In the last scene Salome implores Herodias to save John, but the executioner's sword is already bloodstained. Salome snatches a dagger and rushes upon Herodias who cries in terror, "Have mercy. I am your mother." "Then take back your blood and my life," cries Salome, turning the weapon upon herself.
SAPHO
Massenet's "Sapho," with a libretto by Henri Cain and Arthur Bernède, based on Daudet's famous novel, was a complete failure in New York when it was sung for three performances in 1909. Its favourable reception in Paris, where it was produced at the Opéra Comique in 1897, was chiefly due to the vivid impersonation of Emma Calvé. The story concerns an artist's model who captivates an unsophisticated young man from the country and wrecks his life in attempting to rise above her past.
CLÉOPÂTRE
Opera by J. Massenet. Written for Lucy Arbell, the opera was produced by Raoul Gunsbourg, at Monte Carlo, in his season of 1914-15 with Marie Kousnezova in the title rôle. The first performance in America took place in Chicago, at the Auditorium, January 10, 1916, with the same singer. The first performance in New York was on January 23, 1919, with Miss Mary Garden as the Queen of Egypt and Alfred Maguénat, who created the rôle at Monte Carlo and in Chicago, as the Marc Anthony. The story is the traditional one.
LOUISE
A musical romance in four acts, libretto and music by Gustave Charpentier.
Characters
| Julien | Tenor |
| The Father | Baritone |
| Louise | Soprano |
| The Mother | Contralto |
| Irma | Soprano |
The opera was produced at the Opéra Comique, Paris, February 2, 1900. The part of Louise was created by Miss Rioton, who then sang for the first time in an opera house; that of Julien by Maréchal; that of the father by Fugère, and that of the mother by Mme. Deschamps-Jéhin.