[1] Note.—Very solemn and slow. [↑]
THE SOUL’S AWAKENING
SUMMARY OF THE SCENES
Scene 1: Hilary’s business is threatened with disaster because of his attempt to introduce into it his spiritual ideals and occult methods. He has engaged as controller of his machinery, Strader, who is generally known to be a failure because of his unpractical inventions. With him comes a group of similar “cranks.” Hilary’s old manager is in despair.
Scene 2: Johannes is a prey to delusion and loves to wander in his own dreamland. He is warned by Maria and Benedictus. Capesius, in a moment of clairvoyance gets a glimpse of Johannes’ inner mood, and is so alarmed that he decides that there can be no blending of spiritual gifts with earthly things, and he withdraws from Hilary’s group and goes to the old mystic Felix. Maria urges Johannes to discriminate between truth end self-delusion which can be done by the study of elemental sprites.
The dance of gnomes and sylphs.
The youth of Johannes appears. It is in despair because it is separated from Johannes. Lucifer tries to console it with promises of human wisdom and love of beauty. Theodora offers divine wisdom.
Scene 3: Arguments on various phases of occult development. During the discussion, Ahriman glides stealthily across the stage to bring dissension and confusion of thought among the speakers, who are ignorant of his presence.