Identifier: victrolabookofop00vict (find matches)
Title: The Victrola book of the opera : stories of one hundred and twenty operas with seven-hundred illustrations and descriptions of twelve-hundred Victor opera records
Year: 1917 (1910s)
Authors: Victor Talking Machine Company Rous, Samuel Holland
Subjects: Operas
Publisher: Camden, N.J. : Victor Talking Machine Co.
Contributing Library: Harold B. Lee Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brigham Young University

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story of Boitos opera is directly drawn from Goethes Faust, but the composer haschosen episodes from the whole of Goethes story, not confining himself to the tale ofGretchen, but including the episode of Helen of Troy. In his Mefistofele Boito has followed thegreat poets work more closely than did Gounods librettist, and the work is a deeper one inmany respects. PROLOGUE SCENE—The Regions of Space The prologue to Boitos opera is a most impressive scene, which takes place in the indef-inite regions of space. Invisible angels and cherubim, supported by the celestial trumpets,sing in praise of the Ruler of the Universe. Mefistofele is represented hovering between Hell and Earth, denying the power of God.He addresses the Almighty in his Hail, Great Lord! Ave Signor (Hail, Sovereign Lord) By Marcel Journet, Bass (In Italian) 64126 10-inch, $1.00 The Devil contends that man is but a weakling, easily cheated of his salvation. Standing on a cloud Mefistofele mockingly addresses the Creator:
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Hail, Sovereign Lord,Forgive me if my bawlingSomewhat behind is fallingThose sublime anthems sungIn heavenly places!Forgive me if my face isNow wanting the radianceThat, as with a garland,The cherub legion graces!Forgive me if in speaking,Some risk Im taking of ir- revrent outbreaking!The puny king of puny earths dominionsErreth through wrong opin-ionsAnd like a cricket, with along leap rushing, Mid stars his nose is push-ing, Then with superb fatuitytenacious, Trills with pride contuma-cious! Vain, glorious atom! Proud mid confusion! Phantom of mans delusion! Ah! in such deep degrada-tion Is fallen the master, Lord of the whole creation, No more have I the will, While in that station, Him to tempt to ill!Prom the Ditson EditionCopyt 1880, Oliver Ditsou Co. Then, discussing Faust with the Mystic Chorus, Mefisto-fele wagers that he can entice the philosopher from thepath of virtue. The challenge is accepted, and Mefistofeledisappears to begin his plots against the soul of Faust. ACT I

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