The Kaiser as Opera Master.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7740, 16 February 1905, Page 3

The Kaiser as Opera Master.

Leoncavollo's new opera, " Roland of Herlin," composed at the request of the •German Emperor, was produced at Herlin on December 12. It was the talk of the town on the eve of its first performance, and hun'dreds of pounds were being offered for boxes, the cheapest seals in the house selling for '£s. A prominent Stock Exchange financier offered \C2riO to any .charity if Leoncavollo would procure him a seal. The | composer replied that it was impossible. Although the sale of tickets ; only began at noon on Sunday, the crowd assembled at the booking office before midnight on Saturday. Some waited u full sixteen hours in cold, wet weather, finally to be disappointed. Leoncavallo has taken nearly a decade to compose the i opera, which he declares is the verybest he can produce. The Emperor, I who is a great admirer of Ihe talenited Italian, suggested the composij lion of an opera based on the fnm- | ous historical novel "Roland of | Herlin," by Wilibald Alexis, which J deals with the life or Herlin in the middle of Lite fifteenth century.

Leoncavallo, without having tile least idea what kind of story the book contained, gave his assent, and set to work to study Alexis's romance, which he had never before heard of. It was specially translated into Italian for him by the famous Italian novelist Macehi, who received a fee of £2,000 for his work. Then, Leoncavallo having elaborated his scheme, submitted it to the Emperor. His Majesty revised it, introducing certain modilications. One point on which Kaiser and composer differed was- regarding the conclusion of the libretto. The Emperor wanted the two leading characters, ileaning and Elisabeth, to be married, as in the novel itself ; whereas Leoncavallo insisted thai Kenning must die u tragic death just before the curtain descends at the end of the final act. Leoncavallo finally had his own way, at the expense of historical accuracy. The Emperor has taken part in numerous rehearsals, and introduced scenic alterations as well as various changes in technical details. | " Roland of Herlin " was presented in the presence of a brilliant audience. The Emperor had reserved the g'.'eater part of the Opera house for the Royal Family, nil of whom were present, and his guests, includI ing the Diplomatic Corps, dignitaries of the Court, Slate officials, and military and* naval officers. The opera, into which the famous composer declares he has put his best work, can only bo regarded as a partial success. It is magnificently mounted, but it is haidly a musical composition of the first order. Leoncavallo was nevertheless called before the curtain quite a score of times, and at the conclusion of the performance the Emperor conferred I upon him the Order of the Prussian j Crown.