Auber has never been so popular in England as
abroad, and the only two works of his which are now performed in this
country--'Fra Diavolo' and 'Masaniello'--represent him, curiously
enough, at his best and worst respectively. The scene of 'Fra Diavolo'
is laid at a village inn in Italy. Lord and Lady Rocburg, the
conventional travelling English couple, arrive in great perturbation,
been stopped by brigands and plundered of some of their property. At the
inn they fall in with a distinguished personage calling himself the
Marquis di San Marco, who is none other than the famous brigand chief
Fra Diavolo. He makes violent love to the silly Englishwoman, and soon
obtains her confidence. Meanwhile Lorenzo, the captain of a body of
carabineers, who loves the innkeeper's daughter Zerlina, has hurried off
after the brigands. He comes up with them and kills twenty, besides
getting back Lady Rocburg's stolen jewels. Fra Diavolo is furious at the
loss of his comrades, and vows vengeance on Lorenzo. That night he
conceals himself in Zerlina's room, and, when all is still, admits two
of his followers into the house. Their nocturnal schemes are frustrated
by the return of Lorenzo and his soldiers, who have been out in search
of the brigand chief. Fra Diavolo is discovered, but pretends that
Zerlina has given him an assignation. Lorenzo is furious at this
accusation, and challenges the brigand to a duel.
Pages:
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174