Appeal to loyalty

Transcription

<i> Ancient Egypt—2,500 years before Christ</i> <i> Aida, an Ethiopian princess, has been captured</i> <i> by the Egyptians and forced into slavery.</i> <i> Ethiopian armies are amassing to retaliate</i> <i> against the powerful forces of Egypt.</i> <i> The young Egyptian warrior Radames has secretly</i> <i> fallen in love with the enemy princess, Aida.</i> <i> Egyptian warriors prepare to meet</i> <i> the opposing armies from the south.</i> <i> Egyptian High Priest Ramphis and Radames meet</i> <i> in the King's Palace to discuss the looming war.</i> Yes, it is rumored that Ethiopia dares again . . . . . . to attack the Nile Valley and Thebes. Soon a messenger will bring the truth. Have you consulted holy Isis? She has named the leader of our Egyptian forces. Oh fortunate man! He is young and brave. Now I bear Isis's divine decree to the king. If only I were that warrior, then my dreams would come true. A proud army led by me. The victory and the acclaim of all Memphis! And to return to you, my sweet Aida, crowned with laurels. To tell you: for you I fought; for you I conquered! Heavenly Aida, form divine. Mystical garland of light and flowers. You are queen of my thoughts and light of my life. I would return to you the lovely sky and sweet breezes of your Ethiopian homeland. I would set a royal crown on your brow. Build you a throne near the sun. Heavenly Aida, form divine. Mystical garland of light and flowers. You are queen of my thoughts and light of my life. I would return to you your native land. I would set a royal crown on your brow. Build you a throne near the sun. Such unusual joy in your gaze! What pride shines on your face! How enviable is the woman who could bring such joy to your face. A dream of adventure was in my heart. Today the goddess Isis has named the leader of Egypt's armies. If only the honor were mine! Have you no other gentler, sweeter dream? Have you no hopes or desires here in Memphis? I? (Why this question?) (Perhaps she has discovered my secret love!) (What if another love burns in his heart?) (She has read the name of her slave in my thoughts.) (Woe if I discover the mystery.) She! (He is troubled. How he looks at her.) (Aida! Could she be my rival?) Come, dear. To me you are neither slave nor servant. I have called you sister. You weep? Tell me why. Alas! I hear the atrocious cry of war! I fear for my country, for myself, and for you. Are you speaking the truth? No other care disturbs you? (Tremble, wicked slave!) (Amneris' face shows anger and suspicion.) (I shall discover your secret.) (Woe, if our secret love should be discovered.) <i> Aida:</i> (My heart weeps not only for my country . . .) <i> Aida:</i> (The tears I shed are for unfortunate love.) <i> Another hall in the King's palace</i> An important occasion calls you to your king, faithful Egyptians. A messenger has just arrived from the borders of Ethiopia. He brings grave news. Please attend to him. Let the messenger approach. The sacred soil of Egypt has been invaded by the barbarous Ethiopians! Our fields have been laid waste, and our crops are burned! Emboldened by easy victory, the plunderers are marching on Thebes! / They dare so much! A ferocious warrior is their leader—Amonasro! The King! / (My Father!) Thebes is armed and will go forth to meet the invaders. Yes! War and death will be our cry! War—terrible and ruthless! Our goddess Isis has named the supreme commander of our armies . . . Radames! Ah! Thanks be to the gods for granting me my desire! Now go to the temple of Vulcan, O warrior. Gird on the sacred armor and fly to victory. Arise! Run to the sacred banks of the Nile, Egyptian heroes! Let everyone cry, "War and death to the Ethiopians!" Glory to the gods! They alone control our soldiers' fortunes. <i> Aida:</i> (For whom shall I weep and pray?) <i> Aida:</i> (I must love him, yet he is my enemy.) From my royal hand, our leader, receive the glorious standard. May it guide you on the road to glory. Arise! Run to the sacred banks of the Nile, Egyptian heroes! War! Exterminate the invaders! Return victorious! Return victorious! And from my own lips came these unholy words! Conqueror of my father, who takes up arms to rescue me. To give me back my homeland, a kingdom, and the glorious name that here I must conceal! Radames, conqueror of my brothers! I would see him stained with cherished blood. Triumphing in the applause of the Egyptians! And behind his chariot a king— my father—in chains! These insane words, O gods, wipe out! Return me to my father. Destroy the attacking squadrons of our Egyptian oppressors! Ah! Wretched me! What have I said? And what of my love? Can I forget this love that has made me happy even in slavery? How can I call for the death of Radames, whom I love so much? Ah! No one on earth has more cruel anguish. The sacred names of father and lover I cannot utter. Confused and trembling, I would pray for both. But my prayers turn into blasphemy, and my tears are a crime. Lost in darkness and cruel anguish, I would die. O, gods, have pity on my suffering. There is no hope for my sorrow. Fatal, terrible love, break my heart and make me die! Gods, have pity on my suffering. <i> A room in Amneris' apartment</i> Who soars to glory like a mighty god? Come, let flowers and laurels shower on your brow. Let songs of glory and love sound forth together. (Ah, come my love, transport me. Fill my heart with happiness.) Now where are the barbarous hordes of the Ethiopian invaders? Like a mist they vanished at our warrior's breath. Come and receive the reward for glory, O victor. Victory has smiled upon you already; love will smile on you now. (Ah, come, my love; restore me to life with a tender word.) Come, let flowers and laurels shower on your brow. Let songs of glory and love sound forth together. (Ah, come my love; transport me. Fill my heart with happiness.) Silence! Aida is coming. Her people have been conquered, and I respect her sorrow. (Seeing her again, I am filled with horrible doubts.) (Let the mystery be revealed at last!) The outcome of the battle was cruel to your people, poor Aida. I share your grief. I am your friend. You shall want for nothing. Be happy. How can I be happy so far from my native land? Here I am ignorant of the fate of my father and brothers. How I pity you; yet time will heal your heart's deep sorrow. And more than time, a powerful god—Love! (Love! Joy and torment, rapture and anguish. In your pain I find life.) <i> Amneris:</i> (Her pale appearance and agitation reveal the hidden fever of love.) <i> Amneris:</i> (I almost fear to question her. I share the anxiety of her terror.) Well, what new fears assail you now, Aida? Tell me your secrets; trust in my affection. Is there one among the Egyptian soldiers whom you perhaps love? What are you saying? Fate was not cruel to all of the soldiers, though Radames was mortally wounded. What have you said? Alas! Yes, Radames was killed. / Wretched me! / Why are you weeping? I shall weep forever. / The gods have avenged you. The gods were always against me! Tremble! I read it in your heart. You love him! / I? / Do not lie! One more word, and I will know the truth. Look me in the eyes. I deceived you. Radames is alive! Ah! Thanks be to you, O gods. And you still hope to lie to me? Yes, you love him, but I love him, too. Do you understand? I, the daughter of the king, am your rival! My rival? Well, so be it . . . I also am . . . What am I saying? Have pity! Forgive me! Ah, have pity. It's true; I love him passionately. You are happy and powerful. I live only for this love. Tremble, vile slave! Your heart is breaking. This love could mean death to you. I am in control of your fate; vengeance and hate are in my heart! At the victory pageant, slave, you shall be present with me. You, prostrate in the dust; I, on the throne beside the king! Ah, have pity. What else is left to me? My life is a desert. Live and reign. I shall soon appease your fury. This love that angers you shall be extinguished soon in my grave. Come, follow me. You will learn if you can compete against me! Gods, have pity on my agony. I have no hope. Gods, have pity on my suffering. <i> An avenue in the City of Thebes</i> <i> The Egyptians gather to celebrate</i> <i> their victory over the Ethiopians.</i> Glory to Egypt and Isis, who protects our sacred soil! To our king who rules the delta let us raise festive hymns! Glory! Let us raise festive hymns to our king . . . Entwine lotus and laurel on the conqueror's brow. May a gentle cloud of flowers veil the weapons of war. Maidens of Egypt, let us dance the mystic ballads as the stars dance in the sky. To the supreme arbiters of victory raise your eyes. Give thanks to the gods on this day of good fortune. Come, avenging warriors; rejoice with us! In the path of the heroes we cast laurels and flowers. Give thanks to the gods on this day of good fortune! Glory to the warriors! Come rejoice with us! Give thanks to the gods! Savior of our country, I salute you! Come. My daughter, Amneris, will give you the crown of triumph. Now ask me what you most desire. Nothing shall be denied to you on such a day. I swear it by my crown and by the sacred gods. First, permit the Ethiopian prisoners to be brought in. Thanks be to the gods on this day of good fortune. What do I see? Is it he? My father! / Her father! In our power! / You! A prisoner! / (Do not give me away!) Step forward. So you are . . . / Her father! I, too, have fought; we were conquered. Vainly I sought death. My garments tell you that I defended my country and king. Fate was an enemy of our efforts, and our courage was in vain. At my feet in the dust lay the king wounded by many blows. If love of country be a crime, then we are guilty and ready to die. But, mighty king, be merciful to these people. Today fate strikes at us, but tomorrow it may strike you. Destroy, O king, these fierce people— close your heart to their treacherous voices. By the gods they were marked for death! Let them die! <i> Egyptian Populace: </i> Priests, allay your scorn. O, strong and powerful King, be merciful. <i> Radames:</i> (The pain in her face touches me deeply. Her teardrops rekindle my love for her.) <i> Amneris:</i> (What looks they exchange. I am alone and sad. Revenge roars within me.) <i> King:</i> Now that fate smiles on us, let us show clemency to these people. <i> Ramphis and Priests:</i> Destroy, O king, these fierce hordes. Close your heart to their deceit. <i> Ethiopian Slaves:</i> The gods have smitten us. Show us pity and mercy. O king, by the gods and your crown you swore to grant my wish. I swore. / Then I ask life and liberty for these Ethiopian prisoners. Death to our country's enemies! Compassion for these wretched people! Hear me, O king; you also, young hero. Hear wise counsel. They are bold enemies and fighters, and vengeance is in their hearts. If they are pardoned, they will attack again. With Amonasro dead, they have no hope. At least for security let us hold Aida and her father. I yield to your counsel. Now I give a better pledge of security. Radames, your country owes everything to you. The hand of Amneris shall be your reward! One day you will reign with her over Egypt. (Let the slave come and take my love from me—if she dare!) Glory to Egypt and Isis . . . / Glory to the merciful Egyptian . . . Raise hymns to Isis who defends us. <i> Aida:</i> (What hope is left to me?) <i> Radames:</i> (The wrath of fate descends on me.) <i> Amneris:</i> (With this unexpected joy my dreams have been fulfilled.) Take heart, Aida; expect happier events for your country. The dawn of our revenge is near. Glory to Egypt! <i> The Temple of Isis on the banks of the Nile</i> <i> The priests and priestesses offer prayers</i> <i> on the eve of the wedding of Radames and Amneris.</i> O, Isis, wife of Osiris, give us thine aid. Assist us, O mother of immense love. Come to the temple of Isis; pray for her favor on the eve of your wedding. Isis reads the hearts of mortals; all secrets are known to her. Yes, I will pray that Radames will give me his heart even as mine is his forever. Come. You will pray until daybreak. I will be with you. Grant us thine aid, O goddess of great love. <i> Aida and Radames have arranged</i> <i> to meet secretly outside the temple.</i> Radames will come here. What will he say? I tremble! Ah, if you come to say goodbye, cruel one . . . . . . the dark waters of the Nile will be my grave . . . . . . and perhaps bring me peace and forgetfulness. Oh, my homeland, I'll never see you again. Oh, blue skies and gentle breezes of my youth. Oh, green hills and perfumed shores. Oh, my homeland, I'll never see you again. Oh, cool valleys and quiet refuge promised to me by love. Now the dream of love has faded. Oh, my homeland, I'll never see you again. Heavens! My father! A serious matter brings me to you, Aida. Nothing escapes my gaze. You love Radames, and he loves you. Here you await him. Your rival, Amneris, is the daughter of the king . . . . . . a vile, hated breed that is fatal to us. And I am in her power; I, Amonasro's daughter. In her power! No! If you wish, you can conquer your powerful rival. Homeland, throne, and love— you shall have them all. You shall see our perfumed forests, cool valleys, and golden temples. I shall see our perfumed forests, cool valleys, and golden temples. Happy wife to him you love, you will be content. One day, one hour of such joy, and then to die. Remember, the cruel Egyptian has profaned our houses, temples, and altars. Mothers, old men, and children he has slaughtered. Ah! I remember well those horrible days and the grief in my heart. O gods, let the happy days return for us. Our forces are armed; all is ready. Victory will be ours. I only need to know what route our enemy will follow. Who could discover that? You could do it! / I? I know that you wait for Radames. He loves you. He leads the Egyptians. Do you understand? What are you asking? No! No! Never! Then, arise Egyptian armies! Burn our cities! Spread terror, carnage, and death! Ah, father! / You call yourself my daughter! / Have pity! Rivers of blood will flow through our cities! Do you see? From black whirlpools the dead arise! They point at you and shout, "Because of you, your homeland dies!" Pity, father! Have pity! A horrible ghost appears from the shadows! Tremble! It raises a fleshless arm above your head! It is your mother! See her! She curses you! Ah no, father! Have pity! You are not my daughter! You are a slave to the Egyptians! Father, I am not their slave. Do not curse me. You will call me daughter still. Of my homeland I will be worthy. Remember that our conquered people can rise again through you alone. Oh, my country, how much you cost me! Courage! He's coming. From there I will hear everything. Again I see you, my Aida. / Stop. Leave me. What do you hope for? Love leads me to you. The ceremony of another love awaits you. Amneris' husband . . . What are you saying? You alone, Aida, can I love. The gods hear me; you shall be mine. Do not lie. I love you as a brave man but not as a liar. Do you doubt my love, Aida? And how do you hope to escape Amneris, the king, your people, and the priests? Listen, Aida, Ethiopia is invading my land again. I must command our armies. After our victory I will fall before the king and reveal my heart to him. You shall be my crowning glory and my eternal love. Do you not fear Amneris' vengeful fury? Her awful vengeance will fall on me, my father—on all of us! I will defend you! / You will not have the power. But . . . if you love me . . . there is a way. What is it? / To flee! / To flee? Let us leave this barren land. A new country will welcome our love. There, in virgin forests perfumed by flowers, we shall forget the world. To a strange country . . . abandon my native land and gods? The land of my glory, where we first fell in love. There in the virgin forest . . . / The sky that knew our love . . . How can we forget the sky that first knew our love? Beneath my sky our love will be free. We will have the same gods. Let us flee together. Aida! / You do not love me! Go! / Never has a man loved so greatly! Go! Amneris awaits you at the altar! / No! Never! / "Never!" you say? Then let the axe fall on me and my father! Ah no! Let us flee! Yes, let us flee to the desert! Here we have ill fortune; there, a paradise of love. The unending desert shall be our home with the bright stars above. Heaven awaits us: sweet breezes, fragrant flowers, and bright stars above. Come with me! We will flee this land of sorrow. Come! I love you! Love shall be our guide! But tell me, by what road shall we avoid your army? The path where our forces will attack the enemies will be deserted until tomorrow. What road is it? / The Napata gorges. The Napata gorges! There my men shall be! Who is listening? / Aida's father and Ethiopia's king! You! Amonasro! You! The king? Gods, what did I say? No! It's not true! No! It's a dream! I'm delirious! No! Calm yourself; listen to me. Trust in my love. Now you have won Aida and a royal crown. I am dishonored! For you I betrayed my country! No! You are not guilty. It was the will of fate. Come! Our brave soldiers wait across the Nile. Love will crown your heart's desire there. Come! Traitor! / My rival! / You come to destroy my plans! Die! / Stop, madman! / Oh, fury! / Guards, come here! Hurry! Run! / Come, my daughter! / Follow them! Priest, I am your prisoner. <i> A judgment hall in the king's palace</i> <i> Radames has been accused of treason and now</i> <i> must answer to the priests in the hall of justice.</i> <i> Amneris arrives in advance of the proceedings</i> <i> in an attempt to save Radames.</i> My hated rival has escaped me. From the priests Radames awaits his sentence as a traitor. He is not a traitor! Yet he revealed a high secret of the war. He wanted to flee with her. Traitors—all of them! To death! Oh, what am I saying? I love him still. Hopeless, insane—this love that destroys me. Oh, if only he could love me. I would save him. But how? I must try! Guards! Bring Radames here. Already the priests are assembling to decide your fate. From this horrible charge of treason you may redeem yourself. Justify yourself, and I will plead for you before the king. I will bring pardon and life to you. I will not defend myself before the judges. Before the gods and men I feel myself neither vile nor guilty. My unguarded lips uttered our fatal secret, it is true. But my intentions and my honor remain pure. Save yourself, then . . . explain. / No. / You will die. I abhor life; the fount of all joy has run dry. All hope is gone; I wish only to die. To die! Ah, you must live! Yes, you shall live for my love. For you the terrible anguish of love I have already endured. I have loved you and suffered so much. I lay awake at night in tears. Country, throne, and life— I would give all for you. I, too, betrayed my country and honor for her. Speak no more of her! Dishonor awaits me, and you want me to live? You have filled me with misery. You have taken Aida away from me. Perhaps you have slain her, but you want me to live. I—the cause of her death? No! Aida lives. / She's alive? The Ethiopian armies fled after her father was slain. And she? / Vanished . . . no news of her. May the gods lead her safely to her country's borders. May she never know of my fate. If I save you, then swear never to see her again! / I cannot. Renounce her forever and live! / I cannot. Once again . . . renounce her! / It is useless. You want to die then, madman? / I am ready to die now. Who will save you now, wretched man, from the fate that awaits you? You have changed a matchless love to hate! My tears will be avenged by heaven! Death would be a supreme gift if I die for her. My heart will feel immense joy as I suffer my final fate. My tears will be avenged by heaven! I fear no human wrath. I fear only your pity. Alas, I feel like dying. Oh, who will save him? I delivered him into their power. Now I curse you, horrible jealousy, that brings his death and my grief. Here are the fatal and ruthless ministers of death. Oh, I can't look at those white ghosts! And into their power I myself delivered him. Spirit of the gods, descend on us. Strengthen us in the beams of the eternal light. Through our lips make known thy justice. Gods, have pity on my tortured heart. He is innocent. Save him, O gods! Desperate and terrible is my grief. Spirits of the gods, descend on us. Oh, who will save him? Alas! I am dying! Radames! You revealed your country's secrets to the enemy. Defend yourself. He is silent. / Traitor! / Ah, have pity! He is innocent. Gods, have pity! Radames! You deserted your camp on the eve of the battle. Defend yourself. He is silent. / Traitor! / Ah, have pity! Save him. Gods, have pity! Radames! You violated your trust and betrayed your country. Defend yourself. He is silent. / Traitor! / Ah, have pity! Radames, your fate is decided. You shall die a criminal's death. Beneath the altar of the offended god you shall be buried alive. Alive in the tomb! Oh, criminals! Their desire for blood is insatiable, and they call themselves ministers of heaven! Traitor! Traitor! Traitor! Priests, you have committed a crime. Wicked tigers, thirsting for blood! You outrage heaven and earth, punishing the innocent! He is a traitor! He shall die! Priest, you know I love this man. The curses of a broken heart will fall upon you with his blood! He is a traitor! He shall die! You outrage heaven and earth; you punish the innocent! Have pity! / Traitor! He shall die. Traitor! Traitor! Traitor! Vile rabble! A curse on you! Vengeance of heaven descend on you! Curses on you! <i> A crypt beneath the Temple of Vulcan</i> The fatal stone has closed on me. Here is my tomb. I will never see the light of day again. Never again shall I see Aida. Aida, where are you? May you live happily and never know my horrible fate. What is that sound? A ghost? A vision? No, it is a human form! Heavens! Aida! / It is I. You? In this tomb? I felt in my heart you would be condemned. I stole into this tomb that was being opened for you. And here, far from everyone, I wish to die in your arms. To die! So pure and lovely—for love of me. In the flower of youth, to leave life. Heaven created you for love, and now I am killing you by loving you. No, you shall not die! I love you too much, my beauty. Look! Death's shining angel comes. He carries us on golden wings to eternal joy. Already I see heaven opening. There all torment ceases. There begins the joy of immortal love. Mighty Ptäh, we invoke thee. A sad chant! / The priests' festival. / Our hymn of death. If only my arms could move the fatal stone above us! All is finished on earth for us. / It is true. Oh earth, farewell; farewell, valley of tears. Dream of joy that faded in sorrow. Heaven opens for us. And our wandering souls fly to the light of eternal day. Oh earth, farewell; farewell, valley of tears. Dream of joy that faded in sorrow. Heaven opens for us. And our wandering souls fly to the light of eternal day. Mighty Ptäh, we invoke thee. Heaven opens for us. O earth, farewell; farewell, valley of tears. <i> Amneris:</i> Peace I beg . . . oh, my beloved . . . may Isis be appeased. <i> Amneris:</i> May Isis open heaven to you. <i> Priests and Priestesses:</i> Mighty Ptäh, we invoke thee. I beg for peace . . . peace.