OPERA-GUIDE_ Così fan tutte e.pdf

8/11/2019 OPERA-GUIDE_ Cos fan tutte e.pdf

1/51

ERA-GUIDE: Cos fan tutte

://www.opera-guide.ch/opera.php?uilang=de&id=252#libretto[18.08.2014 16:23:24]

COS FAN TUTTE

Thus Do All Women or The School for Lovers

Cast:FIORDILIGI and

DORABELLA, Ladies of Ferrara and sisters living in NapoliGUGLIELMO, Officer, i n love with Fiordi ligiFERRANDO, Officer, i n l ove with DorabellaDESPINA, Chambermaid of the ladiesDON ALFONSO, an old Philosopher

CHORUSsoldiers, sailors, servants, wedding guests, populace

FIRST ACT

FIRST SCENEA cof fee-h ouse

Ferrando, Don Alfonso and Guglielmo

No. 1 - Trio

FERRANDOMy Dorabella couldn'tDo such a thing:Heaven made herAs fait hful as she' s fair .

GUGLIELMOMy Fiordiligi simplyCouldn't betray me:I believe her constancyEquals her beauty.

DON ALFONSOMy hair is already grey,I speak with authority;But let's have doneWith argument.

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMONo, you've told usThey could be faithless;If you're honestYou will prove it.

DON ALFONSOLet's not trouble with proof.

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOsetting their bands to their swords No, no, we demand it:Or out with your swordAnd we'l l break up t his f riends hip,

DON ALFONSOO what follyTo try to discoverThe wrong which will make us wretchedWhen we've found it!

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOHe strikes at my honour

Who allows his lipsTo utter a wordWhich does her wrong.

Recitative

GUGLIELMO

Oper Komponist Synopsis Libretto Noten Highlights

D E I
http://www.opera-guide.ch/#operahttp://www.opera-guide.ch/#composerhttp://www.opera-guide.ch/#synopsishttp://www.opera-guide.ch/#partshttp://www.opera-guide.ch/#highlightshttp://www.opera-guide.ch/#highlightshttp://www.opera-guide.ch/#partshttp://www.opera-guide.ch/#synopsishttp://www.opera-guide.ch/#composerhttp://www.opera-guide.ch/#opera


2/51



Draw your sword!Choose which of us you'd prefer.

DON ALFONSOcalmly I'm a peaceable manAnd don 't t ouc h steelExcept at table.

FERRANDOEither fight,Or say at once

Why you suspect our sweetheartsCould possibly be untrue.

DON ALFONSOSweet simplicity, how I love it!

FERRANDOA truce to your jest s,Or I swear, by heaven ...

DON ALFONSOAnd I swear by th is wor ld,My friends, I'm not jesting;I'd only like to knowWhat kind of creaturesAre these beauti es of yours,if they're flesh and blood and bone like us,If they eat like us, and wear skirts,If, in fact, they're goddesses or women ...

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOThey're women, but the like of them ...

DON ALFONSOAnd in woman you expec tTo find fidelity?How I love such simplicity!

No. 2 - Trio

DON ALFONSOWoman's constancyIs like t he Arabian Phoenix;Everyone swears it exists,But no one knows where.

FERRANDOThe phoenix is my Dorabella.

GUGLIELMOThe phoenix is my Fiordiligi.

DON ALFONSOIt's neither one nor the other.

It never existed, and never will.

Recitative

FERRANDOPoets' nonsense!

GUGLIELMOOld men's drivel!

DON ALFONSOWell then, listen,But without flying into a rage:What proof have youThat your loves are always true to you ?

What makes you so sureThat their hearts are steadfast?

FERRANDOLong acquaintance.


3/51



GUGLIELMOTheir noble upbringing.

FERRANDOTheir sublime thoughts.

GUGLIELMOKindred feelings.

FERRANDOUnselfishness.

GUGLIELMOSteadfast characters.

FERRANDOTheir promises.

GUGLIELMOTheir protests.

FERRANDOTheir oaths.

DON ALFONSOTears and sighs, caresses, swoons.Excuse me if I laugh!

FERRANDOConfound you!Stop taunting us!

DON ALFONSOGently, gently; what if I proveConclusively to you todayThat they're just like the others?

GUGLIELMOIt couldn't be!

FERRANDO

Impossible!

DON ALFONSOShall we bet on it?

FERRANDOWe're on!

DON ALFONSOA hundred sequins.

GUGLIELMOA thousand , if you l ike.

DON ALFONSO

My hand on it!

FERRANDOBoth hands!

DON ALFONSOSwear not to give a sign, a whisper,A hi nt o f al l thisTo your Penelopes.

FERRANDOWe swear.

DON ALFONSOOn your honour as soldiers?

GUGLIELMOOn our honour as soldiers.

DONALFONSOAnd you 'll do


4/51



Everything I tell you to ?

FERRANDOEverything!

GUGLIELMOEven more!

DON ALFONSOWell done!

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMO

And well done,Dear Don Alfonso!

FERRANDOWe'll make merry at your expense.

GUGLIELMOto Ferrando What shall we do with the hundred sequins?

No. 3 - Trio

FERRANDOI'll arrange a fine serenadeFor my goddess.

GUGLIELMOIn honour of VenusI will give a banquet.

DON ALFONSOShall I be invited?

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOYes, you s hall be t here.

FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO AND DON ALFONSOAnd many a toas t we' ll of ferTo the god of love.

exeunt

SECOND SCENEA garden b y the seashore.

Fiordiligi and Dorabella are both gazing at miniatures hanging round their necks

No. 4 - Duet

FIORDILIGIAh tell me s ist er,If one could ever findA nobler fac e,A sweeter mouth.

DORABELLAJust look,See what fir eIs in his eye,If flames and dartsDo not seem to flash forth!

FIORDILIGIThis is the faceOf a soldier and a lover.

DORABELLAThis is a faceBoth charming and alarming.

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAHow happy I am!If ever my heartChanges its affection,May love make me


5/51



Live in pain.

Recitative

FIORDILIGIThis morning I feel in the moodFor some mischief: I've a fire,A ti ngling i n my veins.If Guglielmo knew what pranksI'll play on him when he comes!

DORABELLA

To tell the truth,I also feel something newStirring within me: I'd swearThat we're not far from the altar.

FIORDILIGIGive me your hand: I want to read it.Well, there's a clear M; and here's a P!That's it ? Marriage Prospects!

DORABELLAThat suits me splendidly.

FIORDILIGIAnd I'll have no obj ect ions.

DORABELLABut why on earth do our loversDelay in coming?It's six o'clock already.

THIRD SCENEThe afore?mentioned and Don Alfonso

FIORDILIGIThere they are!

DORABELLA

No, it's not them:It's their friend Don Alfonso.

FIORDILIGIWelcome,Don Alfonso!

DON ALFONSOYour servant!

DORABELLAWhat is it? Why are you alone?You shed a tear? Speak, for pity's sake:What has happened? My lover ...

FIORDILIGIMy dearest ...

DON ALFONSOO cruel fate!

No. 5 - Aria

DON ALFONSOI would speak, but my courage fails:My lips stammer.I cannot say the words,Which stay locked inside me.What will you do? What shall I?O dire misfortune!

It could not be worse.I grieve for you and for them!

Recitative

FIORDILIGI


6/51



Mercy! For pity's sake,Don Alfonso, do not torment us so.

DON ALFONSOYou will need to summonAll your courage, my dears.

DORABELLAO heaven! What harm has befallen them?What disaster?Is my beloved killed?

FIORDILIGIIs mine dead?

DON ALFONSONo, not dead, but nearly as bad.

DORABELLAWounded?

DON ALFONSONo.

FIORDILIGISick?

DON ALFONSONot that either.

FIORDILIGIWell, what then?

DON ALFONSOThe royal command has called themTo the battlefield.

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAAlas , what do I hear?

FIORDILIGI

And they are going?

DON ALFONSOAt once.

DORABELLAIs there no way of stopping them?

DON ALFONSONone.

FIORDILIGINot a single farewell?

DON ALFONSO

The poor fellowsHadn't the courage to see you;But if you wish it,They are willing.

DORABELLAWhere are they?

DON ALFONSOCome in, my friends!

FOURTH SCENEThe afore-mentioned, Ferrando and Guglielmo (in travelling clothes)

No. 6 - Quintet

GUGLIELMOO Heaven, I feel my steps falterIn their progress towards you.


7/51



FERRANDOMy trembling lipsCannot utter the words.

DON ALFONSOIn moments of the greatest stressA hero call s up all his s trength.

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLANow that we have heard the news,One detail remains for you to do;Be brave, and plunge your blade

Into this heart.

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOMy love, blame fateIf I must abandon you.

DORABELLAto GuglielmoNo, no, do not go!

FIORDILIGIto Ferrando Cruel one, do not leave me!

DORABELLAI would sooner tear my heart out!

FIORDILIGII would sooner die at your feet!

FERRANDOaside, to Don AlfonsoWhat did I say?

GUGLIELMOaside, to Don AlfonsoDo you see now?

DON ALFONSO

asidePatience, friend;We've not reached the end yet!

ALLThus destiny confoundsOur mortal hopes.Ah who, amid such sorrow,Can ever more delight in life?

Recitative

GUGLIELMODo not weep, my darling!

FERRANDODo not despair,My dearest love!

DON ALFONSOLeave them that comfort . They haveOnly too good cause to grieve.

FIORDILIGIWho knows if we shall ever meet again!

DORABELLAWho knows if you will ever return!

They embrace tenderly.

FIORDILIGILeave me this dagger: may itBring me death if ever cruel fateIn that bosom dear to me ...


8/51



DORABELLAI should die of grief,Even without a dagger.

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOMy love, do not makeSuch gloomy predictions!Heaven will assure your peace of mindSo long as I live.

DON ALFONSOto himself

The comedy is delightful,And both are playing their parts well .

A drum is heard

FERRANDOO heavens!That is the fatal drum that comesTo tear me from my treasure!

DON ALFONSOFriends, here is the boat.

FIORDILIGII'm fainting!

DORABELLAI'm dying!

FIFTH SCENE

A boat arr ives at the shore. Duri ng the fol lowin g march, a troop of sol diers enters acco mpan ied b y t ownsm en and women. The afor e mentioned.

No. 8 - Chorus

SOLDIERSA so ldi er's li fe for me!Every day a change of s cene;

Plenty today, little tomorrow,Now on land and now on sea.The sound of trumpets and fifes,The din of guns and shellsLend strength to our arms and our spirits,Longing only for victory.A so ldi er's li fe for me!

Recitative

DON ALFONSOThere's no more time, friends:You must go where bothFate and duty call you.

FIORDILIGIMy love!

DORABELLAMy idol!

FERRANDOMy dearest!

GUGLIELMOMy life!

FIORDILIGIAh, for just a moment ...

DON ALFONSOYour regiment's shipHas already left;You'll have to join itWith a few friends who await youOn a smaller boat.


9/51



FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOEmbrace me, my love!

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAMy heart is breaking!

No. 9 - Quintet (and Chorus)

FIORDILIGIweeping Swear that you'll write me

Every day, my love!

DORABELLAweeping Write me twice as often, if you can.

GUGLIELMONever doubt me, my dear!

FERRANDORest assured, my love!

DON ALFONSOto himselfI'll burst if I don't laugh!

FIORDILIGIBe true to me alone!

DORABELLARemain faithful!

FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOFarewell!My heart is rent in twain, my love.Farewell! Farewell! Farewell!

During the repetition of the chorus, Ferrando and Guglielmo board the boat which then sails away. The soldiers march off, followed by the people.

SIXTH SCENEFiordiligi, Dorabella and Don Alfonso

Recitative

DORABELLAWhere are they?

DON ALFONSOThey've gone.

FIORDILIGIO most cruel,Bitter parting!

DON ALFONSOHave courage,Dearest ladies;Look; in the distanceYour lovers are waving.

FIORDILIGIGod speed you, my love!

DORABELLAGod speed you!

FIORDILIGIO heavens! How swiftly their boat

Disappears! It's gone already!It's out of sight! Heaven grant itA safe voyage!

DORABELLAMay Heaven protect them too


10/51



On the field of battle!

DON ALFONSOPreserve your loversAnd my fr iends.

No. 10 - Trio

FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA AND DON ALFONSOGentle be the breeze,Calm be the waves,And every element

Smile in favourOn their wish.

Exeunt Fiordiligi and Dorabella

SEVENTH SCENE

Recitative

DON ALFONSOI'm not a bad actor! Now then;The two championsOf Venus and MarsAwai t me at the appointed plac e;I must join them without delay.What grimaces, what affectations!All the better for me,They'll fall more easily;People of that kind are the firstTo change their minds. Poor fools,To wager a hundred sequins on a woman!"He who builds his hopesOn a woman's heartPloughs the seaAnd sows on sandAnd hopes to snareThe wild wind in a net".

EIGHTH SCENEA room wi th various ch airs , a tabl e, etc .

Three doors: two at the sides, one centre.

Recitative

DESPINAwho is whipping the chocolateWhat a wretched lifeA lady's maid leads !From morning till night working,Sweating and toiling, and after allOne's done there's nothing for oneself!I've been beating this for half an hour,

And now the chocolate' s ready; yet though my tongue'sHanging out, must I just stand and smell it?Aren't my tastes just like y ours?O dearest ladies, you have the substanceAnd I on ly t he smell !Damnit, I'm going to try it.She tastes it Delicious!She wipes her mouth Someone's coming!Goodness, it's my ladies!

NINTH SCENEThe afore?mentio ned: Fiordiligi and Dorabella, who enter dist ractedly. Despina offers t he chocolate on a tray.

Recitative

DESPINAHere's you r breakfast, ladies.Dorabella flings it all to the ground


11/51



Jiminy! What are you doing?

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLABoth stripping off all their ornaments.Ah! ah!

DESPINAWhat's happened?

FIORDILIGIWhere is a dagger?

DORABELLAWhere is the poison?

DESPINALadies, I beg you!

DORABELLAAh leave me! Flee the dread effectOf a distracted love!Close those windows; I hate the light,I hate the air I breathe, I hate myself.Who mocks at my grief? Who consoles me?Ah f ly ; leave me alone, fo r pi ty 's sake!

No. 11 - Aria

DORABELLAImplacable pangsWhich torment me,Do not subsideWithin my beingUntil my anguishBrings me death.If I remain aliveI will furnish the FuriesWith a wretched exampleOf tragic loveWith the dreadful s oundOf my sighs.

Recitative

DESPINAMy lady Dorabella,My lady Fiordiligi,Tell me: what has happened?

DORABELLAO dreadful disaster!

DESPINAGet on with it!

FIORDILIGI

Our loversHave left Naples.

DESPINAlaughing Is that all?They'll be back.

DORABELLAWho knows!

DESPINAWhat do you mean, who knows?Where have they gone?

DORABELLATo the field of battle!

DESPINASo much the better for them:You'll see them return crowned with laurel.


12/51



FIORDILIGIBut they might be killed!

DESPINAWhy then,So much the better for you.

FIORDILIGrises angrily Fool, what are you saying ?

DESPINAThe simple truth: you lose these twoBut all the rest are left.

FIORDILIGIAh, wit hou t Gug lielmo ,I think I'd die!

DORABELLAAh, wit hou t FerrandoI think I'd bury myself alive!

DESPINASplendid! That's what you think, but you wouldn't;No woman yet has ever died for love.Die for a man? There's lots moreWhere he came from.

DORABELLAAnd do y ou beli eve anyone coul d loveAno ther man who onc e had hadA Gug lielmo , a Ferrando for lover?

DESPINAThe others have everythingThat these have.You love this man now;So you'd love another:One's as good as the other

Since neither's worth a thing.But we won't go into that;They're still aliveAnd wil l come back al ive;But they're far away,And rather thanWaste time in idle tears,Think about enjoying yourselves.

FIORDILIGIEnjoying ourselves?

DESPINACertainly! And what's more,Making love furiously, as your

Dear gentlemen will be doing on active service!

DORABELLADon't insult those pure souls like this,Those models of fidelity and perfect love.

DESPINAGo on with you! The times are pastFor spinning such tales even to babies!

No. 12 - Aria

DESPINAYou look for fidelityIn men, in soldiers?

laughing Don't tell me that, for pity's sake!All of themAre made of the same stuf f;The quivering leaves,The inconstant b reezes


13/51



Have more stabilityThan men.Crocodile tears,Lying looks,Deceiving words,False endearmentsAre the basisOf their tricks.In us they only prizeTheir own pleasure;Then they despise us,Deny us affection,

And from s uch tyrantsThere's no mercy to be had.We woman should pay outThis hurtful,Impudent breedIn their own coin;Let's love themTo suit our convenience and our vanity!

Al l go out .

TENTH SCENEDon Alfons o, later Despina

Recitative

DON ALFONSOHow silent! What an air of sorrowThese rooms wear! Poor dears!It's not really their fault;They need consolation;Until their two credulous loversAppear d isgui sed,As I instructed them,Let's see what can be done.I'm a bit worried about Despina;That little baggage might recognise them;She could upset the apple?cart.

Let's see ? now's the time,If ever, to grease her palm;A ti p wo rks wonders w ith a ladies' maid.But to be certain, it might be bestTo let her into a part of the secret.That's a splendid idea!Here's her room.he knocks Despina dear!

DESPINAWho's that?

DON ALFONSOOh!

DESPINAIh!she comes out

DON ALFONSODespina my dear,I have need of you.

DESPINAWell, I haven't of you.

DON ALFONSOI mean you well.

DESPINAAn old man li ke youCan do nothing for a girl.

DON ALFONSOshowing her a gold coin


14/51



Drop your voice and look here!

DESPINAAre you g iv ing me i t?

DON ALFONSOYes, if you'll do what I ask.

DESPINAAnd what do y ou want ?Gold is my undoing.

DON ALFONSOAnd you shall have itIf I can trust you.

DESPINAIs that all? I'm ready.

DON ALFONSOTake it, then; now listen.You know your mistressesHave lost their lovers.

DESPINAI know.

DON ALFONSOAnd you knowOf all their weeping and wailing.

DESPINAI know it all.

DON ALFONSOAll ri ght :If, to console themA li tt le and , as they s ay,To replace like with like,You were to find a wayOf bringing to their favour

Two presentable fellowsWho are anxious to try -You take my meaning ? there's anotherTwenty scudi for youIf you bring it off.

DESPINAI've nothing against this proposition.But with those sillies ...Well, listen: These suitors of yours,Are they young? Are they handsome?And , abov e all,Have they plenty of money?

DON ALFONSO

They have everythingWhich could please ladies of taste.Do you want to see them?

DESPINAWhere are they?

DON ALFONSOJust here:Shall I call them in?

DESPINAThat's all right with me.

ELEVENTH SCENEThe afore?mentioned ,Ferrando and Guglielmo; later Fiordiligi and Dorabella

Don Alfonso brings in the lovers, who are disguised

No. 13 - Sextet


15/51



DON ALFONSOI present you, my friends,To pretty Miss Despina;The consolation of your heartLies in her hands alone.

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOBy those hands, which with joy I kiss,By that smile so full of charm,Make my treasure turn on meHer clear and lovely eyes.

DESPINAlaughing, to herselfWhat sights! What clothes!What faces! What moustaches!I wonder what they are Wallachians or Turks.

DON ALFONSOaside, to DespinaWhat do you think of their appearance?

DESPINATo be quite frank,They're exceptionalIn their ugliness,Enough to make one renounce love.

FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO AND DON ALFONSOsotto voceNow the plan is quite decided;If she doesn't recognise us,There's no more need to fear.

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAfrom withinOh Despina! Despina!

DESPINAThe ladies!

DON ALFONSOto DespinaNow's the moment!Use your wits: I'll hide in here.He hides

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAcoming out of their rooms Impudent baggage!What are you doing with those people?Turn them out at once,Or you'll be as sorry for it as they.

DESPINA, FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMO

Al l three kneelAh, ladi es, pardon!See at your lovely feetTwo wretches languishing,Tortured with love by your beauty.

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAGreat heavens! What do I hear?Who was the shameless instigatorOf this vile betrayal?

DESPINA, FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOPray calm your indignation!

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLA

I can contain myself no more!My heart within my breastIs filled with outrageAnd wit h fear !

DESPINA AND DON ALFONSO


16/51



asideI'm a bit suspiciousOf this rage and fury!

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOasideWhat balmTo this heartIs all this rage and fury!

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAasideForgive me, beloved;This heart of mine is innocent.

Recitative

DON ALFONSOfrom the doorway What a commotion! What a din!Whatever's this confusion? My dear ladies,Have you taken leave of your senses?Do you want to rouse the neighbourhood?What's the matter? What is it?

DORABELLAangrilyHeavens! See:Men in our house!

DON ALFONSOnot looking at them What's wrong with that?

FIORDILIGIwith spirit What's wrong? On this day,Aft er our t ragi c loss ?

DON ALFONSO

Gracious! Am I awake or dreaming?My friends, my dearest friends!You here? What? Why?When? How?Ye gods! I'm delighted!aside, to Ferrando and Guglielmo Play up to me.

FERRANDOOur friend Don Alfonso!

GUGLIELMOOur dear friend!

They embrace eagerly

DON ALFONSOWhat a pleasant surpris e!

DESPINADo you know them?

DON ALFONSOKnow them?They are the dearest friendsI have in this world,And wil l be yours too.

FIORDILIGIBut what are they doing in my house?

GUGLIELMOHere at you r feet, ladies, areTwo miscreants, two culprits!It was love ...


17/51



DORABELLAYe gods, what do I hear?

FERRANDOIt was love, that powerful god,Who drew us here in search of you.

GUGLIELMONo sooner having glimpsedThe light of your dazzling eyes ...

FERRANDO

... than at their bright sparks ...

GUGLIELMO... like moths tormented by desire ...

FERRANDO... we flew before you ...

GUGLIELMO and round you and behind you ...

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMO to implore your pity in plaintive accents.

FIORDILIGIHeavens, what presumption!

DORABELLASister, what shall we do?

FIORDILIGIBegone, bold creatures!Leave this house!Despina goes out, in a fright.And wit h the unwelcome breath of base wordsDo not profane our hearts,Our ears and our affections!In vain do you, or others, seek to seduceOur souls; the unsullied faith which

We plighted to our dear lovesWe shall know bow to preserve for themUntil death, despite the world and fate.

No. 14 - Aria

FIORDILIGILike a rock standing imperviousTo winds and tempest,So stands my heart ever strongIn faith and love.Between us we have kindledA fl ame which warmsAnd consoles us,And death alone could

Change my heart's devotion.Respect this exampleOf constancy,You abject creatures,And do not let a base hopeMake you so rash again!

The ladies make to go. Ferrando d etains one, Guglielmo the other.

Recitative

FERRANDOAh, do not go!

GUGLIELMO

Cruel one, stay!to Don Alfonso What do you say now?

DON ALFONSOJust wait.


18/51



In charity to me, my dears,Don't put me more out of countenance.

DORABELLAangrilyAnd what do y ou expect ?

DON ALFONSOOh, nothing! But it seems to me ...That a scrap of courtesy ...Aft er all , they are gent lemenAnd they are f riends o f mine,

FIORDILIGISo! And I should listen ... ?

GUGLIELMOTo our sufferings and take pity on them!The heavenly beauty of your eyesOpened a wound in oursThat the salve of loveAlone can cu re.Open your heart for a momentTo its sweet words, my beauties;You'll see before you the most faithful of lovers.

No. 15 - Aria

GUGLIELMOBe not wayward,Dear beguiling eyes;Let two loving lightning flashesStrike for a moment here.Make us happy,And lov e wi th us;And we w il l make you in returnThe happiest of women.Look at us,Touch us,Take stock of us:We're crazy but we're charming,

We're strong and well made,And as anyone can see,Whether by merit or by chance,We've good feet,Good eyes, good noses.Look, good feet; note, good eyes;Touch, good noses; take stock of us;And thes e moustachesCould be calledManly triumphs,The plumage of love.

Fiordiligi and Dorabella exeunt.

TWELFTH SCENEFerrando, Guglielmo and Don Alfonso

No. 16 - Trio

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMONo sooner alone with Don Alfonso than they burst into laughter.

DON ALFONSOSo you're laughing?

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOOf course we're laughing.

DON ALFONSO

But what's the matter?

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOOh, we know.

DON ALFONSO


19/51



Don't laugh so loudly.

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOYou can save your breath.

DON ALFONSOIf they heard you,If they found you out,The whole thingWould be ruined.


How can IKeep from laughing ...I feel as thoughI'm going to burst!

DON ALFONSOTheir laughterMakes me laugh toothough I knowIt's bound to end in tears.

Recitative

DON ALFONSOAnd may I ask to knowThe reason for this laughter?

GUGLIELMOOh what a face!Don't you think, my dear sir,That we have good cause?

FERRANDOmockinglyHow much will you pay,And we'l l drop our wager ?

GUGLIELMOmockingly

Pay half.

FERRANDOWell let you off with twenty? four sequins.

DON ALFONSOPoor little innocents!Come here; I'll give youMy little finger to suck on.

GUGLIELMOAnd you st il l hav eThe courage to go on?

DON ALFONSO

Before eveningWe'll talk of this.

FERRANDOWhenever you l ike.

DON ALFONSOMeanwhileSilence and obedience.Until tomorrow morning.

GUGLIELMOWe are soldiersAnd accept disci pl ine.

DON ALFONSOVery well: both of you goAnd wait for me i n the garden:There I'll give you your orders.

GUGLIELMO


20/51



But don't we eat today?

FERRANDOWhat's it matter?When the battle's overOur supper will taste the better.

No. 17 - Aria

FERRANDOA breath o f l oveFrom our treasures

Will afford our heartsSweet sustenance.A hear t nourishedOn the hope of loveHas no needOf greater inducement.

Exeunt Ferrando and Guglielmo.

THIRTEENTH SCENEDon Alfons o, later Despina

Recitative

DON ALFONSOIt's quite absurd! There areSo few constant women in this world,And here are two of them!It can't be.enter DespinaCome here, diild, and tell meWhere your mistresses are and what they're doing.

DESPINThe poor foolsAre st andi ng in the gardenBewailing the loss of their loversTo the breezes and the mosquitos.

DON ALFONSOAnd how do y ou th inkThis will end? Can we hopeThey'll come to their senses?

DESPINAWell, I would;Where they weep, I'd laugh.To choke with despairBecause a lover goes away!Have you ever seen such folly!If one goes, take two others.

DON ALFONSO

Well said! that's sense.to himselfI'd better compliment her.

DESPINAIt's a law of nature, and notMerely sense.What is love?Pleasure, convenience, taste,Enjoyment, amusement,Pastime, fun, it's no longer loveIf it becomes a burden andInstead of pleasure brings pain and torment.

DON ALFONSO

But meanwhile our sillies ...

DESPINAThey'll doWhat we say.It's good that they should know


21/51



They're loved by them.

DON ALFONSOThey know it.

DESPINAThen they'll re? admit them,They'll spin the usual tale,And devi l take t he hindmost!

DON ALFONSOBut how can you bring them back

Now they've gone, and makeThese tiger? cats of yoursListen to them again and let themselves be tempted?

DESPINALeave me the botherOf running the show.When Despina runs somethingIt can't fail: I've already ledA thousand men by the nose:I should know how to manage two women.Are your two whi skered monsieurs rich ?

DON ALFONSORolling in it.

DESPINAWhere are they?

DON ALFONSOIn the street,Waiting for me.

DESPINAThen off you goAnd br ing them to me hereBy the little door;I'll wait for you in my room.If you'll do all I tell you,

Before tomorrow your friendsWill win the day: they'll have their way,And I'll have the glory.

Exeunt.

FOURTEENTH SCENEA pret ty garden. Two grass y ban ks at the sides.

No. 18 - Finale

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAAh, how my lot has c hangedAll in a moment!

Ah, what a sea o f t ormentIs life henceforth for me!So long as the cruel starsLeft my dear one with me,I knew not what grief was,I knew not what it was to pine.

FIFTEENTH SCENEThe afore?mentioned; Ferrando, Guglielmo, Don Alfonso; later Despina

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOoff?stage Let us die, yes, let us dieAnd thus melt t hei r hard heart s.

DON ALFONSOoff?stage There is yet a hope:I beg you, do not do it!


22/51



FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAGoodness, what terrible cries!

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOLet me be!

DON ALFONSOWait!

Ferrando and Gugliemo, each carrying a phial, enter followed by Don Alfonso.


May arsenic set me freeFrom such cruelty!

They drink and throw down the containers; the two women turn and see them.

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAHeavens, was that poison?

DON ALFONSOPoison good and proper,That in a few momentsWill deprive them of their lives!

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAThe tragic sightTurns my heart to ice.

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMODraw near, cruel ones;See the dire effectOf despairing loveAnd at leas t p ity us.

ALLMay the sun's raysBe darkened for me!I tremble, I feelThe very fibres of my being failing,And my tongue and lips

Cannot form a word.

Ferrando and Guglielmo fall on the grassy banks.

DON ALFONSOSince these unfortunatesAre near to death,At l east try to show themA li tt le pi ty .

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAHelp, someone, come quicklyO Heaven, can no one hear!Despina!

DESPINAoff?stage Did someone call?

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLADespina!

DESPINAentering What do I see?I fear the poor things are dead,Or very near to dying!

DON ALFONSOAlas , onl y too t rue!

Distraught, despairing,They have taken poison!Oh strange love!

DESPINAIt would be shameful of you


23/51



To forsake these unhappy wretches.You must aid them.

FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA AND DON ALFONSOWhatever can we do?

DESPINAThey still show signs of life;Give them a little comfortFrom your kindly hands.to Don Alfonso You hurry away with me

And we'l l seekA doctor and an anti dote.

Despina and Don Alf onso exeunt

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAWhat a tribulation!No more dreadful situationCould ever be imagined!

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOasideNo more farcical comedyCould ever be imagined!Ah!

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAstanding away from the menThe poor dears are sighing!

FIORDILLGIWhat shall we do?

DORABELLAYou suggest something.

FIORDILIGIAt a momentSo painful

Who could forsake them?

DORABELLAapproaching a littleTheir faces are quite interesting!

FIORDILIGIapproaching a littleWe could go a little furt her.

DORABELLAHis head is very cold.

FIORDILIGIThis one's cold as ice.

DORABELLAAnd his pulse?

FIORDILIGII can't feel it.

DORABELLAThis one's beating very slowly.

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAOh, if help is long in coming,There'll be no more hope of life!


softly Both have becomeCalmer and more gentle;We shall see if their pityWill turn into love.


24/51



FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAPoor dears! Their deathWould fill me with grief.

SIXTEENTH SCENEThe afore?mentioned; Despina disguised as a doctor, Don Alfonso

DON ALFONSOHere's the doctor ,Gentle ladies!

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOasideDespina dressed up!How heavily she's disguised!

DESPINA"Salvete, amabiles,Bonae puellae!"

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAHe speaks a languageWe do not understand.

DESPINALet's speak, then,As you command me.I know Greek and Arabic,Turkish and t he Vandal tongue;And I can speakSwabian and Tartar too.

DON ALFONSOKeep all these languagesFor yourself, sir;For the moment,Look at these poor fellows;They've taken poison;What can be done?

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAYes, doctor,What can be done?

DESPINAfeeling the pulse and f orehead of eachFirst I must knowThe nature of this potionAnd the reason it was t aken;Whether it was swallowedHot or cold,A li tt le or muc h,In one draughtOr in s everal.

FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA AND DON ALFONSOThey took arsenic,Good doctor,And drank i t here.The cause was loveAnd they swal lowed itIn a single gulp.

DESPINADon't worry,Don't be afraid;Here is an earnestOf my skill.


He's taken a pieceOf iron in his hand.

DESPINAThis isA pi ece of magnet,


25/51



The stone which the greatDoctor Mesmer discoveredIn GermanyAnd then becameSo famous in France.

She touches the heads of the feigned invalids with the magnet and gently draws it the length of their bodies.

FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA AND DON ALFONSOLook, they're moving,Twisting, shaking!They'll hit their heads

On the ground in a moment.

DESPINAAh, hol d thei r foreheadsSteady, will you?

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAWe're standing ready!

DESPINAHold tight.Courage! Now theyAre safe fr om death.

FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA AND DON ALFONSOThey're looking roundAnd recover ing thei r st rength .Ah, thi s doctor'sWorth all the gold in Peru!

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOrising to their feet Where am I? What place is this?Who is he? Who are they?Am I before Jove's throne?Are you Pal las o r Cytherea?Ferrando to Fiordiligi and Guglielmo to DorabellaNo, you are my fair goddess!I recognise you byThat sweet face,

And by that hand I now know so well ;It is my only treasure.

They embrace the girls tenderly and kiss their hands.

DESPINA AND DON ALFONSOIt's the effect of the poison still;Don't be afraid.

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAThat may be so, but such libertiesDo violence to our reputation.

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOto Fiordiligi and Dorabella

I beg you, my adored one,Turn your lovely eyes on me.

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAI can resist no longer!

DESPINA AND DON ALFONSOVery soon now you'll see,By virtue of magnetism's power,The end of this paroxysm,And they 'll be as they were befor e.

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOasideMy lungs are bursting

With the need to l augh.aloudGive me a kiss, my treasure,One single kiss, or else I die.



26/51



Heavens, a kiss?

DESPINAAgree,As an act of kindness!

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAThis is too much to askOf a chaste and faithful woman!It's an outrage to my love,It's an outrage to my heart!

DESPINA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO AND DON ALFONSOasideA more amusi ng pictu reCan't be found in all the world;That which makes me laugh the mostIs their rage and fury.

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLADespairing or poisoned,Go to the devil,The lot of you,Truly you'll repent too lateIf you anger me more!

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOasideI don't know if their rageAnd fur y are feigned o r real ,But wouldn't wish this fireTo end in the fire of love.

DESPINA AND DON ALFONSOasideI know full well this fireWill change to that of love.

SECOND ACT

FIRST SCENEA room

Fiordiligi , Dorabella and Despina

Recitative

DESPINAUpon my word, you'reThe strangest pair of creatures!

FIORDILIGIYou jade!What are your after?

DESPINA

For me, nothing.

FIORDILIGIFor whom, then?

DESPINAFor you.

DORABELLAFor us?

DESPINAFor you.Are you women or no t?

FIORDILIGIWhat do you mean?

DESPINAI mean,You should act like women, then.


27/51



DORABELLAAnd how is that?

DESPINATreat love lightly.Never neglect an opportunity;Change at the right moment,Sometimes be constant,Flirt with charm,Foresee the misfortune so commonTo those who trust in men,

Have your cake and eat it too.

FIORDILIGIYou minx! That's whatYou'd do if you had the chance.

DESPINAThat's what I do now.But I wish that you tooWould do the sameFor the glory of the fair sex;For example, your gallantsHave gone off to the wars: till they return,Act lik e the army: go recrui ting!

DORABELLAHeaven protect us .

DESPINAOh, we're on earth and not in heaven!Trust in my zeal.Since these strangers adore you,Let them do so. They're rich, handsome,Well?born, generous, as Don AlfonsoGuaranteed you; they had the courageTo die for you; these are virtuesNot to be despised by ladiesSuch as you, of beauty and fashion,Who can do without love but not without lovers.

to herselfI think they're coming round.

FIORDILIGIIndeed, you'd have usAct ing very s trangely.Do you think we want to beThe talk of all the gossips?Do you think we want to causeSuch anguish to our loved ones?

DESPINAAnd who saysYou'd he doing them any harm?

DORABELLADon't you considerIt would be harm enoughIf word got roundThat we were entertaining them?

DESPINAAs for that, there' sA per fect ly safe method;I'll spread it abroadThat they're after me.

DORABELLAWho'd believe that?

DESPINAOh thank you! Hasn't a maidThe right to have a couple of followers?You can trust in me.

F1ORDILIGI


28/51



No, no; these strangers of yoursAre too bold .Didn't they even go so farAs to ask for ki sses ?

DESPINAto herselfHow shocking!aloudI can assure youThat all the things they didWere the fault of the poison which they took:

Convulsions, deliriums,Delusions, ravings:But now you'll see how mild they are,Well?behaved, modest and gentle.Let them come back.

DORABELLAAnd then ?

DESPINAAnd then ?Bless us, get on with it.to herselfI said they'd fall!

FIORDILIGIWhat should we do?

DESPINAWhatever you want.Are you f lesh and blood,Or what?

No. 19 - Aria

DESPINAAt f if teen a womanShould know the ways of the world,Where the devil keeps h is tail,

What's right and what is wrong.She should know the wilesThat ensnare lovers,How to feign laughter or tearsAnd to make up good excuses.At one and the same momentShe must listen to a hundredBut speak with her eyesTo a thousand,Hold out hope to all,Be they handsome or plain,Know how to hide thingsWithout getting flustered,Know how to tell liesWithout ever blushing.

And , lik e a queenOn her lofty throne,Get her own wayWith I can and I willasideIt seems they're takingTo this doctrine;Hooray for Despina,She knows how to do it.

exit

SECOND SCENEFiordiligi and Dorabella

Recitative

FIORDILIGISister, what do you say?


29/51



DORABELLAI'm dumbfoundedAt t he fiendi sh ideas of that gi rl .

FIORDILIGIBelieve me, she's crazy.Do you think we could possiblyFollow her counsel?

DORABELLAOf course, if you stood everythingUpside down.

FIORDILIGIOn the contrary, I'm standing thingsThe right way up:Don't you think it wrongFor two young women who are betrothedTo do such things?

DORABELLAShe's not sayingWe should do any harm.

FIORDILIGIIt' bad enoughGetting ourselves talked about!

DORABELLABut if it's saidThey've come to see Despina!

FIORDILIGIYour conscience is too elastic!What will our menfolk say?

DORABELLANothing;Either they'll not know about itAnd it' s over and done wit h,Or they'll hear something,And then we'l l say

They came to see her.

FIORDILIGIBut our hearts?

DORABELLAWill stay as they are;To amuse ourselves a littleAnd not to die of boredomIs not to be false,My dear sister.

FIORDILIGIThat's true.

DORABELLASo?

FIORDILIGISo you go ahead:But I don't want to be involvedIf there should be a scandal.

DORABELLAHow can there be a scandalWhen we're taking such precautions?However, listen, let's come to an agreement:Which of these two Narcissi do you fancy for yourself?

FIORDILIGI

You choose, sister.

DORABELLAI've already chosen.

No. 20 - Duet


30/51



DORABELLAI'll take the dark one,Who seems to me more fun.

FIORDILIGIAnd meant ime I'll laughAnd jok e a bi t wi th the fai r one.

DORABELLAPlayfully I'll answerHis sweet words.

FIORDILIGISighing, I'll imitateThe other's sighs.

DORABELLAHe'll say to me:My love, I'm dying!

FIORDILIGIHe'll say to me:My dearest treasure!

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAAnd meanwhi leWhat sport and pleasureI shall have!

THIRD SCENEThe afore?mentioned and Don Alfonso

Recitative

DON ALFONSOCome, make haste to the garden,Dear young ladies!What fun! What music! Such singing!What a brilliant sight!

What magic! Come along, quickly!

DORABELLAWhatever's going on ?

DON ALFONSOYou'll soon see.

FOURTH SCENEA garden b y the seashore, wi th garden seats and two small s tone tabl es. At the landing stage is a barg e deco rated with fl owers. Fer rando and

Guglielmo in the barge, with singers and musicians; Despina in the garden; Fiordiligi and Dorabella, accompanied by Don Alfonso, come in from one

side. Richly attired servants, etc.

No. 21 - Duet (with Chorus)

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOYe friendly breezes,Help, o help my desiresAnd carr y my s ighsTo the goddess of my heart.Repeat, you who at thousand timesHave heard the tenor of my griefs,All that you have heardTo my beloved.

CHORUSYe friendly breezes,Help the longings of their dear hearts,

Recitative

DON ALFONSOto the servants carrying baskets of flowers Set all those downOn these tables, my lads,


31/51



And then return to the barge.

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAWhat is this masquerade?

DESPINACome now, courage!Have you lost your tongues?

The barge leaves the shore.

FERRANDO

I tremble and quakeFrom head to foot.

GUGLIELMOLove binds the limbs of a true lover.

DON ALFONSOGive them a word of encouragement.

FIORDILIGIto the suitors Speak then.

DORABELLASay frankly what it is you want.

FERRANDOMy lady!

GUGLIELMORather, my ladies!

FERRANDOYou do the talking.

GUGLIELMONo, no, you do it.

DON ALFONSO

The devil take it!Do stop this absurdOld?fashioned nonsense.Despina, let's get this over;You act for one side while I act for the other.

No. 22 - Quartet

DON ALFONSOtaking Dorabella by the hand Give me your hand,And come th is way a l it tle.to the suitors If you won't speak,I'll speak up for you.

A tr embling s laveImplores your pardon;He offended you, he sees,Though only for a moment;Now he repents in si lence ...

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOIn silence ...

DON ALFONSONow he leaves you in peace ...

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOIn peace . . .

DON ALFONSOHe can't do what he wants to,He would do what he can.

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOHe can't do what he wants to,


32/51



He would do what he can.

DON ALFONSONow come, give them an answer;You just look on and laugh?

DESPINAI'll give them an answerFor you.to th e ladiesWhat's done is done,Least said, soonest mended.

So let the knot, the signOf servitude, be broken.Give me your arm,And sigh no more.

DESPINA AND DON ALFONSOsoftly, asideLet's go, for mercy's sake;We'll watch what they will do.I'll rank them higher than the devilIf they don't give way now.

exeunt

FIFTH SCENEFiordiligi , Dorabella, Ferrando and Guglielmo

Recitative

FIORDILIGIWhat a lovely day!

FERRANDOPerhaps a trifle hot.

DORABELLAWhat pretty bushes!

GUGLIELMOYes, yes, very pretty;They've more leaves than fruit.

FIORDILIGIHow charmingThese paths are!Shall we take a stroll ?

FERRANDOYour slightest wishIs my command.

FIORDILIGIYou are too kind!

FERRANDOto Guglielmo, as he passesThis is the big moment!

FIORDILIGIWhat did you say to him ?

FERRANDOEr ... I told himTo keep her entertained.

DORABELLALet us go for a stroll too.

GUGLIELMOJust as you please.They stroll.Oh dear!

DORABELLA


33/51



What's the matter?

GUGLIELMOI feel so bad,My dearest one,That I think I'm going to die.

DORABELLAto herselfThis simply won't do.aloudIt'll be the after? effects

Of the poison that you drank.

GUGLIELMOAh, I dr ink inA fo r st ronger pois onFrom the cruel, fieryVolcanoes of love!

Fiordiligi goes out with Ferrando.

DORABELLAIt'll be a burning poison;Cool yourself a little.

GUGLIELMOUnkind one, you mock meWhile I'm dying .to himselfThey've vanished;Where the devil have they got to ?

DORABELLAOh, don't do that.

GUGLIELMOI'm dying, cruel one, and you mock me?

DORABELLAI mock you?

GUGLIELMOThen give me, light of my life,Some token of your pity.

DORABELLATwo, if you like.Tell me what you'd have, and we'll see.

GUGLIELMOto himselfIs she joking or in earnest?aloudDeign to acceptThis humble offering.

DORABELLAA hear t?

GUGLIELMOYes, a heart; t he symbol of that oneWhich burns, pines and longs for you.

DORABELLAto herselfWhat a precious gift!

GUGLIELMOWill you accept it?

DORABELLACruel man,Do not seek to tempt a faithf ul heart.

GUGLIELMOto himself


34/51



The mountain is weakening.I don't like this, but I've pledgedMy honour as a soldier.to DorabellaI adore you!

DORABELLAI beg of you!

GUGLIELMOI am all yours.

DORABELLAO Heavens!

GUGLIELMOGive in, my dear one!

DORABELLAYou'll drive me to my death!

GUGLIELMOWe'll die together then,My hope and love.Will you accept it?

DORABELLAwith a sigh I accept.

GUGLIELMOto himselfPoor Ferrando!aloudOh what joy!

No. 23 - Duet

GUGLIELMOThis heart I give you,My adored one;

But I want yours in return;Come, give it me.

DORABELLAYou've given it and I take it,But mine I cannot give;In vain you ask it of me,It is no longer mine.

GUGLIELMOIf you no longer own it,Why does it beat here?

DORABELLAIf you gave me it,

What is still beating there?

DORABELLA AND GUGLIELMOIt is my own dear heartThat is no longer mine;It's come to lodge with you,And that 's what 's beating so .

GUGLIELMOtrying to put the heart where she has the miniature of her loverLet me put it here.

DORABELLAThere it cannot stay.

GUGLIELMOI understand, you little rogue.He gently turns her face away, takes out the miniature and puts i n the heart.

DORABELLAWhat are you doing?


35/51



GUGLIELMOYou're not to look.

DORABELLAto herselfI feel I haveA vo lcano in my bos om!

GUGLIELMOto himselfPoor Ferrando!

It doesn't seem possible.aloudNow turn your pretty eyes on me.

DORABELLAWhat do you want?

GUGLIELMOSee,Doesn't that look better?

DORABELLA AND GUGLIELMOOh happy exchangeOf hearts and affections!What new delights!What sweet pain!

They go out arm in arm.

SIXTH SCENEFiordiligi enters in agitation, followed by Ferrando

Recitative

FERRANDOUnkind one! Why do you fly me?

FIORDILIGI

I've seen an asp,A hy dra, a bas il isk !

FERRANDOAh, cruel one, I unders tand you!The asp, the hydra, the basiliskAnd all that's fierces t in the Libyan desertYou see in me alone.

FIORDILIGIAh yes, i t's true!You would rob me of my peace.

FERRANDOOnly to make you happy.

FIORDILIGIMolest me no further!

FERRANDOI ask but for a glance.

FIORDILIGILeave me!

FERRANDOHow can I, until you turn on meAn eye les s haugh ty?O Heaven! But you look at me and sigh?

exit

SEVENTH SCENE

Recitative


36/51



FIORDILIGIaloneHe's left me ... listen ... Ah no! Let him go.Let my sight be free of the unlucky objectOf my weakness. To what a passThis cruel man has brought me!This is a just reward for my sins!Was this the timeFor me to heed the sighsOf a new lover, to make sportOf another's sighs? Ah, rightly

You condemn this heart, o just love!I burn, and my ardour is no longerThe outcome of a virtuous love:It is madness,Anguish, remorse, repen tanc eFickleness, deceit and betrayal!

No. 25 - Rondo

FIORDILIGIIn pity's name, my dearest, forgiveThe misdeed of a loving soul;Oh God, it shall evermore be hiddenAmong these shady bushes .My courage, my constancyWill drive away this dishonourable desirAnd bani sh t he memoryWhich fills me with shame and horror.And who is it whomThis unworthy heart has betrayed?Dear heart, your tr ust deservedA bet ter reward!

Exit

EIGHTH SCENEFerrando and Guglielmo

Recitative

FERRANDOin high spirits We've won, my boy!

GUGLIELMOTwo of a kind?

FERRANDOA st raight flush!Fiordiligi is modesty incarnate.

GUGLIELMONot a crack?

FERRANDONot one: just waitAnd lis ten to what happened.

GUGLIELMOI'm listening: tell me.

FERRANDOWe went for a strollIn the garden,As we'd agreed:I gave her my arm,We chatted of nothing in particular;At l ast w e came to the sub ject of love.

GUGLIELMOGo on.

FERRANDOI feigned a stammer,


37/51



I pretended to weep,I swore I'd die at her f eet.

GUGLIELMOVery clever, I grant.And she?

FERRANDOAt f irst she l aughed,Joked and teased me.

GUGLIELMO

And then ?

FERRANDOThen she pretendedTo melt a little.

GUGLIELMOOh, did she?

FERRANDOThen the bomb exploded.She was keeping herself pure as a doveFor her dear Guglielmo:Haughtily she repulsed me,Upbraided me, fled me,Giving me evidence and proofThat she's a woman withou t equal.

GUGLIELMOGood for you, good for me,Good for my Penelope!Let me embrace youFor your happy tidings,My faithful Mercury!

FERRANDOAnd my Dorabell a,How did she behave?Oh, I haven't a doubt of her.

enthusiastically I know so wellHer sensitive soul.

GUGLIELMOWell, just between ourselves,If you had a doubtIt might not be such a bad thing.

FERRANDOWhat?

GUGLIELMOOh, don't take me seriously.to himself

I'd like to gild the pill for him,

FERRANDOSpeak out! Did she perhapsFall for your flatteries?Ah, if I could even sus pect it !

GUGLIELMOIn this worldIt's always wise to be a bit suspicious.

FERRANDOYe immortal gods! Speak out!Don't roast me on a slow fire;But no, you're making sport of me;

She loves me, adores me alone.

GUGLIELMOCertainly! And so in proofOf her love and devotionShe gave me this little picture.


38/51



FERRANDOin a fury My portrait! The traitress!he makes to go

GUGLIELMOWhere are you going?

FERRANDOTo tear her heart from her wicked bosomAnd avenge the betrayal of my love.

GUGLIELMOStop!

FERRANDOwith determination No, let me go!

GUGLIELMOAre you raving ?Would you ruin yourselfFor a worthless woman?to himselfI wouldn't want himTo commit some folly!

FERRANDOYe gods! All those promises,And tears , and sighs, and vowsHow could the inhuman creatureForget them so soon?

GUGLIELMOI'm sure I don't know.

FERRANDOWhat should I do now?To what course,What plan apply myself?

Take pity on me, give me your counsel.

GUGLIELMOMy friend, I don't knowHow to advise you.

FERRANDOCruel! HeartlessIn a day! In a few hours!

GUGLIELMOIt's certainly something to wonder at.

No. 26 - Aria

GUGLIELMOLadies, you treat so many thusThat, if I must speak the truth,I begin to sympathiseWhen your lovers complain.I adore the sex, you know,Everyone knows it;Each day I show itAnd always take y our part .But such treatment of so manyDiscourages me, in truth.A thousand times I've d rawn my swo rdTo defend your honour.A thousand times I've c hamp ioned youWith my tongue and, still more, with my heart.

But such treatment of so manyIs pernicious and a bore.You're attractive, you are charming,Heaven has given you tr easures galoreAnd graces envelop youFrom head to foot.


39/51



But thus you treat so many,That it's difficult to believe,And if you r lovers comp lainThey have good reason indeed.

exit

NINTH SCENEFerrando alone, later Don Alfonso and Gu glielmo talking in the background

Recitative

FERRANDOIn what fierce strife,In what confusionOf thoughts and affections I find myself!So unusual and novel is my situationThat neither others nor I myselfSuffice to give me counsel ... oh, Alfonso,How you must be laughingAt my s tupid ity!But I'll be revenged, I'll banishThe traitress from my mind ...Banish her?O Heaven, too loudly my heart intercedes for her.

No. 27 - Cavatina

FERRANDOBetrayed and scornedBy her faithless heart,I still knowThat my soul adores her,I still hearThe voice of love for her.

Recitative

DON ALFONSOBravo, that's true fidelity.

FERRANDOGet away, you to rmentor.It's through you I'm suffering.

DON ALFONSOCome, if you're sensibleYour old calm will return.Listen:pointing to GuglielmoFiordiligi has remainedFaithful to Guglielmo,But Dorabella's unfaithful to you.

FERRANDO

To my shame.

GUGLIELMODear friend, one mustMake distinctions in everything.Do you imagine a woman couldFail a Guglielmo?Speaking in all modesty,Make a small comparisonBetween us ... you see, my friend,There's a little extra something ...

DON ALFONSOYes, that's what I say.

GUGLIELMOSo meantime you can pay meThose fifty sequins.

DON ALFONSOWillingly;


40/51



But before I do so, I'd like usTo try another experiment.

GUGLIELMOWhat's that?

DON ALFONSOHave patience; until tomorrowYou are both at my command;You gave me your words as soldiersTo do what I s aid. Come, I hopeTo show you how foolish it is

To count your chickens before they're hatched.

exeunt

TENTH SCENEA room wi th several doors, a mir ror and a table

Dorabella and Despina, later Fiordil igi

Recitative

DESPINANow I can seeYou're a woman of sense.

DORABELLAIn vain, Despina, I tried to resist:That little devil has such tricks,Such eloquence, such a way with him,That he'd melt the heart of a stone.

DESPINASaints above!That's really something!It's so rarely we poor girlsGet the chance of something goodThat we must grab it when it comes.But here's your sister.What a face she's pulling!

FIORDILIGIYou wretches!See what a state I'm in,And all through you!

DESPINAWhat's the matter,My poor madame?

DORABELLAIs something wrong, sister?

FIORDILIGIThe devil's in me; let him take me,

You two, Don Alf onso, the strangersAnd all the other fools in the world.

DORABELLAHave you lost your senses?

FIORDILIGIWorse, much worse.Recail from me: I'm in love,And my love i sn 't jus t for Gugl ielmo.

DESPINAThat's better, much better!

DORABELLA

And perhaps y ou too have fallenIn love with the fair gallant?

FIORDILIGIsighingAh only too deeply !


41/51



DESPINAWell, hooray!

DORABELLATake seventy thousand kiss es:You for the fair one,I for the dark one,And there we are, both married!

FIORDILIGIWhat are you saying?

Don't you spare a thought for the unfortunatesWho left us this morning?For their grief?Have you forgotten their faithfulness?Where, where did you learnSuch barbarous feelings?How have you so changed your nature?

DORABELLAListen: are you sureThat our former lovers won't be killedIn the war? What then?We'll both be left high and dry.There's always a big differenceBetween one in the hand and one in the bush.

FIORDILIGIAnd then if they come back ?

DORABELLAIf they come back, too bad for them!We'll be married by thenAnd far away from here.

FIORDILIGIWell, I'd like to know bow one canChange one's affections in a single day.

DORABELLA

What a silly question!We're women!And how have you behaved ?

FIORDILIGII can control myself.

DESPINAYou can't, I bet.

FIORDILIGII'll show you.

DORABELLABelieve me, sister, you'd best give in .

No. 28 - Aria

DORABELLALove is a little thief,A li tt le serpentIs he.Acc ording to his whimThe heart fi nds peaceOr no.Scarcely does he open a pathBetween your eyes and your bosomThan he chains your soulAnd takes away your liberty.He'll bring sweetness and con tent,

If you give him his way,But will make your lot heavyIf you try to deny him.If he visits your breastAnd plucks at you there,Do all that he asks,


42/51



As I wi ll do too.

Dorabella and Despina go out .

ELEVENTH SCENEFiordiligi alone, then Guglielmo, Ferrando and Don Alfonso in another room which can be seen through the door of the first, later Despina

Recitative

FIORDILIGIHow everything conspires to tempt

My heart! But no! Let me die rather than yield!I was wrong to confess my feelingsTo my sister and my servant.They'll tell him all, and he'll be bolder,Carrying all before him; my eyes must notFall on him again! I'll threatenAll the servants wi th dismissalIf they let him in; I will not seeThat seducer.

GUGLIELMOWell spoken, my chaste Diana!Did you hear her?

FIORDILIGIBut perhaps Dorabella,Without my knowledge ...Sofily, a thought comes to mind;In the house are several uniformsOf Guglielmo's and Ferrando's: courage now!Despina! Despina!

DESPINAentering What is it?

FIORDILIGITake this key, and without any questionsOr any back answers,

Go to the wardrobe and bring me hereTwo swords, two helmets and two tunicsOf our lovers.

DESPINAWhat do you want with them?

FIORDILIGIGo on, and no back answers.

DESPINAto herselfMilady's on her high horse!

exit

FIORDILIGIThere's nothing else to do:I hope Dorabella herselfWill follow a good example:Away , away!No other way is leftFor us to preserve our honour.

DON ALFONSOto himselfI've heard enough.to Despina, who is returningGo on, don't be afraid.

DESPINAHere I am.

FIORDILIGINow go.Send a servant at once


43/51



To order six post? horses;Tell Dorabella I want to speak her.

DESPINAVery good, ma'am.to herselfI think she's out of her mind.

exit

TWELFTH SCENEFiordiligi, then Ferrando: Guglielmo and Don Alfonso remain in the other room

Recitative

FIORDILIGIFerrando's uniform will fit me;Dorabella can take Guglielmo's.In these outfitsWe'll join our sweethearts,We can fight beside themAnd die, i f need be.She throws off her head?dress.Out with you, fatal finery,I despise you.

GUGLIELMOto himselfCould there be a love like this?

FIORDILIGIYou shall never deck my head againTill I return here with my true love;In your place I do this helmet.How it transforms my whole appearance!I can hardly recognise myself!

No. 29 - Duet

FIORDILIGI

Very soon now I'll be enfoldedIn the embraces of my true love;Unrecognised in these garmentsI will come before him.Oh, what joy will fill his heartWhen he sees me again!

FERRANDOAnd meanwhi le I, left wretched,Shall die of grief.

FIORDILIGIWhat do I see? I am betrayed!Oh leave me!

FERRANDOAh no, dear heart!With this sword in your handStrike me to the heart,And if you lack the strength,By Heaven, I'll guide your hand myself.

FIORDILIGIAlas , be s ilen t! I amTormented and unhappy enough!Ah, now my constancyBegins to falterBefore his looks and his words!

FERRANDO

Ah, now her c onstancyBegins to falterBefore my looks and my words!

FIORDILIGIGet up, I beg!


44/51



FERRANDOIt cannot be.

FIORDILIG1In pity's name, what do you ask of me?

FERRANDOYour heart or my death.

FIORDILIGIMy strength is giving out!

FERRANDOYield, my dearest!

FIORDILIGIHeaven, direct me!

FERRANDOTurn a merciful eye on me.In me alone you'll findHusband, lover and more, if you wish.Delay no longer, my adored one.

FIORDILIGIMerciful heaven! Cruel man, you've won!Do with me what you will.

Don Alfonso holds back Guglielmo who tries to leap forward.

FERRANDO AND FIORDILIGIEmbrace me, my dearest,And may the consol ation for our sorrowsBe to spend our time in sweet affection,And sighFor joy!

exeunt

THIRTEENTH SCENEGuglielmo and Don Alfo nso, then Ferrando, later Despina

Recitative

GUGLIELMOAlas , poo r me, what have I seen!What have I heard!

DON ALFONSOKeep quiet, for heaven's sake!

GUGLIELMOI'll pluck out my beard,I'll tear my flesh,

And charge the stars wit h my horns!So that was Fiordiligi , my Penelope,The chaste Diana of the age! Strumpet,Ass assi n, c heat, s windler, b itch!

DON ALFONSOLet him get it off his chest.

FERRANDOentering Well!

GUGLIELMOWhere is she?

FERRANDOWho? Your Fiordiligi?

GUGLIELMOMy Fior ... Furies of hell!Strangle first her and then me!


45/51



FERRANDOYou see now;There are distinctions in everything;ironicallyThere's a little extra something ...

GUGLIELMOStop it! StopTaunting me, and insteadLet's find a wayOf punishing them soundly.

DON ALFONSOI know what to do: marry them.

GUGLIELMOI'd rather marryCharon's boat.

FERRANDOVulcan's smithy.

GUGLIELMOThe gates of hell.

DON ALFONSOThen you'll stay bachelors for ever.

FERRANDOAre there no womenFit for men like us ?

DON ALFONSOThere's not so many.But what would they do,If these act like this ?At bot tom, you s ti ll lov eThese plucked birds.

GUGLIELMO

Alas , it' s tr ue!

FERRANDOToo true!

DON ALFONSOWell then, take them as they are:Nature can't make exceptionsAnd create two women of a di fferent stuf fJust to suit your tastes: in such mattersYou must be philosophical.Come along then;Let's find a wayOf putting things together.Tonight I still want to see

A double weddi ng;Meanwhile listen to my song:Take heed, and you' ll be happy.

No. 30 - Andante

DON ALFONSOEveryone blames women, but I forgive themIf they change their loveA thousand times a day;Some call it a sin, others a habit,But I say it's a necessity of their heart.The lover who finds that he's been deceivedShould blame not othersBut his own mistake;

Whether they're young or old, fair or p lain Repeat with me:Women are all the same!

FOURTEENTH SCENE


46/51



The afore?mentioned; Despina

Recitative

DESPINAVictory, gentlemen!The dear ladies are di sposedTo marry you; in your nameI promised that in about three days' timeThey'd go away with you:They ordered me to find a notaryTo draw up the contract;

They're waiting for you in their room.Are you satis fied wi th that?

FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO AND DON ALFONSOMost satisfied.

DESPINAWhen Despina takes a job i n handShe always gets results.

exeunt

FIFTEENTH SCENEA salon br ill iantly l it . An orch estra in the background: a tabl e laid f or four persons, w ith si lver candl esti cks. Four rich ly clad s ervants .

Despina, servants and musicians; then Don Alfonso

No. 31 - Finale

DESPINABe quick about it, friends,Light the torchesAnd prepare the tableIn style for the nobility.The marriage of our mistressesIs already arranged,And you must t ake you r placesAs soon as the br idegrooms appear.

CHORUS OF SERVANTS AND MUSICIANSLet's be quick about it, friends,Light the torchesAnd prepare the tableIn style for the nobility.

DON ALFONSOWell done! Splendid!What abundance!What elegance!You'll all be givenA su itable reward.Now the two couples are arriving;App laud them as they en ter:Let cheerful song and merry music

Fill the air with gaiety.

DESPINA AND DON ALFONSOsoflly, leaving by different doors A prett ier piece of comedyThere never was, nor ever will be!

SIXTEENTH SCENEThe afore?mentio ned: Fiordiligi , Dorabella, Ferrando, Guglielmo

CHORUSBlessed be the two bridegroomsAnd thei r lovely br ides!May a kindly heaven smil e on them,

And , in t he way that hens are,May they be prolificOf progeny to equal them in beauty.

FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOSurely here's the promise


47/51



Of every joy and perfect love!And all the cred itGoes to dear Despina.Repeat that joyful music,Renew that lovely song,And we w il l s it hereIn highest mirth and g lee.

The chorus leaves; four servants remain to serve the couples, who seat th emselves at the table.

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOEverything now, my dearest,

Acc ords wi th my desi res.

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAJoy grows and spreadsThroughout my veins.

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOYou are so beautiful!

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAYou are so handsome!

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOWhat lovely eyes!

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAWhat an attractive mouth!

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOClink glasses and drink!

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLADrink and clink glasses!

FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA AND FERRANDOIn your glass and mineMay every care be drowned,And let no memory o f t he pastRemain in our hearts.

GUGLIELMOto himselfWould that they were drinking poison,The dishonourable jades!

SEVENTEENTH SCENEThe afore?mentioned; Don Alfonso; then Despina disguised as a notary

DON ALFONSOEverything is ready, friends;The notary is coming up the stairsWith the marriage contractAnd ips o facto he'l l be here.

FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOSplendid! Let him in at once!

DON ALFONSOI'll go and call him. Here he is.

DESPINAin a nasal voiceWishing you every happiness,The notary BeccaviviComes to you with his usualNotarial dignity.And fir st c oughi ng,Then sitting down,

In a clear voice he will readThe stipulated contractWith the normal provisionsIn judicial form.

FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMO


48/51



Excellent, in truth!

DESPINABy this contractDrawn up by me,The following are joined in matrimony;Fiordiligi with Sempronio,And wit h Tizio Dorabella,Her legitimate sister;The ladies, natives of Ferrara,The gentlemen, Albanian nobles.And in dowry and sett lemen t ...

FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOWe know all t hat!We believe you,We trust you:Give it here, and we'll sign.

DESPINA AND DON ALFONSOExcellent, in truth!

The paper is in Don Alfonso's hand. The sound of drums is heard.

CHORUSoff?stage A so ldi er's li fe for me!Every day a change of s cene;Plenty today and little tomorrow,Now on land and now on sea.

FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DESPINA, FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOWhat's that noise? What's that singing?

DON ALFONSOKeep quiet: I'll go and see.he goes to the windowMercy on us!God in heaven!Disaster is upon us!I tremble! My blood runs cold!

Your former lovers ...

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAMy former lover ...

DON ALFONSOAre returning, oh heaven,At t his momen t,And are now disembarkingOn the shore!

FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOWhat do I hear?Ye cruel stars!What's to be done

At t his d ire moment?

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAGo at once,Quickly, fly;Conceal yourselves,For pity's sake!

DESPINA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO AND DON ALFONSOSuppose they see us (them)?Suppose we (they) meet them?

Don Alfons o leads Despina into a room: Fiordi ligi and Dorabella show the men into another. The men escape unseen and go off.


Heaven, help us !Heaven, guide us!Who will save usFrom this peril?

DON ALFONSO


49/51



Be reassured,Keep calm,Trust in me,And all wi ll be w ell.

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAA thousand cruel t houghtsAre to rment ing my heart ;If they discover the deceptionWhatever will become of us?

FINAL SCENEFiordiligi and Dorabella, Ferrando and Guglielmo in military cloaks and caps, Despina in a room with Don Alfonso.

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOSafe and sound, exulting with joy,We return to the loving embraceOf our faithful sweetheartsTo crown them for their constancy!

DON ALFONSOGreat heaven! Guglielmo! Ferrando!What joy! You here? How and when?

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMORecalled by royal countermand,Our hearts full of contentment and joy,We've returned to our adorable s weethearts,We've returned to your friendship.

GUGLIELMOto FiordiligiBut why this pallor, this silence?

FERRANDOto DorabellaWhy is my love so sad?

DON ALFONSOTheir tongues are tied

With confusion and overwhelming joy.

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAMy tongue has forsaken me;If I don't die it will be a miracle.

The servants bring in a trunk.

GUGLIELMOAll ow me to haveThis trunk brought into that room.Heavens, what do I see!A man hidden here!A no tary! What's he doi ng here?

DESPINAcomes out without a hatNo, sit, it's not a notary:It's Despina in fancy dressWho's just back from a ballAnd come in here to change.

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOasideCould so clever a rogueEver be found?

DESPINACould they ever findAny one as smart as me?

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLADespina? Despina?I don't begin to understand.

Don Alfonso cunningly lets fall the contract signed by the women.


50/51



DON ALFONSOquietly to the men I've just dropped the papers;Pick them up neatly.

Ferrando picks up the contract.

FERRANDOBut what are these papers?

GUGLIELMO

A mar riage contract!

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOMerciful heaven! You've signed here,Don't try to deny it!Treachery, treachery!Let us find the villainsAnd thei r blood shall flowIn torrents, rivers, oceans!

They make to enter the other room; the women prevent them.

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAAh, my love, my s in is mortalAnd death alone I seek now;Too late I see my error;With your sword pierce this bosomThat deserves no pity!

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOTell us all.

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLApointing to Despina and Don AlfonsoLet them speak for us,That pander and that procuress!

DON ALFONSOToo true is what she says,

And the proof is shu t in there!

He indicates the room by which the men first entered. Ferrando and Guglielmo go into it.

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAI freeze, I shiver with fright;Why did he give them away?

Ferrando and Guglielmo come out of the room, without caps, cloaks and without moustaches, but in the false lovers' clothes, and burlesque their

antics with Despina.

FERRANDOto FiordiligiLovely lady,A noble of A lbania

Bows before you!

GUGLIELMOThe miniatureExchanged for the little heartI return herewith, madame!

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOto DespinaAnd to the magnetic docto rI give the honourWhich he merited!

FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA AND DESPINAHeavens, what do I see?

FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO AND DON ALFONSOThey're stupefied!

FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA AND DESPINAI cannot bear this torment!


51/51


FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO AND DON ALFONSOThey're half crazy!

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLApointing to Don Alfonso That is the cruel manWho deceived us!

DON ALFONSOI deceived you, but my deceptionUndeceived your lovers,

Who henceforth will be wiserAnd wil l do as I wish.Give me your hands, now you're united.Embrace each other and say no more.All four of you can laugh nowAs I have laughed and shal l do agai n.

FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLAMy love, if this is true,With fidelity and with loveI will make good what I have doneAnd adore you evermore.

FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMOI believe you, my fair one,But I won't put it to the test.

DESPINAI don't know if I'm awake or dreaming,I'm confused, I feel ashamed;I'm slipping badly if they can do to meWhat I have done to many others.

ALLHappy is the man who looksAt ev erything on the right si deAnd thr ough t rials and t ribulat ionsMakes reason his gu ide.What always makes another weep

Will be for him a cause of mirthAnd amid the tempests of th is wor ldHe will find sweet peace.

OPERA-GUIDE_ Così fan tutte e.pdf

Documents

Transcript of OPERA-GUIDE_ Così fan tutte e.pdf