is the outcome of extended and careful work, having for its aim the presentation of a version of this opera which shall be adapted primarily for use in schools. It is suitable for performance in concert form as well as on the stage with scenery and in costume. Everything of value in the musical score has been retained in the present edition. All dull and uninteresting numbers and tedious unnecessary repetitions have been left out, while the valuable music of the opera has been retained and the s

( Lady Harriet , maid of honor to the queen, has grown listless and pale, refusing to join in the court revels. Sir Tristan , an old knight, makes love to her; she will have nothing to say to him, and only asks to be let alone. She is tired of her conventional life, and longs for some new and strange adventure. The curtain rises on her richly furnished boudoir. Lady Harriet is lying listlessly on a couch or arm chair, before her dressing table. Nancy is putting finishing touches on her mistress'

( Curtain rises on Richmond market place. Stall around sides of stage and back. In foreground, tables and benches; side show of some funny sort. Tents at one side. Country folk walking about, farmers and wives. ) ( Servants scatter about stage, some lying down as if to rest, as Lionel and Plunket enter . They come on talking . Plunket is dressed as a peasant farmer and carries a whip. Lionel is dressed as a gentleman, but plainly. ) Plunket. Here is a jolly howdoyoudo. What a clatter they make!

Lady H. Nan—Betsy Ann! O stay with me! Heavens, she's left me! Lio. Martha, why are you going? Are you afraid to stay alone with me? Lady H. Afraid? Of you? Oh, no. ( Smiles, but still hesitates. ) Lio. ( aside ). How could I ever have spoken harshly to her? Lady H. ( aside ). Where has Nancy gone? Lio. Martha, I will never again ask any toil of you, or any service that you dislike. Martha, I never saw any one before that seemed to me so pretty and so sweet! Are all girls as lovely as you? Lady

( At close of chorus after Plunket's song, horns are heard outside,—the opening strains of the next number . When it stops, at end of second brace, he speaks. ) Plun. Aha! the hunt is up. They told me the Queen would hunt today. One of Men. Yes, with all her ladies. No doubt the men-folk will follow, too! Plun. Start along, you, then. I'll go in and pay the score. ( As music begins again the court ladies run on in hunting costume. They wear short walking skirts, caps and high boots, perhaps, and

( Curtain rises on Richmond fair scene, set as before. The courtiers, all dressed as farmers and maid servants, are standing about. ) ( Lady Harriet , Nancy and Plunket enter and come down front while chorus sings . Lionel enters from the other side and wanders about among the booths, not looking at anything or anyone, wrapped in a deep reverie . He is plainly distraught, utterly unbalanced by the sad experience he has had. Lady H. and Nan. are in their hunting costumes .) Plun. Poor Lionel! He