The Opening Night of the Promenade Season
Relayed from The Queen's Hall, London
(Sole Lessees : Messrs. CHAPPELL and Co., LTD.)
(3Sth Season)
RACHEL MORTON (Soprano)
ARTHUR FEAR (Baritone)
ANTONIO BROSA (Violin)
Sir HENRY WOOD and his
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The name ' Owl-Glass ' (' Eulenspiegel ' literally means ' Owl's mirror ') is supposed to be derived from the old saying that men are as blind to their own shortcomings as an owl to its lack of beauty when it faces a looking-glass. According to the old legend-for all any man knows, it may well be authentic history-Till was born in Brunswick in 1283, and after an adventurous career, died at Molln, near Lilbeck, where they still show you his tombstone adorned with owl and looking-glass. Damme, near Bruges, however, also claims to be his burial place ; there is a tombstone there with an inscription in Latin which records Till's death in 1301. Strauss' tone poem is rather an epitome of the spirit of mischief than the life story of the legendary hero whose exploits are claimed as belonging to so many times and lands. Several of his escapades are set before us in the music-his wild ride through the market place, his mock sermon, his own unhappy love affair, and, finally, his death upon the gibbet. Even after that, a little epilogue seems to tell us that his laughter-loving spirit still lives on, immortal, unquenchable.
Louise is a working dressmaker whose parents refuse their permission for her marriage with the young artist Julien. The young couple accordingly set up house without the blessing of the church, and though Louise is persuaded by her parents to return home, she cannot bear to be parted from her beloved, and goes back to him. The Opera closes very effectively with her father standing shaking his fist at the heights of Montmartre, where she lives, crying, ' Oh, Paris ! '
She sings this beautiful song to Julien in the little house they have found for themselves in Montmartre. He has asked her if she is happy and this is her reply, a joyous tale of what life means to her now since they have found each other. She sings of her old drudgery having made way for a very fountain of light and happiness.
Musical Numbers :
The Revue produced by THEO V. NORMAN
The music played by JACK PAYNE and the B.B.C. DANCE ORCHESTRA.