Opera Plots I - MDC Faculty Home Pages

already regretting that he has given up Anna to one who loves her not, dedicates his soul to the
God of the Rhine, whom he entreats to avenge his loved one's wrongs. When Loreley awakens
from her swoon, she calls upon the Rhine nymphs and spirits of the air to help in avenging her
honour and her broken heart; and they tell her that by con-senting to become the bride of the Rhine
King, she shall be given the marvellous, unearthly beauty of a siren, who shall wound her faithful
lover with new pangs of love, which he will be utterly unable to resist. Loreley consents to the
terms, and flings herself into the Rhine, from which she presently emerges, transformed, with the
glorious alluring beauty of the fabled Rhine siren, combing her long flowing golden locks with a
golden comb, and await-ing her time of vengeance. In Act 2 the wedding revels have already
commenced. Hermann, anxious to save Anna from a loveless union, tells her that Walter is not
true to her; but Anna refuses to believe his words, and gladly goes forth to meet her betrothed,
whom she passionately loves. The wed-ding procession proceeds towards the church; but suddenly
a strange, brilliant light is seen in the sky, and Loreley appears in all the glory of her new and
radiant siren beauty. She sings an alluring song of love to Walter, who, unable to resist her
invitation, tears himself away from Anna's detaining arms, and wildly follows the lovely
enchantress, as she moves before him. When Loreley reaches the river, however, she vanishes into
the water, and Walter is left on the bank; whilst Anna, overcome with the shock of realising the
faithlessness of her betrothed, sinks back into the Margrave's arms, dead. In Act 3 the funeral
procession of Anna passes by; and Walter, on learning of the tragedy he has wrought, falls in a
swoon on the river bank. As he recovers, Loreley appears on her rock, still singing her song of
love and invitation. Now that she has regained her lover, her desire for vengeance is at an end; and
she forgives him, eager to enjoy his love once more. But as she approaches him, and yields to his
passionate em-braces, the voices of the Rhine nymphs and spirits of the air call out to her to
remember her vow of vengeance and solemn pledge to become the bride of the Rhine King; and
Loreley, with a last caress, sorrowfully tears herself from her lover's arms, and mounts her rock
once more, as Walter, overcome with despair as he realises that she is lost to him for ever, flings
himself into the river to meet his death.
29. LOUISE
Opera in Four Acts By Gustave Charpentier
First Produced Paris, 1900
Chief Characters Louise, Her Mother, Julien, and the Father of Louise
THE scene is laid in Paris, at the present time, and gives a very true picture of Bohemian life in the
Gay City. Louise is a beautiful young girl, engaged in a dressmaking establishment, and is the
daughter of poor but honest working folk. Julien, a young and romantic artist, falls in love with
her; and, making her acquaintance, soon gains her affection in return. When he visits her parents,
however, he receives a cold reception; for the father and mother of Louise doubt the gay young
gentleman's intentions, and will not give their consent to his intercourse with their cherished
daughter. Julien, however, will not give up his sweetheart; and in Act 2 he waylays her on her way
to business and implores her to give up her hard work, and to retire with him to a little home
which he has provided. Louise, in spite of her love, at first makes a firm stand against this
temptation, for she knows what grief her fall would bring upon her parents; but when Julien
follows her constantly to the shop where she is employed, and her companions tease and cast