“He is interrupted by a chorus of triumphant Arabs (twelve-eight time, accelerando).  The tribes arrive in crowds; the horns and brass reappear in the orchestra.  General rejoicings ensue, all the voices joining in by degrees, and Mahomet announces polygamy.  In the midst of all this triumph, the woman who has been of such faithful service to Mahomet sings a magnificent air (in B major).  ‘And I,’ says she, ’am I no longer loved?’ ’We must part.  Thou art but a woman, and I am a Prophet; I may still have slaves but no equal.’  Just listen to this duet (G sharp minor).  What anguish!  The woman understands the greatness her hands have built up; she loves Mahomet well enough to sacrifice herself to his glory; she worships him as a god, without criticising him,—­without murmuring.  Poor woman!  His first dupe and his first victim!

“What a subject for the finale (in B major) is her grief, brought out in such sombre hues against the acclamations of the chorus, and mingling with Mahomet’s tones as he throws his wife aside as a tool of no further use, still showing her that he can never forget her!  What fireworks of triumph! what a rush of glad and rippling song go up from the two young voices (first and second soprano) of Ayesha and Hafsa, supported by Ali and his wife, by Omar and Abubekir!  Weep!—­rejoice!  —­Triumph and tears!  Such is life.”

Marianna could not control her tears, and Andrea was so deeply moved that his eyes were moist.  The Neapolitan cook was startled by the magnetic influence of the ideas expressed by Gambara’s convulsive accents.

The composer looked round, saw the group, and smiled.

“At last you understand me!” said he.

No conqueror, led in pomp to the Capitol under the purple beams of glory, as the crown was placed on his head amid the acclamations of a nation, ever wore such an expression.  The composer’s face was radiant, like that of a holy martyr.  No one dispelled the error.  A terrible smile parted Marianna’s lips.  The Count was appalled by the guilelessness of this mania.

“Act III,” said the enchanted musician, reseating himself at the piano. “(Andantino, solo.) Mahomet in his seraglio, surrounded by women, but not happy.  Quartette of Houris (A major).  What pompous harmony, what trills as of ecstatic nightingales!  Modulation (into F sharp minor).  The theme is stated (on the dominant E and repeated in F major).  Here every delight is grouped and expressed to give effect to the contrast of the gloomy finale of the first act.  After the dancing, Mahomet rises and sings a grand bravura air (in F minor), repelling the perfect and devoted love of his first wife, but confessing himself conquered by polygamy.  Never has a musician had so fine a subject!  The orchestra and the chorus of female voices express the joys of the Houris, while Mahomet reverts to the melancholy strain of the opening.  Where is Beethoven,” cried Gambara, “to appreciate this prodigious reaction of my opera on itself?  How completely it all rests on the bass.