Numerous illustrations of the artists who have been closely associated with certain rôles characterize the nineteenth printing of this popular handling of the standard operas. Also operas that have become popular since the first edition appeared have been included. It is a book designed for the general reader rather than the musician.
“In its present form, this work is far more useful and attractive than it ever was before and we predict for it a long lease of renewed popularity.”
+ + Dial. 41: 330. N. 16, ’06. 120w. + + Nation. 83: 468. N. 29, ’06. 340w.
“This is a book of reference without an equal in its field.”
+ + N. Y. Times. 11: 778. N. 24, ’06. 100w.
V
Vachell, Horace Annesley. Face of clay: an interpretation. †$1.50. Dodd.
A spell of mystery is cast over Mr. Vachell’s new story in which a young English-Breton girl and a Cornish artist play the leading rôles. “Falsely they both play because the two troublesome strings of their instruments, love and ambition refuse to get into tune. The resulting discords seem to Tephany to be due to a certain face of clay, the death mask of a beautiful model her lover, Michael, has once painted, and she resolves to destroy it. Her hand, however is mysteriously stayed.... The message of the mask accomplishes itself, the avenging Furic finds his due, the apparition of the aukon is driven away, and ‘by a miracle,’ says the curé, Tephany is saved. Not until after that do she and Michael learn their instruments.” (N. Y. Times.)