ROMÉO ET JULIETTE - Libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré
PROLOGUE
CHORUS
Verona, of old, saw two rival families,
the Montagues and Capulets,
in their endless feudings, fatal to them both,
staining with blood the thresholds of their palaces.
Like a rosy ray gleaming in a stormy sky,
Juliet appeared, and Romeo loved her!
And both of them, forgetting the name that outraged them,
were fired by a selfsame love!
Fatal destiny! Blind passions!
These star-crossed lovers paid with their lives
for the ending of the century-old hatreds
that witnessed the birth of their love!
ACT ONE
The Capulets’ Ball
(A brilliantly lit gallery in the house of the Capulets.
Lords and Ladies in dominoes, and masked.)
No.1 Introduction
CHORUS
The hour flies past
in wild merriment,
we must seize it as it goes by!
Let us gather the roses
that have bloomed for us
in joy and delight.
(the Men)
Fantastical chorus
of love,
behind the
velvet mask
your empire
entices us
with a smile,
with a glance!
And, a willing accomplice,
the heart glides [hither and thither]
at the whim
of chance!
(the Ladies)
Night of madness!
Night of rapture!
They beset us,
they pursue us!
The least susceptible
will surrender
and be taken
in our snares!
Of the fair lady
who invites him
everything reveals
the charms!
(All)
The hour flies past, etc.
(Tybalt and Paris enter, carrying their masks.)
TYBALT
Well, dear Paris, what think you
of the Capulets’ feast?
PARIS
Wealth and beauty conjoined
are the guests of this palace.
TYBALT
You do not see its marvel,
the unique and priceless treasure
destined for the lucky Paris.
The unique treasure destined for the lucky Paris.
Look, look! Here she is, accompanied by her father.
(Capulet enters leading Juliet by the hand. At sight of
him, everyone unmasks.)
CAPULET
Be you welcome, friends, in my house!
On this family occasion
joy is in season, joy is in season!
Just such a day as this saw the birth of my daughter!
My heart still beats with pleasure when I
think of it!
But excuse my indiscreet show of affection!
(presenting Juliet)
This is my Juliet!
Greet her with an indulgent eye.
THE MEN (admiringly)
Ah, how beautiful she is! Ah, how beautiful she is!
You’d think her a flower
new-bloomed at morning!
THE LADIES
Ah, how beautiful she is! Ah, how beautiful she is!
She seems to carry within her
all the favours of destiny.
ALL
Ah, how beautiful she is!
(The opening measures of a dance-tune are heard.)
JULIET
Hark, hark!
’Tis the sound of merry instruments
that summons and invites us!
Ah! –
A whole enchanted world seems to rise up
before my eyes!
Everything bids me welcome.
and elates me, and my delighted soul
leaps forward into life
as a bird wings off into the skies!
CAPULET
Come on, you young men!
Come on, you fair ladies!
To the most zealous
these glowing eyes!
A plague on the killjoys
who endlessly chide!
Give a welcome to youth
and make way for the dancers!
Who remains in his place
and does not foot it,
makes silent admission
of some secret shame.
Who remains in his place, etc.
O utmost regret!
When I was younger
I myself used to lead
your joyful revels!
Soft words
cost me nothing!
What frivolous confessions
I remember!
O the wild years
swept away by Time!
O springtime flowers
for ever faded!
Come on, you young men! etc.
A plague on the killjoys! etc.
CHORUS
A plague on the killjoys
who endlessly chide!
Let’s give welcome to youth
and make way for the dancers!
(Everyone withdraws and circulates in the adjoining
galleries. Juliet goes out on Paris’s arm, followed by
Capulet and Tybalt, chatting together.)
* * * * * * * * * *
SOL JUSTITIAE - Poetry by James Barmby
As the darkness of night arrives,
You, for whom we wait,
In whose wings is healing:
Arise, sun of righteousness!
You, true light in darkness,
Upon the weary and the wandering,
now, upon those who long for you,
shine, shine, through the darkness.
In the desert, yet safe and sound,
Protected by your power.
You, in the night and in the silence,
You we will follow into the day.
Night at last will give way to the light,
Which will illumine that which is hidden,
And those washed in the Lamb’s blood,
May light everlasting shine upon them.
To God the Father be glory,
and to His only son,
with the Holy Advocate,
both now and forever.
Amen.
* * * * * * * * * *
XICOCHI - Lyrics by Gaspar Fernandes
Hush little beloved child,
Behold, there are angels here to rock you to sleep.
Hellelujah
* * * * * * * * * *
DUE PUPILLE AMABILI - Lyrics by Pietro Metastasio
Two adorable eyes
Have tied my heart in knots
And if I do not request mercy,
I will die of love
For those beautiful shining lights.
* * * * * * * * * *
BÓ NA LEATHADHAIRCE - Irish traditional
My sheep was reared down by the seaside
By Dermot O Dillain from Barra na heena
Twas a son of my father’s brother that put her over the cliff
For the blaggard was short of tobacco
The cow, the cow, the one-horned cow
The cow, the cow, the old horned sheep
The cow, the cow, the one-horned cow
The red speckled cow, I know not where to find her!
I’d give up a shilling to see my sheep
Coming to my door by morning or night
She would give me milk she would rear me a lamb
She would put a lovely wee jacket on my shoulder
The cow, the cow, the one-horned cow…
I saw her cooked, I saw her shared,
I wanted a taste, but not a morsel could I get
Oh she was nice, Oh she was lively
Oh she was nice, the old horned sheep
The cow, the cow, the one-horned cow…
If I had inheritance and wealth and honour
I would give a guinea for a few slices
Oh she was nice! Oh she was lively!
Oh she was nice, the old horned sheep
The cow, the cow, the one-horned cow
MOK’LE SHEMODZAKHILI - Traditional, Republic of Georgia (Imereti region)
In the morning, O my guest, you are golden.
In the evening, you turn to silver.
If you stay a bit longer, you’ll turn to copper.
O SACRUM CONVIVIUM! - Lyrics, Catholic, 13th cent.
O sacred banquet,
Wherein Christ is received,
The memory of His passion is renewed,
The mind is filled with grace,
and a pledge of future glory is given us.
Alleluia, O sacred banquet!