"Joyce El-Khoury's performance was a technical and emotional tour de force." - The Times
" El-Khoury delivers a heart-stopping, bravura performance, all the more intense for the paradoxically exquisite bel canto and jaunty melodies through which Donizetti paints his tragedy. " - The Stage
"The role of Elisabetta is a notoriously difficult part for even the most seasoned of sopranos. In the hands of Joyce El-Khoury it appears both effortless and truly dazzling. Her commitment to the role is total, at points even exhausting in its emotional intensity, and her fluent coloratura and masterful control are joyous. Elisabetta is – oddly – drawn rather thinly, appearing as a two-dimensional spurned lover on the page. On the stage, however, El-Khoury gives her depth and a very human sense of vulnerability. Her final aria, “Vivi, in grato, a lei accanto†delivered upon her throne as her mental and physical capacities weaken, provides a counterpoint to the anguished, vengeful queen that dominates the majority of the opera. The moment in it the where El-Khoury drops to an almost imperceptible pianissimo after two hours of muscular bel canto is one of aching fragility that elevates Elisabetta from mere cliche." – BachTrack
Watch videos with other singers performing Vivi ingrato a lei d'accanto:
ELISABETTA (Vana la speme non fia … Presso a morir, l'augusta gemma Ei recar mi farà... Pentito il veggo Alla presenza mia … Pur … fugge il tempo! … Vorrei fermar gl'istanti. E se la morte, Ond'esser fido alla rival, scegliesse? … Oh truce idea funesta! … S'ei già move al palco? … Ah! Crudo! … Arresta! …
Vivi, ingrato, a lei d'accanto, Il mio core a te perdona … Vivi, o crudo, e m'abbandona In eterno a sospirar … Ah! si celi questo pianto, gettando uno sguardo alle Dame, e rammentandosi d'esser osservata Ah! non sia chi dica in terra: La Regina d'Inghilterra Ho veduto lag rimar. Vivi, ingrato, e m'abbandona, ecc.)
SCENA SETTIMA Cecil, Cavalieri e dette.
ELISABETTA Che m'apporti?
CECIL Quell'indegno Al supplizio s'incammina.
ELISABETTA (Ciel! …) Al supplizio?
CECIL Sì.
ELISABETTA Nè diede un qualche pegno Da recarsi alla Regina?
CECIL Nulla diede.
Odesi un procedere di passi affrettati.
ELISABETTA (Ingrato!) Alcun s'appressa! … Deh! si vegga …
CECIL È la duchessa! …
SCENA OTTAVA Sara, Gualtiero e detti. Sara, sciolte le chiome, e pallida come un estinto, si precipita ai piè di Elisabetta: ella non può articolar parola, ma sporge verso la regina l'anello d Essex.
ELISABETTA Questa gemma donde avesti? … nella massima agitazione Quali smanie! … qual pallore! …. Oh sospetto! … E che! potesti forse? … Ah! parla.
SARA Il mio terrore … Tutto … dice … lo son … Ah! …
ELISABETTA Finisci.
SARA Tua rivale!
ELISABETTA Ah! …
SARA Me punisci … Ma … del Conte serba … i giorni …
ELISABETTA ai Cavalieri Deh! correte … deh! volate … Pur ch'ei vivo a me ritorni, Il mio serto domandate … CORO Di LORD Ciel, ne arrida il tuo favore …
English Libretto or Translation:
ELIZABETH (Vana la speme non fia ... Near to die, the august gem And recar will make me ... I repent the veggo In my presence ... Pur ... flee the time! ... I would like to stop the moments. And if death, Whilst I trust the rival, would you choose? ... Oh gruesome deadly idea! ... Do you already move to the stage? ... Ah! Raw! ... Stop! ...
Live, ungrateful, next to her, My heart forgives you ... Live, or raw, and leave me For eternity to sigh ... Ah! this cry is healed, glancing at the ladies, and remembering to be observed Ah! it is not who says on earth: The Queen of England I saw lag remain. Live, ungrateful, and leave me, etc. )
SEVENT SCENE Cecil, Cavalieri and said.
ELIZABETH What do you bring me?
CECIL that unworthy He goes off to the torture.
ELIZABETH (Ciel! ...) To the punishment?
CECIL Yup.
ELIZABETH Nor did he give any pledge To go to the Queen?
CECIL Nothing gave.
I hated a proceeding of hasty steps.
ELIZABETH (Ungrateful!) No one approaches! ... Deh! you see ...
CECIL She is the duchess! ...
SCENE EIGHT Sara, Gualtiero and sayings. Sara, loose her hair, and pale as an extinct, rushes to Elizabeth's foot: she can not articulate words, but the Essex ring protrudes toward the queen.
ELIZABETH This gem from which you had? ... in maximum agitation What ails! ... what a pallor! .... Oh suspect! … Is that! could you maybe? ... Ah! speaks.
SARA My terror ... Everything ... he says ... I am ... Ah! ...
ELIZABETH Finish.
SARA Your rival!
ELIZABETH Ah! ...
SARA You punish me ... But ... of the Serbian Count ... the days ...
ELIZABETH to the Knights Deh! run ... deh! fly ... As long as I live back to me, My Serto you ask ... CHORUS OF LORD Ciel, your favor is rewarded ...
This is a partly automated translation. Please help us with corrections or provide us with a complete new translation. We will gladly mention the translator. Contact