The third act introduces Fra Diavolo once more among his native mountains, and there is the real breath and vigor of the mountain air in his opening song ("Proudly and wide my Standard flies"), and rollicking freedom in the rondeau which follows it ("Then since Life glides so fast away").  He exults in his liberty, and gleefully looks forward to a meeting with Lord and Lady Allcash, which he anticipates will redound to his personal profit.  His exultation is interrupted by the entrance of the villagers arrayed in festival attire in honor of the approaching wedding ceremonies, singing a bright pastoral chorus ("Oh, Holy Virgin! bright and fair").  The finale of the act is occupied with the development of the scheme between Lorenzo, Beppo, and Giacomo, to ensnare Fra Diavolo and compass his death; and with the final tragedy, in which Fra Diavolo meets his doom at the hands of the carbineers, but not before he has declared Zerlina’s innocence.  This finale is strong and very dramatic, and yet at the same time simple, natural, and unstudied.  The opera itself is a universal favorite, not alone for its naturalness and quiet grace, but for its bright and even boisterous humor, which is sustained by the typical English tourist, who was for the first time introduced in opera by Scribe.  The text is full of spirit and gayety, and these qualities are admirably reflected in the sparkling music of Auber.  Not one of the books which the versatile Scribe has supplied for the opera is more replete with incident or brighter in humor.  How well it was adapted for musical treatment is shown by the fact that “Fra Diavolo” made Auber’s reputation at the Opera Comique.

MASANIELLO.

“Masaniello,” or “La Muette de Portici,” a lyric opera in five acts, words by Scribe and Delavigne, was first produced in Paris, Feb. 29, 1828; in English, at London, May 4, 1829; and in Italian, at London, March 15, 1849.  The original cast included Mme. Damoreau-Cinti as Elvira, Mlle. Noblet as Fenella, and M. Massol as Pietro.  In the Italian version, Sig.  Mario, Mme. Dorus-Gras, and Mlle. Leroux, a famous mime and dancer, took the principal parts; while in its English dress, Braham created one of the greatest successes on record, and established it as the favorite opera of Auber among Englishmen.

The scene of the opera is laid near Naples.  The first act opens upon the festivities attending the nuptials of Alphonso, son of the Duke of Arcos, and the Princess Elvira.  After a chorus of rejoicing, the latter enters and sings a brilliant cavatina ("O, bel Momento”) expressive of her happiness.  In the fourth scene the festivities are interrupted by the appearance of Fenella, the dumb girl, who implores the princess to save her from Selva, one of the Duke’s officers, who is seeking to return her to prison, from which she has escaped, and where she has been confined at the orders of some unknown cavalier who