[Footnote 21: Director Franz Hauser possesses the copy of a score of the first act as far as the beginning of the finale, with German words, in which the music has undergone numerous alterations, especially with a reference to the stronger orchestras of the present day. It is not known by whom this arrangement was undertaken.] [Footnote 22: Schubart, Teutsch. Chron., 1775, p. 267. Burney, Reise, II., p. 109. Mozart met her again in 1789, in Dresden, where she died at an advanced age.] [Footnote 23: Arteaga, Riv. del Teatro, 15, III., p. 143; Part II., p. 412.] [Footnote 24: Arteaga, Riv. del Teatro, c. 15, III-, p. 415.] [Footnote 25: One or two less important echoes of "Figaro" are also to be found.] [Footnote 26: Rudhart, Gesch. d. Oper zu München, I., p. 159.] ==== MOZART BY DAVID WIDGER CHAPTER XI. MOZART'S "RE PASTORE." (226) {MOZART'S "RE PASTORE."} THE last opera of the series we have been considering is the festival opera, "Il Re Pastore," composed in honour of the Archduke Maximilian, at Salzburg, in 1775, to the text of Metastasio (208 K.). The characters and plot are as follows:[1]-- Alessandro, re di Macedonia. Aminta, pastorello, amante d' Elisa, che, ignoto a se stesso, si scuopre poi l' unico legittimo erede del regno di Sidone. Elisa, nobile ninfa di Fenicia, dell' antica stirpe di Cadmo, amante d' Aminta. Tamiry principessa fuggitiva, figliuola del tiranno Stratone; in abito di pastorella, amante di Agenore. Agenore, nobile di Sidone, amico di Alessandro, amante di Tamiri. Alexander having conquered Sidon and slain the tyrant Strabo, determines to place on the throne Abdalonymus,[2] son of the last rightful king, who has been secretly brought up as a shepherd under the name of Aminta, by a faithful dependent of his father. At the opening of the piece we find him in the midst of his flocks, while Elisa brings him the joyful tidings of the probable consent of her parents to their union. She has scarcely left him when Alexander, conducted by Agenore, enters, in order to convince himself if Aminta is worthy of the throne he intends to offer him; Aminta's virtuous moderation stands every test. While he is watering his flocks there enters Tamiri, Strabo's daughter, disguised as a shepherdess; Agenore extols to her Alexander's generosity, and promises to intercede on her behalf. The assurance of his faithful love consoles her, and she resolves to await his answer, concealed by Elisa. Elisa now enters, bearing to Aminta her father's full consent to their union; in the midst of their transport, Agenore makes Aminta acquainted with his destiny, hands him the crown, and summons him to the presence of Alexander. The lovers pledge their faith anew with much rejoicing.