th this opera its composer has made a lucky hit; it stands far higher
than the "Maidens of Schilda", by dint of the charming subject, founded
on Auerbach's wonderful village-story: Die Frau Professorin. This
romance is so universally known and admired all over Germany, that it
ensures the success of the opera. The music is exceedingly well
adapted to the subject; its best parts are the "Lieder" (songs) which
are often exquisitely sweet, harmonious and refined. They realize
Foerster's prominent strength, and nowhere could they be better placed
than in this sweet and touching story.

Though the libretto is not very carefully written, it is better than
the average performances of this {177} kind, and with poetical
intuition Schefsky has refrained from the temptation, to make it turn
out well, as Charlotte Birch-Pfeiffer has done in her play of L'orle,
which is a weak counterpart of Auerbach's village-tragedy.

The first representation of the opera took place in Dresden on June
18th of 1891; it won the success it truly deserves.

The first act which is laid in a village of the Black Forest,
represents the square before the house of the wealthy Lindenhost. He
wishes his only daughter Lorle to marry a well to do young peasant,
named Balder, who loved her from her childhood. But Lorle rejects him,
having lost her heart to a painter, who had stayed in her father's
house, and who had taken her as a model for a picture of the Madonna,
which adorns the altar of the village church. Lorle's friend Baerbele
guesses her secret, and advises her to consult fate, by wreathing
secretly a garland of blue-bells and reed grass. This wreath she is to
throw into the branches of an oak calling aloud the name of her lover.
If the garland is stopped by the boughs, her wishes are fulfilled, if
it falls back into the girl's hands, she must give up hope for the year.

Both maidens resolve to try their fate on the very same night, which
happens to be St. John's (midsummer-night) the true night for the
working of the charm.

Meanwhile the Hussars arrive, to carry away the newly enlisted
peasants. The sergeant willingly {178} permits a last dance, and all
join in it heartily, but when the hour of parting comes the frightened
Balder hides in an empty barrel. Unfortunately his officer happens to
choose this one barrel for himself, deeming it filled with wine. When
it is laid on the car, the missing recruit is promptly apprehended.

The sc