The Unveiling of the Fountain and Arrival of Princess Berthalda’s Barge
The Prince tells Undine that he has decided to unveil the huge carved-stone fountain erected as a wedding gift by craftsmen from Princess Berthalda’s kingdom. In panic Undine pleads with him to keep it covered, for she knows that through it Kuhleborn will gain entrance to the palace, and her spells will no longer work to protect herself and the Prince from his vengeful anger. She points to the jewel she gave him, symbol of their union. But he takes her hand, and weeping, asks her forgiveness, telling her of how the minstrels will sing the sad tale of a Prince who found his dreams, but had not the strength to hold them. Undine tells him there is nothing to forgive, that he must accept the choice he has made.
Suddenly the courtyard begins to fill with people: the Princess Berthalda’s barge has been sighted at last. Undine slowly backs away from the Prince as they are separated by the crowd, but still holding each other’s gaze. The Prince mechanically dons his royal vestments to welcome the Princess. At his command, the fountain is unveiled. All onstage are suddenly still except Undine, who backs trembling away from the fountain and prostrates herself: for the fountain’s carven gargoyles and their king have assumed the shapes of Kuhkeborn and the forest trolls. The trolls jeer derisively, and Kuhleborn scorns her folly for trusting in the hearts of treacherous men. Her doom approaches, he tells her, borne upon the waters. Then the musicians on the barge can be heard, and the vessel pulls into view, as the still crowd suddenly resumes its festive activities.
In a final burst of pageantry, the Prince offers his hand to the Princess Berthalda as she steps from the barge. The entire court and crowd celebrate her arrival and the imminent royal marriage, while Kuhleborn and his trolls rail at Undine, condemning her to homeless oblivion.

The score was not written down by the Composer, luckily he made an audio tape recording. We are grateful for the transcription of this scene to Jason Loffredo, www.jasonloffredo.com and Karl Mansfield.

The solo is available as sheet music, as an MP3 of the live original recording with Mr. DiGiacomo at the piano, as well as an MP3 rendition of the sheet music.