Opera Plots I - MDC Faculty Home Pages

Aubry is thus compelled to silence; and Ruthven proceeds in his dreadful designs. He gains the
attention of Emma, a simple country maiden attendant upon Malvina, by praising her beauty and
promising to help her sweetheart; and finally he lures her also to his den and she becomes the
second victim promised to his Demon Master, In the last scene, the marriage of Malvina, who has
at last consented to wed the feared stranger, is about to take place; but when the gloomy
bridegroom stands beside the almost fainting bride, Aubry, unable to hold back his dreadful
knowledge any longer, and regardless of his own threatened danger, denounces Ruthven as a
Vampire before all the company, At that moment Ruthven's year of respite being at an end, he is
killed by a terrific flash of lightning; and his threat to the effect that the dreadful curse would fall
upon Aubry should he give up the secret proving false, the old Laird consents to his union with the
now happy Malvina.
87. L'AMICO FRITZ
Opera Comique in Three Acts By Pietro Mascagni
Libretto By Suaratoni, Adapted from Erckmann-Chatrian's 's Story
First Produced October, 1891
Chief Characters Susel, Fritz, David the Rabbi, Hans, Friedrich
THE scene is laid in a village in Alsace. Fritz Kobus, a wealthy bachelor, is celebrating his fortieth
birthday by a feast to the tenants on his estates. Although a jovial, pleasant fellow, he is an
inveterate upholder of celibacy a circumstance greatly to the distaste of old David, the Rabbi, who
is himself an incorrigible match-maker. David is determined to arrange a marriage for the well-todo
bachelor; and he therefore marks with satisfaction that Fritz appears to. be interested in pretty
Susel, the daughter of one of his tenants, who has shyly presented him with a bunch of violets, and
whom he has invited to sit beside him at the feast. Fritz is, indeed, for the first time in his life,
really interested in a young girl; and he shows such real pleasure in the society of the pretty Susel,
who has already lost her heart to him, that his friends Hans and Friedrich and old David tease him
unmercifully. Fritz, however, indignantly denies that he has fallen in love; and he readily accepts a
wager which the wily Rabbi presently suggests, by which he agrees to give the latter one of his
fine vineyards should he ever be so foolish as to marry. He is, nevertheless, unable to keep away
from the dainty maiden, whose sweet, winning ways have enthralled him; and in Act 2 we find
him in his tenant's garden, accepting flowers and cherries from fair Susel, as love-sick as any
youthful swain. His friends find him here, and are delighted at his progress; and the clever old
match-maker strengthens his growing passion by telling him of the many admirers the pretty girl
has, and so stirs his jealousy. The laughter of his friends, however, causes the staid bachelor to
attempt to thrust this disturbing element of love from his life; and for awhile he keeps away from
poor Susel, who weeps sadly at his imagined desertion. However, love conquers in the end; and
Fritz, finding his life miserable and empty without his charming little sweetheart, returns gladly to
her side, kisses away her tears, and entreats her to marry him and make him happy. The joyful
Susel very gladly consents; and thus the old Rabbi wins his wager, his joy at this new match which
he believes he has been the entire means of bringing about being so great that he bestows the
vineyard he has won upon the pretty Susel as her wedding dowry.