THE PIPE OF DESIRE

Opera in one act by Frederick Shepherd Converse. Poem by George Edwards Barton. The scene takes place in a wood during the first day of spring. Elves flit to and fro performing sundry occupations. One scatters seeds to the winds. Others remove dead leaves from flowers. They sing of the awakening of Nature from her sleep through the winter. Iolan , a peasant, is heard singing in the distance. The elves although reproached by the Old One desire to show themselves to him. Iolan tells them that he is to wed Naoia tomorrow, and bids them come to the wedding. The Old One reminds them that it is forbidden to show themselves to man, and adds that no good can come of it. Iolan laughs at the Old One and his Pipe. The Old One plays for the elves to dance, but with misgivings. Iolan still defies the power of the Pipe. The elves demand that the Old One make him dance and respect its power. When he cannot resist the music, he snatches the Pipe and breaks the cord which holds it. The Old One tells him that it is the Pipe God gave to Lilith, who played it to Adam in Eden, and that the mortal who now plays the Pipe without understanding its secret will die when it becomes known to him. Iolan , however, puts the Pipe to his lips. At first only discordant sound, later beautiful music is his reward. Iolan sees a vision of what he most desires. He is rich. He owns horses, goats, and wine. Naoia , his wife, comes to him through roses. His children play about the door of their home. He calls on Naoia to come to him. She comes to him, bleeding. Because he played the Pipe misfortune has come to her. She dies and Iolan soon follows her, while the sorrowing elves proclaim that they who die for love have accomplished their life.