Robert Blocker, Dean December 11, 2020
Yale Opera Gerald Martin Moore, director
Fall Aria Showcase Franz Schreker 1878–1934
“In einem Lande ein bleicher König” from Der ferne Klang (1903)
Schreker
Phillip Lopez, bass-baritone Kyle Swann, piano
Giuseppe Verdi 1813–1901
“Sul fil d'un soffio etesio” from Falstaff (1893)
Arrigo Boito
Nicole Leung, soprano Timothy Shaindlin, piano Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky 1840–1893
“King René’s Aria” from Iolanta, Op. 69
Gustave Charpentier 1860–1956
“Depuis le jour” from Louise (1896)
Modest Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Alireza Tousi, bass Kyle Swann, piano Charpentier
Greer Lyle, soprano Gerald Martin Moore, piano Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 1756–1791
“Se all'impero, amici Dei” from La clemenza di Tito, K. 621
Gian Carlo Menotti 1911–2007
“Lullaby” from The Consul (1949)
Caterino Mazzolà
Ryan Capozzo, tenor Gerald Martin Moore, piano Menotti
Julia Orosz, mezzo-soprano Kyle Swann, piano Gioachino Rossini 1792–1868
“Sì, ritrovarla io giuro” from La Cenerentola (1816) Jordan Costa, tenor Gerald Martin Moore, piano
Jacopo Ferretti
David T. Little b. 1978
“You Shiver” from JFK (2016)
Royce Vavrek
Anna Kelly, mezzo-soprano Timothy Shaindlin, piano Jules Massenet 1842–1912
“Quand apparaissent les étoiles” from Don Quichotte (1909)
Henri Caïn
Jonas Jud, bass Timothy Shaindlin, piano Giacomo Meyerbeer 1791–1864
“Nobles seigneurs, salut!” from Les Huguenots (1836)
Eugène Scribe & Émile Deschamps
Martina Myskohlid, mezzo-soprano Timothy Shaindlin, piano Ruggero Leoncavallo 1857–1919
“E fra quest'ansie… E allor perché” from Pagliacci (1892)
Leoncavallo
Matthew Peterson, baritone Kyle Swann, piano Francesco Cilea 1866–1950
“È la solita storia del pastore” from L'arlesiana (1897)
Leopoldo Marenco
Jonghyun Park, tenor Gerald Martin Moore, piano Igor Stravinsky 1882–1971
“No Word from Tom” from The Rake’s Progress (1951) Magdalena Kuzma, soprano Gerald Martin Moore, piano
W. H. Auden & Chester Kallman
Texts & Translations In einem Lande ein bleicher König Text by Franz Schreker
Once, in a land, a pale king Translation by Phillip Lopez
In einem Lande ein bleicher König, Der hat eine seltsame Kron’... Die Krone dem König das Leben vergällt, Die Krone will er nicht tragen mehr; Die Kron’ ist verflucht, die Kron‘ ist verdammt: „O Vater; dien trauriges Erbe!“
Once, in a land, a pale king Had a strange crown... The king’s crown spoils his life, He no longer wants to wear the crown... The crown is cursed, the crown is damned: “Oh father, your cursed inheritance!”
Denn wenn im Herzen des armen Königs, Ach, nur ein Hauch von Liebe sich regt, So fängt die Krone zu glühen an. Die Krone will er nicht tragen mehr... Die Kron‘ ist verflucht, die Kron‘ ist verdammt, Die Krone versengt ihm die Stirn...
Because, if in the heart of the poor king, Ah, only a hint of love stirs, The crown starts to glow as well. He no longer wants to wear the crown... The crown is cursed, the crown is damned, The crown scorches his forehead...
Doch ge treu seiner Pflicht, für Thron und Reich Duldet einsam der bliche König.
Yet, true to his duty, to the throne and kingdom, The pale king endures, alone.
Bis eines Tags eine heiße Lieb Das Herz des Königs mit Macht er greift. Von der Liebsten kann er nicht lassen mehr Und die Krone glüht, Und die Krone sengt, Die Krone brennt bis ins Gehirn!
Until the day when a burning love Seizes the heart of the king with power. He cannot let go of his love any more And the crown glows, And the crown singes, The crown stings him even to the brain!
Da wirft der König die Krone ins Meer Und gar schaurig in brandenden Wogen Erlischt die Glut.
The king throws the crown in the sea And horridly, even in surging waves, Its glowing heat extinguishes.
Doch aus der Tiefe klingt es wie Zimbeln Und Hochzeitsgeläut:
Yet out of the deep it sounds like cymbals, And wedding bells:
Aufsteigt da eine blasse Frau, Mit irrem Blick und mit nassem Haar. Sie langt nach dem König, Sie zieht ihn hinab.
There a pale woman rises up With wild eyes and wet hair. She reaches for the king, And she pulls him below.
„Oh Vater, dein trauriges Erbe!“
“Oh father, your cursed inheritance!”
Sul fil d'un soffio etesio Text by Arrigo Boito
On the breath of an etesian breeze Translation by Jennifer Silberberg
Sul fil d'un soffio etesio scorrete, agili larve; fra i rami un baglior cesio d'alba lunare apparve. Danzate! E il passo blando misuri un blando suon, la magiche accoppiando carole alla canzon.
On the breath of an etesian breeze scurry, agile shadows among the branches a bluish-grey glow of the rising moon has appeared. Dance! And may the gentle steps measure a gentle sound, combining the magical dances with the song.
Erriam sotto la luna scegliendo fior da fiore; ogni corolla in core porta la sua fortuna. Coi gigli e le viole scriviam de’ nomi arcani; dalle fatate mani germoglino parole… parole alluminate di puro argento e d’or… carmi e malìe. Le fate hanno, per cifre, i fior.
Let us wander beneath the moon, choosing flower by flower; each crown of petals, in its heart, brings its good fortune. With the lilies and the violets, let us write secret names; from our enchanted hands may words blossom... words illuminated by pure silver and gold... Magic incantations and charms. The Fairies have, for their alphabet, flowers.
Господь мой, если грешен я Text by Modest Ilyich Tchaikovsky
King René’s Aria Translation © Myron Yusypovych
Что скажет он? Какой ответ произнесёт его наука? Увидит Иоланта свет, иль суждена мне вечно мука знать дочь мою объятой тьмою! О Боже, сжалься надо мною! Господь, уж если грешен я, за что страдает ангел чистый? За что поверг из-за меня во тьму Иоланты взор лучистый? О дай мне радостую весть, утешь надеждой исцеленья. Я за неё готов принесть корону, власть, мои владенья… Лиши меня всего: покоя, счастья. Я всё смиренно претерплю, за всё Тебя благословлю, смотри, готов во прахе пасть я. Всего лишиться, всё отдать. Но, только дай мне не видать Иоланть взор обьятым тьмою! О Боже, сжалься надо мной. Перед Тобой готов во прахе пасть я. О Боже, Боже мой! Сжалься! Сжалься надо мною!
What will he say? What answers will his wisdom provide? Will Iolanta see light, or, am I forever doomed to be tormented by my daughter's darkness? O Lord, have mercy on me! Heavenly Father! If I am the sinner, why is this pure angel suffering? What have I done, that You have cast Iolanta into the realm of darkness? I beg You, give me joyful news and bless me with the hope of a recovery. In return, I am prepared to give up my crown, my power, my possessions… Retaining only peace and joy. I glorify You! In agony, I surrender myself and fall before You in the dust. I am prepared to leave everything, give everything away. If only You would remove the darkness from Iolanta's eyes. O Lord, have mercy on me! I am prepared to submit to You. O Lord, my Lord! I beg You! Have mercy on me!
Depuis le jour Text by Gustave Charpentier
Since the day Translation by Stacey Martin
Depuis le jour où je me suis donnée, toute fleurie semble ma destinée. Je crois rêver sous un ciel de féerie, l'âme encore grisée de ton premier baiser! Quelle belle vie! Mon rêve n'était pas un rêve! Ah! je suis heureuse! L'amour étend sur moi ses ailes!
Since the day I gave myself, my fate seems all in flower. I seem to be dreaming beneath a fairy sky, my soul still enraptured by that very first kiss! What a wonderful life! My dream was not a dream! Oh! I am so happy! Love spreads its wings over me!
Au jardin de mon coeur chante une joie nouvelle! Tout vibre, tout se réjouit de mon triomphe! Autour de moi tout est sourire, lumiére et joie! Et je tremble délicieusement Au souvenir charmant Du premier jour D'amour! Quelle belle vie! Ah! je suis heureuse! trop heureuse... Et je tremble délicieusement Au souvenir charmant Du premier jour D'amour!
In the garden of my heart a new joy sings! Everything resonates, everything rejoices in my triumph! About me all is smiles, light and happiness! And I tremble deliciously at the delightful memory of the first day of love! What a glorious life! Oh, how happy I am! Too happy!... And I tremble deliciously at the delightful memory of the first day of love!
Se all'impero, amici Dei Text by Caterino Mazzolà
If in order to rule, dear Gods Translation by Ryan Capozzo
Se all'impero, amici Dei, Necessario e un cor severo; O togliete a me l'impero, O a me date un altro cor.
If in order to rule, dear gods, A hard heart is necessary Either take the empire from me, Or give me another heart.
Se la fe de' regni miei Coll'amr non assicuro: D'una fede non mi curo, Che sia frutto del timor.
If the faith of my realms I cannot assure with love, I care not of faith That is born from fear.
Lullaby Text by Gian Carlo Menotti I shall find for you shells and stars. I shall swim for you river and sea. Sleep my love, sleep for me. My sleep is old. I shall feed for you lamb and dove. I shall buy for you sugar and bread. Sleep my love, sleep for me. My sleep is dead.. Rain will fall but Baby won't know. He laughs alone in orchards of gold. Tears will fall but Baby won't know. His laughter is blind. Sleep, my love, for sleep is kind. Sleep is kind when sleep is young. Sleep for me, sleep for me. I shall build for you planes and boats. I shall catch for you cricket and bee. Let the old ones watch your sleep. Only death will watch the old. Sleep, sleep...
Sì, ritrovarla io guiro Text by Jacopo Ferretti
Yes, I swear to find her again Translation by Jordan Costa
Sì, ritorvarla io giuro. Amor, amor mi muove : Se fosse in grembo a Giove Io la ritroverò.
Yes, I swear to find her again. Love, love moves me: (Even) If she were in Jupiter’s lap, I will find her again.
Pegno adorato e caro Che mi lusinghi almeno Ah! come al labbro e al seno Come ti stringerò!
Token adored and dear That at least soothes me. Ah to my lips and breast, How I will hold you!
Noi voleremo, domanderemo, Ricercheremo, ritroveremo. Dolce speranza, freddo timore, Dentro al mio core Stanno a pugnar; Amore, amore, M'ha da guidar.
We will fly, We will ask, We will search, We will find again. Sweet hope, cold fear, Inside my heart they are fighting. Love, love: You have to guide me.
You Shiver Text by Royce Vavrek You shiver. Mumble childhood stories. Where are you Jack? Where has your mind taken you? Down some deep nocturnal labyrinth. Sleep’s subconscious corridors. Look at you, American Phenomenon Where are you Jack? Where has your mind taken you? You may not hear me, but you must hear me out. I shut my eyes, cover my ears, my heart in shreds, at the suggestion, the mere suggestion, of other women. Again and again and again and again. Husband and wife. We will do this Jack. I commit myself again and again. We wear the mask of happiness, of painless devotion As photographers snap, our life caught by shutter speed. I recommit in spite of everything. I recommit because I love you. I recommit with great hope.
Quand apparaissent les étoiles Text by Henri Caïn
When the stars appear Translation by Anonymous
Quand apparaissent les étoiles Et quand la nuit du fond des cieux Couvre la terre de ses voiles... Je fais ma prière à tes yeux! à tes yeux!
When the stars appear, and when the night from the depths of the heavens, covers the earth with her veils, I pray to your eyes!
Et c'est dans la fleur... dans la fleur de tes lèvres! Qui ne sauraient jamais, jamais mentir,... Qu'amour tout palpitant... Amour... s'est fait un nid pour s'y blottir... Tout palpitant... palpitant de fièvres...
And it’s in the flower, the flower of your lips that could never lie, that love, all palpitating with fever, has made a nest to snuggle in, all palpitating with fever.
Nobles seigneurs, salut! Text by Eugène Scribe & Émile Deschamps
Noble lords, greetings! Translation by Martina Myskohlid
Nobles seigneurs, salut! Une dame noble et sage, dont les rois seraient jaloux, m’a chargé de ce message, chevaliers, pour l’un de vous. Sans qu’on la nomme, honneur ici au gentilhomme qu’elle a choisi! Vous pouvez croire que nul seigneur n’eut tant de gloire ni de bonheur. Ne craignez mensonge ou piège, chevaliers, dans mes discours. Or, salut! que Dieu protège vos combats, vos amours! Or, salut, chevaliers! Dieu protège vos amours!
Noble lords, greetings! A noble and wise lady Of whom the kings would be jealous Has charged me with this message, Gentlemen, for one of you. Without naming her, all honour here Goes to the gentleman whom she has chosen! You can believe that no gentleman has had such glory nor good fortune. Do not fear lies nor traps, gentlemen, in my speech. Now, greetings, may God protect your combats, your loves! Now greetings, gentleman! God protect your loves!
E fra quest'ansie... E allor perché Text by Ruggero Leoncavallo
Will you always live with these anxieties? Translation by Matthew Peterson
E fra quest’ansie in eterno vivrai; Nedda, Nedda, Decidi il mio destin, Nedda, Nedda rimani! Tu il sai, la festa ha fin E parte ognun domani. Nedda, Nedda! E quando tu di qui sarai partita Che addiverrà di me, della mia vita?
Will you always live with these anxieties? Nedda! Nedda! Decide my fate, Nedda, Nedda, stay! You know the festival has ended And everyone leaves tomorrow. Nedda! Nedda! And when you’ve left this place, What will happen to me? What of my own life?
Nedda, Nedda, rispondimi. Se è ver che Canio non amasti mai, Se è vero che t’è in odio Il ramingare e il mestier che tu fai, Se l’immenso amor tuo una fola non è, Questa notte partiam! Fuggi, fuggi, con me.
Nedda, Nedda, answer me! If it’s true that you never loved Canio, If it’s true that you hate This wandering and the life you’ve chosen, And if our love isn’t a lie, Let’s leave tonight! Flee with me, Nedda. Tell me, why did you bewitch me If you wanted to leave me without pity? Why did you kiss me Amid our ardent, burning lust?
E allor perché, di’, tu m’hai stregato Se vuoi lasciarmi senza pietà? Quel bacio tuo perché me l’hai dato Fra spasmi ardenti di voluttà? Se tu scordasti l’ore fugaci Io non lo posso, e voglio ancor Que’ spasmi ardenti, que’ caldi baci Che tanta febbre m’han messo in cor!
Tell me, why did you bewitch me If you wanted to leave me without pity? Why did you kiss me Amid our ardent, burning lust? If you have forgotten those fleeting hours I can’t, and I want more! That passion, those flaming kisses That started such a burning fire in my heart!
È la solita storia del pastore Text by Leopoldo Marenco
It's the usual story of the shepherd Translation by Hagy
E' la solita storia del pastore... Il povero ragazzo voleva raccontarla, e s'addormi. C'è nel sonno l'oblio. Come l'invidio!
It's the usual story of the shepherd... The poor boy wanted to tell it, but fell asleep. There is oblivion in sleep.. How I envy him!
Anch'io vorrei dormir cosi, nel sonno almeno l'oblio trovar! La pace sot cercando io vò: vorrei poter tutto scordar. Ma ogni sforzo è vano... Davanti ho sempre di lei il dolce sembiante!
I too would like to sleep like this within sleep to find oblivion! I only want to find peace: If only I could forget everything. But all struggles are in vain. I still see before me her sweet visage
La pace tolta è sempre a me... Perché degg'io tanto penar? Lei!... sempre mi paria at cor! Fatale vision, mi lascia! mi fai tanto male!
But all struggles are in vain. Why must I suffer so much pain? She!.. How she always spoke to my heart! Fatal vision, leave me! You hurt me so much! Oh poor me!
No Word From Tom Text by W. H. Auden & Chester Kallman No word from Tom. Has love no voice, can love not keep A Maytime vow in cities? Fades it as the rose Cut for a rich display? Forgot! But no, to weep is not enough. He needs my help. Love hears, Love knows, Love answers him across the silent miles, and goes. Quietly, night, O find him and caress, And may thou quiet find His heart, although it be unkind, Nor may its beat confess, Although I weep, It knows, it knows of loneliness.
Guide me, O moon, Chastely when I depart, And warmly be the same He watches without grief or shame; It cannot, cannot be thou art A colder moon, a colder moon upon a colder heart. My father! Can I desert him And his devotion for a love who has deserted me? No, my father has strength of purpose, While Tom is weak, and needs the comfort of a helping hand. O God, protect dear Tom, support my father, and strengthen my resolve. I go, I go to him. Love cannot falter, Cannot desert; Though it be shunned Or be forgotten, Though it be hurt, If Love be love It will not alter. O should I see My love in need It shall not matter, It shall not matter What he may be. I go, I go to him. Love cannot falter, Cannot desert, Cannot falter, Time cannot alter, Cannot alter A loving heart, An ever-loving heart.