“Un ballo in maschera” by Giuseppe Verdi libretto (English)

Contents: Roles; Act One; Act Two; Act Three

ACT ONE

Scene One

A drawing room in the governor’s mansion
(To the rear, a door leading to the Governor’s
apartments. It is morning. In the foreground, deputies,
gentlemen, townsfolk, officers; with them, Samuel,
Tom and their henchman. All are waiting for Riccardo.)

OFFICERS and GENTLEMEN
Let your noble heart rest, Riccardo,
return to your fond dreams,
you are shielded in this dwelling
by the love of a virgin world.
Let you noble heart rest, etc.

SAMUEL, TOM and THEIR HENCHMEN
There is hate, too, which readies its revenge,
ever mindful of those who died for you.
Your hopes cannot make forgetfulness
blanket their sad graves

SAMUEL and TOM
No, no.

SAMUEL, TOM and THEIR HENCHMEN
Your hopes, etc.
(Oscar enters from Riccardo’s rooms.)

OSCAR
His Lordship!

RICCARDO (entering and greeting them)
Friends – soldiers –
(then to the deputies, as he receives their petitions)
And you who are equally dear to me! Give them to me;
You may count on me. I must
protect my children, satisfying
every just desire.
Power has no beauty unless it dry
its subjects’ tears and strive
for uncorrupted glory.

OSCAR (to Riccardo)
Please read the list
of invitations to the ball.

RICCARDO
You have not forgotten
any beauty?

OSCAR (handing him the list)
These are the names.

RICCARDO (to himself, as he reads)
Amelia – ah, she again! My soul
forgets all pomp for love of her!
When I see here, pale and radiant,
my soul will be in ecstasy –
and as I listen to her voice,
it will seem to speak of love.
The sweet night comes down,
fair with its starry gems;

Ah, but she is my only star –
a star the heavens cannot boast!

OSCAR, OFFICERS and GENTLEMEN
With generous love,
lost in his thoughts,
he will take our needs
as the object of his ponderings.

SAMUEL, TOM and THEIR HENCHMEN
The time is not yet ripe; everything
here keeps us from action.
It would be better
to leave the enemy’s home.

RICCARDO (to Oscar)
Go with the others; I shall call you.
(All move off. Oscar, the last, meets Renato at the
door.)

OSCAR (to Renato)
The way is open to you at last.

RENATO (to himself)
How sad he seems!

RICCARDO (to himself)
Amelia!

RENATO (bowing)
My lord –

RICCARDO (to himself)
Oh heaven! Her husband!

RENATO
My lord, you are unhappy, while everywhere your
name is bright with glory.

RICCARDO
For one’s ambition, that is much; for the heart,
nothing. A secret, bitter care oppresses me.

RENATO
And this is –

RICCARDO
Ah, no – more –

RENATO
I shall tell you the reason.

RICCARDO (to himself)
Great God!

RENATO
I know all.

RICCARDO
That is?

RENATO
I know all. Even this mansion
is no sure refuge for you.

RICCARDO
Go on.

RENATO
An evil plot is being contrived against you;
your life is threatened.

RICCARDO (joyously)
Ah! You are speaking of that?
You know of nothing else?

RENATO
If you wish to know the names –

RICCARDO
What does it matter? I despise them.

RENATO
To tell you is my duty.

RICCARDO
Say nothing; else I must
soil my hands with blood. It shall not be,
I do not wish it. My people’s love
watches over me, and God protects me.

RENATO
Your life, so rich in joy,
so full of hope,
is joined by Fate to thousands
of other lives!
If you are lost, what of our country,
what of its splendid future?
Can you be
forever safe from wounds,
because your people’s love
is shielding you?

Hate is quicker than love
in striking its victims,
if you are lost, etc.

OSCAR (entering)
The Judge.

RICCARDO
Let him enter.

JUDGE
(offering him papers to sign)
My lord!

RICCARDO
What is this! A woman banished?
Why?
What is her name? What is her offence?

JUDGE
Her name is Ulrica – of dark
Negro blood.

OSCAR
But all the races follow her.
She can foretell the future.

JUDGE
To her filthy cave,
she summons the worst; she is suspected
of every evil counsel. She deserves exile;
pray do not veto my decision.

RICCARDO (to Oscar)
What have you to say of her?

OSCAR
I wish to defend her.
When she turns
her dusky brow to the stars
how her eyes
flash, like lightning,
as she foretells the course
of their loves
to the belles of the town,
be it happy or sad!
With Lucifer himself
she has a pact!
With Lucifer, etc.

RICCARDO
A charming couple –
what a protector!

OSCAR
Whoever touches
her prophetic gown,
whether he plans to cross the sea
or go off to war,
his future, his fortunes,
be they bitter or sweet,
his doubting heart
will learn from her,
it is with Lucifer himself
she has a pact!
With Lucifer, etc.

JUDGE
Let her be condemned.

OSCAR (to Riccardo)
Deign to absolve her.

RICCARDO
Well, summon everyone:
(Renato and Oscar invite the others to return.)
I have something to tell you.
Gentlemen, I invite you today
to Ulrica’s house;
but come disguised.
I shall be there.

RENATO
Really?

RICCARDO
Yes, I must se this sight.

RENATO
It’s not wise.

RICCARDO
I think, rather, it’s a splendid plan,
and promises great sport.

RENATO
Someone there
might recognise you.

RICCARDO
What fright!

SAMUEL and TOM (sneering)
Come, come, this counsellor of his
trembles at everything.

RICCARDO (to Oscar)
Prepare for me
a fisherman’s costume.

SAMUEL, TOM and THEIR HENCHMEN
Who knows,
perhaps the way to vengeance
will be opened to us there?

RICCARDO
Make sure that our sport is successful,
let all come to the magic house;
let us abandon ourselves to this game,
together with the credulous folk.

RENATO
Yes, hasten, but never forget
the dangers which threaten there,
and protect our magnanimous ruler,
so fearless for himself.

OSCAR
The seeress tells remarkable things,
I must question her myself, to hear
whether the stars smile upon me,
what good fortune may be in store for me.

RICCARDO
Make sure that our pleasure is certain.

RENATO
Yes, but let us be cautious, too.

RICCARDO
Well, then gentlemen, I shall expect you
in disguise, at three o’clock,
in the oracle’s cavern,
at the great seeress’ feet.

ALL
We shall be there promptly,
in disguise, at three o’clock,
in the oracle’s cavern,
at the great seeress’ feet.

RENATO
Yes, hasten, but never forget, etc.

SAMUEL, TOM and THEIR HENCHMEN
Ever watchful, we must be alert,
and not miss when the moment strikes,
perhaps the star which rules his fate
must plunge into the abyss

RICCARDO
Make sure that our sport is successful,
let all come to the fateful house:
For one day we shall laugh and joke,
for such is life at its best.

ALL
At last a bit of folly brightens
this life which heaven gave us.
At last, etc.

OSCAR
I shall hear whether the stars smile upon me,
what fortune they tell me through her.
I shall hear, etc.

RENATO
But protect our magnanimous ruler
so fearless for himself.

SAMUEL, TOM and THEIR HENCHMEN
Perhaps the star, etc.

RICCARDO
At three, at three,
well, then, gentlemen, I shall expect you
in disguise, at three o’clock,
in the oracle’s cavern,
at the great seeress’ feet.

ALL
At three, at three.
We shall be there promptly,
in disguise, at three o’clock,
in the oracle’s cavern,
at the great seeress’ feet.

Scene Two

The seeress’s cavern
(Left, a fireplace. A fire is burning, the magic cauldron
is smoking on its tripod. On the same side, the door of a
dark recess. Right, a winding staircase, hiding a small,
secret door. To the rear, the main entrance, with a big
window to one side. At midstage, a rough table. To the
rear, men and women from the town. Ulrica is seated
at the table; nearby, a lad and a girl are having their
fortunes told.)

WOMEN and CHILDREN
Silence – the charm must not be broken.
the devil will speak to her soon.

ULRICA
King of the depths, make haste,
hurtle down through the ether,
and, sparing thy thunderbolts,
enter into my house,
three times the owl
has sighed from on high.
Three times the fire-eating
Salamander has hissed,
and three times the moaning
of the grave has spoken to me.
(Riccardo, in fisherman’s dress, comes forward in the
crowd, without finding any of his own men.)

RICCARDO
I am the first to arrive!

TOWNSWOMEN
Ruffian, stay back!

ALL
Oh, what is this sombre glow about us?

ULRICA
It is he! It is he! Passionately,
I feel again
the tremendous thrill
of his embrace!
The torch of the future
he bears in his left hand.
He has answered my conjury,
and all shines clear before me;
Nothing, no, nothing is hidden now
from my gaze!

ALL
Hurrah for the sorceress!

ULRICA
Silence, silence!
(Silvano enters, breaking through the crowd.)

SILVANO
Make way, make way; I want my fortune told.
A sailor in his Lordship’s service,
I have defied death for him many a time.
Fifteen years I’ve had of this bitter life,
fifteen years that nothing’s been done for me.

ULRICA
And you ask?

SILVANO
What’s in store for me, after the blood
I’ve shed.

RICCARDO (aside)
He speaks like a true soldier.

ULRICA (to Silvano)
Your hand.

SILVANO
Take it.

ULRICA
Be of good cheer;
Soon you will have gold and rank.
(Riccardo takes out a paper and writes on it.)

SILVANO
You are joking?

ULRICA
Be assured.

RICCARDO
(He puts the sheet secretly into Silvano’s pocket.)
She must not speak false.

SILVANO
So fair a prophecy merits a reward.
(Searching his pockets, he takes out the paper and
reads:)
“Riccardo to his beloved Silvano, officer.”
Ye gods! I am not dreaming! Gold and a commission!

CHORUS
Hurrah for our Immortal Sibyl,
who brings riches and pleasures to all!
(A knock is heard at the secret door.)

ALL
Someone’s knocking!

RICCARDO (to himself)
What’s this! At the secret door –
one of Amelia’s servants!
SERVANT
(whispering to Ulrica; Riccardo overhears what he
says.)
Listen: my mistress,
who is waiting outside, wishes to
ask your advice in secret.

RICCARDO (to himself)
Amelia!

ULRICA
Let her come; I’ll send the others away.
(The servant leaves.)

RICCARDO (to himself)
But not me.
(He hides in the smaller room.)

ULRICA (turns to the others.)
Before I can answer you,
I first must join with Satan;
Go, let me gaze into the face of Truth.

ALL
Let us go, that she may gaze into the face of Truth.
(As the others go out, Riccardo hides. Amelia enters.)

ULRICA
What stirs you so?

AMELIA
A bitter, secret care,
which love has awakened –

RICCARDO (himself)
What is this!

ULRICA
And what do you seek?

AMELIA
Peace – to uproot from my breast,
so fatally ruled be the power I love,
that man – whom heaven made the ruler of all.

RICCARDO (to himself, joyously)
What do I hear! My beloved!

ULRICA
Forgetfulness is granted you.
I know a secret potion, brewed from a magic herb,
which renews the heart. But whoever needs it,
must prick the herb himself
at midnight. The place is ghostly.

AMELIA
Where is it?

ULRICA
Do you dare?

AMELIA (with decision)
Yes, wherever it may be.

ULRICA
Then listen to me:
To the west of town,
there where the pale moon
shines on the darker side
of that hideous field,
go pick the herb which grows
at the foot of the stones of infamy
where crime is expiated
in the last sigh!

AMELIA
O God! What a place!

ULRICA
You are stupefied, trembling, already!

RICCARDO (to himself)
Poor love!

ULRICA
Your heart fails you?

AMELIA
I am frozen with terror.

ULRICA
But would you dare?

AMELIA
If such be my duty,
even I shall find strength.

ULRICA
Tonight?

AMELIA
Yes.

RICCARDO (to himself)
But not alone:
For I will follow you.

AMELIA
Grant me, O Lord,
strength to purify my heart,
to quiet the fiery tumult
within my breast.

ULRICA
Go, without fear, for the charm
will dry your tears.
Only dare – and you shall drink
forgetfulness of sorrow.

RICCARDO
I burn with love, I am resolved
to follow her even to hell,
if only, beloved Amelia,
I can breathe your sighs.
VOICES (from outside)
Daughter of hell, open the door,
delay no longer in coming to us.

ULRICA (to Amelia)
Quick – go now.

AMELIA
Tonight.
(She leaves by the secret door.)

RICCARDO (to himself)
But not alone:
For I will follow you!

ULRICA
Farewell.
(Ulrica opens the main door, Samuel, Tom and their
group enter, followed by Oscar, gentlemen and officers
in bizarre disguises. Riccardo joins them.)

CHORUS
Come, seeress, mount your tripod,
chant your prophecy, mount your tripod.

OSCAR
Where is his lordship.

RICCARDO (who has come up to him)
Be silent, do not let them know I am here.
(then turning suddenly to Ulrica)
Now, Sibyl, you who know all
shall speak to me of my stars.

CHORUS
Tell him the future, tell him the future!

RICCARDO
Tell me whether the sea
awaits me, faithful,
whether my beloved,
her face wet with tears,
betrayed my love
after she said goodbye,
with tattered sails,
my soul tempest-tossed,
I still cut my way
through the furious sea,
defying the rage
of heaven and hell,
seeress, explore with care
what the future will bring,
neither thunder
nor the rage of the winds,
not death nor love
can keep me from the sea.

CHORUS
Neither thunder
nor the rage of winds,
not death nor love
can keep him from the sea.

RICCARDO
On the swift ship
within whose womb I am tossed,
when I awaken
in the howling storm,
between the thunder crashes
I sing sweet songs,
I sing sweet songs
of my native land,

which speak of the kisses
of our last farewell,
and my songs rekindle
the fire in my heart.
Come, then, chant again
your mystic prophecy,
tell us what destiny brings,
no matter what it be,
terror cannot
enter our hearts.

CHORUS
Terror cannot
enter our hearts.

ULRICA
Whoever you are, your mad words
can change to sobs one day,
for he who violates the hidden realm
must wash away his crime with tears,
and he who insolently challenges his fate
must pay for his sin in his fate itself.

RICCARDO
Come, my friends.

SAMUEL
Who will go first?

OSCAR
I shall.

RICCARDO (showing his palm to Ulrica)
Please yield me this honour.

OSCAR
So be it.

ULRICA (gravely, examining his hand)
It is the hand of a great man,
living under the sign of Mars.

OSCAR
She has hit the truth.

RICCARDO
Silence!

ULRICA
Wretched man –
Go – leave me – ask no more!

RICCARDO
Come, now, go on.

ULRICA
No – leave me.

RICCARDO
Speak.

ULRICA
I beg you.

CHORUS (to Ulrica)
Finish it now!

RICCARDO
I insist.

ULRICA
Very well, then; soon you will die.

RICCARDO
If on the field of honour, then I am glad.

ULRICA
No – by the hand of a friend.

OSCAR
Great God!

CHORUS
What horror!

ULRICA
So it is written above.

RICCARDO (looking about him)
A joke or madness
is such a prophecy.
How their credulity
amuses me!
A joke or madness, etc.

ULRICA (passing before Samuel and Tom)
Ah, gentlemen, hearing
these sad words of mine,
you dare not laugh:
What things are in your hearts?

SAMUEL and TOM
Her words are like arrows,
her glances like lightning;

through the devil, her confidant,
this woman knows all.

OSCAR and CHORUS
What, then, is his fate?
Shall he die by an assassin’s hand?
The mere thought
makes one’s heart shudder.

RICCARDO
Complete the prophecy.
Tell me, who will the killer be?

ULRICA
The first to touch your hand today.

RICCARDO
Splendid.
(He holds out his hand to each of his companions in
turn; none dares touch it.)
Which one of you will prove the oracle false?
No one!
(Renato appears at the door. Riccardo goes forward
and shakes his hand)
Here he is.

ALL
It is he!

SAMUEL and TOM (aside)
I breathe again; fortune has saved us.

ALL
The oracle has lied.

RICCARDO
Yes, because the hand in mine
is that of my most trusted friend.

RENATO
Riccardo!

ULRICA (recognising him)
The Count!

RICCARDO (to her)
Your genie
did not tell you who I am – nor that today
you were to be banished.

ULRICA
I?

RICCARDO (throwing her a purse)
Silence; take this.

ULRICA
You are magnanimous, but among them
there is a traitor. Perhaps more than one.

SAMUEL and TOM (aside)
Great God!

RICCARDO
Say no more.

CHORUS (from far off)
Long live Riccardo!

All
What voices are these?

SILVANO
(from the rear, to his men. Sailors and townsfolk crowd
about the door)
Move quickly, if it is he,
our friend and father.
All of you, bow down with me,
and sing the hymn of our faith.

CHORUS
O son of England,
beloved of this land,
rule in happiness, for health
and glory smile upon you.

OSCAR
The proudest laurel,
more precious than treasure,
shall be entwined upon your brow
by gratitude and faith.

RICCARDO
Can I nurse suspicion
within my breast,
when a thousand hearts exult
in dying for me?

RENATO
Evil fortune forever hovers
even over the greatest triumph,
in which a hypercritical Fate
conceals an evil end.

SAMUEL, TOM and THEIR HENCHMEN (to themselves)
The course of our vengeance is blocked
by the servile multitude
who flatter the public idol
without ever knowing why, etc.

ULRICA
He does not believe his fate,
yet he shall die of his wounds;
he laughed at my prophecy.
But he has a foot in the grave, etc.

OSCAR
The proudest laurel, etc.

RICCARDO
Can I nurse suspicion, etc.

Contents: Roles; Act One; Act Two; Act Three