MONA
Opera in three acts. Poem by Brian Hooker. Music by Horatio Parker. The action takes place during the days of the Roman rule in Britain. First performance at the Metropolitan, March 4, 1912.
Quintus, son of the Roman Governor, by a British captive, has grown up as one of his mother's people. Known to them as Gwynn, he has won power and position among them as a bard. He is about to marry Mona, foster-child of Enya and Arth, and last of the blood of Boadicea. But a great rebellion is stirred up in Britain by Caradoc, the chief bard, and Gloom, the Druid, foster-brother of Mona. By birthright and by old signs and prophecies she is proclaimed leader. The girl has been taught to hate Rome and to dream of great deeds. Gwynn, fearing to lose Mona and his power, swears fellowship in the conspiracy. But in spite of this, for urging peace, he is cast off by Mona and her followers.
The faithful lover follows her about on her mission to arouse revolt, prevents the Roman garrisons from seizing her, and secretly saves her life many times. The Governor, his father, blames him for this, but he replies that through Mona he will yet keep the tribes from war. The Governor lays all the responsibility upon his shoulders. He promises to spare the Britons if they remain passive, but swears to crush them without mercy if they attack. Gwynn meets Mona just before the battle and so moves her love for him that she becomes his creature from that moment. Triumphantly he begins to tell her of his plans for peace. Suddenly she seems to realize that he is a Roman, and calls the Britons to her aid. Still, she lies to save his life. The youth is made prisoner and led by Mona and the bards against the Roman town.
The rebellion is crushed. Arth and Gloom are slain. Gwynn, coming upon them and Mona, tells her of his parentage and pleads for assistance. But having believed him a traitor, she now thinks him a liar and slays him. The Governor and his soldiers take her captive. From them she learns that Gwynn had spoken the truth.
CYRANO
Opera in four acts by Walter Damrosch. Book by William J. Henderson after the drama by Edmond Rostand. First performance on any stage at the Metropolitan Opera House, February 27, 1913, with Pasquale Amato as Cyrano, Frances Alda as Roxane, and Riccardo Martin as Christian.
Characters
Act I. Interior of the Hôtel de Bourgogne. Act II. "The Poet's Eating House," Ragueneau's cook and pastry shop. Act III. A small square in the Old Marais. Act IV, Scene 1. Entrenchment at the siege of Arras. Scene 2. A convent garden near the field of battle.