Theo. Stanger's "crusaders"

Theo, Stanger's "Crusaders," which G. L. Gordon ls preparing to put on the stage, is a story of love and war, a duel and a wedding march. Four acts of the libretto are laid in Germany and one act in Jerusalem in Palestine. The story has all the atmosphere of chivalry about it, although the idea sets forth its downfall for the crusaders fail in their search for the holy cross,.

Act 1 gives the situation: The Roman church is organizing a crusade to obtain the holy cross which has been stolen from Rome and taken to Jerusalem. Two counts in Southern Germany have been chosen to lead a crusade, Count Alfred, a brother of Mathilda aad Count Egbert, her lover. This scene shows the banquet, the halls of luxury, the band of minstrels which will be on the stage in great display of costume. At this banquet for departing knights, Otto, younger brother of Mathilda, who has been unhorsed by Egbert at a tournament, challenges Egbert to a Combat because he thinks he hasn't had fair play. In the combat Otto is slain. In the second act, Alfred seeks to avenge his brother's death, but Egbert, out of consideration for Mathilda, refuses to fight. The Holy Father strives for reconciliation and the music works up, into a climax of religious enthusiasm, while all the feeling turns toward the crusaders. The third act shows Mathilda mourning the loss of her brother, and disquieted about her lover and the whole action of the music is storm and stress. Egbert, her lover, comes and finds her thus, and all is made right between them, the crusaders start for Jerusalem with a double chorus of voices to speed their going. Because of the death of Otto, Alfred and Egmont have separated forces, and gone as two crusaders in the search for the holy cross.

Act IV. is in the valley before Jerusalem. During the siege of Jerusalem, Alfred disguises himself as a Saracen and approaches the camp of Egbert and again challenges him to fight. He throws off his disguise and in the shock of recognition, Egmont is taken off his guard, and receives a severe wound. Then he disarms the brother and hands over his sword for a fatal thrust. But Alfred, recognizing something admirable in the act, stretches out his hand; in the strong clasp of the two soldiers is reconciliation. After peace has been established, it is discovered that Mathilda has followed the army in a soldier's disguise and been taken prisoner. Albert and Egmont combine their forces to rescue her. The fifth act is back in Germany, showing Count Egbert's palace, vine covered during his absence to the wars. In the distance is heard the hunter'a horn and the sound of the shephard's pipe answering over the hill. These meet and talk over the homecoming of the master. The women strew the road with flowers preparing for the return of the bride. The wedding party approach, there is a triumphant march, happiness and joyful music proclaim joy ever after.

The whole opera is a constant surprise all the way through. The interest is well kept up and the development gives no indication of what the end will be. The libretto is built this way and the music has been carefully worked into the same interesting suspense and suspended interest. The parts being taken by singers of real merit, the opera promises to be of an unusual class and exceptional worth.