Felix Cherniavsky - Librettos and Play Synopses

Added 24th Jun 2021 by Beth Dobson (Archives and Programming Assistant, DCD) / Last update 14th Dec 2021

Maud Allan 224 51 2008-1-19 compressed.pdf
Maud Allan 224 51 2008-1-19 compressed.pdf
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Felix Cherniavsky - Librettos and Play Synopses

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Maud Allan Research Collection
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51.2008-1-19
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HIM AL A. The curtain rises upon a drift of grey and silver clouds moving from Left to Right, which terminates in gauze veil that remains permanently bet een the audience and the scene. As the last clouds vanish, vi w of the ice peaks of the Himalayas, under the afternoon sun, is seen. The summit of the central peak is oompesed of yourself. (I suggest the mu io merely as a personal impression. Monsieur de Bussy will enter into the spirit of the matter as readily as myself, if he cares for the idea at all) I would suggest for the oloud prelude a motif, which in a more intense form and with an increased sense of cold and loneliness can be used for the finale. The sun is shining brightly, but the incessant wind is icy cold. There should be no great difficulty in arranging for yourself an almost startlAng resemblance to the form taken by a peak of ice and rook. I should be loth to compare · you to her physically, but ther is a view of the Matterhorn, which is simply a mile-high statue of ueen Victoria!) You should have streamers of gauze from your shoulders and a diaphanous skirt of gauze. I dislike spangles, but you know best if the suggestion of ioe could be beet given by their use or not. On your head you would wear a single huge diamond - ( perhaps the white topaz I gave you might se.,.· -1- the purpose.)On your breast you should have chains and centres of turquoise in the Tibetan manner, and the general effect, though carried out only in diamonds and turquoises, would bei rather like your attire as Salome. The skirt would of oourse carry out the idea of a snow field; but you know best about the detail~. You are seated, not in a gap in the ice peaks, but up against something that will still Btlggest your presence when you have left your seat. 2. The sense of remoteness end austerity is still emphasised by the music, and you remain motionless for a full minute. At the end of that time two belated Tibetan travellers, wrapped in heavy dark red duffle,( more like horse-blankets than anything else} lay a small offering of flowers on the ground far below you, reverently set up little prayer flags, add a atone to the heap that marks the top of the Pass ,and let loose little scraps of tissue paper. One of them makes a motion to move up stage towards you.and as he does so the muaio changes to a note of warning. A very slight blue colour comes over you, and the soene darkens. Before.however the Tibetan has set his foot upon even the lowest of the rooks on which you are seated, his companion hastily pulls him back. The sk}t clears, and the music resumes its serenity. As the two Tibetans move of L., unseen by them, you stretch your arms in blessing over their heads with a gracious smile. ~2- 3. An unusually el borate sunset effect must now be arranged. The best known effect of all the Himalay s from one end to the other is the rose-pin~ of Kang-chen-junga standing out after the sunset has died down. against the deepening purple of the night. ~or another minute you remain motionless, and then. as the pink light gives place to moonlight. you rise and descend very slowly to the stage. The .music at this point is the muaio of the devils of the Pass. in whom the Tibetans most firmly believe. (It VW>Uld be more suggestive of a shirll wind moaning through an empty house while a storm is going on outside. than anything else. A skirling. whirling aooompaniment: The Brooken is the kind of picture wante~. Your first dance no begins. It should be dignified. kindly. and more statuesque than at any other period of the "meledrame." Another belated Tibetan, crouohing and muffled. makes his way across the front of the stage. He sees you, and with a scream shuffles off L. In the middle of this third part the utter pitch of loneliness and cold is to be suggested. You retire and take up a new position at the foot of the rooks, as indistinguishable froo them as possible, and the music suggests tenee waiting. at last broken by a distinct blend of European music. to announce the coming of the daring mountaineer. He is seen

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