It seems so strange
Opera details:
Opera title: | Nixon in China |
Composer: | John Coolidge Adams |
Language: | English |
Synopsis: | Nixon in China Synopsis |
Libretto: | Nixon in China Libretto |
Translation(s): | Not entered yet. |
Recitative details:
Type: | recitative |
Role(s): | Chiang Ch'ing |
Voice(s): | Soprano |
Act: | 2.12 |
| Previous scene: | I have my brief |
| Next scene: | I am the wife of Mao |
Libretto/Lyrics/Text/Testo:
(The President hands a few coins to Lao Szu andHung Chiang Ch'ing tosses a handful of small change
to the guards, who scramble on the ground and fight
among themselves. Embarrassed, Lao Szu orders his
men to fetch the entertainment. A number of serving
girls enter, dressed mostly in flowers. They are
members of the Red Women's Militia. The guards
compel them to dance. Grimly the girls begin to execute
a colorful Li Nationality Dance. Only one of them
allows her anger to break the surface. It is Ching-hua.
Her eyes sweep the crowded courtyard, resting briefly
on Lao Szu. Madame Mao has risen from her chair in
the audience. She raises one hand and points to Ching-
hua)
CHORUS
(as Ching-hua)
It seems so strange
to take revenge
after so long
to find the wrong
can be undone.
The silent gun
warms in my hand
salving the wound
made by the men
it will gun down
all in good time
I shall kill them.
Yes, every one.
Revenge is mine
CHIANG CH'ING
That is your cue.
(Ching-hua produces an automatic pistol and fires two
shorts. But it was not her cue. The company is stunned.
PAT
She's started shooting, Dick
NIXON
I know.
CHORUS
Oh no!
CHIANG CH'ING
What are you gaping at?
Forward Red Troupe! Annihilate
this tyrant and his running dogs!
NIXON
Oh no!
CHIANG CH'ING
Throw off those stupid rags!
Advance and fire! Fix bayonets!
The worms are hungry!
Must the fruits of victory
rot on the vine?
(Offering only a token resistance, the mercenaries
break and scatter, throwing aside their weapons as
they run. The red flag rises over the mansion. Peasants
push through the broken gates, weeping for joy)
** PAT
Is Henry okay?
NIXON
Christ he's gone. **
(The granary has been opened. The President takes
on the task of distributing grain to the hungry peasants.
Meanwhile, the company, led by Hung Chiang Ch'ing
severely rebukes Ching-hua and disarms her. She
is deeply distressed. For a moment Madame Mao,
standing in their midst, seems almost left out. Then
she begins to sing)
CHORUS
Are you one of us?
You are what you choose.
Your paradise
begins are ends
in open wounds
and self-abuse
where your heart is.
Your sacred heart
Is rotten meat;
Your little treasure,
your precious flower,
your sweet revenge.
Nothing can change
without discipline.
Give me that gun.
English Libretto or Translation:
Not entered yet.External links for It seems so strange
| Sheetmusic for recitative |  Sheetmusicplus.com |
| Sheetmusic for opera | Sheetmusicplus.com |
| MP3's for this recitative | on Amazon.com |
| DVD/CD's for this opera | on Amazon.com |
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