MAROUF, SAVE TIER DU CAIRE

(Mérouf, The Cobbler of Cairo) Composer: HENRI RABAUD Book by Lucien Neporty, from the Arabian Nights First performance: Opéra comique, Paris, May 15, 1914 5 acts. To Kuairan, MArour, the cobbler of Cairo, has come to change his luck, having. grown tired of his nagging wife. Marouf follows the advice of Ali, and creates a fictitious caravan boasting of its early arrival in the city. This talk interests the Sultan and Vizier who overhear him. He is invited to the palace, and finally offered the hand of the Sultan’s daughter in marriage. The treasury is opened to Marouf who gives freely to the people. When the daughter is unveiled Marouf discovers that he loves her, and that she loves him. But the caravan fails to arrive and the Vizier grows suspicious. To the Sultan’s questions Marouf is evasive, but he breaks down and tells the Sultan’s daughter about his true state. She suggests that they flee the city which they do. They come upon a man ploughing in a field, and ask him for food. While he is © gone to get it Marouf ploughs, and unearths a ring which marks the opening of a treasure cave. The Prince rubs the ring whereupon the workman reappears as a Djinn. M4érouf instantly wishes for his caravan, and none too soon, for In the nick of — the Sultan and Vizier arrive, and propose to execute M4rouf. time an endle caravan arrives, and Ma4rouf and his bride are borne off triumphant while Vizier is given a beating for his pe imism.