This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1922 edition. Excerpt: …and La Jeunesse d'Hercule), while in the present instance he figures as the chief male character. The opera deals with the culminating event in the legendary hero’s career. The author of the words had evidently studied Sophocles with profit. The heroine is the wife of Hercules, and, being of a jealous disposition, takes effectual means to calm her husband’s amorous instincts. The legend has it that a tunic steeped in the blood of the centaur Nessus, which she sent to her spouse and which he unwisely wore, caused him the greatest agony and finally killed him. Hercules was placed on a superb funeral pyre and, whilst this was burning, was carried away to Olympus and became a god. To typify Hercules, Saint-Safins has employed the fine theme which figures prominently in his Symphonic Poem, La Jeunesse d'Hercule. The score of Dejanire is nobly conceived and is notable for strength and expressiveness. That clarity of writing associated with the composer is very uncommon at a time when musicians are going to the backs of their heads in their search for excruciating chords and startling effects! Although well received at the Paris Ope ra, the work does not appear to have proved sufficiently attractive to remain in the re pertoire. The different examples of ballet music included in the operas of Saint-Sa6ns prove the master’s aptitude in dealing with the various forms of dance music. A charming one-act ballet from his pen entitled Javotte was produced with success at Lyons in 1896, and at the Paris Ope ra-Comique on October 23, 1899. It was transferred to the boards of the Grand Ope ra on February 5, 1909. The composer’s connection with the stage does not, however, end here, for he has also contributed incidental music to Antigone, a tragedy by Paul…