
He beholds Tamara, the beautiful daughter of Prince Gudal, and falls in love with her; and his fury
against the Power of Good at once vanishes, and he endeavours to win the mortal maiden for
himself. He therefore visits her as she waits outside her fathers castle for the arrival of her
bridegroom, Prince Sinodal, and makes passionate love to her; but Tamara is alarmed and hastens
into the castle, though she is thrilled by the hot words and supernatural beauty of the stranger,
whom she realises is a being from another world, and his tender voice rings constantly in her ears.
Meanwhile Prince Sinodal, as he journeys to the side of his betrothed, is set upon at night by a