in the hero poor Bearskin,
whom they almost killed in their frenzy, humbly beg his pardon and
express their grateful thanks. Hans declines all honours that are
offered him and thanks God for his lovely bride who has been sent as
his good angel. All join in praise to God for his goodness to the
happy couple.

THE CID.

A Lyric Drama in three acts.

Text and Music by PETER CORNELIUS.

After an interval of more than thirty years the Dresden Opera has paid
a debt of honour to the dead composer and gave his finest and best
opera for the first time on January 17th 1899.

This opera had hitherto only been performed in Munich and Weimar.
Though its music is perhaps less fresh and piquant than that of the
Barber of Bagdad by the same composer, yet it has the true ring of
genius and its noble charm {399} ranks high above the ordinary opera of
the present day.

We find in it many leading motives, which would seem to rank Cornelius
amongst Wagner's imitators, but he is very far from being one of these.
All his melodies are original and one of the finest, the Cid-motive,
which accompanies every entrance of this hero, is perfectly entrancing.
The loveliest pearls in the string of music are the funeral march and
Chimene's wail in the first act, her prayer in the second, and the
avowal of her love and the duet that follows in the last act.

The libretto written by Cornelius himself is also far above the
average; its language is uncommonly beautiful and poetic.

The scene is laid in Burgos in Castile in the year 1064. The first act
opens with a large concourse of people, assembled to celebrate Ruy
Diaz' victory over the Moors.

In the midst of their rejoicings a funeral march announces Chimene,
Countess of Lozan, whose father has been slain by Diaz. While she
wildly invokes the King's help against the hero the latter enters,
enthusiastically greeted by the people, who adore in him their
deliverer from the sword of the infidels.

He justifies himself before King Fernando, relating with quiet dignity,
how he killed Count Lozan in open duel to avenge his old father, whose
honour the Count had grossly attacked. Nevertheless he is ready to
defend himself against anybody, who {400} is willing to fight for Donna
Chimene, and for this purpose he throws down his glove, which is taken
up by Alvar Farnez, his friend and companion in arms, who is madly in
love with Chimene.--While they are preparing for the duel the Bishop