Bruneau's later works can hardly be said to have fulfilled the promise
of 'Le Reve,' but they unquestionably show a fuller command of the
resources of his art. He is a singular and striking figure in the world
of modern music, and it is impossible to believe that he has spoken his
last word as yet. His career will be watched with interest by all who
are interested in the development of opera.
Of the younger men the most prominent are Vincent d'Indy, Gustave
Charpentier, and Claude Debussy. Vincent d'Indy's 'Fervaal' was produced
at Brussels in 1897 and was given in Paris shortly afterwards. It is a
story of the Cevennes in heroic times, somewhat in the Wagnerian manner,
and the music is defiantly Wagnerian from first to last Clever as
'Fervaal' unquestionably is, it is valuable less as a work of art than
as an indication of the real bent of the composer's talent. The dramatic
parts of the opera suggest nothing but a brilliant exercise in the
Wagnerian style, but in the lyrica scenes, such as the last act in its
entirety, there are evidences of an individuality of conspicuous power
and originality. 'L'Etranger' (1903) hardly bore out the promise of
'Fervaal,' in spite of much clever musicianship. The plot is an
adaptation of the legend of the Flying Dutchman, and the unmitigated
gloom of the work prevented it from winning the degree of favour to
which its many merits entitled it.
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