PRICE 35 CENTS
OPERAflOUSE
GRAND OPERA
EDWARD JOHNSON
mm
THE ORIGINAL ITALIAN.
FRENCH OR GERMAN
LIBRETTO WITH A
CORRECT ENGLISH
TRANSLATION.
ORFEO ED EURIDICE
17 EAST 42nd STREET, NEW YORK CITY
THE ONLY CORRECT AND AUTHORIZED EDITION
KNABE PIANO USED EXCLUSIVELY
OPERA HOUSE
GRAND OPERA SEASON 1939-1940
EDWARD JOHNSON General Manager
EDWARD ZIEGLER Assistant General Manager
EARLE L. LEWIS Assistant General Manager
WEDNESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 29, 1939, AT 8.30 O'CLOCK
In Memoriam
ARTUR BODANZKY
Mozart's ''Trauermusik" will be played
preceding the third ant "The Elysian Fields"
ORFEO ED EURIDICE
Opera in Four Acts (Five Scenes)
(In Dalian)
Book by Ranieri de1 Calzabigi
MUSIC by CHRISTOPH WILLIBALD, RITTER VON GLUCK
Orfeo . Kerstin Thorborg
Euridice Irene Jessner
Amore Marita Farell
Un1 Ombra felice Annamary Dickey (debut)
ACT I. Ceremony and Sacrificial Celebration at the Tomb of Euridice
Corps de Ballet
ACT II. "Inferno" — Dance of the Furies and Sinners
Entire Corps de Ballet
ACT III. "Elysian Fields"— Celestial Dance
Doris Neal and Corps de Ballet
ACT IV. Scene 2. Triumphal Coronation and Pastoral Chaconne
Monna Montes, Grant Mouradoff, Premier Danseur,
and Entire Corps de Ballet
Choreography by Boris Romanoff
Conductor Erich Leinsdorf
Stage Director Herbert Graf
Chorus Master Fausto Cleva
POSITIVELY NO ENCORES ALLOWED
The Management requests the audience to abstain from ap-
plause at the end of acts so long as the music continues.
Correct Librettos for Sale in the Lobby
KNABE PIANOS f'SED EXCLUSIVELY
Program Continued on Next Page
Correct Librettos for Sale in the Lobby
KNABE PIANOS USED EXCLUSIVELY
Program Continued on Next Page
ORFEO E EUR1DICE
A Lyric Play, in Four Acts
MUSIC BY
GLUCK
The Libretto Edited and Translated by
MANFREDO MAGGIONI
PUBLISHED BY F. RULLMAN
NEW YORK
MAR 1 0 1992
DRAMATIS PERSONAE.
ORFEO,
L'OMBRA FELICE,
L'AMORE,
EURIDICE.
Chorus of Shepherds and Shepherdesses, of Nymphs and followers of Eurydice and
Orpheus, of Demons, Furies, Spectres, of Happy Shades, etc.
ARGUMENT OF "ORFEO."
ACT I.— THE SCENE is AT THE TOMB OF EURYDICE.
The Greek singer and poet Orpheus is grieving sorely for the loss of his wife
Eurydice, who has died. His friends and admirers gather round and condole with
him on his loss, till he, unable to endure the company of men, entreats them to depart
and leave him alone with his grief.
When all have left him he reproaches Destiny and the Gods, and proclaim ., his
intention of seeking his beloved Eurydice among the shades of the departed and
rescuing her from Pluto's dark realm.
Love appears to him, and promises to aid him and to restore his wife to his arms
on condition that he shall not look back after he has found Eurydice, but lead straight
on out of Hades to the upper world, which he faithfully promises, and the act ends
with his delight at the prospect of seeing and embracing his loved one once again.
ACT II.— THE GATES OF EREBUS.
The Demons and Spectres are whirling in an infernal dance when Orpheus enters
playing on his lyre.
His grief and the exquisite pathos with which he expresses it softens the hearts
of the Demons, who cause the great gates to open and allow him free passage to the
infernal kingdom, which he enters singing sweetly to his lyre.
ACT III.— ELYSIUM.
Orpheus enters to a crowd of happy spirits, who fade away as he appears, but re-
appear at his entreaty, bringing the shade of Eurydice veiled.
A shadow dance is proposed, during which Orpheus discovers Eurydice by mag-
netic attraction, but does not look at her, and she follows him to the passage leading
to the upper world.
ACT IV.— A DARK CAVERN LEADING OUT OF THE REALM OF THE DEAD.
Orpheus leads Eurydice by the hand, but never turns to her. Her jealousy is
aroused and she reproaches him for his coldness, till, broken hearted, she falls on a
rock as if dead. Orpheus gives vent to his grief, and draws his sword to slay himself,
when Love appears and arrests his hand, touches Eurydice and awakens her from her
swoon. The companions of Orpheus enter, and all is joy and congratulation.
NOTE. — In the Orphic Mysteries Orpheus is the Sun, from whose warm, loving
beams his spouse Eurydice, the Earth, is taken at the approach of night. He seeks
her through the darkness, but cannot see her till the morning, when the vivifying
power of nature, Love, restores her to him.
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
IHHNSON
ORFEO E EURIDICE.
Atto Primo.
SCENA I.
// teatro rappresenta un ameno boschetto,
ma solitario ove si vede la tomba di EURI-
DICE circondata d' allori e di cipressi. La
scena e occupata da pastori e ninfe del se~
guito d' ORFEO e di EURIDICE. Altri
portano ghirlande di mirto, altri vast onde
gli antic hi servivansi nelle cerimonie fine-
bri, alcunipoi sono intesi a sparger profumi
e coprir di fiori la tomba, sulla quale sta
appoggiata la statua d' Imene con la torcia
roves data.
ORFEO, Pastori e Ninfe del seguito
d* EURIDICE ; coro del seguito d' ORFEO,
e ballo delle Ninfe.
ORFEO seduto contra un albero ove ha
appeso il caschetto e la lira interamente
abbandonato al dolore, e non facendo altro
che continuamente ripetere il nome di EURI-
DICE.
CORO. S' in questo bosco oscuro e queto,
Euridice, il tuo spirto
Ode ancor ?
Deh tu oscolta a' nostri preghi
Vedi il pianto, vedi il duol.
Abbi picta dell' infelice Orfeo,
Ei sospira per te.
Compiange il suo destine.
L' amorosa tortorella
Cempre fida all' amor suo
Cos! sospira o muore di dolor.
• ORFEO. II vostro sospirar
Aumenta il mio dolor : All' ombra fida
D' Euridice rendete
Onor, e ne coprite
L' avel di fior.
UoRO. S' in questo bosco oscuro e queto,
etc.
ORFEO. Lasciatemi, conviene
Che qui rimanga io sol,
Non vo compagni avere
Nel mio supremo duol.
11 seguito d' ORFEO si ritira, e si disperde
nel bosco.)
SCENA II.
ORFEO (solo). Euridice ! spirto caro,
Vieni a me. Del tuo fedel,
Deh tu ascolta il pianto amaro.
Egli invoca per te il ciel,
Nel dolore suo crudel,
Ma 1'eco sol, aime ! risponde al prego.
Te cerco, o mia fedel,
Quando il di torna in ciel,
Quando s' asconde.
O vano mio dolor,
L' idolo del mio cor,
Non mi risponde !
Euridice, Hel tuo nome,
E' 1' aer pien : le valli, i boschi
II colle, il pian,
Sulla pianta che muore,
Sulla scorza crescente
II nome tuo scolpi
La mano mia dolente.
Euridice mori,
Ed io respiro ancor.
O ciel, la rendi a me,
O chiudi anco i miei di.
Ah ! vinto dal mio duol,
II piu remoto suol,
Io vo cercando.
Pietoso il nome mio
Nel suo cammino il rio,
Va mormorando.
ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE.
Act One.
SCENE I.
A beautiful but solitary grove, where is
seen the tomb of EURYDICE amongst trees
of laurel and cypress. Shepherds and
Shepherdesses, and Nymphs of the suite of
ORPHEUS and EURYDICE fill the place.
Some are carrying garlands of myrtle,
some funeral vases, some spread perfumes,
and some cover with flowers the tomb, on
which is placed the figure of Hymen with
the torch turned down.
ORPHEUS, Shepherds and Shepherdesses,
Nymphs of the suite 0/~EURYDICE, Chorus
of the suite 0/ ORPHEUS, with the ballet of
the Nymphs.
ORPHEUS seated against a tree on which
his casque and his lyre are suspended, to-
tally abandoned to his grief, repeats at
every moment the name of EURYDICE.
CHORUS. Ah ! if in this tranquil grove,
Eurydice, your shade
Still hears us,
Listen to our prayers,
See our sorrow, our tears,
Feel pity for the unfortunate Orpheus —
He sighs, he weeps for you,
He mourns his fate.
Thus the loving dove,
Faithful to her love,
Sighs, and in her sorrow dies.
ORPHEUS. Your laments
Increase my sorrow —
To the memory of Eurydice
Render honors, and spread
Her tomb with flowers.
CHORUS. Ah ! if in this tranquil grove,
etc.
ORPHEUS. Leave me ; I must
Remain alone,
No one must share
This grief with me.
(All retire and disperse in the grove.)
SCENE II.
ORPHEUS (alone). Eurydice, beloved spirit,
Listen to thy faithful love,
Behold his bitter tears —
In his distress
He invokes the Gods,
But none reply but the Echo.
To thee, my love, I call
When the sun doth appear,
When it doth fall.
Oh my vain, useless sighs !
The idol of my heart
Never replies.
Of my love, of thy name,
Dear Eurydice, the air is full.
The woods, the valleys,
The hills, the plain repeats thy name.
Upon the withered tree,
Upon the growing bark
Thy name is written
By my trembling hand !
Eurydice is no more,
And I am living still.
O God, restore to me my love
Or take my life away.
Oppressed by horrid grief,
The most deserted spot
Does suit my state.
The streamlet alone
Doth murmur on its way
My name, my fate.
ORFEO E EURIDICE.
Divinita del cupo imper, ministri
Di terror ; del soggiorno
Dell' ombre voi che nella trista valle
Fate che sia compito
II voler di Plutone,
Voi che mai gioventu
Disarmo, ne beltade,
Da voi tolta mi fu,
La mia felicitade.
Oh memoria fatal ! Aime ! le grazie
Del suo bel volto,
Dal piu crudel destine
Non la poter salvar.
Implacabili Dei !
Ve la voglio involar.
10 sapro penetrar
Fino nel cupo abisso.
Ammolir tal rigor
La lira mia sapra,
11 vostro sdegno io sento
Che affrontare potra.
SCENA III.
AMORE(entra). Dark soccorso Amore
Al piu tenero amante,
Non disperar, di te
Giove senti pieta,
Nel buio eterno
Tu scender puoi,
Va a trovar Euridice
Delia morte nel sen.
Se col dolce suon di tua lira,
Se col tuo cantar divin,
De' numi dell' averno
riacar tu puoi T ira,
A te ritornera.
Dal tenebroso impero
A te ritornera.
ORFEO. Ciel la rivedro !
AMORE. Si, ma per tanto aver
Esser pronto convien a compier T or-
dine,
Che da me devi udir.
ORFEO. Chi mai potra.. .a me '1 vietar
A tutto io son disposto.
AMORE. Odi dunque del ciel qual e ii vo-
lere.
Su quest' amante... tanto adorata
T' e vietato lasciar,
Uno sguardo cader,
O per sempre da te
Restera separata.
Di Giove or sai la volonta qual e
Degno ti mostra della sua merce.
L' adore raffrena,
Restringi il desio,
E tosto ogni pena
O duolo piu rio
Sparito sara.
Tu sai che un amante,
Discrete e costante
Nel cor d' un amata,
Ha sempre trovata
La dolce pieta.
(Esce AMORE.)
SCENA IV.
ORFEO (solo). Chi vidi ! chi parlfc f
Euridice vivrai ? Clemente cielo
Un dio propizio
La rende a me.
Ma che ? io non potr6
Ritornando alia vita,
La serrar sul mio sen
O dolce arnica !
O qual favor !
O qual ordin crudel !
Prevedo il suo timor,
II sospetto, il dolor.
A che il pensier soltanto
D' una prova si cruda
Mi fa di ghiaccio il cor,
Si lo potr6, lo giuro
Amore, m' assistera,
Nell' immenso mio duolo
Temer di sua pieta,
Sarebbe a te far torto,
Fia cosi. Giove il vuol
A te sommesso io son.
ORFEO prende la lira e si mette il cas-
chetto.)
La speme in sen ritorna.
Fine avran le mie pene
Al mio supremo bene,
La vita io vo ridar.
L' averno invan fra noi
Con tutti i mostri suoi
Non vincera 1' amor.
Al mio supremo bene
Vo dar la vita ancor.
FINE DELL' ATTO PRIMO.
ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE.
Deities of the abyss, ministers
Of terror, you who obey
The dread decrees of Pluto
In the sad valley of death,
You whom never youth
Or beauty once disarmed,
You have my heart deprived
Of its sweet happiness.
Oh fatal memory !
Alas ! the graces
Of her celestial countenance
Could not save her
From you dreadful grasp.
Merciless Gods,
I will snatch her from you ;
Yes, I shall open my way
Within the deepest abyss ;
My lyre will soften
Your stern rigor ;
I can defy
Your dreaded rage.
SCENE III.
LOVE (enter). To the most tender heart
Love will his aid impart.
Despair no more, since Jupiter
Feels pity for you.
Into the eternal darkness
You can descend.
Go in search of Eurydice
Within the gates of death.
If by the sweet sound of your lyre,
If by your charming voice,
You can assuage the wrath
Of the stern gods of Erebus,
She shall return to you,
From the dark region of Pluto
She shall return to you.
ORPHEUS. Ah ! shall I behold my love
again ?
LOVE. Yes, but to obtain this favor
You must obey the order
You will now hear.
ORPHEUS. Oh say what I must do,
I am prepared to obey.
LOVE. Hear then the will of heaven.
On your beloved wife
To cast a curious look
You are forbidden,
Or you forever
Will be from her divided.
These are the high decrees,
Show not yourself unworthy of this
mercy.
Subdue your ardor,
Your wish restrain,
And soon your heart
From every pain
Will be relieved.
You know that ever
A heart beloved
Love gives for love,
That faith unmoved
Ne' er was deceived.
(Exit LOVE.)
SCENE IV.
ORPHEUS (alone). Whom have I seen?
What has he said ?
Eurydice alive again.
She again restored to me,
0 merciful Gods !
1 truly shall see her,
Press her alive
Upon my heart.
O most beloved wife !
0 favor of heaven !
But that cruel law !
Alas ! I can foresee
Her fear, her pain.
The thought alone
Of such a trial
Doth freeze my heart.
But I shall not be subdued. I shall be
firm.
Love promised me his aid.
Although the trial is great,
To doubt his promise
Is doing him wrong.
Let it be so. It is the will of Jupiter.
1 must submit.
(ORPHEUS takes the lyre and puts on his
caschet.)
Hope returns in my breast,
My sorrows soon will end,
Soon my beloved wife
I shall restore to life.
Hell in vain, and all its monsters,
Raise against us their dismal rage,
Love all powers can assuage.
Soon my beloved wife
I shall restore to life.
END OF THE FIRST ACT.
ORFEO E EURIDICE.
Atto Secondo.
SCENA I.
// teatro rappresenta la porte delV infer-
no, donde vedesi uscire denso fumo misto a
fiamme.
Stuolo di demoni e di furie, ORFEO.
Ballo de lie furie.
ORFEO fa sentire il suono della lira.
Gli spettri, e le furie ne interrompono co
loro balli gli accordi, e cercano di fare a
lui spavento.
CoRO DEI DEMONI. Chi mai dell' Erebo
Fra le caligini,
Sull' orme d' Ercole
Di morte impavido,
Conduce il pio ?
D' orror lo ingombrino
Le fiere Eumenidi
E lo spaventino,
Gli urli di Cerbero,
Se un dio non e.
ORFEO (avvicinandosi ai demoni, sempre
suonando la lira).
Deh calmate tanto ardor !
Furie, larve, ombre sdegnate
Deh sentite alfin pietate,
Del mio barbaro dolor.
CORO. No, no, no.
ORFEO. Deh calmate, etc.
CORO. Misero giovane,
Che vuoi ? che mediti ?
Altro non abita
Che lutto e gemito,
In queste orribili
Soglie del duol.
ORFEO. Ah 1* ardor che mi divora
Cento volte e ben piu rio,
Ah 1' inferno duol non ha
Pari a quel che in sen mi sta.
CORO. O quale incognito
Affetto flebile
Viene a sospendere
L' imperturbabile
Nostro furor.
ORFEO. Se il mio affanno, ah ! voi sa-
peste
Se vedeste il mio dolore,
Dello strazio del mio core
Forse avreste allor pieta.
(I demoni inteneriti al canto di ORFEO.)
CORO. Le porte stridano
Su neri cardini,
E il passo lascino
Sicuro e libero
Al vincitor.
Tutto al dolcissimo
Suo canto piegasi,
E vincitor.
(Durante questo coro le porte dell' inferno
si schiudono ORFEO si apre il passo in
mezzo agli spetri incantati al suono
della lira, ed entra negli abessi.)
FINE DELL' ATTO SECONDO.
Atto Terzo.
SCENA I.
// teatro rappresenta i campi Elisi. V'i
zi vedono degli archifioriti, dei boschetti,
delle fontane e de tapeti d\ erbetta verde
sopra i quali riposano le ombre dei giusti^
divise in differ enti gruppi.
Ballo delle ombre felici.
Un ombrafelice e coperta di lungo velo i
seguita da molte altre ombre.
A ria alternativamente col Coro del segui-
to di EURIDICE.
L' OMBRA FELICE. Questo prato sempre
ameno
Del riposo e il dolce asil
8uesto e il bel lido sereno
ve sempre ha regno April.
Nulla qui la mente oscura
Qui si gode 1'aura pura,
Dolce incanto infiamma il sen
E la misera tristezza,
Cessa in questo asilo amen.
Quest' e '1 suol ridente e tranquillo
Dove la pace in trono sta.
CORO. Quest' e il ridente asil
Della felicitk.
(Le ombre si allontano.)
ORPHEUS AND EURYD1CE.
Act Two.
SCENE I.
The theatre represents the gates of Ere-
bus, from which smoke and flames come
out.
Crowd of Demons and Furies ', ORPHEUS.
Ballet of the Furies.
ORPHEUS plays on the lyre. The Spec-
tres and the Furies, astonished, try to drown
his strains with their dances and to frighten
him.
CHORUS OF DEMONS. Who is the auda-
cious one
That dares in these dark places,
On the track of Hercules,
To advance his steps ?
The dire Eumenides
May fill him with horror,
And may he be frightened
By the roars of Cerberus,
If he is not a god.
ORPHEUS (approaching the spectres, play-
ing on his lyre). Spectres, furies,
horrid shades,
Calm your great fury.
And may you be brought to pity
By my cruel grief.
CHORUS. No, no, no, no.
ORPHEUS. Calm your fury, etc.
CHORUS. Miserable youth !
What dost thou contemplate ?
Within this horrible
Abode of grief
Nothing dwells
But sighs and sorrow.
ORPHEUS. Ah ! the fire that burns within
my heart
Is a hundred times more fierce,
And hell doth not contain
A pain equal to mine.
CHORUS. What an unknown
Mournful affection
Comes to suspend
The unmoved feelings
Of our great wrath.
ORPHEUS. If you could see my heart,
If you could know my grief,
Perhaps of my distress
You would at last feel pity.
(The spectres seem softened at the sweet
strains of ORPHEUS.)
CHORUS. Let the gates resound
Upon their heavy hinges,
And leave the passage free,
And wide, and sure
To this new conqueror.
All bend, all yield,
To his melodious singing,
He does all conquer.
(During this chorus the gates of hell are
thrown wide open ; ORPHEUS, enchant-
ing the spirits with his sweet sounds,
opens his way between them and enters
the abyss.)
END OF THE SECOND ACT.
Act Three.
SCENE I.
The Elysium, where are seen arches cov-
ered with flowers, groves, fountains and
green meadows, where repose the shades of
the blessed, divided into different groups
Ballet of the Happy Shades.
One of them covered with a long veil is
followed by many others.
Air and Chorus of the followers of Eu-
RYDICE.
THE HAPPY SHADE. This lawn, always
green,
Is the sweet abode of peace,
This is the pleasant shore,
Where always reigns the spring.
Naught here doth grieve the mind,
The breeze is soft and pure,
A sweet softness enraptures our feel-
ings,
And grief and sadness
Is banished from this place,
This is the tranquil dwelling
Where peace sits as on its throne.
CHORUS. This is the smiling shore
Where happiness doth reign.
(The shades disperse.)
10
ORFEO E EURIDICE.
SCENA II.
ORFEO (entra). Di qual splendor, qui
brilla il sol ?
Piu puro e '1 ciel
Piu chiaro il di.
Dolce aura lusinghiera
Sento aleggiar nel bosco,
Degli augelli il gorgheggiar,
De' ruscelli il mormorar
E il dolce fiato dell' aura.
Si gode in questo asil,
Di vera pace il ben
Ma la calma che qui respiro
II mio dolor blandir non val,
O mio ben d'amor soave oggetto,
Tu sola puoi calmar
Lo strazio del mio petto
Te mirar, la tua voce udir,
Star vicin sempre a te.
Ah il tuo sospiro,
E il solo ben, che ognor desire.
CORO NELLA QUINTE. Giunge Euridice-
Al soggiorno del riposo,
Vieni, o dolce amante e sposo
Vieni e scorda il tuo dolor.
Euridice amor ti rende
Euridice gia riprende
Di beltade il bel tesor.
SCENA III.
Le Ombre ed ORFEO.
ORFEO. O larve che m' udite,
Ah tollerate in pace
I caldi miei sospir.
Se voi portaste in seno
L' ardor che mi divora
Gia stretto sul mio cor
Avrei 1' amato ben,
Offrite al mio pregar
La belta che qui cerco,
Che qui vengo a implorar.
CORO DELLE OMBRE.
a te.
E il destin risponde
SCENA IV.
Le Ombre, ORFEO, EURIDICE velata in
lontananza.
Danza delle Ombre.
Durante il coro le ombre consegnano Eu-
RIDICE nelle mani di ORFEO, che la riceve
senza guardarla, e manifestando il piu vivo
trasporto dy amore e di gioia.
CORO DELLE OMBRE, AD EURIDICE.
Torna, o bella al tuo consorte,
Che non vuol che piu diviso,
Sia da te pietoso il ciel.
Non lagnarti di tua sorte
Che pu6 dirsi un altro Eliso
Uno sposo io fedel.
(Le ombre felici seguono ORFEO ed EURI-
DICE.)
FINE DELL' ATTO TERZO.
Atto Quarto.
SCENA I.
// teatro rappresenta una caverna oscura,
per sentieri interrotti e che conducono fuori
delV inferno.
ORFEO e EURIDICE.
OR-FEO tenendo EURIDICE. per la mano,
ma senza alzarle gli occhi in volto compa-
risce in distanza, e s* innoltra con aria in-
quieta.
ORFEO. Ah ! vieni Euridice,
Son io; del piu constante amore il nwo
Unico e dolce oggetto.
EURIDICE. Sei tu ? se tu davver ?
Ciel non e quest' un delir ?
ORFEO. Si tu vidi il tuo amore,
Son io che vivo ancor.
E dal regno de' morti
Or ti vengo a salvar.
Del mio fedele ardor
II pianto Giove udl,
Di nuovo tu vivrai.
EURIDICE. Che ! vivr6 ! E per te !
Sommi dei, qual bontk !
ORFEO. Euridice, partiam,
Ci affrettiam a godere
Di tal favor celeste,
Usciam da questo
Asil funesto,
ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE.
II
SCENE II.
ORPHEUS (enters). How brilliantly here
shines the sun,
I never saw the sky so pure,
I never saw the day so clear,
With what sweet harmony
Resounds this grove.
The warbling of the birds,
The murmuring of the rivulets,
And the sweet breath of the air !
One feels on this shore
The very height of peace,
But the calm that reigns here round
Doth not soften my sorrow.
Oh thou, sweet object of my love,
Thou only canst subdue
The pangs of my sad heart.
To see thee, to hear thy Voice,
To be at thy side,
To inhale the air thou breathest,
This is the only bliss to which I aim.
CHORUS (inside). Here advances Eury-
dice !
To this most peaceful shore,
Husband and lover come,
And all your griefs forget,
Eurydice doth love you again,
Eurydice again resumes
Her former beauty.
SCENE III.
THE SHADES AND ORPHEUS. Ye shades
who hear me,
Ah ! bear in peace
My sweet sighs. If you knew
The flame that is kindled in my heart,
You would have, before now,
Brought her to my prayers ;
Ah, grant me the beauty
That I came to seek
And to implore from you.
CHORUS. And to your wishes heaven
friendly smiles.
During the following chorus the Shades
lead EURYDICE to ORPHEUS, who receives
her without looking at her, but showing the
greatest transport of love and joy.
CHORUS to EURYDICE. Come to your
beloved consort,
Heaven, merciful, decrees
That never more you should be parted.
Do not complain of your fate
That the love of such a consort
May be called a real Elysium.
(The shades follow ORPHEUS and EURY-
DICE.)
END OF THE THIRD ACT.
SCENE IV.
The Shades, ORPHEUS, and EURYDICE
veiled, at a distance.
Ballet of the Shades.
Act Four.
SCENE I.
An obscure cavern, which through wind-
ing paths leads out of the infernal regions.
ORPHEUS and EURYDICE.
ORPHEUS, holding EURYDICE by the
hand, but without raising his eyes to her
face, appears in the distance, and advances
tremblingly.
ORPHEUS. Ah, come, Eurydice,
It is I. You, the most sweet
And constant object of my love, ah!
come.
EURYDICE. Is it you ? truly you ?
It is not a dream of mine ?
ORPHEUS. No, you really see your love.
It is I, still alive,
And descended into this place
To take you from the dead.
Jupiter felt pity
For my great sorrow,
You shall return to life.
EURYDICE. Shall I live again ?
O gods ! what goodness !
ORPHEUS. Eurydice, let us go,
Let us hasten to enjoy
This boon of heaven.
Let us depart from this
Abode of death.
12
ORFEO E EURIDICE.
Un' ombra piu non sei
E la face d'amor ancor piu viva
Ardera nel mio sen.
EURIDICE. Che ascolto ? E sara ver ?
Oh sorte a noi felice !
E che noi risserrar
Potrem d' amore i nodi !
ORFEO. Si, presto andiam
Piu non tardar.
EURIDICE. Ma la tua mano, o ciel, io piu
non sento
Che ! non son quella piu,
Che tanto amasti un di !
Dal sen per Euridice
L' amore tuo fuggi ?
O non trovi piu in me
La belta del mio volto.
ORFEO (a parte). O cielo qual divieto !
Euridice andiam,
Di qui presto andiamo, preme il tempo,
Palesare vorrei
L' eccesso del mio amore
Legge fatal !
O barbaro destin !
EURIDICE. Ti chiedo un guardo sol.
Crudel son questi forse i lieti di,
Che il tuo cuor mi prepara ?
E questa e la merce
Di tanto amore ?
O gelosa fortuna ! Orfeo ! aime !
Tu rifiuti in tal di
Gl' innocenti sospir,
Di quella che tant' ami ?
ORFEO. Co' tuoi timor, or piu non mi af-
fannar.
EURIDICE. Tu mi dai vita sol
Per ricondurmi al duol.
Ciel, deh riprendi il don, io lo detesto
Sposo crudele, ah ! lasciami.
ORFEO. Vieni, ah ! vieni al tuo consorte
EURIDICE. No, crudel
M' e piu caro ancor morir
Che di vivere con te.
ORFEO. Vedi il duol.
EURIDICE. Lasciami in pace.
ORFEO. No, mia vita, ombra seguace
Saro sempre intorno a te.
EURIDICE. Parla, a che sei si tiranno ?
ORFEO. Potro pria morir d' affanno
Ma giammai diro perche.
EURIDICE E ORFEO. Siate a me propizi,
o Dei,
Ah vedete i pianti miei
II dolor che in seno io porto
Piu sonribile non e.
(ORFEO sta immerso nella piu grande agi-
tazione s' appoggia contra la rupe.)
EURIDICE (a parte). Ma perche a serbare
Tal silenzio persiste ?
Quale arcan vuole a me celar?
Delia pace all' asil,
Ei ritrar mi dovra
Per me insultar can tanta indiferenza.
O barbara sorte,
Mi togli da more
Per farmi la preda,
D' un nuovo dolor.
D' una tranquilla pace
Io gustava il riposo,
Gli affanni il pianto or sottentrati
sono
A quei felicA di.
ORFEO. Quel vano suo sospetto
Accresce il mio dolor,
Che dire mai ? che fare ?
Son quasi disperato,
Come poss' io calmar
La tema del suo cor.
EURIDICE. Io vacillo, io tremo
Io mi perdo, io gemo.
ORFEO. Quanto son da compiangere
Non mi so contenere.
EURIDICE. Oh barbara sorte, etc.
ORFEO. Oh qual prova crudele.
EURIDICE. Tu m' abbandoni, Orfeo
Non hai pieta
La desolata sposa,
Soccorso invoca invan,
O Dei, sentite i miei martir.
Di vita devo uscir
Senza ottenere un guardo solo.
ORFEO. Mi sento il coraggio mancar,
Eperdo la ragion.
Da tanto amor portato,
Io scordo la difesa
Euridice e me stesso.
(Fa un movimento per voltarsi mdietro, e
a un tratto si trattiene.)
EURIDICE. Caro sposo, appena
Io posso respirar.
(Cade contro una rocca.)
ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE.
You are no more a shade,
And the torch of love
Still burns within my heart.
EURYDICE. What do I hear ? Can this
be true ?
0 happy fate !
We shall again be united
In the sweet bonds of love !
ORPHEUS. Ah ! yes. But let us go,
Let us no more delay.
EURYDICE. But, heaven ! No more I feel
your hand.
Am I no more the one
You one day loved so dearly ?
The former love for Eurydice
Has left your heart ?
Or you find no more in me
My former beauty ?
ORPHEUS (aside). Alas ! what forbiddance !
Eurydice, let us go,
Let us now leave this place.
(I would show her
The extent of my affection.
But, cruel law !
Barbarous fate !)
EURYDICE. A single look I implore.
Are these the happy days
You have prepared for me ?
Is this the sweet reward
Of my faithful love ?
Oh, cruel thought ! Orpheus ! Alas !
You now refuse
The tender sighs
Of your beloved !
ORPHEUS. Torment me no more with
your doubts.
EURYDICE. You bring me back to life
To bring me again to grief.
Take back your gift,
Cruel one, leave me !
ORPHEUS. Come, come to your consort.
EURYDICE. No, never ! Death I prefer
To living again with you.
ORPHEUS. See my sorrow !
EURYDICE. Leave me in peace !
ORPHEUS. No, my life, forever
1 shall follow you.
EURYDICE. Why, then, are you so cruel ?
ORPHEUS. I must die first
Than say my reason.
EURYDICE } Oh. gods, help me !
and Behold my tears !
ORPHEUS. ) Alas ! no more
I can my grief endure.
(ORPHEUS, plunged in the greatest grief,
leans against a rock.)
EURYDICE (aside). But why does he persist
In keeping silent ?
What secret does he hide ?
From the abode of peace
Shall he take me only
To insult me with indifference ?
0 barbarous fate !
To make me a prey
Of bitterer tears
You take me away.
1 was enjoying
A tranquil peace,
But grief again
Has now my bosom seized.
ORPHEUS. Her vain suspicion
Augments my sorrow.
What shall I say ? What shall I do ?
I am almost in despair.
How can I now calm
The anxiety of my mind ?
EURYDICE. I vacillate, I tremble,
I lose my strength, I sigh !
ORPHEUS. Who does not pity me ?
My courage fails !
EURYDICE. Oh, barbarous fate ! etc.
ORPHEUS. Oh, most cruel trial !
EURYDICE. You leave me, Orpheus,
No pity you feel for me.
Your desolate wife
In vain calls for aid.
Hear ye, o gods, my just complaints,
Must I again from life depart,
And not obtain from him a single
look ?
ORPHEUS. I can no more resist,
I lose my reason.
Transported by my love,
I forget the forbiddance,
Eurydice, and myself.
(ORPHEUS makes a movement as to look
back, then withdraws.)
What do I ?
EURYDICE. My love, I scarcely
Can find now breath.
(She falls against a rock.)
ORFEO E EURIDICE.
ORFEO. Non disperare
Or ti vo dire, o ciel che faccio
Giusti dei, quando avra fine il mio mar-
tire.
EURIDICE. Questo aime sia 1' estremo
addio.
Non ti scordar d'Euridice.
ORFEO. Dove son ? piu resistere non
posso
Giusto ciel ! chi sofTri si grave afTano ?
O mia cara Euridice !
EURIDICE. Orfeo ! Oime ! io moro.
ORFEO. Sventurato che fui !
In qual orrido abisso,
Mi gett6 tal funesto amore
Cara sposa ! Euridice !
Ella muor. Di fatal !
Piu il mi6 ben non vedr6.
10 son, io che spensi i tuoi bei di
Legge iniqua, destin crudel !
Dolor non avri eguale,
In ora si funesta
11 mio delir, la morte
E sol quel che mi resta.
Che faro senz' Euridice
Dove andro senza il mio ben,
Euridice, o Dio, rispondi,
Io son pure il tuo fedel.
Euridice, ah ! non m' avvanza
Piu soccorso, ne speranza.
Ne' dal mondo ne' dal ciel.
Mortal silenzio
Nulla m' avvanza,
Oqual martir !
Si spezza il cor.
Ah per sempre io t' ho perduta !
Ogni speme or dispari.
Del dolor 1'orae venuta,
Ogni ben da me fuggi.
Ah, possa il mio martir
Finir con la mia vita !
Sorviver non potrei
Ad un affanno egual.
Son presso ancor d'averno alia citta
Raggiunto presto avro,
La mia diletta sposa.
Si, vengo a te, mio bene, mio sol ben,
M' aspetta, piu non mi sarai rapita.
Si la morte al tuo sen
Riconducami ancor.
(ORFEO tira la spada per uccidersi, ma
T AMORE che gli appare ad un tratto gli
arresta il braccio.)
SCENA II.
ORFEO, EURIDICE, E L' AMORE.
AMORE. T' arresta Orfeo.
ORFEO. O Ciel !
Chi sei tu che ardisci or trattenare
Del mi6 core il trasporto ?
AMORE. Deh ! calma il tuo furor, o uom
demente,
T' arresta, e riconosci,
Amor che veglio sopra il tuo destino.
ORFEO. E che vuoi tu da me ?
AMORE. Modello in te trovai
Di costanza e di fe
Or vo por fin a' tuoi guai.
(AMORE tocca EURIDICE e le da anima.)
Euridice respira !
Del piu amoroso cor
Vieni a premiar 1'ardor.
ORFEO (con trasporto). Oh, Euridice !
EURIDICE. Orfeo !
ORFEO. Oh giusto ciel qual e
La mia riconoscenza !
AMORE. Piu non negar
La mia potenza.
Dal doloroso imper,
Vi vengo a liberar. ! ..;
Dato or v' e di goder
De' favor dell' amor.
SCENA III.
Entra il seguijto d' ORFEO e d' EURIDICE.
INNO ALL' AMORE.
CORO. Di Pafo il Signor e di Gnido
Infiamma sol il mondo inter,
Nel vuoto ciel giunger sa
L' augel veloce
Le figliuole di Dori accende
Fin nel sen del vasto mar,
Piu lieta fa giovinezza
Ei giunge in un la grazia e la belta
E lui che adorna la saggezza
E di fior sparge il suo sentier,
E desso ancor che ne consola
Quando noi perdiam i suoi favor
E quando pur da noi s' invola
Ne lascia sempre 1' amista
Per temperare il duol.
FINE.
ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE.
ORPHEUS. Despair not.
You must, then, know ? But what do I ?
Merciful Gods ! My grief will never end?
EURYDICE. Be this my last adieu !
Do not forget Eurydice.
ORPHEUS. Ah ! where am I ? Where is
my courage now ?
Who ever endured such woes ?
0 my beloved Eurydice !
EURYDICE. Orpheus ! alas ! I die !
ORPHEUS. Oh, unhappy me !
In what dreadful state
This love has thrown my heart.
Dear love ! Eurydice !
Alas ! she dies, oh fatal day !
1 shall see her no more !
And I have caused her death.
Oh cruel law ! Oh impious fate !
This is above all grief.
In such a fatal hour
Despair and death
Is all that's left to me.
What shall I do without Eurydice ?
Where shall I go without my love ?
Eurydice ! O Gods ! answer me,
I am still your faithful lover.
Eurydice, alas ! all hopes are gone !
No aid I can expect,
Neither on this earth nor from
heaven !
Oh fatal silence !
Now all is lost,
Now forever
My heart is broken !
Forever now she is departed !
A ray of hope does not remain.
To mourn and cry is now my share,
To call for aid it would be vain.
But I can still my woes suspend,
Yes, with my life my grief can end.
This cruel fate
I could never bear !
I still am near the gates of death,
I soon will have
Rejoined my love.
Ah ! yes, I come
To thee, forever I come.
No more from me thou shalt be stolen;
My death again
Will take me to thy side.
ORPHEUS draws the sword to kill himself,
but LOVE, who suddenly appears to
him, prevents the blow.)
SCENE II.
LOVE, ORPHEUS and EURYDICE.
LOVE. Suspend, Orpheus.
ORPHEUS. Heaven !
What power have you
To stop me in my deed ?
LOVE. You must your fury calm !
Recognize in my presence Love,
Who watches over your fate.
ORPHEUS. What do you want from me?
LOVE. I found in you
True constancy and faith,
Your sufferings must end.
(LOVE touches EURYDICE, and reanimates
her.)
Eurydice, return to life!
Of the most constant heart,
Gain the due reward.
ORPHEUS (with transport). Oh, Eurydice !
EURYDICE. Orpheus !
ORPHEUS. Merciful Gods !
How can I praise your goodness !
LOVE. No more deny
The power of Love.
From the abode of darkness
I come to save you.
From now you can enjoy
What favors love can give.
SCENE III.
Enter the suite of ORPHEUS and EURY«
DICE.
Hymn to LOVE.
ALL. It is the God of Paphus
That animates the world,
'Tis he who in the air
Overtakes the rapid bird;
He does inflame the Nereids,
Even in the ocean's depth;
He cheers the youth,
And grace he adds to beauty;
He gives more charm to wisdom,
And spreads his path with flowers;
It is he who consoles us.
When even we lose his favors,
Since when he flies from us
He always leaves us friendship
All losses to repair.
END.
16
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