Buona notte mia figlia

English Libretto or Translation:

ACT ONE

Seville
A large room hung with damask, with family portraits and coats of arms: it is furnished in 18^th-century style, but shabby. Downstage, two windows: that on the left is closed, the other on the right open and practicable, from which can be seen a bright moonlit sky and tree‑tops. Between the windows is a large wardrobe, closed, containing clothes, linen, etc. Each of the side walls has two doors: on the spectator's right, the first is the main one, the second leads to Curra's room; left, the door backstage leads to the Marquis's apartment, that nearer the proscenium to Leonora's. Slightly left of centre is a small table covered with a damask cloth on which lie a guitar, vases of flowers and two shaded silver candelabra, which provide the room's sole illumination. An armchair near the table; between the right-hand doors a clock standing on a piece of furniture; against the opposite wall another piece of furniture on which is a full-face portrait of the Marquis. Outside the room is a balcony.
The Marquis of Calatrava, with a candle in his hand, is bidding goodnight to Donna Leonora, who seems preoccupied; Curra enters from the left.

Introduction - Scena

MARQUIS
embracing Leonora affectionately
Goodnight, daughter; goodnight, my dear.
Is that balcony window still open?
goes to close it

LEONORA
aside
(What anguish!)

MARQUIS
turning to her
Have you no word of affection? … Why are you so sad?

LEONORA
Father - my Lord -

MARQUIS
The pure country air
has brought peace to your heart …
You have given up that foreigner unworthy of you …
Let me take care
of the future. Trust your father,
who loves you so!

LEONORA
Ah, father!

MARQUIS
Well, what troubles you?
Do not weep.

LEONORA
(I feel so guilty!)

MARQUIS
I'll leave you.

LEONORA
throwing herself effusively into her father's arms
Ah, father!

MARQUIS
Heaven bless you. Goodnight.

LEONORA
Goodnight!

The Marquis kisses her, takes up the candle and goes into his room.