Opera Books
The Standard Operas
By George P. Upton
1928
FRANCHETTI (ALBERTO)
THE name of Franchetti
is not an unfamiliar one in the American concert-room and opera house. More than thirty
years ago Theodore Thomas included one of his symphonies in a New York Philharmonic
programme, and in the following year produced the prelude to his opera
,,Asraële.“"Germania“was brought out for the first time in Milan March 11,
1902, and in this country January 22, 1910. The composer is of the Rothschild family on
his mother’s side, a baron by rank and very wealthy, but notwithstanding these
drawbacks has shown himself a serious, industrious, and talented musician. He belongs
neither to the advanced young Italian school nor to the Wagner school. In this regard he
may be reckoned an independent composer, though in Italy he is regarded as the Italian
Meyerbeer, probably from his love for the spectacular and great masses of sound.
The libretto of “Germania” was written by Luigi
Illica, and its incidents are taken from the days of the Napoleonic invasion of Germany.
It is peculiarly interesting for its array of historical characters, and for the
selections from German folksong which are skilfully employed by the composer.
The opera is arranged in a prologue, two acts, and epilogue.
The prologue opens in an old Nuremberg mill, the hiding-place of Palm, and also the place
where the incendiary literature is printed. Several of the student patriots are gathered
there and in their midst suddenly appears Ricke, who has been wronged by Karl Worms, one
of the students,
and is in love with Frederick Loewe, another of the band who
is at the front. Loewe returns, however, and implores Ricke to become his bride, just as
the police enter the mill and arrest Palm.
The opening of the first act discloses a hut in the Black
Forest, where Loewe and Ricke are in concealment, and are to be married that day. At the
conclusion of the ceremony Worms arrives, fatigued with his wandering, and asks for
shelter, but departs as he recognizes the married couple. Ricke, overcome by remorse,
leaves her husband.
The second act opens in the secret resort of - the Louise
hand, a patriotic order in Königsberg. Karl Worms is the leader, and in the midst of
their discussions a voice is raised against Worms. When he discovers it is that of Loewe,
insults are exchanged and a duel is prevented only by the sudden appearance of Queen
Louise, leading Prince William. She interposes and peace is preserved.
The epilogue discloses the battlefield at Leipsic. Ricke,
wandering ver the field, discovers Loewe mortally wounded. He declare to her that he knows
she is innocent and pleads with her t forgive Worms, who fell near him. She discovers the
latt s body, and as she stands there Napoleon and his army appear in retreat. Loewe raises
himself, apostrophizes Germany, and falls back dead.
The spectacular nature of the story and the large
number of persons engaged upon the stage afford Franchetti the opportunity for just such a
score as is best suited to his talent. While not appealing deeply to the emotions nor
impressing by its elevation or nobility, still it is music written in a skilful and
scholarly manner and shows the effect of his early German training, — an
unusual quality in an Italian musician. One of the most impressive passages in the opera
is that of the singing of the Hymn of Liberty by the patriots.
Last updated October 30, 2006