No. 1 - Overture
ACT I
SCENE I
A gallery
Servants and vassals of the Baron.
No. 2 - Introduction
CHORUS
A fairer day never smiled
upon the House of Kelbar.
A King staying here,
a double wedding to take place …
such feasts, such honours,
what tips for the servants! …
what sumptuous banquets,
and noisy revelries!
There could be no finer day
for the House of Kelbar.
No. 3 - Duettino
Enter the Baron and the Treasurer
BARON
Most amiable Treasurer,
you are acquiring a rare jewel;
she is a precious branch
of a great tree of heroes.
And I am certain that your marriage to her
will never cause you shame.
TREASURER
Yes, Baron, our union
will always be happy and prosperous,
and it will soon produce
famed and honoured offspring
that will make our two families
universally respected.
BARON
Well said, son-in-law!
TREASURER
Great father-in-law!
BARON
I am so pleased.
BARON AND TREASURER
This auspicious marriage
has already raised many eyebrows;
as a witness it will boast
the great King of Poland;
CHORUS
Such feasts, such honour, etc.
BARON AND TREASURER
and on gilt parchment
our vows will he inscribed.
No. 4 - Scene and Cavatina
Enter Delmonte
DELMONTE
His Majesty, gentlemen,
has arisen, and approaches;
he wishes to greet
our host.
CHORUS
May the name of our noble guest
be honoured far and near.
His presence glorifies
our humble abode.
Enter the Chevalier
CHEVALIER
No ceremonies,
gentlemen, I beg you.
I am bored and sated
by the customary rituals.
Your reception,
Baron, pleases me.
Today I shall write to the court
to tell them of you.
Ah, when I reach Poland,
I shall know how to repay you.
BARON
Sire, what do you mean?
I am sufficiently recompensed.
ALL
So welcome a visit
has been its own reward.
CHEVALIER
to himself
(My Parisian companions,
you who consider me totally mad,
come here and decide
if anyone is as wise as I.
The most knavish officer
of the entire regiment,
suddenly assumes the guise
of philosopher and king.)
aloud
As long as I remain here,
gentlemen, I repeat,
that you most treat me
as an ordinary citizen, and as a friend.
The time will come all too soon
when I most be more serious;
too soon will I be burdened
by the heavy sceptre of my ancestors.
THE OTHERS
Sire, all of us around you
are filled with marvel
at the beautiful soul concealed
within your august person.
No. 5 - Recitative
BARON
Will you he present, Sire,
at the double wedding
which will take place at the castle tomorrow?
CHEVALIER
Who are the brides?
BARON
One is my daughter
who will marry the Treasurer;
the other is my niece,
the Marchioness of Poggio.
CHEVALIER
She! (Good heavens!)
BARON
Do you know her?
CHEVALIER
Very well, but only by reputation.
And now, I pray you to leave me in private.
BARON
We shall no longer bother Your Majesty.
Exit with Treasurer and Chorus
CHEVALIER
There is no time to lose ...
I shall write immediately to the court.
I shall he unmasked
when the marchioness arrives.
He writes
"Perhaps the planned enterprise
has already succeeded, and at this moment,
the real Stanislaus, having reached Warsaw,
has been assured of the goodwill of the Diet.
Highness, I entreat you
To cast me from the throne this instant.
If I reign any longer, I will lose my love."
No. 6 - Recitative, Scene, and Duet
Enter Edoardo
EDOARDO
Sire, trembling I throw myself
at your royal feet!
CHEVALIER
Well then. You are the beloved
of the Baron's daughter.
And you are your uncle's rival.
What can I do for you, young man?
EDOARDO
Grant only that I may follow you to Poland.
Allow me to accompany you where honour calls me,
and to devote my useless life to you.
I will prove that I am worthy
of the favour that I request;
I will prove to you in battle
that I am not ungrateful.
CHEVALIER
Oh warrior, the country and the throne
will award you eternal praise;
thus has a proud spirit
always challenged fate.
EDOARDO
You agree then, Sire,
to grant my request?
CHEVALIER
Yes, you will fight at my side
if fight I must.
EDOARDO
prostrating himself
Ah! my gratitude!
CHEVALIER
raising him
No, friendship and trust.
From now on you are my esquire;
remain at my side, always.
EDOARDO
What! (Oh joy!) But must I
remain here and see her?
CHEVALIER
Why not? It takes courage,
but you must resign yourself.
EDOARDO
Majesty, there are no words
sufficient to thank you.
May good fortune smile upon
so magnanimous a ruler,
and confound and frustrate
the plots of any enemies.
CHEVALIER
(When my court goes up in smoke,
his plea will not have been in vain;
if only to ridicule that insane old man,
I shall know how to rule, for one day, at least.)
EDOARDO
Inflamed by a warlike spirit,
I shall seek the paths of glory.
You will see me happy
to defy the perils of death for you.
CHEVALIER
Yes, my young warrior, you will be
at my side when violence threatens!
The garlands reserved for heroes
will be interwoven in your tresses.
Exeunt
No. 7 - Scene and Cavatina
The Marchioness enters cautiously, unseen, and looks at the departing Chevalier.
MARCHIONESS
They have not deceived me! It is he! … It is he!
I arrived unobserved, and here I will know
How so solve the mystery. I shall pretend
To give my hand to the old commander …
We shall see then if the lover will reveal himself …
It is difficult for a loving heart
to restrain its ardour!
It is hard to hide the palpitations
in a passionate breast.
My uncle will surely forgive
the love which has guided me.
It is impossible for my heart
to sigh for another.
If the widow must fall,
may she not fall into a worse predicament;
I despise useless ostentation,
I cannot live on arrogance.
All I seek is love,
love and youth;
but if Belfiore is untrue to me,
I will never love again.
SCENE 2
A garden
Chorus of peasants and servants who bring fruit and flowers.
Giulietta is seated sadly on a bench.
No. 8 - Chorus and Cavatina
CHORUS
So festive a morning
brings joy to every heart.
Milady, accept
this fruit and these flowers.
How fortunate is the man
who will soon wed
this immaculate lily,
this enchanting beauty.
GIULIETTA
rising
Dear friends, your affection
is most gratifying.
(They do not know the anguish
which I suffer in my soul!
Come, beloved Eduardo,
or I shall die of love!)
CHORUS
But why is your lovely face
clouded with grief?
GIULIETTA
You are surprised at my sorrow?
My friends, I shall bare my soul to you.
I do not want that old man; I am not such a fool.
My heart throbs for another.
I wish to marry a handsome youth.
Oh, if that exquisite moment could come at once,
I would he able to return to my former happiness.
CHORUS
May Heaven free you of all your torments,
and transform your sorrow to joy.
Exeunt servants and peasants.
No. 9 - Recitative
Enter the Baron and the Treasurer
BARON
Well, Giulietta,
when you are to be presented to a king,
and your fiancé is at hand,
is that the time to disappear into the garden?
GIULIETTA
Father, you know that
I am inclined to melancholy.
TREASURER
Come now, little rascal …
We know where the sadness of a beautiful
innocent girl comes from;
but you will feel better tomorrow.
Enter the Chevalier and Edoardo
CHEVALIER
Come on, I myself
will present you to your uncle.
TREASURER
(Whom do I see?)
GIULIETTA
(Edoardo! Oh joy!)
CHEVALIER
Treasurer, I should like
to present you with a welcome surprise.
I present to you, in the person of your nephew,
my first esquire.
TREASURER
Sire ... your esquire! Nephew, is this true?
EDOARDO
Sir, the King himself has deigned
to grant me this honour.
CHEVALIER
I appreciate talent wherever I find it.
In fact, I feel a very strong liking
for you two …
to the Baron and the Treasurer
I have so much respect for you,
that I wish to consult you about a matter
which requires deep analytical discussion …
You as a military expert, he as a political one.
BARON
Sire, your kindness ...
TREASURER
I do not mean to boast,
Sire, but in certain matters,
I am extremely tactful.
CHEVALIER
to Edoardo
As for you,
you may not join us.
Your rank does not yet permit you
to know important state secrets.
Keep your future aunt company.
TREASURER
with ill humour
(Be with her …
Good heavens! I don't want ...)
CHEVALIER
You sit here.
He seats him on a bench in such a way that his back is toward Giulietta.
Study the map and decide.
As the Chevalier points to a map, the other two concentrate on it. Edoardo and Giulietta speak confidentially. From time to time, the Chevalier smiles at the Treasurer's discomfort.
No. 10 - Sextet
EDOARDO
Dear Giulia, I am with you at last!
I can finally speak to you.
GIULIETTA
My dear friend, I can hardly believe
the extent of my happiness.
BARON
Majesty, the position
is guarded by a cannon.
CHEVALIER
observing the lovers
Baron, as far as I can see
the enemy is out of range.
GIULIETTA
to Edoardo
I am relying heavily upon my cousin.
TREASURER
Ah! How close he is to her!
CHEVALIER
Treasurer, you are not paying attention!
TREASURER
Ah! I am watching, have no fear!
EDOARDO
to Giulietta
You fill me with hope!
TREASURER
fuming
(The traitor! How he advances!)
CHEVALIER
forcing him to look at the map
Confound it! Pay attention!
TREASURER
I am both watching and listening, Majesty,
BARON
intent on the map
The enemy charges …
TREASURER
speaking of Edoardo
and under our very eyes.
CHEVALIER AND BARON
No, heavens, the artillery
can check them on this side;
the enemy is fired upon
by this other battery;
within a few moments
they flee in terror.
TREASURER
Sire, it is true. (How ardent he is!)
The artillery can do a great deal …
(Ah! Rascal of a nephew!)
they disregard the battery …
(The knave constantly advances …
he will rue his ardour!)
GIULIETTA AND EDOARDO
Ah, this unexpected pleasure,
so long denied to us,
reassures my troubled heart,
and fills my soul with happiness;
it lets me hope, beloved,
for an end to our tears.
The Chevalier rises and the lovers separate.
CHEVALIER
Enough for now. The situation
warrants further study.
TREASURER
(I breathe again!)
Enter a servant
SERVANT
The Marchioness
Has just arrived.
GIULIETTA AND BARON
Let us go to meet her.
CHEVALIER
(Alas, if only I could avoid her!)
GIULIETTA
Here she is now.
CHEVALIER
(I can no longer escape.)
The Marchioness enters. The Baron and Giulietta hurry to embrace her. The Treasurer and Edoardo greet her politely.
The Chevalier attempts to remain apart, and to hide his embarrassment.
BARON
Niece!
MARCHIONESS
Uncle! Cousin!
Let me embrace you.
to the Baron
You see, sir,
that I am a woman of my word.
(Giulietta, it was for you alone
that I came so quickly.)
BARON
Be quiet, chatterbox;
kneel down before the King of Poland.
MARCHIONESS
What! The King!
BARON
The King, in person ...
GIULIETTA
A guest in our home.
MARCHIONESS
indicating the Chevalier who remains with the Treasurer and Edoardo, feigning indifference.
Oh Majesty, please forgive
my unintentional affront.
I did not expect to meet
so illustrious a personage.
CHEVALIER
(Have courage!) It is nothing.
MARCHIONESS
(Heavens! Is it a deception or the truth?
That is certainly
my lover's face!
How my heart
beats in my breast!
Perhaps love
goads me to see
the faithless one's
image everywhere.)
GIULIETTA, EDOARDO, BARON, AND TREASURER
(I do not understand
her amazement.)
CHEVALIER
(How well I understand
her amazement.)
Ladies, my esquire
will keep you company.
Gentlemen, I have need
of your talents.
(If I get out of this successfully,
it will truly be a miracle.)
MARCHIONESS
(In speech and in manner,
he is that roguish Chevalier;
But my uncle treats him like a king,
and he speaks like a king.
I will restrain myself for now,
we will see what happens later.)
GIULIETTA AND EDOARDO
(The good King unknowingly
has granted us great pleasure;
in this manner he helps
our love, and does not know it.
Without those old bores,
we can speak freely.)
BARON AND TREASURER
Councillor to a king!
What an honour! What joy!
We are surprised and confused
by such an excess of kindness.
(Ah, we are both clear-headed,
and the King puts us to the test.)
Exit Chevalier with Baron and Treasurer
No. 11 - Recitative
The two lovers promptly turn to the Marchioness.
She paces back and forth lost in thought.
GIULIETTA
I have great faith in you, cousin.
EDOARDO
My fate
is in your hands.
GIULIETTA
At least answer us!
MARCHIONESS
returning to the situation at hand
Easy, easy!!
Cousin, truly
is that Stanislaus?
GIULIETTA
What a question!
What about me?
MARCHIONESS
carelessly
I've already thought about you!
GIULIETTA
Indeed? And may
I know what you have thought?
MARCHIONESS
(Ungrateful Chevalier!
You do not know how I am suffering!)
EDOARDO
I am ready to do
anything you say,
GIULIETTA
For heaven's sake, answer!
MARCHIONESS
Oh! you bother me.
A brief silence. The Marchioness continues to talk to herself, while the two lovers look at each other, rnortified
No. 12 - Trio
GIULIETTA AND EDOARDO
(A fine hope, indeed!
A fine ally we have!
Dearest, now we are lost;
even she deserts us.)
MARCHIONESS
(I don't know what I hope for,
I can't say what I want;
I only know that I still love him,
and that he has deceived me.)
EDOARDO
Excuse me if I have tried
your patience.
GIULIETTA
You have amply demonstrated
that I mean nothing to you.
They are about to leave.
MARCHIONESS
recovering, and detaining them
Stop... forgive me …
I am ashamed of myself;
I have something on my mind
which upsets me greatly;
but everything I promised you,
my dears, I shall do.
GIULIETTA
contented
Ah! You are yourself again.
EDOARDO
I will be ever grateful to you.
GIULIETTA
Do you think that the old man …
MARCHIONESS
He will be well duped.
EDOARDO
If her father opposes …
MARCHIONESS
He will be convinced.
You must realise
that I, too, know what love is.
MARCHIONESS, GIULIETTA, AND EDOARDO
We're in love and we're young,
we have spirit and warmth;
if Fate has been against us,
love is on our side;
with its help, it is possible
to fight even Destiny.
Exeunt
SCENE 3
A gallery, as before.
The Chevalier and the Treasurer.
No. 13 - Recitative
CHEVALIER
Your words reveal a great talent
Which the world should see.
TREASURER
Sire, I'm modest by nature,
but in matters of finance
I declare it is true.
CHEVALIER
Ah! If you were not
committed to the Baron, I would say:
"Treasurer, accept the Ministry,
the Princess Ineska, and with her
valuable property with large returns."
TREASURER
Sire, I shall free myself
of all commitments immediately.
CHEVALIER
Then we are agreed.
Exit.
TREASURER
I owe everything to my cleverness!
Now to withdraw from my promise.
I will find some excuse for the Baron ...
I wonder if he will understand the reason.
Oh! Confound it ... a king ...
the Princess Ineska ... a fortune ...
These factors
are of such importance
that in the end he will forebear.
No. 11 - Duetto buffo
BARON
entering with a document in his hand
Cherished son-in-law, I have come
in high spirits to show you
the draft of the marriage contract
which I have just completed.
Read it, my boy, with good cheer.
TREASURER
Most esteemed Baron ... (here goes)
your Giulia is worthy of a throne,
and the pride I would feel as her husband
would be so great I know not how to express it.
But I must tell you of some remarkable news.
BARON
Let's forget all that for now.
Come, put on your glasses;
here ace the terms of the contract:
"I, the undersigned Gasparo Antonio" …
TREASURER
Baron, it's pointless; don't bother.
BARON
There are certain details you should know;
the dowry, gifts, property, etc.
before you sign the document.
TREASURER
I will not sign it.
BARON
You're joking, of course.
TREASURER
I'm perfectly serious.
BARON
Oh! Come on, now.
TREASURER
I'll take nothing.
BARON
What? Have you gone mad?
TREASURER
Baron, listen ... this contract …
BARON
Give me patience!
TREASURER
Cannot be.
BARON
And why not?
TREASURER
Because ... because …
(Come on now, out with it!)
BARON
I'm waiting.
TREASURER
I have decided not to marry.
BARON
What? You reject my daughter?
TREASURER
I am not rejecting her.
BARON
Then you accept her!
TREASURER
Well, no.
BARON
Explain quickly!
TREASURER
The King wants me as a minister and prince.
BARON
(What's this I hear? Oh, my noble ancestors!
Must I suffer this affront?
I feel the blood rushing to my head.
I would cheerfully slit his throat, right now!)
TREASURER
Both you and your daughter, Baron,
are descendants of demi-gods;
but this unexpected event
frees me of obligation, and excuses me.
No. 15 - Finale I
BARON
Treasurer! I would like to believe
that this is some joke.
threatening
Otherwise! …
TREASURER
frightened
(Good Lord! What a predicament!
He is like gunpowder about to explode!)
BARON
Answer me, or by Jove …
TREASURER
dodging him
I cannot now; other duties call.
BARON
stopping him
Stop right there! Draw your sword!
TREASURER
I will return; I must go now.
BARON
Traitor! Wretch!
Villain! Miscreant!
You will defend yourself now
or I will tear your heart out!
chases him to seize him
TREASURER
frightened
Oh! Oh! Oh! Help! Aid!
Ah! I am dead!
Enter Giulietta, the Marchioness, Edoardo, and servants, running in from various sides
ALL
What a racket!
What is it? What has happened?
What is the cause of such rage?
TREASURER
Ah! Nephew, I am done for
if you do not defend me.
BARON
An insult to my family honour!
Traitor, I want your blood!
MARCHIONESS
Listen …
GIULIETTA
Oh Lord, what's going on?
EDOARDO
At least tell us what has happened.
BARON
You will tremble with rage when you hear
of the scoundrel's black villainy!
He has broken his word to me …
he renounces my daughter ...
he renounces you ... my poor Giulietta!
GIULIETTA
joyously
He does not want me?
BARON
No. I'll have vengeance!
MARCHIONESS
The most sure revenge
would be to marry her immediately
to a young man I know.
GIULIETTA
Yes, father, with your permission,
I'll marry his nephew.
EDOARDO
My lord, calm yourself.
I will correct the blunder.
BARON
No ... the house of Kelbar
has not sunk that low.
I will not accept so poor a trade.
I demand blood! Let us fight …
ALL
Easy, easy …
Enter the Chevalier
CHEVALIER
from the doorway
Ho there! Stop!
ALL
The King!
CHEVALIER
with authority
What is going on?
All are embarrassed. The Chevalier enters slowly, studying them, one by one.
BARON
(What a time for the King to surprise us.
I dare not look at him.
To quarrel in the presence of a monarch
is to insult his majesty!)
TREASURER
(Now that the King is here
I may get out of this alive.
For the sake of his financier,
he will disarm the Baron.)
MARCHIONESS
(This happy turn of events
gives you cause to hope.
The King will be seen to assert
his royal authority.)
GIULIETTA AND EDOARDO
(This happy turn of events
gives us cause to hope.
The King will be seen to assert
his royal authority.)
CHORUS
(What a time for the King
to surprise us.
I dare not look at him.)
BARON AND CHORUS
(To quarrel in the presence of a monarch
is to insult his majesty!)
CHEVALIER
(She looks down …
he does not dare to move.
I understand now, the Treasurer
has renounced his promise.)
No. 16
CHEVALIER
Baron, tell me quickly
the cause of this dispute.
BARON
Sire, an injury ...
TREASURER
Sire, an insult ...
MARCHIONESS, GIULIETTA, AND EDOARDO
Sire, an unimportant quarrel …
BARON
A repulse …
TREASURER
A threat …
BARON
He has offended me ...
TREASURER
He has threatened me …
MARCHIONESS, GIULIETTA, AND EDOARDO
Please stop them! Sire, forbid …
CHEVALIER
forcefully
Quiet! Calm down! You are deafening me!
Without emotion, each of you will tell me
your reasons, one by one ...
BARON
Sire, the glory of my ancestry ...
TREASURER
Sire, the quarrel came about like this ...
BARON
I want immediate satisfaction ...
TREASURER
I want the Baron to ...
CHEVALIER
angrily
Quiet there!
Keep your tempers, and go.
Anyone who attempts to resume the quarrel
before the cause of the trouble is known
will incur the royal wrath!
THE OTHERS
We pray you, Majesty, forgive us.
CHEVALIER AND ALL
Have (We must have) confidence
in the royal judgement.
It will bring justice,
it will prevent scandal and injury,
it will determine who is right or wrong,
and it will settle all differences
as justice and fairness demand.
I (He) will bring back the previous harmony,
I (he) will restore the previous friendships.