Chapter I: Preface

The object of the compiler of this Handbook is to present to the reader a brief but comprehensive sketch of each of the operas contained in the modern repertory which are likely to be given during regular seasons. To this end he has consulted the best authorities, adding to the material thus collected his own observations, and in each case presented a necessarily brief sketch of the composer, the story of each opera, the general character of the music, its prominent scenes and numbers,--the latter in the text most familiar to opera-goers,--the date of first performances, with a statement of the original cast wherever it has been possible to obtain it, and such historical information concerning the opera and its composition as will be of interest to the reader. The work has been prepared for the general public rather than for musicians; and with this purpose in view, technicalities have been avoided as far as possible, the aim being to give musically uneducated lovers of opera a clear understanding of the works they are likely to hear, and thus heighten their enjoyment. In a word, the operas are described rather than criticised, and the work is presented with as much thoroughness as seemed possible considering the necessarily brief space allotted to each. In the preparation of the Handbook, the compiler acknowledges his indebtedness to Grove's excellent "Dictionary of Music" for dates and other statistical information; and he has also made free use of standard musical works in his library for historical events connected with the performance and composition of the operas. It only remains to submit this work to opera-goers with the hope that it may add to their enjoyment and prove a valuable addition to their libraries.--G.P.U.

CHICAGO, August, 1885.

CONTENTS.

AUBER

FRA DIAVOLO

MASANIELLO

THE CROWN DIAMONDS

BALFE

THE BOHEMIAN GIRL

THE ROSE OF CASTILE

BEETHOVEN

FIDELIO

BELLINI

NORMA

LA SONNAMBULA

I PURITANI

BIZET

CARMEN

BOIELDIEU

LA DAME BLANCHE

BOITO

MEPHISTOPHELES

DELIBES

LAKME

DONIZETTI

THE DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT

LA FAVORITA

DON PASQUALE

LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR

L'ELISIR D'AMORE

LUCREZIA BORGIA

FLOTOW

MARTHA

STRADELLA

GLUCK

ORPHEUS

GOETZ

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

GOLDMARK

THE QUEEN OF SHEBA

MERLIN

GOUNOD

FAUST

ROMEO AND JULIET

MIREILLE

HALEVY

THE JEWESS

HUMPERDINCK

HANSEL AND GRETEL

LEONCAVALLO

I PAGLIACCI

MASCAGNI

CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA

MEYERBEER

THE HUGUENOTS

THE STAR OF THE NORTH

ROBERT THE DEVIL

DINORAH

THE PROPHET

THE AFRICAN

MOZART

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

DON GIOVANNI

THE MAGIC FLUTE

ROSSINI

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

SEMIRAMIDE

WILLIAM TELL

RUBINSTEIN

NERO

THOMAS

MIGNON

VERDI

ERNANI

RIGOLETTO

LA TRAVIATA

IL TROVATORE

THE MASKED BALL

AIDA

OTHELLO

FALSTAFF

WAGNER

RIENZI

THE FLYING DUTCHMAN

TANNHAEUSER

LOHENGRIN

TRISTAN UND ISOLDE

THE MASTERSINGERS

THE RING OF THE NIBELUNG

DAS RHEINGOLD

DIE WALKUERE

SIEGFRIED

DIE GOETTERDAEMMERUNG

PARSIFAL

WALLACE

MARITANA

WEBER

DER FREISCHUETZ

OBERON

EURYANTHE