DER BARENHAUTER " Der Barenhauter," or " The Bearskin Weaver," an opera in three acts, with text and music by Siegfried Wag ner, was produced at the Hof Theatre in Munich, Jan. 22, 1899.
Hans Kraft, a young soldier.
Melchior FrOlich, the burgomaster. Lena, Gunda, his daughters.
Louise, Parson Wippenbeck.
Nicholas Spitz, the innkeeper. Anna, a waitress.
Carl Muffel, Kasper Wilde, a sergeant. from Plassenburg, the fortress.
The Stranger.
The Devil.
Peasants, soldiers of Muffel's company. Nymphs, children, a troop of little devils.
The action takes place at the close of the Thirty Years' War and the scene is laid in the country about Bayreuth. A summer landscape near a village is first shown. A joyous crowd of peasants are hurrying to town to welcome the soldiers returning from the war. They all are warmly received and welcomed by their friends. Finally. Hans Kraft comes, looking anxiously for his mother. After many vain inquiries, an old peasant informs him that his mother died about three years before, that little property had been left and that the old home is now in the hands of strangers. Hans endeavors to obtain lodging from some of the peasants but is refused in no very kindly manner. As all run merrily on to feast at the inn, Hans sinks to the ground and gives way to grief over the death of his mother and to indigna tion over his treatment by the villagers.
Just then there appears, laughing heartily over Hans' discomfiture, a person whom the young soldier easily recog nizes as the Devil. His Satanic Majesty reminds Hans that the war is over and that he has no money and offers him rich treasure if he will serve for a year in Hell. His duties will be to keep the kettle boiling in which souls are tor tured for punishment for their sins and to see that no one escapes. Hans, not caring much what happens, accepts the offer, and, having shut his eyes for a moment, reopens them in Hell.
The Devil, reminding the newcomer of his duties, leaves him alone after ordering him to get to work. First,
Hans wafts a message to his mother, assuring her that his stay in Hell is only temporary. Voices now are heard from the kettle and among them Hans recognizes his colonel's scolding tones. When he climbs up a ladder at the side of the kettle and looks in, the colonel flatters him, hoping that he will let him out. Hans reminds him that he ill-treated him on earth and, climbing down, gleefully builds up the fire. A stranger, who is no other than Saint Peter, approaches to plead for the souls but Hans will not listen. Saint Peter proposes a game with dice, he staking gold and Hans the souls in the kettle. Hans loses and the Saint announces to the souls that they are free, at which a chorus above sings " Hallelujah." Fearful wind and thunder are heard and the Devil rushes in. He stamps and howls and curses Hans and, calling up a troop of lesser devils, commands them to cover the miscreant with soot and dirt from the oven. In time his nails and beard will grow long and he will look like the Devil himself. Satan gives him a sack which always will contain gold for his needs, throws a bearskin over his shoulders, which he is to wear without washing for three years, and, opening the kettle, reminds him that he shall suffer in it if he does not find a wife within that time. Whereupon Hans is put to sleep.
Act II opens at night in the tavern. The parson, the burgomaster and many peasants are there, playing cards and drinking. Hans knocks at the door but when Anna, the waitress, opens it, she at once slams it shut crying that the Devil is outside. After some delay the window is shoved up and Hans is told to show his feet, and when it is found they are those of a man, he is admitted. The landlord and the burgomaster quarrel about an unpaid bill and Hans gives the burgomaster sixty florins. The burgo master tells Hans about his three daughters. Hans immediately asks for one and is promised that he may see them on the morrow and take his choice.