DAS NACHTLAGER VON GRANADA " Das Nachtlager von Granada " or "A Night's Lodging in Granada," a romantic opera in two acts with music by Konradin Kreutzer and lines by Karl Johann Braun, after Frederick Kind's play of the same name, was produced at Vienna, at the Imperial Private Theatre in the Josephstadt, Jan. 13, 1834.
A Huntsman.
Ambrosio, an old shepherd.
Gabrielle, his niece. Vasco, a shepherd. Pedro, a shepherd. Gomez, a young shepherd.
Count Otto, a German nobleman.
An Alcade.
Hunters, servants, shepherds and shepherdesses, magis trates.
The hero of the opera is Maxmilian, Archduke of Austria. The place is Spain and the time 1550.
When the curtain rises there is discovered in the fore ground a ruined castle of Moorish times, with columns sunk in the earth and grass-grown heaps of fragments. Within the ruins is a cottage and in front of it a stone bench, upon which sits the dejected Gabrielle deploring her misfortune and lamenting that she has lost her net dove, the zift of her lover Gomez. Gomez, overhearing her, tries to comfort her and tells her of his resolution to go to the Prince Regent to obtain his help in overcoming the opposition to their union put forth by her relative, Ambrosio. Even now the sound of the royal hunt is heard in the mountains and he starts away. At this the Huntsman comes down the mountain path, his golden hunting horn over his shoulder, and in his hand Gabrielle's white dove, which he has rescued from an eagle's nest. He has been lost and he is happy to see signs of habitation again. At the sight of Gabrielle he exclaims, " I have found the fairest fawn of all the forest." The girl joyously takes the dove from the gallant stranger and, hav ing kissed it, lets it go free.
The Huntsman, illy hiding his admiration, questions the girl about herself ; and, when she shyly asks his identity, he says that he is a musketeer in the pay of the regent. He asks for food and Gabrielle brings him bread and fruit. While she waits upon him the Huntsman gazes at her as if under a spell and finally declares his love. Eluding his embraces, she tells him that she has two suitors and that the one she loves has gone to seek the Prince Regent, hoping to gain his sanction to their union.
The Huntsman says that it is already granted, since he, himself, is in high favor with the Prince, but he sighs bit terly because " the rose blooms not for him." As he implants a kiss upon her forehead, her uncle and the shepherds, Pedro and Vasco, surprise them. Vasco is the other suitor favored by Gabrielle's uncle and is not in highest repute in the neighborhod. He falls upon the Hunts man and the two engage in a quarrel. The Huntsman, angry at Vasco's insolence, defies the shepherds and Ambrosio warns him that he has but to pipe to his men and a dozen will spring from the forest. Gabrielle attempts to act as peacemaker and the Huntsman, appeased by her gentleness, admits that he has been hasty and asks shelter for the night.
The shepherds are far from gracious but the Huntsman throws a full purse among them, declaring that he will pay for his pallet of straw with gold. The apartment is ordered prepared for him, Vasco muttering under his breath that the guest will not depart in the morning.
Gabrielle fills a cup for the Huntsman which he asks her to taste, Vasco being still further incensed by this familiarity. He vows that the Huntsman shall pay for his kiss with his life, though Ambrosio, shrinking from murder, weakly demurs.
As evening falls the shepherds and shepherdesses flock upon the scene and Gabrielle sings a song to the Huntsman to the music of the lute. Meanwhile, Vasco removes the flint from the lock of the Huntsman's gup and resumes his seat unobserved. When the song is ended the Huntsman takes his rifle and enters the ruin conducted by Gabrielle.
At the beginning of the second act, a wild forest and mountain scene is disclosed in dim moonlight. Gomez stands in deep dejection, his horse tied to a tree. He has been searching in vain for the hunting party of the Prince. Even now the sound of a horn is heard and Count Otto and his men come riding with torches through the dark vale in search of a lost member of their party. Gomez directs them to the ruined castle and they go on.
The scene changes to the interior of the old Moorish castle with its fire-blackened arches and columns. The mountain cliffs and the moon are seen through latticed doors and windows. Vasco, muttering that the stranger shall die, is closely followed by Gabrielle, who pleads for the safety of the Huntsman. Vasco offers to save him if Gabrielle will marry him (Vasco), to which she rejoins that she then must leave the stranger to God's protection. The dissembling Vasco lights the Huntsman to his bed, bids him good rest and departs.
A little later Gabrielle, calling softly through the lattice, wakes the sleeping Huntsman and tells him of the plans of the murderers. He finds his gun useless and so girds on his sword. Soon the door is chopped down and the murderers rush in. The Huntsman declares himself the Prince Regent and offers them pardon if they kneel to him. Only Vasco refuses and bids the others resume the attack. In the fray Ambrosio is wounded and runs away. Vasco and the Huntsman engage in a life and death struggle and the Hunts man finally wrests the dagger from Vasco and runs him through.
The horns of the hunting party sound without and the Huntsman answers the signal. Gabrielle and Gomez rush in and the Huntsman begs to know how he may reward the maiden whose timely warning has saved his life. Gabrielle reminds him of her desire for the intercession of the Prince Regent, whereupon the Huntsman discovers himself as that person and, giving them his blessing, joins their hands.