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SATURDEE OPRY LINKS 33: Grab
Bag
 
Fromantel Halevy
Richard Tucker
Saturdee Opry Links Overture!
"La Juive," by Halevy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMc0eoyoH6Q
1.
The French composer, Fromantel Halevy, wrote 40 operas. Forty! Yet you likely
have not heard of him, or any of his work. Only his opera, "La Juive," ("The
Jewess") is still performed today, with rare exceptions. Halévy was born in
Paris, son of the cantor Élie Halfon Halévy, who was the secretary of the Jewish
community of Paris and a writer and teacher of Hebrew, and a French Jewish
mother. "La Juive" was very popular in the 19th century, and that popularity was
revived and perpetuated in the 20th by Enrico Caruso. From Wiki: "Because of the
story of an impossible love between a Christian man and a Jewish woman, the work
has been seen by some as a plea for religious tolerance, in much the same spirit
as Nathan the Wise, which premiered in 1779, Meyerbeer's "Les Huguenots," which
premiered in 1836, a year after "La Juive," as well as the 1819 novel,
"Ivanhoe," by Sir Walter Scott. . .Meyerbeer and Halévy were both Jewish, and
storylines dealing with topics of tolerance were common in their operas. Here is
the crowning aria, "Rachel quand du seignur" ("Rachel, when the lord. . ."),
sung wonderfully by an older Richard Tucker in 1973.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xASOyyZhNFs
Setting: the Emperor's palace, Constance, Switzerland, 1414
Synopsis: Eléazar's daughter Rachel has been condemned to death by Cardinal de
Brogni for consorting with the Christian prince Léopold. However, Brogni does
not realize that Rachel is actually his own daughter, saved from a fire in Roman
years ago by Eléazar and raised as Eléazar's own daughter. Eléazar knows he can
save her life by revealing this fact, but he is unable to reconcile his Jewish
faith with forcing his daughter to change her faith.
Google translation:
Rachel, when from the Lord
The tutelary grace
To my trembling hands entrusted your cradle,
I had your happiness
Dedicated my whole life.
And it's me who delivers you to the executioner!
I had your happiness
Dedicated my whole life,
And it's me who delivers you to the executioner,
And it's me who delivers you to the executioner!
But I hear a voice shouting at me:
Save me from the death that awaits me!
I am young and I want to live,
O my father, save your child,
I am young and I want to live,
O my father, O my father, spare your child!
Ah! Rachel, when from the Lord
The tutelary grace
To my trembling hands entrusted your cradle,
I had your happiness
Dedicated my whole life.
And it's me who delivers you to the executioner,
And it's me who delivers you to the executioner!
And it's me who delivers you to the executioner,
Rachel, I'll give you to the executioner!
Rachel, it's me, me
I who delivers you to the executioner!
And a word, and a word stopping the sentence,
One word stopping the sentence
I can save you from death!
Ah! I abjure forever my revenge,
I abjure forever my revenge,
Rachel, no you will not die!
(For those who want to sing along in French:
http://www.aria-database.com/search.php?individualAria=1178 )
And here is the glorious Caruso version, remastered and updated with new
orchestra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4uj7mbNmqQ
2.
Bizet's "Pearl Fishers" is chiefly known for a the duet of brotherhood, "Au fond
du temple saint," and the haunting tenor aria, "Je crois entendre encore," but
it should not be forgotten that there is a very moving aria for baritone, "L'orage
s'est calmé" ("the storm has quieted.") Here, this French aria of deep regret is
given more Italianate expressiveness (which I like) by Renato Bruson. (Feel free
to "tune in" at the 2:20 mark, if you want to forego the throat-clearing. Also:
note obvious Wagner influence in orchestral prelude.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq_hnqHRibY
Synopsis : Zurga has broken off his friendship with Nadir because Nadir
disobeyed his order to leave the priestess Léïla alone. Instead Nadir and Léïla
have fallen in love. Zurga's mind is unsettled and restless like the storm which
only recently has ceased. He laments his impetuous temper which has led to Nadir
sentenced to execution in the morning.
Translation:
http://www.opera-arias.com/bizet/les-p%C3%AAcheurs-de-perles/l%27orage-s%27est-calme/
About Bruson:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renato_Bruson
3.
Yes, to our ears (even mine), opera can seem overwrought, corny, unduly grand,
dated. Aside from the sometimes dated aspect, though, these other things speak
directly to the impetus and purpose of opera: to take the mundane, dreary,
quotidian aspects of life---the pecadillos, failings, cheap travail---and imbue
them with greatness, importance, even grandeur. To give some nobility to the ignoble trappings
of daily life, and personality. Such is the case with this "dated" duet from Verdi's "Don Carlo"
(now at L.A. Opera, by the way.) This is the hymn to friendship overriding
jealousy, "Dio, che nell’alma infondere" ("God who kindles love and hope in our
hearts.") Does it all end well for the two characters, Carlos and Rodrigo? Hint:
this is opera. Here are Sherrill Milnes and the utterly forgotten Vasile
Modoveanu, with English subtitles. (The duet starts at 3:32.) So put aside your
modern ears. . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-z80x9Zl_0
All about the duet:
http://www.roh.org.uk/news/musical-highlights-dio-che-nellalma-infondere-from-don-carlo
Translation:
Dio, che nell’alma infondere
Amor volesti e speme
Desio nel cor accendere
Tu dêi di libertà;
Giuriamo insiem di vivere
E di morire insieme;
In terra, in ciel congiungere
Ci può la tua bontà!
English:
DON
CARLOS AND RODRIGUE:
God, you scattered in our souls a gleam of the same fires,
the same exalted love, the love of liberty!
God, who of our sincere hearts has made the hearts of two brothers, receive our
vow!
We will die loving each other!
RODRIGUE: Here they are!
DON CARLOS: I tremble! I am dying at the sight of her!
RODRIGUE: Have courage!
DON CARLOS: She is his, great God! I have lost her!
RODRIGUE: Come, near me your heart will be stronger!
DON CARLOS AND RODRIGUE:
Let us be united in life and death! God, receive our vow to die loving each
other! Let us be united in life and death! Liberty!
(Thanks to Sei Shohara for furnishing this translation.)
4.
Speaking of duets of friendship overriding jealousy, back to Bizet. Here is
perhaps the greatest such example, or certainly the most loved, "Au Fond du
Temple Saint," from "The Pearl Fishers." Once again the great baritone, Renato
Bruson, joined here by tenor Nicolai Gedda. Tune in at about the 9:00 mark for
this tremendous performance, live on stage (somewhere!) Does this sound more
enduring and modern than the Verdi duet? Which is more moving to you?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ug8u90_Hzw
It even gets its own Wikipedia entry (complete with translation):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Au_fond_du_temple_saint
Synopsis:
After a self-imposed absence, Nadir returns to the shores of Ceylon, where his
friend Zurga has just been elected Fisher King by the local pearl fishermen. The
two had once fallen in love with the same woman, but then vowed each other to
renounce that love and remain true to each other. On meeting again, they sing
this duet, remembering how they first fell in love/were fascinated with a veiled
priestess of Brahma whom they saw passing through the adoring crowd.
5.
Well, it isn't exactly about vowing friendship, but the trio at the end of "Der
Rosenkavalier," by Richard Strauss, is indeed about putting aside jealousy, and
selfishness. What is more magnanimous, one might argue, than walking away from a
beloved, knowing that he or she will be happier with another person? The trio is
sung by the entire love triangle at the opera’s heart: the Marschallin and
Sophie, the sopranos, and Octavian, a young man played by a mezzo-soprano.
Strauss was so enamored with his composition that it was sung at his funeral – a
performance which saw each of the three singers break down in tears. Here is
that exquisite, almost ecstatic, trio that ends the opera, "Hab mir's gelobt,"
or "I made a vow." With Kathleen Battle, Frederica von Stade, Renee Fleming as
The Marschallin. The composer
requested that it be played at his funeral.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXi8U1twwrc
Synopsis:
The Marschallin, Sophie, and Octavian are left alone, and Octavian doesn't know
what to do. The Marschallin introduces herself to Sophie, recognizing that the
day she feared has come (Trio: Marie Theres'! / Hab' mir's gelobt), and releases
Octavian to be with the woman he truly loves.
Translation: (scroll way down)
http://data.instantencore.com/pdf/1000324/Dec_14_libretto_FINAL.pdf
More about the trio:
http://www.roh.org.uk/news/der-rosenkavalier-musical-highlight-hab-mirs-gelobt
And how it looks on stage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi810zB3L04
6.
Der Rosenkavalier musical highlight: ‘Hab mir’s gelobt’
http://www.roh.org.uk/news/der-rosenkavalier-musical-highlight-hab-mirs-gelobt
Can't let "Rosenkavalier" pass without giving you this rose of a scene: the
"presentation of the rose." From the glistening 1962 film of the opera.
Synopsis: Octavian (remember, this is a trouser role, a male part played by a
female, in this case, a mezzo) arrives with great pomp, dressed all in silver,
and presents the silver rose to Sophie ("Mir ist die Ehre widerfahren..."). She
smells it, saying it's as sweet as a greeting from Heaven itself. Octavian,
instantly smitten, joins her avowal that they'll remember this moment until
death.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3nmm5l0-Ys
Translation (though the music and singing really tell you all you need to know):
https://lyricstranslate.com/en/mir-ist-die-ehre-widerfahren-i-have-been-given-honor.html
7.
They might or might not have been roses, but Puccini's first opera, the
supernatural "Le Villi" (The Fairies), is best remembered for a delicate aria
about a bouquet of flowers. Here is the affecting, "Se come voi piccina io fossi,"
or "If I were tiny, like you, or a wild flower." Sung by Renata Scotto.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEJoyXvW-jk
Synopsis: Anna puts her bouquet from her engagement celebration in Roberto's
luggage. He is about to leave to go to Mainz where he has been left a fortune.
She hopes that he will think of her when he looks at the flowers.
Translation:
http://www.allthelyrics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52442
8.
There is another aria in Puccini's first opera, "Le Villi" that might be better
remembered than it is. It hints at great Puccini tenor arias to come. This is "Torna
ai felici di," or "Bring back the happy days," a rather eternal sentiment. Sung
so powerfully here by Jonas Kaufmann. (Main part of the aria begins around
2:20.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa8f0h-XLow
Setting: A town in the Black Forest during spring
Synopsis: Anna has been killed by fairies that were conjured by a witch that
seduced Roberto when he was away in Mainz. However, he does not find this out
until after it happens. Roberto is filled with remorse at letting himself be
seduced by another woman and is shocked to find out that his true love is now
dead at the hand of the same witch.
Translation: (scroll down)
http://www.vocalartsdc.org/pdfs/1314fabianotexts.pdf
9.
"Torna ai felici di," such a universal sentiment, is found in many an opera.
Here, from "Rosenkavalier," the aging Marschallin, ponders her waning youth and
the unhappiness of her forced marriage (worrying that the same is in store for
another.) Here is "Da geht er hin..." ("The World Will Have its Way.")
Synopsis: The Marschallin, Princess von Werdenburg, wife of Field Marshall
Prince von Werdenburg, looks at her face in the mirror, studies the lines and
worries about the time when she will be an old woman.
Here is Kiri Te Kanawa. (Aria begins at the 3:00 mark.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT302zBTbok
Translation:
But why trouble myself? The world will have its way.
Did I not know a girl, just like to this one,
Who straight from out her convent was marched oflf
Into the Holy Estate of Wedlock?
Where is she now !
Go seek the snows of yesteryear!
But can it be — can it be — though I say it so,
That I was that young Tess of long ago
And that I shall be called, ere long, "the old Princess,"
"The old Field Marshal's lady." — "Look you
"There goes the old Princess Theresia" —
How can it come to pass?
How can the Pow'rs decree it so?
For I am I, and never change.
And if indeed it must be so,
Why then must I sit here, a looker on.
And see it all and grieve? Were it not better we were
blind?
These things are still a mystery — a mystery —
And we are here below to bear it all.
But how? but how?
In that lies all the difference.
Related:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R2RsP43rmg
FINAL BOW:
To go out on a comic up note, given the morning's more weighty fare, I sat, chin
on fist, and thought, "Hm Hm Hm." And then it came to me: the insanely adroit
quintet, "Hm! Hm! Hm!" from Mozart's "Magic Flute." Here it is, with English
subtitles, although the plot details are, as usual with Mozart operas, quite
mad. Parrot-man, complete with children singing from a cloud.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRjPatWn5Yo
Synopsis:
The ladies return and tell Tamino that Pamina has been captured by Sarastro,
whom they describe as a powerful, evil demon. Tamino vows to rescue Pamina. The
Queen of the Night appears and promises Tamino that Pamina will be his if he
rescues her from Sarastro (Recitative and aria: "O zittre nicht, mein lieber
Sohn" / Oh, tremble not, my dear son!). The Queen leaves and the ladies remove
the padlock from Papageno's mouth with a warning not to lie any more. They give
Tamino a magic flute which has the power to change sorrow into joy. They tell
Papageno to go with Tamino, and give him (Papageno) magic bells for protection.
The ladies introduce three child-spirits, who will guide Tamino and Papageno to
Sarastro's temple. Together Tamino and Papageno set forth (Quintet: "Hm! Hm! Hm!
Hm!").
Translation:
http://www.opera-arias.com/mozart/die-zauberflote/hm-hm-hm-hm/
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