ounded and left senseless on the
beach. Oberon now causes him to fall into a magic sleep, which is to
last seven days.

In the third act we find Scherasmin and his bride, Fatima in Tunis
dressed as poor gardeners.

A corsair has saved the shipwrecked and sold them as slaves to the Emir
of Tunis. Though poor and in captivity they do not lose courage and
are happy that they are permitted to bear their hard lot together.

Meanwhile the seven days of Hueon's sleep have passed. Awaking, he
finds himself to his astonishment in Tunis, in the Emir's garden, with
his servant beside him, who is not less astonished at finding his
master.

Fatima, coming back, relates that she has discovered Rezia in the
Emir's harem. Hueon, who finds a nosegay with a message, which bids him
come to the myrtle-bower during the night, believes that it comes from
Rezia and is full of joy at the idea of meeting his bride. Great is
his terror, when the lady puts aside her veil, and he sees Roschana,
the Emir's wife. She has fallen in love with the noble knight, whom
she saw in the garden, but all her desires are in vain; he loathes her
and is about to escape, when the Emir enters, captures and sentences
him to be consumed by fire. Roschana is to be drowned. Rezia, hearing
of her lover's fate, implores the Emir to pardon him. But she has
already offended him by her {248} unwillingness to listen to his
protestations of love, and when he hears that Hueon is her husband, he
condemns them to be burnt together. Their trials however are nearing
their end. Scherasmin has regained his long-lost horn, by means of
which he casts a spell on everybody, until, blowing it with all his
might, he calls Oberon to their aid. The Elfin-King appears
accompanied by Queen Titania, who is now happily reconciled to him and
thanking the lovers for their constancy, he brings them safely back to
Paris, where Charlemagne holds his court. The Emperor's wrath is now
gone and he warmly welcomes Sir Hueon with his lovely bride, promising
them honor and glory for their future days.

ORFEO E EURYDICE.

Opera in three acts by GLUCK.

Text by RANIERO DI CALZABIGI.

This opera is the oldest of all we possess in our repertoire. Gluck
had already written more than forty operas, of which we do not even
know the names now, when he composed his Orfeo, breaking with the old
Italian traditions and showing a new and more natural taste. All the
charm of Italian mel