'Etienne Marcel' (1879) and 'Proserpine'
(1887) must be classed among Saint Saens's failures, but 'Henry VIII.'
is a work of high interest, which, though produced so long ago as 1883,
is still popular in Paris. The action of the piece begins at the time
when Henry is first smitten with the charms of Anne Boleyn, who for his
sake neglects her former admirer, Don Gomez, the Spanish Ambassador.
Negotiations regarding the King's divorce with Catherine of Aragon are
set on foot, and, when the Pope refuses to sanction it, Henry proclaims
England independent of the Roman Church, amidst the acclamations of the
people. In the last act Anne is queen. Catherine, who is at the point of
death, has in her possession a compromising letter from Anne to Don
Gomez. Henry is devoured by jealousy, and comes, accompanied by Don
Gomez, to try to obtain possession of the incriminating document. Anne
comes also for the same purpose. This is the strongest scene in the
opera. Henry, in order to incite Catherine to revenge, speaks to Anne in
his tenderest tones, but the divorced queen rises to the occasion.
Praying for strength to resist the temptation, she throws the letter
into the fire and falls down dead.
Saint Saens has treated this scene with uncommon variety and force, and
indeed the whole opera is a masterly piece of writing. He uses guiding
themes with more freedom than in 'Samson et Dalila,' but the general
outline of 'Henry VIII.
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