Stories of the Wagner Opera

Stories of the Wagner Opera is by H. A. Guerber. The preface says These short sketches, which can be read in a few moments' time, are intended to give the reader as clear as possible an outline of the great dramatist-composer's work. The contents list names, among others, Rienzi, the Last of the Tribunes, The Flying Dutchman and The Master-Singers of Nuremberg.

Rienzi, whom matters of state call elsewhere, asks Adrian to remain in his house during his absence, to protect his sister against a renewal of the evening's outrage. The text describes the lovers' conversation as interrupted at sunrise by the ringing of the Capitol bell, proclaiming that the revolution has begun. Hans Sachs lustily entones a noisy ditty about Adam and Eve, hammering his shoes to beat time. The text describes the great hall on the top of Mount Salvat, which is empty now, and where only the sound of the bells in the dome is heard as Gurnemanz says to Parsifal.