THE QUEEN OF SHEBA.
(DIE KÖNIGIN VON SABA.)
Grand Opera in four acts by CHARLES GOLDMARK.
Text by MOSENTHAL.
Charles Goldmark was born in Hungary in 1852. He received his musical education in Vienna.
The well-known name of Mosenthal is in itself a warrant that the libretto is excellently suited to the music. The opera is considered one of the best and finest of our modern compositions.
It is noble, original and full of brilliant orchestral effects, which, united to a grand, not to say gorgeous mise en scène, captivate our senses.
The contents are these:
A magnificent wedding is to be celebrated in King Solomon's palace at Jerusalem. The High-priest's daughter, Sulamith, is to marry Assad, King Solomon's favorite. But the lover, who has in a foreign country seen a most beautiful and haughty woman bathing in a forest-well, is now in love with the stranger and has forgotten his destined bride.
Returning home Assad confesses his error to the wise King and Solomon bids him wed Sulamith and forget the heathen. Assad gives his promise, praying to God to restore peace to his breast.
Then enters the Queen of Sheba in all her glory, followed by a procession of slaves and suitors. Next to her litter walks her principal slave, Astaroth.