THE DEPARTURE.
Comic Opera in one Act.
Libretto by A. VON STEIGENTESCH (end of 18th century).
Arranged by FERDINAND COUNT SPORCK.
With Music by EUGÈNE D'ALBERT.
By this opera the young composer, whose previous dramatic efforts were to a certain extent unsuccessful, has proved that his forte lies in comic opera.
The Departure was given in Dresden in October 1900, and was a complete success.
The whole opera teems with bright and merry melodies, wrought-in with consumate art, and the text, though somewhat frivolous is artistically adapted to the music.
The principal motive is the love-motive, its strains which run through the whole opera are not only charming but original. The orchestration is in the style at present in vogue, which subordinates the voices more or less to the music.
The following is a short synopsis of the libretto.
The husband Gilfen rather neglects his pretty wife Louise, while his friend Trott pays court to her.
In the first scene we find Gilfen undecided, whether to set out on a journey, or not.