13/44 Verdi in his last two works and Richard Strauss in _Salome_ went even farther and suppressed the prelude--a none too agreeable surprise. It is like a dinner without soup. We find it in _Robert_ in the theme of the ballad, which the orchestra plays again while Bertram goes towards the back of the stage. This should indicate to the listener his satanic character. We find it in the Luther chant in _Les Huguenots_ and also in the dream of _Le Prophete_ during Jean's recitative. |