Faust’s Tragedy Outdone Suicide at Sofia Opera House

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 857, 28 December 1929, Page 18

Faust’s Tragedy Outdone Suicide at Sofia Opera House

fFjjMg|p<WSi HERE was a tragic interruption to the performQFKLQi ance of “Faust” at the '/jr? - National Opera House in Sofia, Bulgaria. A young bank clerk made' a desperate attempt at suicide while seated in the front row of the stalls. Just as Doctor Faust had raised the goblet which was to renew his youth, according to contract with Mephistopheles, a shot rang out, and electrified both the performers and the audience. The youth in the stalls had shot himself in the chest with a revolver.

There were a few moments of panic, during which the would-be suicide —who had failed to kill himself with the bullet—attempted to complete the work by stabbing himself repeatedly with a dagger. He was overpowered and taken to hospital, where his condition was found to be very serious.

‘The performance could not be resumed, as the players were too upset by the tragic incident. According to letters found in the bank clerk’s pockets, he had had a bitter disappointment in’ love recently.