FEUERSNOT " Feuersnot " or " The Fire Famine," a song poem in one act with text by Ernest von Wolzogen, suggested by a tale in " The Collected Legends of the Netherlands," and with music by Richard Strauss, was produced in Weimar Oct. 28, 1902.
Schwieker von Gundelfingen, custodian of the castle. Ortoff Sentlinger, the burgomaster.
Diemut, his daughter.
Elsbeth, Wigelis, her companions.
Margret, Kunrad der Ebner.
Jorg Poschel, the innkeeper.
Hamerlein.
Kofel, the smith.
Kunz Gilgenstock, a baker and brewer.
Ortlieb Tulbeck, a cooper.
Ursula, his wife.
Ruger Aspeck, a potter.
Walpurga, his wife.
Citizens, women, children, servants of the duke.
Until recently, there existed an ancient house in Audenarde, upon whose gable was inscribed the legend of the extinguished fires and the depiction of its last scene. The old witch story is the basis of the text of the opera.
The curtain rises to disclose a quaint spot in Munich in the Twelfth Century. To the right is the house of the Burgomaster and midway in the pretentious structure is a basket on pulleys, fastened to the top of the gable. There are numerous other houses, among them an inn. Two little side streets lead off in different directions. It is just before sundown, at the time of the winter solstice. A busy scene is shown; young couples pass by arm in arm and older citizens stand in the doors or look out of the windows. All are dressed in queer medieval costumes.
Down one of the side streets comes a procession of children and of pipers and drummers, pushing hand-carts on which are sticks of fire-wood that they have gathered for the big bonfire to be built outside the town in celebration of the day when the sun turns in the heavens. They stop before the Burgomaster's house and cry, " Give us wood for the solstice fires." As a final argument they suggest that the Burgomaster's daughter will not get a husband unless her father gives generously. Soon the big basket comes down filled with wood, which the children snatch eagerly. The stately Burgomaster himself appears and makes a speech and his handsome daughter, Diemut, comes out with three companions, all carrying pitchers of wine and baskets filled with sweetmeats. A feminine voice
declares that Diemut looks like an angel and predicts that she will be a bride within the year. Then the children go on to the corner house near the inn and Jorg Poschel, the innkeeper, tells of a strange guest who comes there for his meals, a quiet fellow who holds himself aloof in the old house " like an owl in a dark nest." Old Ortlieb tells of the former inhabitants of this house. They were descend ants of a Moorish giant, whom Duke Henry the Lion brought with him when years before he entered the town. God gave the giant a certain time in which to become a Christian. Nobody knows how he died but, at any rate, all his descendants were wicked sorcerers, the last of whom were driven from the town many years ago.
Kofel, the smith, declares that what is told about the giant's descendants are only old women's tales and that they were really good men. This leads to a heated discussion. The children batter upon the doors of the for mer house of the sorcerer and Kunrad, disturbed at the noise, comes out. He is young and handsome and dis tinguished in bearing. He asks them what they want and they explain, adding that if he is a bachelor and does not give them wood no woman will look at him. He tells them to take the wooden shutters off the windows, and tear everything from the house that is combustible and take it away. He even throws in his old scripts, for he fears he has been losing all the tangible joys of life through poring over them.
While this has been going on, Kunrad has had eyes only for Diemut and the maiden has not failed to return his glances. Then, growing emboldened, he kisses her, much to the entertainment of the crowd. The Burgomaster chides him, and Diemut is indignant to the point of tears. She runs into the house, promising that he shall be sorry. Some one in the crowd says that tears mean love.