OBERON " Oberon," or " The Elf-King's Oath," a romantic opera in four acts, with music by Carl Maria von Weber and words by J. R. Planche was first produced at Covent Garden, London, April 12, 1826.
Sir Huon.
Oberon, king of the fairies. Scherasmin, Sir Huon's squire. Puck, Oberon's agent.
The Caliph of Bagdad.
Prince Babekan.
A Mermaid.
Reiza, the Caliph's daughter. Fatima, her companion.
The opera opens in Oberon's bower in Fairyland, where a chorus of genii and fairies dance about his sleeping form. From Puck's conversation, we learn that Oberon and his wife Titania have quarreled over the relative constancy of man and woman, and have vowed never to have anything to do with each other until some couple is found who will remain true to each other through all temptation. The waking Oberon demands of Puck where he has been since cock-crow and he replies that he has been around the world in search of something to console his master for his domestic infelicity. At Charlemagne's court, he has learned that the sovereign's son has viciously attacked Sir Huon of Bor deaux, by whom he has been slain in single-handed combat. All France considers Sir Huon justified but Charlemagne, allowing the feelings of a father to outweigh justice, will grant him his life only on condition that he go to the court of the Caliph of Bagdad, slay him who sits upon his right hand and claim the Caliph's daughter as his bride. Sir Huon, accompanied by his squire Scherasmin, has already started upon his perilous errand.
Oberon orders his faithful Puck to find the two and bring them at once to his presence. Soon a flowery bank arises and on it are seen the sleeping forms of Sir Huon and his squire. The elf-king shows them a vision of Reiza, the Caliph's lovely daughter, promises his aid in the coming trial and bestows upon the young man a magic horn, whose call shall summon him whenever the need arises. Then Oberon waves his hand and they are transported to Bagdad, where they gaze upon the foaming river and the glittering minarets and fear to breathe lest these vanish from sight. Before the act closes, we are granted a glimpse of Reiza and her companion Fatima and learn that the wedding of the princess to Prince Babekan is set for the morrow. We also learn that she loathes him and the strength of the distaste is illustrated when she half draws a dagger from her bosom whispering, " Love or death shall free me." She also in a vision has seen Huon and swears to wed him or no one.
In the second act, we are taken to a magnificent salon in the Caliph's palace where Prince Babekan is seated at the Caliph's right hand. The Caliph announces that the hour marked by the astrologers for the marriage has arrived and the bridegroom expresses his impatience for the ceremony. At her father's command, the unhappy Reiza and her maidens enter. A clashing of steel is heard and Sir Huon and Scher asmin rush in with drawn swords. Sir Huon challenges the boastful Babekan and in the fight the prince is slain. At this crisis, Sir Huon winds his horn, the elf-king appears and the hero and Reiza are transported to the seashore where they sail for Greece, accompanied by Scherasmin and Fatima, whom the squire has prevailed upon to accompany him.
In the third act, the test of love begins. Puck conjures up a storm to wreck the vessel and the travelers are thrown upon the shore. Huon denounces Oberon and upbraids him self as the cause of Reiza's sufferings. The maiden is carried off by Abdallah and his pirates and Sir Huon is left sense less upon the ground. Oberon appears, deploring the cruel fate which compels him to make his instrument suffer so much. He entrances him and leaves Puck to guard him and bring him at the seventh day before the house of old Ibrahim in Tunis.
The fourth act commences in the garden of Ibrahim, to whom Scherasmin and Fatima have been sold as slaves. Puck comes with Huon, who wakes and is told by Fatima that only that morning Reiza has been presented to the Emir by the pirate captain. There is the traditional dis pleasure in the harem over the instating of a new favorite, and Roshanna, who formerly held that position, thirsts for revenge. She has marked Huon's dejected mien and fancies he may consent to be an accomplice, so she summons him before her, declares her love and proposes that he slay the Emir and share the throne with her. Huon, however, refuses indignantly and declares that he loves another. Roshanna then sends for the singing and dancing girls to fascinate him but to no avail.
He is endeavoring to force his way out, when the angry Emir discovers him and orders him to be burned alive within two hours. Reiza flies to claim the victim as her husband but the Emir refuses pardon unless she will smile on him instead. She refuses and her execution is ordered also. The two victims are already bound to the stake when Puck appears and winds the magic horn. At its tones, the Emir becomes powerless and Sir Huon and Reiza are set free. Puck blows a louder blast which summons Oberon and Titania, their reconciliation having been made possible by the faithfulness of the lovers. Oberon changes the scene to Charlemagne's court, where Sir Huon explains that his oath is fulfilled. He is then forgiven by the Emperor.
The overture is a musical reflection of the story and is among the most popular and best known of Weber's compo sitions. Prominent among the vocal numbers in the first act are the fairy chorus, " Light as fairy feet can fall;" Reiza's air, "Oh, why art thou sleeping, Sir Huon the brave;" Huon's songs, " Deign, fair spirit," and " Oh 1 'Tis a glorious sight ;" Reiza's air, "Yes, my lord, my joy;" the duet of Reiza and Fatima, " Oh, Happy Maid " and Reiza's song, " Oh, my wild exulting soul." In the second act, the duet of Reiza and Sir Huon, taken from Euryanthe, " Mine, forever mine; " Fatima's air, "A Lonely Arab Maid ;" the popular quartet, " Over the Dark Blue Waters ;" Reiza's splendid apostrophe to the sea, " Ocean, thou mighty monster that liest curled, like a green serpent round about the world " are most worthy of mention.
In the third and fourth acts occur Oberon's song, " From Boyhood Trained in Battlefield ;" the Mermaid's song, Fatima's lovely air, " Oh, Araby, Dear Araby " and Reiza's song, " Triumph enchanting."