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Fiordiligi, Lady from Ferrara and sister to Dorabella, living in Naples - soprano Dorabella, Lady from Ferrara and sister to Fiordiligi, living in Naples - mezzo-soprano Guglielmo, Lover of Fiordiligi, a Soldier - baritone Ferrando, Lover of Dorabella, a Soldier - tenor Despina, a maid - soprano Don Alfonso, an old philosopher - bass Chorus: soldiers, servants, sailors Overture Scene One A café (Don Alfonso, Ferrando and Guglielmo) No. 1. Trio FERRANDO My Dorabella couldn’t; heaven made her faithful as she is beautiful. GUGLIELMO My Fiordiligi is unable to betray me; I believe that her constancy and beauty are equal. DON ALFONSO I have grey hair already; I speak ex cathedra; but let such arguments end here. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO No, you’ve said to us that they can be untrue; you must prove it to us, if you’re honest. DON ALFONSO Let us forget such proof... (Ferrando and Guglielmo grip their swords.) FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO No, no, we want it, or else draw your sword and we’ll break off our friendship. DON ALFONSO (aside) O mad wish, to attempt to discover the evil which makes us wretched, when found. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (aside) A man who utters a word that wrongs them touches me on the raw. Recitative GUGLIELMO Draw your sword: choose whichever of us youprefer. DON ALFONSO I am a man of peace and I fight no duels, except at table. FERRANDO Fight, or else say at once why you suspect our mistresses capable of infidelity. DON ALFONSO Beloved simplicity! How I like you! FERRANDO Stop joking, or I swear by heaven... DON ALFONSO And I swear by the earth, I’m not joking, my friends. Only I would like to know what species of animal these beauties of yours are, if – like all of us – they have flesh, bones, skin, if they eat like us, if they wear skirts, in short, if they are goddesses or women... FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO They’re women, but such women... DON ALFONSO And you insist on finding faithfulness in women? Ah, how I like you, simplicity! No. 2. Trio DON ALFONSO Women’s faithfulness is like the Arabian phoenix. Everyone says it exists, where it is no one knows. FERRANDO Dorabella is the phoenix. GUGLIELMO Fiordiligi is the phoenix. DON ALFONSO Neither this one nor that one is; it never existed and never will. Women’s faithfulness, etc. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO The phoenix, etc. Recitative DON ALFONSO Poets’ nonsense! GUGLIELMO Old men’s foolishness. DON ALFONSO Very well, listen...but without flying into a rage...what proof do you have that your mistresses are always constant? Who guaranteed you that their hearts are not fickle? FERRANDO Long acquaintance... GUGLIELMO Their noble background... FERRANDO Their elevated mentality... GUGLIELMO Compatibility of temperament... FERRANDO Selflessness... DON ALFONSO Tears, sighs, caresses, fainting-fits. Allow me to laugh a little... FERRANDO God! Stop mocking us! DON ALFONSO Just a moment. What if I give you tangible proof today that they are like other women? GUGLIELMO That cannot be. FERRANDO That isn’t so. DON ALFONSO Let us wager. FERRANDO Let us wager. DON ALFONSO A hundred gold pieces. GUGLIELMO A thousand, if you like. DON ALFONSO Your word? FERRANDO Our word. GUGLIELMO (to Ferrando) And what shall we do with the hundred gold pieces? No. 3. Trio FERRANDO A lovely serenade I want to arrange for my goddess. GUGLIELMO In honour of Venus I want to give a banquet. DON ALFONSO Will I be among the guests? FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO You shall be, yes, sir. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO And how many repeated toasts we want to propose to the god of love! (They go out.) Scene Two Garden near the sea (Fiordiligi and Dorabella are gazing at the portraits of their lovers in the lockets they wear.) No. 4. Duet FIORDILIGI Ah, look, sister! Can a handsomer mouth, a more noble appearance be found? DORABELLA Observe for a moment, observe what fire in his glance: doesn’t it seem to shoot flames, or arrows? FIORDILIGI One sees a countenance of a warrior and a lover. DORABELLA One sees a face that delights and threatens. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA I am happy! If this heart of mine ever changes its desire, may Love make me suffer while I live. Recitative FIORDILIGI I feel this morning I’d gladly play the madcap. I feel a certain fire, a certain ticklishness in my veins... (Don Alfonso comes in.) FIORDILIGI There they are. DORABELLA It’s not they; it’s Don Alfonso, their friend. FIORDILIGI Welcome, Signor Don Alfonso. DON ALFONSO My respects. DORABELLA What is it? Why are you here alone? You weep? Speak, for pity’s sake! What has happened? My beloved... FIORDILIGI My idol... DON ALFONSO Barbarous fate! No. 5. Aria DON ALFONSO I’d like to speak, but I haven’t the heart: my lip stammers. My voice cannot emerge, but remains in my throat. What will you do? What shall I do? Oh what a great catastrophe! There can be nothing worse. I feel pity for you and for them. Recitative FIORDILIGI Heavens! For mercy’s sake, Signor Alfonso, don’t make us suffer. DON ALFONSO My children, you must arm yourselves with constancy. A royal command summons them to the field of battle. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Alas, what do I hear? And are they leaving? DON ALFONSO The unhappy men haven’t the courage to see you; but if you wish it, they are ready... DORABELLA Where are they? DON ALFONSO Come in, friends. (Ferrando and Guglielmo come in, in travelling clothes.) No. 6. Quintet GUGLIELMO Oh God, I feel that this foot of mine is reluctant to come before her. FERRANDO My trembling lip can utter no word. DON ALFONSO The hero displays his manliness in the most terrible moments. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Now that we have heard the news, you have left the lesser duty: take heart, and plunge your swords into both our hearts. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO My idol, blame fate that I must abandon you. DORABELLA Ah no, you shall not leave... FIORDILIGI No, cruel one, you shall not go... DORABELLA First I want to tear out my heart. FIORDILIGI First I want to die at your feet. FERRANDO (softly to Don Alfonso) What do you say to that? GUGLIELMO (softly to Don Alfonso) You realise? DON ALFONSO (softly) Steady, friend, finem lauda. ALL Thus destiny defrauds the hopes of mortals. Ah, among so many misfortunes, who can ever love life? DORABELLA Ah no, no, you shall not leave... FIORDILIGI No, cruel one, you shall not go... DORABELLA First I want to tear out my heart. FIORDILIGI First I want to die at your feet. FERRANDO (softly to Don Alfonso) What do you say to that? GUGLIELMO (softly to Don Alfonso) You realise? DON ALFONSO (aside) Steady, friend, finem lauda. ALL Destiny, etc. Recitative GUGLIELMO Don’t cry, my beloved! FERRANDO Don’t despair, my darling wife! DON ALFONSO Allow them that comfort. They have only too much reason to weep. FIORDILIGI Who knows whether I shall see you again. DORABELLA Who knows whether you will come back. (They embrace tenderly.) FIORDILIGI Leave me this sword: may it give me death, if a cruel fate should, in this dear bosom... DORABELLA My grief would kill me... I should not need a sword. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Do not utter, my dearest, such unhappy forebodings; he gods will preserve your peace of mind as long as I live. No. 7. Duet FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO These lovely eyes command to fate: love protects them, and the cruel stars dare not disturb their repose. Turn towards me, my love, a peaceful brow. I hope to return, happy, to your side. Recitative DON ALFONSO (aside) The play is charming, and both men act their parts well. (A drum-roll is heard off-stage.) FERRANDO 0 Heaven! This is the fatal drum that comes to separate me from my beloved. DON ALFONSO Friends, here is the boat. FIORDILIGI 1 faint. DORABELLA I die. (A military march is heard from a distance; a boat arrives at the shore.) No. 8. Chorus CHORUS Beautiful military life! You change place every day, much today, tomorrow little, now on land and now on sea. The din of trumpets and fifes, the firing of muskets and bombs increases the strengths of the arm and the spirit, which dreams only of winning. Beautiful military life! Recitative DON ALFONSO There is no more time, friends; you have to go where destiny, or rather, fate summons you. FIORDILIGI My heart... DORABELLA My idol... FERRANDO My love... GUGLIELMO My life... FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Embrace me, my idol! FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA I die of grief! No. 8a. Quintet FIORDILIGI Write to me every day... Swear, my life... DORABELLA And you...write to me...twice ...if you can... GUGLIELMO Don’t doubt...my love... FERRANDO Be sure...o beloved... DON ALFONSO (aside) If I don’t laugh, I’ll split. FIORDILIGI Be true to me alone. DORABELLA Keep faithful. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Farewell, farewell! My heart is breaking, my lovely idol! Farewell, farewell! DON ALFONSO (aside) If I don’t laugh, I’ll split. No. 9. Chorus CHORUS Beautiful military life, etc. (As the chorus is repeated, Ferrando and Guglielmo get into the boat, which then moves off. The soldiers leave, followed by the men and women.) Recitative DORABELLA (as if waking from a daze) Where are they? DON ALFONSO They have gone. FIORDILIGI Oh most cruel, bitter departure! DON ALFONSO Take heart, my dearest children. Look...from the distance your beloved husbands are waving to you. FIORDILIGI Good journey, my life! DORABELLA Good journey! FIORDILIGI Ye Gods! How swiftly that boat goes away! It’s disappearing already! Already it can be seen no longer! Ah, may Heaven grant it a fortunate voyage. DORABELLA May it reach the battlefield with good luck. DON ALFONSO And may it save your lovers, and my friends. No. 10. Trio FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DON ALFONSO May the wind be gentle, may the wave be calm, and may every element respond benignly to our wishes. (Fiordiligi and Dorabella leave.) Recitative DON ALFONSO I’m not a bad actor, all right; the two champions of Venus and Mars will be awaiting me at the place we agreed upon. Now it’s best to join them without delay...All those grimaces!...all those clowning tricks! So much the better for me: they will fall more easily. This kind of person is the quickest to change mood. Oh, poor men, to gamble a hundred gold pieces for a woman? “The man who bases his hopes on a woman’s heart is ploughing the sea and sowing in the sand, and hoping to catch in a net the fickle wind.” (He leaves.) Scene Three A room with three doors (Despina arrives with chocolate on a tray.) Recitative DESPINA What an accursed life it is to be a chambermaid! From morning to evening you’re busy, you sweat and work, and then of all the things that are done nothing is for us. I’ve been beating for half an hour, the chocolate is ready, and is it my lot to stand and smell it with a dry mouth? Isn’t my mouth perhaps like yours? O amiable ladies, who gave the substance to you, and the aroma to me? By heaven, I want to taste it. How good it is! Someone’s coming! Oh, Heaven, it’s my mistresses! (Fiordiligi and Dorabella come in.) Ladies, here is your lunch. (Dorabella brushes everything to the floor.) Goodness! What are you doing? FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Ah! Ah! DESPINA What has happened? FIORDILIGI Where is there a sword? DORABELLA Where is there a poison? DESPINA Mistresses, I say... DORABELLA Ah, away with you! Fear the dire effect of a desperate love! Close those windows! I hate the light...I hate the air I breathe...I hate myself. Who mocks my grief? Who consoles me? Ah, flee, for mercy’s sake! Leave me alone. No. 11. Aria DORABELLA Implacable longings that stir me, do not cease in this soul of mine until anguish makes me die. If I remain alive, I’ll give the Furies a wretched example of doomed love with the horrible sound of my sighs. Implacable longings, etc. (Both sisters collapse in their chairs.) Recitative DESPINA Signora Dorabella, Signora Fiordiligi, tell me: what has happened? FIORDILIGI Our lovers have left Naples. DESPINA Is that all? They’ll come back. DORABELLA Who knows? DESPINA What do you mean, who knows? Where have they gone? DORABELLA To the field of battle. DESPINA All the better for them: you’ll see them return laden with laurels. FIORDILIGI But they can also die. DESPINA In that case...all the better for you. FIORDILIGI Foolish girl, what are you saying? DESPINA The plain truth: you lose two, you have all the others left. Other men have everything these men have. Now you love one man; you will love another. One is worth the other, because none is worth anything. DORABELLA Don’t offend thus those lovely souls, examples of faithfulness and immaculate love. DESPINA Come, come! The time is past when these tales could be passed off on children. No. 12. Aria DESPINA To hope for faithfulness in men, in soldiers? Don’t let people hear you, for heaven’s sake! All men are made of the same stuff; the swaying boughs, the fickle breezes have greater stability than men have. Lying tears, false looks, deceitful voices, lying charms – these are their outstanding qualities. In us they love only their pleasure, then they despise us and deny us affection, nor does it avail to ask pity of the cruel ones. O women, let us pay with the same token this maleficent, indiscreet species. Let us love for our convenience and for vanity. La ra la, la ra la, la ra la la. Let us love for our convenience, etc. (All leave. Don Alfonso enters.) Recitative DON ALFONSO What silence! What an air of sadness these rooms breathe! Poor girls, they’re not completely wrong: they must be consoled. Now while the two credulous husbands go to disguise themselves, as I told them, let us think what can be done... I’m a little afraid of Despina...That minx might recognise them, she might upset my machinations. We shall see...If there should be need, a timely little present, a little gold piece, is a great charm for a maid. But, to be safe, one could let her in on the secret. The plan is excellent. This is her room. Despinetta! DESPINA Who’s knocking? DON ALFONSO Oh! DESPINA Eee! DON ALFONSO My dear Despina, I need you. DESPINA And I don’t need you at all. DON ALFONSO (showing her a gold coin) Speak softly and observe. You know that your mistresses have lost their lovers. DESPINA I know. DON ALFONSO You also know of all their lamenting and their spasms. DESPINA I know all about it. DON ALFONSO Now, then, if by chance, to console them a little, and, as they say, to let one nail drive out another, you could find the way to introduce into their favour two attractive men who would like to try...You understand me already...There’s a tip for you of twenty crowns, if you help them succeed. DESPINA Where are they? DON ALFONSO They are out there; may they come in? DESPINA I’d say yes. (Ferrando and Guglielmo come in, disguised.) No. 13. Sextet DON ALFONSO My friends, I introduce you to the beautiful Despinetta; the consolation of your hearts depends on her alone. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO By the hand, which I happily kiss, by those eyes, filled with grace, make the lovely eyes of my beloved look upon me serenely. DESPINA (aside) What faces! What clothes! What appearances! What moustaches! I don’t know if those men are Wallachians or Turks! DON ALFONSO (softly to Despina) What do you think of their looks? DESPINA To speak to you quite frankly, they have an unusual face, the very antidote of love. What appearances! What moustaches! etc. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO (aside) Now the affair is completely settled. If she doesn’t recognise us/them there is no longer any fear. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA (off-stage) Eh, Despina! Hola, Despina! DESPINA My mistresses! DON ALFONSO (to Despina) Now’s the moment! Act artfully; I’ll hide here. (He withdraws. Fiordiligi and Dorabella come out of their rooms.) FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Arrogant girl! What are you doing there with such people? Have them leave at once, or I’ll make you regret it, with them. DESPINA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (all three kneeling) Ah, forgive us, ladies! See, languishing at your lovely feet, two wretches, swains who worship your merit. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Just Gods! What do I hear? Who was the unworthy author of this enormous betrayal? DESPINA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Ah, calm that scorn! FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Ah, I can restrain myself no more! My soul, in my breast, is filled with anger and terror. DESPINA (aside) That anger and that fury arouse a little suspicion in me. DON ALFONSO (from the door) That anger and that fury arouse a little suspicion in me. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (aside) What joy to my breast from that anger and that fury! FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA (aside) Ah, forgive me, my handsome love! This heart is innocent. My soul, in my breast, is filled, etc. Ah, I can restrain myself no more! etc. Recitative DON ALFONSO (entering) What murmuring! What din! What is all this confusion? Are you mad, my dear girls? Do you want to rouse the neighbourhood? What’s wrong? What’s happened? DORABELLA Oh heaven! Look: men in our house. DON ALFONSO What harm is there in that? FIORDILIGI What harm? On this day? After the dire event? DON ALFONSO My stars? Am I dreaming, or awake? My friends, my very dear friends? You here? How? Why? When? In what way? Goodness! How pleased I am! (aside to Ferrando and Guglielmo) Back me up. FERRANDO My friend, Don Alfonso! GUGLIELMO My dear friend! (They embrace enthusiastically.) DON ALFONSO Oh, what a lovely surprise! DESPINA Do you know them? DON ALFONSO Do I know them? These are the dearest friends I have in this world, and they will be yours, too. FIORDILIGI And what are they doing in my house? GUGLIELMO At your feet, behold, ladies, two culprits, two criminals! Love... DORABELLA Gods! What do I hear? FERRANDO Love, the all-powerful deity brings us here, on your account. GUGLIELMO As soon as we saw the light of your gleaming eyes... FERRANDO ...with their lively sparks... GUGLIELMO ...like butterflies, dying with love... FERRANDO ...we fly before you... GUGLIELMO ...and at your sides, and behind you... FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO ...to implore mercy in plaintive measure! FIORDILIGI My stars! What daring! DORABELLA Sister, what shall we do? FIORDILIGI Rash men! Leave this place! (Frightened, Despina goes out.) And let the dire breath of such infamous words not profane our hearts, our ears, and our loves! It is vain for you, for others, to try to seduce our souls. We will keep intact until death the faith we pledged our dear lovers, despite the world and destiny. No. 14. Aria FIORDILIGI As the rock remains unmoved against the winds and the storm, so this spirit is still strong in its faith and in its love. That torch was born in us, which pleases and consoles us; and death alone will be able to make our heart change its affection. As the rock, etc. Oh ungrateful spirits, respect this example of constancy, and let no barbarous hope make you bold again! (The women start to leave.) Recitative FERRANDO (to Fiordiligi) Ah, don’t go away! GUGLIELMO (to Dorabella) Ah, cruel one, remain! (aside to Don Alfonso) What do you think? DON ALFONSO (aside to Guglielmo) Wait. (to the sisters) For mercy’s sake, girls, don’t put me in a more awkward position. DORABELLA And what do you expect? GUGLIELMO Open your hearts, o beauties, to this soft glow; or you will see the most faithful lovers die before you. No. 15. Aria GUGLIELMO Don’t be shy, charming little eyes, send two amorous flashes here for a moment. Make us happy. Be loving with us, and we will also make you very happy. Look at us, touch us, observe us completely; we’re two loveable madmen, we’re strong and well-built, and as all can see – whether through merit or chance – we have a fine foot, a fine eye, a fine nose... Look: a fine foot, observe: a fine eye, touch: a fine nose. Observe everything: and these mustachios might be called the triumph of men, plumes of love. (Fiordiligi and Dorabella leave. Ferrando and Guglielmo, as soon as they are alone with Don Alfonso, laugh.) No. 16. Trio DON ALFONSO And you laugh? FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Of course we laugh. DON ALFONSO But what’s come over you? FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Now we know. DON ALFONSO Laugh quietly. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO You speak in vain. DON ALFONSO Laugh quietly. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO You speak in vain. DON ALFONSO If they should hear you, if they should discover you, the whole matter would be ruined. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Ah, from this laughing, I feel my soul splitting, ha, ha, ha, I feel my soul splitting, my insides bursting! DON ALFONSO This laughter of theirs is laughable, but I know it must end in weeping. Recitative DON ALFONSO May I know the reason for your laughter? GUGLIELMO Oh, God, don’t you think that we have every reason, my dear sir? FERRANDO How much will you pay if the bet is off? GUGLIELMO Pay half. FERRANDO Just pay twenty-four gold pieces. DON ALFONSO You poor little innocents! Come here, I’ll put my little finger in your mouth. GUGLIELMO And you still have the courage to open your mouth? DON ALFONSO We’ll speak again before evening. FERRANDO When you wish. DON ALFONSO Meanwhile: silence and obedience until tomorrow morning. GUGLIELMO We are soldiers, and we like discipline. DON ALFONSO Now then: both of you go and wait for me a little in the garden; I’ll send you my orders there. GUGLIELMO Aren’t we going to eat today? FERRANDO What’s the use? When the battle is over, our supper will be more tasty. No. 17. Aria FERRANDO An amorous breath of our beloved will offer a sweet refreshment to the heart, to the heart which, nourished on love’s hope, does not need a better bait. An amorous breath, etc. (Ferrando and Guglielmo leave.) Recitative DON ALFONSO And how do you think the affair will turn out? Can we hope they will come to their senses? DESPINA I would; and whereas they weep, I’d laugh. To choke back tears of despair because your lover abandons you? What is love? Enjoyment, convenience, pleasure, joy, amusement, recreation, gaiety. It’s no longer love if it becomes inconvenient: if, instead of pleasure, it brings pain and torment. I’ll wait for you in my room. If you do all I tell you, before tomorrow your friends will celebrate victory; then they will have their wish and I the glory. (They leave.) Scene Four The garden of the sisters’ house (Fiordiligi, Dorabella) No. 18. Act One Finale FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Ah, how all in a moment my fate was changed. Ah, a sea filled with torment is life for me now. As long as the unfriendly stars left my beloved with me, I didn’t know what griefs were, I didn’t know what it is to suffer. Ah, how all in a moment, etc. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (off-stage) Let us die, yes, let us die, to appease the ingrates! DON ALFONSO (off-stage) There is one hope still; don’t do it! Oh God, don’t do it! FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Heavens! what horrible cries! FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Let me go! DON ALFONSO Wait! FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Let me go! DON ALFONSO Wait! (Ferrando and Guglielmo, each carrying a phial, come in, followed by Don Alfonso.) FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Let arsenic deliver me from such cruelty. (They drink, then throw away the phials. Turning, they see the two women.) FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA My stars, was that a poison? DON ALFONSO A poison, right and proper, which in a few minutes will take life from them. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA The tragic sight makes my heart freeze. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Cruel ones, approach: see the dire effect of a desperate love, and have pity at least. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA The tragic sight makes my heart freeze! ALL Ah, the sun’s ray becomes dark for me. I tremble, I seem to feel my soul, my fibre fail, nor can my tongue or lip utter a word. (Ferrando and Guglielmo fall on the grassy banks.) DON ALFONSO Since those wretches are close to dying, try to show pity to them at least. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Somebody! Come quickly! Somebody! Oh God, nobody hears us! Despina! Despina! DESPINA (off-stage) Who calls me? FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Despina! Despina! (Despina comes in.) DESPINA What do I see? I believe the wretches are dead, or close to expiring. DON ALFONSO Ah, alas, it’s true. Raving, desperate, they poisoned themselves! Oh, remarkable love! DESPINA To abandon the poor men would be shameful for you; they must be helped. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DON ALFONSO Whatever can we do? DESPINA They still show signs of life; with pitying hands support them for a little while. (to Don Alfonso) And you, come quickly with me: let us fly to seek a doctor, an antidote. (Despina and Don Alfonso leave.) FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Gods, what a trial this is! A more dire event couldn’t have been found! FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (aside) A finer comedy couldn’t have been found! (aloud) Ah! FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA The unhappy men are sighing. FIORDILIGI What shall we do? DORABELLA What do you say? FIORDILIGI In such grievous moments who could abandon them? DORABELLA What interesting appearances! FIORDILIGI We can move a little closer. DORABELLA His head is very cold. FIORDILIGI This one’s head, too, is very cold. DORABELLA And his pulse? FIORDILIGI I can’t feel it. DORABELLA This one’s beating very slowly. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Ah, if help delays longer, there is no more hope of life. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (aside) Both have become tamer and more pliant; we’ll see that their pity will end in love. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Poor things! Their death would make me weep. (Enter Despina, disguised as a doctor, with Don Alfonso.) DON ALFONSO Here is the doctor, lovely ladies. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (aside) Despina disguised, what a terrible sight! DESPINA Salvete amabiles bones puelles. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA He speaks a language that we don’t know. DESPINA Let us speak then as you command. I know Greek and Arabic, I know Turkish and Vandalic, and I also know how to speak Swabian and Tartar. DON ALFONSO Save all those languages for yourself: for the present observe those wretches. They’ve taken poison. What can be done? FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Doctor, what can be done? DESPINA (feeling the pulse and the forehead, first of one, then the other) First I must know the cause, then the nature of the potion; whether hot or cold, whether small or large, whether in one dose, or in several. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DON ALFONSO They’ve taken arsenic, Doctor; they drank it here. The cause is love, and they swallowed it in one gulp. DESPINA Don’t be worried, don’t be upset; here is a proof of my power. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DON ALFONSO He has taken an implement in hand. DESPINA This is that piece of magnet, Mesmer’s stone, that originated in Germany, then was so famous there in France. (With part of the magnet she touches the heads of Ferrando and Guglielmo, then draws it gently along their bodies.) FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DON ALFONSO How they move, writhe, stir! Soon they will strike their skulls on the ground. DESPINA Ah, hold their foreheads up. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Here we are, ready! DESPINA Hold on tight. Be brave! Now you are freed from death. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DON ALFONSO They look around, they recover strength. Ah, this doctor is worth a fortune. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (standing up) Where am I? What place is this? Who is he? Who are they? Am I before Jove’s throne? Are you Pallas, or Venus? No, you are my heart, my goddess; I recognise your sweet face and the hand that now I well know and which is my only treasure. (They tenderly embrace the girls and kiss their hands.) DESPINA, DON ALFONSO These are still effects of the poison. Have no fear. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA That may be true, but all these grimaces are harmful to our honour. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (aside) From my desire to laugh my lungs are about to burst. (to the women) Have mercy, my lovely idol! FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA I can resist no longer! FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Turn your happy eyes towards me. DESPINA, DON ALFONSO These are still effects of the poison. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA I can resist no longer! DESPINA, DON ALFONSO Very soon you will see that by virtue of the magnetism the spasms will end, and they will be their former selves. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (aside) From my desire, etc. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA I can resist, etc. DESPINA, DON ALFONSO These are still effects of the poison. Have no fear, etc. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Give me a kiss, o my treasure, a single kiss, or I’ll die here. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Heavens! A kiss? DESPINA, DON ALFONSO Humour them, out of kindness. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Ah, too much is asked of an honest, loyal mistress; my faithfulness is outraged, this heart is outraged. DESPINA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO (aside) A jollier little picture was never seen in this world. The thing that makes me laugh the most is that anger and that rage, etc. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Desperate, poisoned, go to the devil, one and all! Later you will truly be sorry, if my fury increases! etc. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (aside) But I do not know if that anger and rage is feigned or real. Nor would I like all that fire to end in the fire of love, etc. DESPINA, DON ALFONSO (aside) I well know that all that fire will change into the fire of love, etc. Scene One A room in the sisters’ house (Fiordiligi, Dorabella and Despina) Recitative DESPINA Go on, what a strange couple of girls you are! FIORDILIGI Good gracious, what should we do? DESPINA What you like. Are you made of flesh and blood, or what are you? No. 19. Aria DESPINA A woman, at the age of fifteen, must know what’s what, where the devil hides his tail, what is good and what is bad. She must know the cunning ways that make lovers fall in love, feign laughter, feign tears, invent fine excuses. In a single moment, she must pay attention to a hundred men, with her eyes talk with a thousand, encourage everyone, handsome or ugly, know how to hide without embarrassment; without blushing know how to lie, and like a queen from her lofty throne, with “I can and I will”, make herself obeyed. (aside) It seems that they like this doctrine. Long live Despina, who knows how to serve. In a single moment, etc. (She leaves.) Recitative FIORDILIGI Sister, what do you say? DORABELLA I’m stunned by the infernal spirit of that girl. FIORDILIGI But believe me: she’s mad. Do you think we’re in a position to follow her advice? What about our hearts...? DORABELLA They remain what they are. Enjoying ourselves a little and not dying of melancholy isn’t betraying our word, sister. For the rest, listen, so we understand each other clearly: which of the two Narcissuses do you want to choose for yourself? FIORDILIGI You decide, sister. DORABELLA I’ve already decided. No. 20. Duet DORABELLA I’ll take the little dark one, who seems wittier to me. FIORDILIGI And, meanwhile, with the blond one I want to laugh and joke a little. DORABELLA I’ll jokingly answer the sweet words of the former. FIORDILIGI Sighing, I’ll imitate the sighs of the latter. DORABELLA He’ll say to me: My love, I die! FIORDILIGI He’ll say to me: My lovely treasure! FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA And meanwhile what delight, what amusement I’ll feel! DORABELLA I’ll take the little dark one, etc. FIORDILIGI And, meanwhile, with the blond one, etc. (They leave.) Recitative DON ALFONSO Ah, hurry along to the garden, my dear girls; what fun, what music, what singing, what a dazzling show, what magic! Be quick, run! DORABELLA What the dickens can it be? DON ALFONSO You’ll soon see. (They all leave.) Scene Two Garden at the seashore (At the landing stage there is a boat gaily decorated with flowers, in which are Ferrando and Guglielmo, with a band of singers and musicians. In the garden, Despina, Fiordiligi, Dorabella and Don Alfonso) No. 21. Duet with chorus FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Assist, friendly breezes, assist my desires; and bear my sighs to the goddess of my heart. You, who have heard a thousand times the strains of my woes, repeat to my beloved all you heard then. CHORUS Assist, friendly breezes, the wishes of such lovely hearts. (Ferrando and Guglielmo alight with garlands of flowers: Don Alfonso and Despina lead them into the presence of the two ladies, who are struck dumb with astonishment.) Recitative FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA What is this masquerade? DESPINA Take heart. Courage! Have you lost the power of speech? (The boat moves away from the shore.) FERRANDO I tremble and shake from my head to the soles of my feet. GUGLIELMO Love binds the limbs of the true lover. DON ALFONSO (to the women) Encourage them, like good girls. FIORDILIGI (to Ferrando and Guglielmo) Speak! DORABELLA Say freely what you wish. FERRANDO Madame... GUGLIELMO Or rather, Mesdames... FERRANDO You speak then. GUGLIELMO No, no, you speak. No. 22. Quartet DON ALFONSO (taking Dorabella by the hand) Give me your hand, and move a little! (Despina takes Fiordiligi’s hand.) If you won’t speak... (to Ferrando and Guglielmo) I’ll speak for you. A trembling slave asks your forgiveness; he offended you, he sees it, but only for a moment; now he suffers, but is silent... FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO He’s silent... DON ALFONSO Now he leaves you in peace... FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO In peace... DON ALFONSO He can’t have what he wants, he’ll want what he can have. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO He can’t have what he wants, he’ll want what he can have. DON ALFONSO Come now, answer! You look and laugh? DESPINA I’ll give them the answer for you. (to the ladies) What has been, has been; let us forget the past. Let that bond be broken now, a symbol of servitude. Give me your arm, and sigh no more. DESPINA, DON ALFONSO (aside) For heaven’s sake let’s leave; we’ll see what they can do. I respect the girls more than the devil if they don’t fall now. (Despina and Don Alfonso leave. Guglielmo arm in arm with Dorabella; Fiordiligi walks with Ferrando but without offering her arm.) Recitative FIORDILIGI Oh, what a beautiful day! FERRANDO A bit warm rather than not. DORABELLA What charming trees! GUGLIELMO Yes, yes, they’re beautiful; they have more leaves than fruit. FIORDILIGI How pretty those paths are. Would you like to stroll? FERRANDO I am ready, o beloved, to obey your every hint. FIORDILIGI You are too kind! FERRANDO (to Guglielmo as he passes) Here we are at the crunch! FIORDILIGI What did you say to him? FERRANDO Oh, I urged him to amuse her well. (Fiordiligi and Ferrando stroll off.) DORABELLA Let us stroll, too. GUGLIELMO As you like. Alas! DORABELLA What’s wrong? GUGLIELMO I feel so ill, so ill, my soul, that I feel as if I were dying. DORABELLA (aside) He won’t achieve anything at all. (to Guglielmo) These must be after-effects of the poison you drank. GUGLIELMO (aside) Is she joking or speaking in earnest? (to Dorabella) Condescend to accept this little gift. DORABELLA A heart? GUGLIELMO You accept it? DORABELLA I accept it. GUGLIELMO (aside) Unhappy Ferrando! (to Dorabella) Oh, what joy! No. 23. Duet GUGLIELMO I give you my heart, my lovely idol; but I want yours, too, come, give it to me. DORABELLA You give me it, I take it; but I won’t give you mine. You ask for it in vain, it’s with me no longer. GUGLIELMO If you don’t have it with you, why is it beating here? DORABELLA If you give it to me, what is leaping there? GUGLIELMO Why is it beating here? DORABELLA What is leaping there? DORABELLA, GUGLIELMO It’s my little heart that is with me no longer; it went to be with you, and it beats like that. GUGLIELMO (wants to put the heart where she has the portrait of her lover) Let me put it here. DORABELLA It can’t stay here. GUGLIELMO I understand you, sly one. (He gently turns her face away, takes out the portrait and puts the heart in its place.) DORABELLA What are you doing? GUGLIELMO Don’t look. DORABELLA (aside) I feel as if I have a Vesuvius in my breast. GUGLIELMO (aside) Wretched Ferrando, it doesn’t seem possible. (to Dorabella) Turn your eye to me. DORABELLA (to Guglielmo) What do you wish? GUGLIELMO Look again, look again: could anything go better? DORABELLA, GUGLIELMO Oh happy exchange of hearts and affections, what new delights, what sweet suffering! Oh happy exchange, ecc. (They go off, arm in arm. Fiordiligi and Ferrando enter.) Recitative FERRANDO Cruel one, why are you fleeing? FIORDILIGI I’ve seen an asp, a hydra, a basilisk! FERRANDO Ah cruel girl, I understand you! The asp, the hydra, the basilisk, and the fiercest creatures the Libyan deserts possess you see in me alone. FIORDILIGI It’s true, it’s true! You want to rob me of my peace. FERRANDO But to make you happy. FIORDILIGI Stop molesting me. FERRANDO I ask only a glance from you. FIORDILIGI Leave! FERRANDO Don’t hope for that, if first you don’t cast your eyes on me less fiercely. O heaven! You look at me, and then you sigh? No. 24. Aria FERRANDO Ah, I see that your lovely soul cannot resist my tears; it is not capable of rebelling against feelings of loving sympathy. In that look, in those dear sighs, a sweet ray of hope lights up my heart. You are responding to my warm desires, you are yielding to such tender love. Ah, I see that your lovely soul, etc. But do you shun me pitilessly, do you stay silent, and can you let me languish? Ah, cease, false hopes, cruelly she condemns me to die. (Ferrando leaves.) Recitative FIORDILIGI He’s going...Listen!...Ah no! Let him go. Let the dire object of my weakness be removed from my sight. In what conflict the cruel man has placed me...This is the well-earned reward of my misdeeds! At such a time should I listen to the sighs of a new lover? Should I make a game of others’ plaints? Ah, you condemn this heart rightly, o just love! I burn, and my ardour is no longer the effect of a virtuous love: it is rage, suffering, remorse, repentance, fickleness, perfidy and betrayal! No. 25. Rondo FIORDILIGI Have pity, my love, forgive the error of a loving spirit; among these shadows and these trees, oh God, it will always remain hidden. My courage, my constancy will sever this wicked desire; it will lose the memory that shames and horrifies me. Have pity, etc. To whom did this vain, ungrateful heart fail in faithfulness? Beloved, your purity deserved a better reward. Have pity, etc. (She leaves. Enter Ferrando and Guglielmo.) Recitative FERRANDO Friend, we’ve won! GUGLIELMO A double, or a triple? FERRANDO A quintuple, friend. Fiordiligi is chastity personified. GUGLIELMO Just that? FERRANDO Absolutely: pay attention and listen well. She rebutted me haughtily, she spurned me, she fled me, giving me a pledge and the message that she is a woman without peer. GUGLIELMO Good for you, good for me, good for my Penelope! Allow me to embrace you for such happy tidings, o my trusty Mercury! FERRANDO And my Dorabella? How did she behave? Ah, I have no doubt about it. I know well that sensitive soul. She loves, adores no one but me. GUGLIELMO Certainly! In fact, to prove her love, her faithfulness, she gave me this handsome little portrait. FERRANDO My portrait! Ah, faithless woman! (He starts to go.) GUGLIELMO Where are you going? FERRANDO To tear the heart from that wicked breast, and to avenge my betrayed love. GUGLIELMO Stop. FERRANDO No, let me go! GUGLIELMO Are you mad? Do you want to ruin yourself for a woman who isn’t worth tuppence? (aside) I wouldn’t want him to do anything foolish! FERRANDO Gods! All those promises, and tears, and sighs, and oaths...How could the wicked girl forget them in such a few moments? GUGLIELMO (to Ferrando) By God, I don’t know. FERRANDO What must I do now? What course, what idea should I seize upon! Have pity on me. Give me advice. GUGLIELMO Friend, I wouldn’t know what advice to give you! FERRANDO Cruel, ungrateful girl! In a day...In a few hours! GUGLIELMO Certainly, this is a situation that amazes one! No. 26. Aria GUGLIELMO My dear women, you take in so many men that, if I must tell you the truth, when lovers complain I begin to sympathise with them. I’m fond of your sex; you know it, everyone knows it; I prove it to you every day, I give you proof of my friendship. But this taking in so many men depresses me, to tell the truth. A thousand times I’ve drawn a sword to save your honour; a thousand times I’ve defended you with my mouth and, more, with my heart. But this taking in so many men is an irritating little habit. You are charming, you are loveable, Heaven gave you many treasures and the graces surround you from head to foot. But, you take in so many men that it isn’t credible. I’m fond of your sex, etc. But you take in so many men that, if lovers cry out, they surely have good reason. Ah, you take in so many men, etc. (He leaves.) Recitative FERRANDO In what fierce conflict, in what confusion of thoughts and affections I find myself! So new and unusual is my situation that neither others nor myself are sufficient to counsel me...Alfonso, Alfonso, how you will want to laugh at my stupidity! But I’ll avenge myself, I’ll be able to erase that wicked woman from my breast...Erase her? Oh God, this heart of mine speaks to me for her too much. No. 27. Cavatina FERRANDO Betrayed, scorned by that treacherous heart, I feel that still this soul of mine adores her. I hear speaking for her the voice of love. Betrayed, scorned by that treacherous heart, (Don Alfonso enters and listens.) I feel that still, etc. Recitative DON ALFONSO Bravo, there’s constancy. FERRANDO Go away, you cruel man, you are the cause of my misery. DON ALFONSO Come now, if you behave yourself I’ll restore your old tranquillity. Listen. Fiordiligi has been faithful to Guglielmo, but Dorabella has betrayed you. FERRANDO To my shame! (Guglielmo comes in.) GUGLIELMO Dear friend, one must differentiate in everything: do you think a betrothed could fail one such as Guglielmo? If we do a little comparison between us – I don’t say this in boast – you see, friend, that I am worth a little more. DON ALFONSO Eh! I agree with that! GUGLIELMO Meanwhile you will give me fifty zecchini! DON ALFONSO Gladly: but before paying up, I think we should try another experiment. GUGLIELMO What? DON ALFONSO Be patient. Till tomorrow you are both my slaves: you gave me your word as soldiers to do what I tell you. Come, I hope to show you clearly that it’s a crazy brain which counts its chickens before they are hatched. (They leave.) Scene Three A room in the sisters’ house (Despina and Dorabella) Recitative DESPINA Now I see that you are a woman of the world. DORABELLA Despina, I tried to resist, in vain: that little demon has an artfulness, an eloquence, a manner that makes you fall even if you’re made of stone. (Fiordiligi enters.) FIORDILIGI Wretched creatures! See what a state I’m in, through your fault! DESPINA What’s happened, dear miss? DORABELLA Do you have some illness, sister? FIORDILIGI I have the devil...and may he take me, you, her, Don Alfonso, the foreigners and all madmen the world contains. DORABELLA Have you lost your mind? FIORDILIGI Worse! worse! Be horrified: I am in love, and my love isn’t only for Guglielmo. DESPINA Better, better! DORABELLA So, are you too in love, with the gallant blond? FIORDILIGI Ah, alas, for our sake! DESPINA Good for you! DORABELLA Here: seventy thousand kisses! You have the blond, I, the dark one. And here both of us are brides! FIORDILIGI I’ll be able to control myself. DESPINA You won’t be able to do anything. FIORDILIGI I’ll show you. DORABELLA Believe me, sister, it’s better for you to give in. No. 28. Aria DORABELLA Love is a little thief, Love is a little serpent. He gives peace to our hearts and takes it away, as he pleases. No sooner does he open a path to the heart through the eyes than he puts the spirit in chains and deprives it of freedom. Love is a little thief, etc. He bears sweetness and pleasure, if you let him have his way; but he fills you with disgust if you try to fight him. He bears sweetness, etc. Love is, etc. If he settles in your breast, if he catches you here, do everything he asks, for I shall do so, too. If he settles in your breast, etc. (Dorabella and Despina leave.) Recitative FIORDILIGI How everything conspires to seduce my heart! But now...I don’t want to see that seducer. GUGLIELMO (listening with Ferrando and Don Alfonso at the door, unseen by Fiordiligi) Excellent! My chaste Artemisia! You hear her? FIORDILIGI But could Dorabella, without my knowledge...? Wait! A thought comes into my mind: many of Guglielmo’s and Ferrando’s uniforms are still in my house. I must be bold! Despina! Despina! DESPINA (entering) What is it? FIORDILIGI Take this key a moment and without a word, without a single word, take from the wardrobe and bring here to me two swords, two hats, and two suits belonging to our betrothed. (Despina leaves.) FIORDILIGI Ferrando’s clothes will suit me; Dorabella can take Guglielmo’s. In this guise we’ll join our betrothed, we can fight at their side, and die, if necessary. (She takes off her head-dress.) Go to the devil, fateful adornments, I hate you. GUGLIELMO (aside) You must agree this really is love. FIORDILIGI Do not hope to return to my brow until I am reunited with my love. In your place I shall put this hat; oh, how it transforms my appearance and features! I hardly recognise myself! No. 29. Duet FIORDILIGI In a few moments I will be in the arms of my faithful lover; unknown, in these clothes, I will come before him. Oh what joy his noble heart will feel in seeing me again! FERRANDO (entering) And meanwhile, wretched me, I shall die of grief. FIORDILIGI What do I see? I am betrayed! Ah, leave! FERRANDO Ah no, my life! (taking the sword from the table) With this sword in your hand you will wound this heart; and, oh God, if you haven’t strength, I will support your hand. FIORDILIGI Be silent, alas! I am unhappy and tormented enough! FERRANDO Ah, her constancy now... FIORDILIGI Ah, my constancy now... FERRANDO ...at these looks, at what she says... FIORDILIGI ...at these looks, at what he says... FERRANDO and FIORDILIGI ...begins to weaken! FIORDILIGI Rise, rise! FERRANDO You believe that in vain! FIORDILIGI For pity’s sake, what do you ask of me? FERRANDO Your heart, or my death. FIORDILIGI Ah, no longer am I strong! FERRANDO Surrender, beloved. FIORDILIGI Gods, counsel me! FERRANDO Turn your eyes to me in pity. In me alone can you find husband, lover, and more, if you like; my idol, delay no longer. FIORDILIGI Good heavens! Cruel man, you’ve won... Do with me what you will. (Don Alfonso restrains Guglielmo from bursting in.) FIORDILIGI, FERRANDO Let us embrace, o beloved, and let suffering with sweet affection and sighing with pleasure be a solace for so many griefs. Let us embrace, etc. (They go out. Don Alfonso and Guglielmo enter.) Recitative GUGLIELMO Ah, poor me! What have I seen? What have I heard? DON ALFONSO Silence, for heaven’s sake! GUGLIELMO I’d peel off my beard, I’d scratch my skin. I’d knock my horns against the stars. That was Fiordiligi, the Penelope, the Artemisia of the century! Minx! Murderess! Wretch! Thief! Bitch... DON ALFONSO Let’s let him unburden himself... FERRANDO (entering) Well? GUGLIELMO Where is she? FERRANDO Who? Your Fiordiligi? GUGLIELMO My Fior – Fior-de-devil! May he strangle her first and me afterwards! FERRANDO You see now, there are differences in all things, I am worth a little more. GUGLIELMO Ah, stop, stop tormenting me, and let us study a way to punish them roundly. DON ALFONSO I know what that is: marry them. Go on, take them as they are. Nature couldn’t make an exception, do you the favour of creating two women of a different clay, just to suit you. Meanwhile listen to a rhyme: you’ll be very happy men, if you learn it. No. 30. Andante DON ALFONSO All accuse women, and I excuse them, if a thousand times daily they change their love, others call this a vice, others a custom, and to me it seems a necessity of the heart. The lover who, at the end, remains disappointed, shouldn’t blame another’s error, but his own. Since young, and old, beautiful and ugly – repeat with me – All women behave thus. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO All women behave thus. (Despina enters.) Recitative DESPINA Victory, masters! The dear ladies are disposed to marry you. Are you happy thus? FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO Very happy. DESPINA When Despina takes part in a plan she is never ineffectual. (They leave.) Scene Four A large, festively decorated room. A table is set for four. (Despina and servants are making preparations for the wedding.) No. 31. Act Two Finale DESPINA Hurry up, o dear friends, set the torches alight, and prepare the table richly and nobly! The wedding of our mistresses is already arranged; (to the musicians) and you, go to your places until the bridegrooms come. CHORUS Let us hurry, o dear friends, let us set the torches alight, and let us prepare the table richly and nobly. DON ALFONSO (coming in) Bravo! Bravo! Excellent! What abundance! What elegance! Each of the men will give you a suitable tip. Now the two couples are approaching; applaud their arrival, let happy song and joyous sound fill the heavens with merriment. DESPINA, DON ALFONSO (softly, going out by different doors) A finer comedy was never seen nor will be seen! (Enter Fiordiligi, Dorabella, Ferrando and Guglielmo.) CHORUS Blessings on the two husbands and the charming brides! May heaven shine on them beneficently, and, like hens, may they be prolific, with children that equal them in beauty. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO How everything here seems to promise complete joy and complete love! It will surely be the merit of our beloved Despinetta. Redouble the happy sound, repeat the sweet song, and we shall sit here meanwhile in greater joviality. CHORUS Blessings, etc. (The chorus leaves. Four servants remain to wait on the two couples.) FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Everything, everything, o my life, now responds well to my ardour! FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Through my blood, my happiness grows, grows and spreads! FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO You are so beautiful! FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA You are so lovely! FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO What beautiful eyes! FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA What a handsome mouth! FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Toast and drink! FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Drink and toast! FIORDILIGI, FERRANDO, DORABELLA And in your, in my glass let every care be drowned, and let no memory remain of the past in our hearts. Ah, no, let no memory, etc. GUGLIELMO (aside) Ah, they should drink poison, these vixens without honour. (Enter Don Alfonso.) DON ALFONSO Ladies and gentlemen, all is done; the notary is on the stairs with the marriage contract and will come here ipso facto. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Bravo! Bravo! Let him come in at once. DON ALFONSO I’ll go to call him. Here he is. (Enter Despina, disguised as a notary.) DESPINA Wishing you every good thing, the notary Beccavivi comes to you with his usual notarial dignity! And the contract, drawn up with the ordinary rules in the legal forms, first coughing, then sitting down, he will read out loud and clear. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO Bravo! Bravo! Really! DESPINA According to the contract drawn by me, united in matrimony are Fiordiligi with Sempronio, and with Tizio, Dorabella, her legitimate sister. The former are Ferrarese ladies; the latter, Albanian noblemen, and as dowry and counter-dowry... FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO These things are known! We believe you, we trust you, we’ll sign. Hand it over. DESPINA, DON ALFONSO Bravo! Bravo! Really! (The contract remains in Don Alfonso’s hand. A loud sound of a drum is heard.) CHORUS (within) Beautiful military life! You change place every day; much today, tomorrow little, now on land, and now on sea. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DESPINA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO What noise, what singing is this? DON ALFONSO Be still, I’ll go to look. (He goes to the window.) Mercy! God in heaven! What a horrible occurrence! I’m trembling! I’m freezing! Your husbands... FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA My husband... DON ALFONSO ...have come back at this moment. Oh God! And they are already landing at the shore. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO What do I hear? Cruel fate! What’s to be done in such a moment? FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Leave quickly... DESPINA, DON ALFONSO But if they see them... FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO But if they see us... FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Quickly! Flee! DESPINA, DON ALFONSO But if they meet them? FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO But if they meet us? FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA There, hide there, for heaven’s sake. (Don Alfonso takes Despina into one room, Fiordiligi and Dorabella take the lovers into another. The lovers slip out unseen and leave.) Gods, help us! DON ALFONSO Be reassured! FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Gods, counsel! DON ALFONSO Calm yourselves! FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Who will save us from danger? Who? DON ALFONSO Trust in me. All will go well! FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA A thousand barbarous thoughts are tormenting my heart; if they discover the deceit, whatever will become of us! (Enter Ferrando and Guglielmo, no longer disguised.) FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Safe and sound to the loving embraces of our most faithful lovers, we return exultantly joyful, to reward their faithfulness. DON ALFONSO Righteous Gods! Guglielmo? Ferrando? Oh, what rejoicing! Here! But how? When? FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Recalled by a royal counter-order, our hearts full of joy and pleasure, we return to our adorable brides, we return to your friendship. GUGLIELMO (to Fiordiligi) But what is that pallor, that silence? FERRANDO (to Dorabella) Why is my idol sad? DON ALFONSO Confused and stunned with delight, they stand there, utterly silent. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA (aside) Ah, my voice cannot reach my lips; if I don’t die, it will be a miracle. GUGLIELMO Allow us to put that trunk in that room. (The servants bring in a trunk.) Ye Gods! What do I see? A man hidden... a notary...What is he doing here? (Despina comes out, without her hat.) DESPINA No, sir, he’s not a notary; it’s Despina in disguise, since she’s just come back from the ball and came here to change her clothes. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (aside) Where will one ever find a slyboots the equal of this one? DESPINA (aside) A slyboots who is my equal – where will one ever find her? FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Despina? Despina? I don’t understand what’s happening. (Don Alfonso carefully drops the contract signed by the women.) DON ALFONSO (softly to the two men) I’ve already dropped the papers. Pick them up artfully. (Ferrando picks up the contract.) FERRANDO But...what are these papers? GUGLIELMO A marriage contract?! FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Good heavens! You’ve signed here: it’s no use contradicting us now. Betrayal! Betrayal! Ah, let the revelation be made, and in streams, rivers, oceans, blood will then flow! (They start to go into the other room; the women stop them.) FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Ah, sir, I’m worthy of death, and death I ask for myself alone; too late I see my mistake, wound, with that sword, a breast that doesn’t deserve mercy! FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO What happened? FIORDILIGI (pointing to Despina and Don Alfonso) Let the cruel man and the seductress speak for us. DON ALFONSO What she says is all too true, and the proof is shut in there. (He points to the room where the lovers entered earlier. Ferrando and Guglielmo go into the room.) FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA I freeze, I tremble with fear; why did he ever reveal them?! (Ferrando and Guglielmo come out of the room, without hats, without cloaks, and without moustaches, but with the clothes of their disguise. In a ridiculous fashion they mock their mistresses and Despina.) FERRANDO (to Fiordiligi) Lovely lady, before you bows the Knight of Albania! GUGLIELMO (to Dorabella) Here, my lady, I give you back the little portrait for the little heart. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (to Despina) And to the magnetic Doctor I give the honour that he deserved. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DESPINA Heavens! What do I see?! FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO They’re dumbfounded! FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DESPINA I can’t bear this grief! FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO They’re half mad! FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA (pointing to Don Alfonso) Behold there the barbarous man who deceived us! DON ALFONSO I deceived you, but my deceit was undeceiving for your lovers, who will be wiser now and will do what I wish. Give me your hands: you’re bride and groom. Embrace and be silent. Now all four of you laugh; I’ve laughed already and will laugh. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA My idol, if this is true, with loyalty and with love I’ll repay your heart. I’ll adore you forever. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO believe you, o my lovely joy; but I don’t want to test it. DESPINA don’t know if I wake or dream, I’m confused, I’m ashamed. At least, if they’ve taken me in, I, too, take in many others. ALL Fortunate is the man who takes everything for the best, and in all events and trials allows himself to be led by reason. What usually makes others weep is, for him, a source of laughter, and in the midst of the world’s whirlwinds he will find a lovely calm. End of the opera |
| libretto by William Weaver, 1963 |