Leoncavallo’s I PAGLIACCI
“Si può”
May I?
Ladies and gentlemen!
Excuse me for appearing before you all alone.
I am the prologue!
Once again, the author puts
the traditional masks before you.
He wants to follow the old custom,
so he’s sent me to talk to you.
I’m not going to give
you the usual speech…
“The tears we cry aren’t real!
Don’t let our misery upset you!”
Our author wants to bring you
a genuine slice of life.
He believes that an artist
is first of all a man…
…and that what he writes
should be for me to read.
Reality gave him his inspiration.
A flood of memories
overwhelmed him one day.
He wept real tears as he wrote.
His sobs set the tempo for him!
So here you’ll learn how
human beings can love.
You’ll see hate, pain, anger,
and cynical laughter.
I’m asking you to forget the shabby
costumes we actors are wearing.
Instead, think of our souls.
We’re men, made of flesh and blood.
And in this lonely world that we all live in,
we’re just like you.
The air gives us breath!
Now that you have the idea,
watch how everything unfolds.
Come on!
It’s time to begin!
Leoncavallo’s I PAGLIACCI
“Vesti la giubba”
I don’t know what I’m saying anymore, or what I’m doing.
Hey, you – force yourself!
Maybe you’re not really a man!
You’re Pagliaccio!
Put on your costume, put the powder on your face.
The audience is paying, and they’re eager to laugh.
And if Arlecchino steals Colombina?
Laugh, clown…
…and everyone will applaud!
Create laughter from your sighs and tears.
Give them silly faces instead of your sobbing and pain.
Laugh, Pagliaccio, even though your love has been shattered!
Laugh, as misery poisons your heart!
Bellini’s NORMA
“Casta Diva”
Chaste goddess of the night sky…
Anoint our sacred forests with silvery light.
Shed your beauty upon us.
Oh, goddess, cool the burning hatred in our hearts.
Once again, subdue our passion for war.
Spread peace over all the earth.
Bless us with the same peace that reigns in heaven.
Verdi’s OTELLO
“Sì, pel ciel marmoreo giuro!”
Have you not seen in Desdemona’s
hand a handkerchief…
…embroidered with flowers
and finer than gauze ?
I gave her that handkerchief
as the first token of my love.
That handkerchief, though I’m not sure,
I have seen in Cassio’s hand.
Oh, that he had a thousand lives…
…one is too poor for my revenge.
Iago, my heart has turned to ice;
not a ghost of pity remains.
All my fond love thus
do I blow to Heaven: it is gone.
The hydra binds me in its serpent’s coils.
Ah, blood… blood… blood…
I swear by yon marble Heaven,
by the ever-burning lights above us…
…by death itself, and by
that dark destroyer, the sea.
My wrath shall never weaken till
this hand has wrought my vengeance.
Witness, sun that warms me and gives me life…
…the broad earth and the vastness of creation…
Witness that to wronged Otello’s service…
…Iago dedicates heart, hand, and soul.
We swear by yon marble Heaven,
by the ever-burning lights above us…
…and by death itself, and by
that dark destroyer the sea.
My wrath shall never weaken till
this hand has wrought my vengeance.
So help me God.
Bizet’s CARMEN
“Votre toast”
I return your toast…
Both soldiers and bullfighters
take pleasure in combat!
The arena is full – it’s a holiday!
The spectators are wild, shouting at each other!
The cries rise to a fury!
A celebration of courage and brave men!
Onward… on guard!
On guard, Toreador!
As you fight, dream that two dark eyes
are watching you…
Love awaits you, Toreador!
Suddenly there’s silence – what’s happening?
Not a sound – the moment has come!
The bull bounds in!
It runs into the ring and strikes!
A horse falls – a Picador is dragged.
The crowd shouts, “Bravo, Toro!”
The bull runs, and strikes again!
His back full of darts – he rages –
blood covers the sand!
Everyone backs away – now it’s your turn!
Onward… on guard!
On guard, Toreador!
Bizet’s THE PEARL FISHERS
“Au fond du temple saint”
At the back of the holy temple,
decorated with flowers and gold…
…a woman appears…
I can still see her.
The prostrate crowd looks at her amazed…
…and murmurs under its breath:
look, this is the goddess…
…looming up out of the shadow
and holding out her arms to us.
Her veil parts slightly; what a vision, what a dream!
The crowd is kneeling.
Yes, it is she, it is the goddess,
more charming and more beautiful…
…yes, it is she, it is the goddess,
who has come down among us.
Her veil has parted, and the crowd is kneeling.
But through the crowd she makes her way.
Already, her long veil hides her face from us.
My eyes, alas, seek her in vain.
She flees!
But what is this strange flame
which is suddenly kindled within my soul!
– What unknown fire is destroying me!
– Your hand pushes mine away.
Love takes our hearts by storm
and turns us into enemies.
– No, let nothing part us!
– No, nothing!
Let us swear to remain friends!
Oh yes! Let us swear to remain friends!
We have seen her, she is the goddess
who today led you to me…
…and from now I’ll keep my promise,
close as brothers we shall be!
Great Goddess Heaven descended,
she today has led you to me!
Now we shall tread one single path,
never again to part till death!
Verdi’s IL TROVATORE
“Mira, d’acerbe lagrime”
At dawn, the son and his mother shall die!
I misuse the power granted to me…
I am desperate!
Where is she?
She disappeared after Castellor was taken.
They cannot find her – where can she be?
– I stand before you.
– That voice!
– Why have you come?
– He is about to die!
– How dare you!
– I ask for mercy.
Madness!
– Have mercy on my rival?
– May God inspire it!
My only god is vengeance!
Have mercy!
See my tears…
If they are not enough – then kill me!
Destroy me, but save the troubadour!
I will find the cruelest death for him…
A thousand agonies to make him die a hundred times!
The more you love him, the more this fury burns!
– Have mercy!
– It has no price!
– It has a price, and I offer it.
– What do you offer?
Myself!
– I’ll keep my promise.
– Am I dreaming?
Open the gates – let me see him.
Set the prisoner free and I will be yours.
– Swear it!
– I swear to the God of my soul!
(He shall find a lifeless prize.)
He will live!
(He will live! My voice is silent, Lord!)
(But my heart gives thanks to You!)
(Fearless and joyful, I welcome death.)
(I will tell him as I die, “You are saved through me!”)
Why do you whisper?
Promise me again…
…or your promise is only madness!
Repeat it – you are mine!
Quiet my doubting heart!
I still cannot believe you!
Handel’s GIULIO CESARE
“Piangerò la sorte mia”
Must I lose, in one day, both ceremony and greatness?
Alas, cruel fate.
Caesar, my splendid god, could be dead.
Cornelia and Sextus are disarmed
and cannot come to my aid.
O gods!
I have no hope left.
I shall lament my fate…
…so cruel and so harsh,
while I have life left in my heart.
But when I am dead, as a ghost, I will torment the tyrant
night and day wherever he may be!
Mozart’s THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
“Non più andrai”
No more, amorous butterfly,
will you flutter around, night and day.
No more disturbing the peace
of every girl, little Adonis.
No more fine feathers or dashing caps.
That hair, those airs and graces,
those rosy cheeks – no more.
No more fluttering around, night and day.
No more disturbing the peace of every girl.
You’ll be among warriors,
with whiskers and knapsack on.
Musket up, saber at your side,
head erect, bold of visage…
A grand helmet, lots of honor – but little money.
And instead of the fandango,
a march through the mud.
Over mountains, through valleys,
in snow and heat…
The sound of shells and cannon
will make your ears ring.
No more fluttering about, amorous butterfly.
No more bothering the girls, little Adonis.
Cherubino, on to victory – on to military glory.
Mozart’s THE MAGIC FLUTE
“Der Hölle Rache”
The vengeance of Hell flames in my heart!
Death and despair burn around me!
If Sarastro does not die by your hand…
…you are no longer my daughter!
Disowned forever!
Abandoned forever!
Nature’s ties shall be broken!
Unless you destroy Sarastro!
Hear me, gods of vengeance!
Hear a mother’s curse!
Handel’s XERXES
“Ombra mai fu”
Tender and beautiful fronds of my beloved plane tree,
let Fate smile upon you.
May thunder, lightning, and storms
never disturb your dear peace…
…nor may you be profaned by blowing winds.
Never was a shade of any plant dearer and more lovely,
or more sweet.
Puccini’s MADAME BUTTERFLY
“Un bel dì”
You’re crying – why?
You have no faith.
Just listen to me.
One fine day we’ll see a thread of
smoke where the sky meets the sea.
Then the ship will appear!
Now the white ship enters the port,
roaring its salute.
See? He’s here!
I do not go down to meet him.
I’m at the top of the hill,
just waiting – waiting a long time.
But that doesn’t bother me at all.
Now, at last, from the crowded town,
a man – like a little speck…
…begins walking up the hill.
Who can he be?
And when he gets here, what will he say?
He’ll call, “Butterfly”, from far away,
but I won’t answer him.
I will hide – maybe because
I want to be playful…
…but also because I am afraid
of dying when I see him again!
He will be worried and will call
for me: “Little wife. My flower!”
Those were the names he gave
me when he first came here.
It is all going to happen.
With faith in my heart…
…I will wait for him!
Puccini’s TURANDOT
“In questa reggia”
In this palace, thousands of years ago…
…a desperate cry rang out.
That cry, after many generations,
took refuge in my soul !
Princess Lo-u-Ling, sweet, serene ancestress…
…who ruled in silence and in joy…
…who challenged the harsh dominion of others…
You live again in me!
In that time, there was terror
and the sound of battle…
The kingdom defeated!
Lo-u-Ling was dragged off
by a man like you, stranger…
In that awful night,
her sweet voice was stilled!
Princes, in your long caravans from every part of the world,
coming here to try your fate…
In you, I avenge that purity – that cry – that death!
No man shall ever have me!
In me is reborn the pride of great purity!
Stranger! Do not tempt Fate!
The riddles are three, death one!
No man shall ever have me!
Puccini’s TURANDOT
“Nessun dorma!”
No one shall sleep…
You, too, Princess, in your cold room…
…watching the stars that
tremble with love and hope!
My secret is locked within,
no one will know my name!
I will say it on your lips
when daybreak comes…
My kiss will break the silence
that makes you mine!
Vanish, night!
Set, you stars!
At dawn, I will win!
