Opera Diploma Graduation Recital: Lyrics and Translations

April 9, 2026

Oh! Just what I wanted…Hello! Oh, Margaret, it’s you

by Gian Carlo Menotti

LUCY
Oh! Just what I wanted. Thank you!

BEN
I’m so glad you like it.
Now Lucy, I’ve something to tell you.
I’m going away.

LUCY
Oh, dear! When are you going?

BEN
My train leaves in an hour.

LUCY
Oh, I’m so sorry!

BEN
But before I go, I would like to ask you something.

LUCY
Yes, dear?

BEN
You know how much I’ve always liked you...

LUCY
Yes, dear?

BEN
Well, then...
I was just wondering...
that is, of course, after I come back...
if you would consider...

LUCY
What, dear?

BEN
I don’t quite know how to tell you.

LUCY
Excuse me.

Hello! Hello?
Oh, Margaret, it's you.
I am so glad you called,
I was just thinking of you.
It's been a long time since you called me.
Who? I? I cannot come tonight.
No, my dear, I'm not feeling very well.
When? Where? I wish I could be there!
I'm afraid I must not. Hello? Hello?
What did you say, my darling?
What did you say? Hello? Hello?
Please speak louder!

I heard the funniest thing!
Jane and Paul are going
to get married next July.
Don't you think it is the funniest thing
you ever heard? I know... of course...

And how are you?
And how is John?
And how is Jean?
You must tell them that I send them my love.
And how is Ursula,
and how is Natalie,
and how is Rosalie?
I hope she's gotten over her cold.
And how is your mother,
and how is your father,
and how is dear little granny?

Ha, ha! Ha, ha!
Oh, dear!

Well then, goodbye.
Goodbye, my dear, goodbye.
I am so glad you called,
I was just thinking of you.
It's been a long time since you called me.
Yes, you already told me that.
No, my darling, of course I won't forget!
Yes, goodbye, my dear, goodbye
Yes, my darling, goodbye.

Yes!
Ha, ha! Ha, ha!
That's the funniest thing I ever heard!

And how are you,
and Bets and Bob,
and Sara and Sam?
You must tell them that I send them my love.
And how is the pussycat, how is the dog?
Oh, I'm so glad! Goodbye!
Yes, Margaret!

All right, all right, goodbye!
All right, all right, goodbye!
Now, Margaret, goodbye! So long.

Oh, where has he gone?...Hello? Hello (Final Duet)

by Gian Carlo Menotti

LUCY
Oh, where has he gone?
He left me alone with my telephone.
I wonder what he wanted to tell me.
I have a feeling he had something on his mind.
Will he come back?
By now, he must be on the train.
I don’t know why I feel depressed.
Oh! It must be he! It must be he!
Hello?

BEN
Hello!

LUCY
Where are you, my darling?

BEN
I’m terribly near you, right next to your ear.

LUCY
Did you miss your train?

BEN
Not yet.

LUCY
But why did you leave me?
And what was the thing
you so wanted to tell me?

BEN
Will you marry me?

LUCY
Oh, Ben! Of course I will marry you.
You know that I love you.
So why, my darling, did you wait so long
to ask me what you already knew?

BEN
Blessed invention, extend your forgiveness!
From now on, this shall be that form of love
which people call “L’amour à trois”.
I must go now.

LUCY
Oh, not just yet.

BEN
I’ll miss my train.

LUCY
No, no, you still have time.

BEN
Will you wait for me?

LUCY
Oh, Ben, of course I will wait,
but please don’t be long.
I’ll wait by the phone,
but darling, don’t be long.

BEN
As long as you have a phone,
you'll never be alone.

LUCY
And while you’re away...

BEN
Yes?

LUCY
Don't forget...

BEN
Your eyes?

LUCY
No...

BEN
Your hands?

LUCY
No...

BEN
Your lips?

LUCY
No...

BEN
What, then?

LUCY
My number!

BEN
Your number!

LUCY
Oh, please don’t forget to call my number,
my darling, remember to call it every day.
My number, my number!
Oh, please don’t forget to call my number,
my darling, remember to call it every day.
You always can reach me by ringing this number.

BEN
I'll never forget to call your number.
Yes, dear, I’ll remember to call it every day.
Your number, your number!
I'll never forget to call your number.
Yes, dear, I’ll remember to call it every day.
I always can reach you by ringing this number.

LUCY
You'd better write it down, so you won’t forget it.

LUCY & BEN
Double-oh two...
Three...
Four...
Nine...
O...

Cosa mi narri...Sull’aria

by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Original Text: Italian

LA CONTESSA
Cosa mi narri, e che ne dice il Conte?

SUSANNA
Gli si leggeva in fronte il dispetto e la rabbia.

LA CONTESSA
Piano, che meglio or lo porremo in gabbia.
Dov'è l'appuntamento che tu gli proponesti?

SUSANNA
In giardino.

LA CONTESSA
Fissiamgli un loco. Scrivi.

SUSANNA
Ch'io scriva... ma, signora...

LA CONTESSA
Eh, scrivi dico; e tutto
io prendo su me stessa.
"Canzonetta sull'aria..."
SUSANNA
Sull'aria...

LA CONTESSA & SUSANNA
Che soave zeffiretto...
Questa sera spirerà,
Sotto i pini del boschetto.

LA CONTESSA
Ei già il resto capirà.

SUSANNA
Certo, certo il capirà.

Translation: What are you saying...On the breeze

LA CONTESSA
What are you saying, and what did the Count say?

SUSANNA
You could read the spite and rage on his face.

LA CONTESSA
Easy, it would be better to set a trap for him.
Where did you propose to meet him?

SUSANNA
In the garden.

LA CONTESSA
Let’s fix the exact place. Write.

SUSANNA
I write to him...but, my lady...

LA CONTESSA
Write what I tell you,
I will take responsibility for everything.
"A little song on the breeze..."
SUSANNA
On the breeze...

LA CONTESSA & SUSANNA
What a gentle little breeze
Will blow this evening
Beneath the pine trees in the grove.

LA CONTESSA
And the rest he’ll already understand.

SUSANNA
Certainly he’ll understand.

Ah, taci ingiusto core

by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Original Text: Italian

DONNA ELVIRA
Ah taci, ingiusto core!
Non palpitarmi in seno!
È un empio, e un traditore
È colpa di aver pietà.

LEPORELLO
Zitto! di Donna Elvira,
Signor, la voce io sento!

DON GIOVANNI
Cogliere io vo' il momento,
Tu fermati un po' là!
Elvira, idolo mio!...

DONNA ELVIRA
Non è costui l'ingrato?

DON GIOVANNI
Si, vita mia, son io,
E chieggo clarità.

DONNA ELVIRA
(Numi, che strano affetto,
Mi si risveglia in petto!)

LEPORELLO
(State a veder la pazza,
Che ancor gli crederà!)

DON GIOVANNI
Discendi, o gioia bella,
Vedrai che tu sei quella
Che adora l'alma mia
Pentito io sono già.

DONNA ELVIRA
No, non ti credo, o barbaro!

DON GIOVANNI
Ah credimi, o m'uccido!
Idolo mio, vien qua!

LEPORELLO
Se seguitate, io rido!

DONNA ELVIRA
(Dei, che cimento è questo!
Non so s'io vado o resto!
Ah proteggete voi
La mia credulità.)

DON GIOVANNI
(Spero che cada presto!
Che bel colpetto è questo;
Più fertile talento
Del mio, no, non si dà.)

LEPORELLO
(Già quel mendace labbro
Torna a sedur costei,
Deh proteggete, o dei!
La sua credulità.)

Translation: Ah, be silent, unjust heart

DONNA ELVIRA
Ah, be silent, unjust heart
Do not beat in my chest!
He’s impious, he’s a traitor,
It is wrong to have pity for him.

LEPORELLO
Hush!
The voice I hear is Donna Elvira!

DON GIOVANNI
I want to seize the moment,
Stay there for a bit!
Elvira, my love...

DONNA ELVIRA
Is that not the ungrateful man?

DON GIOVANNI
Yes, my life, it is I,
And I beg for your mercy.

DONNA ELVIRA
(God, what a strange affection
is reawakened in me!)

LEPORELLO
(Just look at this crazy woman
who’s going to believe him again!)

DON GIOVANNI
Come down, my beautiful joy,
You’ll see you are the one
that my soul adores.
I am already repentant.

DONNA ELVIRA
No, I don’t believe you, barbarian!

DON GIOVANNI
Ah, believe me, or I’ll die!
My love, come here!

LEPORELLO
If you continue, I’m going to laugh!

DONNA ELVIRA
(God, what trial is this!
I don’t know if I’m going or staying!
Ah, protect my credulity.)

DON GIOVANNI
(I hope she falls quickly!
What a lovely coup this is;
There is no fruitful talent
Greater than mine.)

LEPORELLO
(Already those lying lips
Are seducing her,
God, please protect her credulity.)

E pur così in un giorno…Piangerò la sorte mia

by George Frideric Handel

Original Text: Italian

CLEOPATRA
E pur così in un giorno
perdo fasti, e grandezze? Ahi fato rio!
Cesare il mio bel nume è forse estinto;
Cornelia, e Sesto inermi son, né sanno
darmi soccorso. O dio!
Non resta alcuna speme al viver mio.
Piangerò la sorte mia
sì crudele e tanto ria
finché vita in petto avrò.

Ma poi morta d'ogn'intorno
il tiranno e notte e giorno
fatta spettro agiterò.

Translation: And so it is in one day...I will cry over my fate

CLEOPATRA
And so in only one day
i’ve lost all my grandure and greatness? Ah, cruel fate!
Ceasar, my beautiful god, is likely dead.
Cornelia and Sesto are unarmed and
cannot help me. Oh god!
There remains no hope left in my life.
I will cry for my fate
so cruel and bitter
as long as there is life in my chest.

But then, dead, at every instant
the tyrant, day and night
I will torment as a ghost.

Mir ist die Ehre wiederfahren

by Richard Strauss

Original Text: German

OCTAVIAN
Mir ist die Ehre wiederfahren,
Dass sich der hoch und wohlgebirenen Jungfer Braut
In meines Herrn Vetters Namen,
Dessen zu Lerechenau Namen,
Die Rose seiner Liebe überreichen darf

SOPHIE
Ich bin euer Liebden sehr verbunden
Ich bin euer Liebden in aller Ewigkeit verbunden
Hat einen starken Geruch wie Rosen, wie lebendige

OCTAVIAN
Ja, ist ein Tropfen persischen Rosenöls darein getan

SOPHIE
Wie himmlische, nicht irdische
Wie Rosen vom hochheiligen Paradies
Ist Ihm nicht auch?
Ist wie ein Gruß vom Himmel
Ist bereits zu stark, als dass man’s ertragen kann
Zieht einen nach, als lägen Stricke um das Herz
Wo war ich schon einmal und war so selig?

OCTAVIAN
Wo war ich schon einmal und war so selig?

SOPHIE
Dahin muss ich zurück
Dahin und müsst ich völlig sterben auf dem Weg
Allein, ich sterb’ ja nicht
Das ist ja weit
Ist Zeit und Ewigkeit in einem sel’gen Augenblick
Den will ich nie vergessen bis an meinem Tod.

OCTAVIAN
Ich war ein bub’
Da hab’ ich die noch nicht gekannt
Wer bin denn ich? Wie komm’ denn ich zu ihr?
Wie kkommt denn sie zu mir?
Wär ich kien Mann, die Sinne möchten mir vergehn
Dan ist ein sel’ger Augenblick
Den will ich nice vergessen bis an meinem Tod.

Translation: To me has fallen the honour

OCTAVIAN
To me has fallen the honour
Of presenting to the high born bride,
In the name of my cousin
The Baron of Lerchenau
This rose of his love can give to you.

SOPHIE
I am very obliged to your Lordship
I am eternally obliged to your Lordship
Has a strong smell like roses, living ones.

OCTAVIAN
Yes, a few drops of Persian rose oil have been added to it.

SOPHIE
Like heavenly, not earthly
Like roses from the highest paradise
Don’t you think so?
Is like a greeting from heaven
Ist already too strong than one can bear
Pulls one along, as if there are reigns tugging at the heart
Where was I once, and was so happy?

OCTAVIAN
Where was I once, and was so happy?

SOPHIE
I must return there
Even if I must die along the way
Alone, I will not die
That is far away
Is time and eternity, in a blissful moment
That I never want to forget, until my death.

OCTAVIAN
I was a boy
Had I never seen her before
Who am I even?
How can I then come to her?
How can she come to me?
Were I no man, I would lose my senses
That is a happy moment
That I never want to forget, until my death.

Ist ein Traum, kann nicht wirklich sein

by Richard Strauss

Original Text: German

OCTAVIAN zugleich mit Sophie
Spür' nur dich, spür' nur dich allein und dass wir beieinander sein! Geht alls sonst wie ein Traum dahin vor meinem Sinn!

SOPHIE zugleich mit Octavian
Ist ein Traum, kann nicht wirklich sein, dass wir zwei beieinander sein, beieinand' für alle Zeit und Ewigkeit!

OCTAVIAN ebenso
War ein Haus wo, da warst du drein, und die Leut' schicken mich hinein, mich gradaus in die Seligkeit! Die waren g'scheit!

SOPHIE ebenso
Kannst du lachen? Mir ist zur Stell' bang wie an der himmlischen Schwell!
Halt' mich, ein schwach Ding, wie ich bin, sink' dir dahin!

Translation: It’s a dream, it cannot be real

OCTAVIAN together with Sophie
Feel only you, just feel alone and that we are together! Does all else go away like a dream before my mind!

SOPHIE at the same time as Octavian
Is a dream, can not really be that we are two together, together 'for all time and eternity!

OCTAVIAN as well
Was there a house where you were, and the people send me in, straight into bliss! They were all gone!

SOPHIE as well
Can you laugh? I feel as if I am standing at the heavenly threshold!
Hold me, a weak thing, as I am sink you!

OCTAVIAN together with Sophie
Feel only you, just feel alone and that we are together! Does all else go away like a dream before my mind!

SOPHIE at the same time as Octavian
Is a dream, can not really be that we are two together, together 'for all time and eternity!

O grandes leçons du passé

by Jacques Offenbach

Original Text: French

LA GRANDE-DUCHESSE
O grandes leçons du passé !

GÉNÉRAL BOUM
Grave enseignement de l’histoire !

LA GRANDE-DUCHESSE
Ici le drame s’est glissé !

GÉNÉRAL BOUM
Éclair sombre dans la nuit noire !

LA GRANDE-DUCHESSE
Tout ça pour que, cent ans après,
Racontant la scène émouvante,
Le concierge de ce palais
S’en fasse une petite rente !…

LA GRANDE-DUCHESSE ET GÉNÉRAL BOUM
Le concierge de ce palais
S’en fasse une petite rente !

LA GRANDE-DUCHESSE
Ce qu’on a fait, on le refait…

GÉNÉRAL BOUM
L’histoire est comme un cercle immense !

LA GRANDE-DUCHESSE
L’aïeule a commis son forfait…

GÉNÉRAL BOUM
L’enfant vient et le recommence !

LA GRANDE-DUCHESSE
Tout ça pour que, dans deux cents ans,
Exploitant ces scènes navrantes,
Du portier les petits-enfants
Aient aussi leurs petites rentes !

LA GRANDE-DUCHESSE ET GÉNÉRAL BOUM
Du portier les petits-enfants
Aient aussi leurs petites rentes !

Translation: Oh, great lessons of the past!

GRAND DUCHESS
Oh, great lessons of the past!

GENERAL BOUM
A grave lesson of history!

GRAND DUCHESS
Here, the tragedy creeped in!

GENERAL BOUM
A dark flash in the black night!

GRAND DUCHESS
All this for that, one hundred years later,
Recounting the moving scene,
The concierge of this place
Can make a little living off it!

GRAND DUCHESS AND GENERAL BOUM
The concierge of this place
Can make a little living off it!

GRAND DUCHESS 
What has been done, we will do again.

GENERAL BOUM
History is like an immense circle!

GRAND DUCHESS
The grandmother has committed her misdeed...

GENERAL BOUM
The child comes and does it again!

GRAND DUCHESS
All this for that, in two-hundred years,
Exploiting these heartbreaking scenes,
The doorman’s grandchildren
Will also make a little living off it!

GRAND DUCHESS AND GENERAL BOUM
The doorman’s grandchildren
Will also make little livings off it!

Ach, ich fühl’s

by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Original Text: German

PAMINA
Ach, ich fühl's, es ist verschwunden,
Ewig hin der Liebe Glück!
Nimmer kommt ihr Wonnestunde
Meinem Herzen mehr zurück!
Sieh', Tamino, diese Tränen,
Fließen, Trauter, dir allein!
Fühlst du nicht der Liebe Sehnen,
So wird Ruh' im Tode sein!

Translation: Ah, I feel it

PAMINA
Ah, I feel it,
Love's happiness is forever gone!
Never will the blissful hours
Return to my heart!
See, Tamino, these tears
Flow for you alone!
If you don’t feel love’s longing,
Then I will find peace in death!

Der Hölle Rache

by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Original Text: German

KÖNIGIN DER NACHT
Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen,
Tod und Verzweiflung flammet um mich her!
Fühlt nicht durch dich Sarastro Todesschmerzen,
So bist du meine Tochter nimmermehr.
Verstossen sei auf ewig, verlassen sei auf ewig,
Zertrümmert sei'n auf ewig alle Bande der Natur,
Wenn nicht durch dich Sarastro wird erblassen!
Hört! Rachegötter! Hört der Mutter Schwur!

Translation: The vengeance of Hell

KÖNIGIN DER NACHT
The vengeance of hell boils in my heart
Death and desperation flame about me
If Sarastro does not through you feel
The pain of death,
Than you will be my daughter nevermore
Disowned may you be forever
Abandoned may you be forever
Destroyed be you forever
All the bonds of nature
If not through you
Sarastro becomes pale!
Hear, Gods of Revenge
Hear, a mother’s oath

Scene 29 (“Papagena! Weibchen! Täubchen!”)

by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Original Text: German

PAPAGENO
Papagena! Papagena! Papagena!
Weibchen! Täubchen! meine Schöne! –
Vergebens! Ach! sie ist verloren!
ich bin zum Unglück schon geboren! –
Ich plauderte, und das war schlecht,
und drum geschieht es mir schon recht! –
Seit ich gekostet diesen Wein –
seit ich das schöne Weibchen sah,
so brennt’s im Herzenskämmerlein,
so zwicket’s hier, so zwicket’s da!
Papagena! Herzensweibchen!
Papagena liebes Täubchen!
’S ist umsonst, es ist vergebens,
müde bin ich meines Lebens!
Sterben macht der Lieb’ ein End,
wenn’s im Herzen noch so brennt.

Diesen Baum da will ich zieren,
mir an ihm den Hals zuschnüren,
weil das Leben mir mißfällt,
gute Nacht, du falsche Welt!
Weil du böse an mir handelst,
mir kein schönes Kind zubandelst,
so ist’s aus, so sterbe ich.
Schöne Mädchen, denkt an mich!

Will sich eine um mich Armen,
eh’ ich hänge, noch erbarmen –
wohl, so laß ich’s diesmal sein!
Rufet nur, Ja oder Nein! –
Keine hört mich! alles stille!
Also ist es euer Wille!
Papageno frisch hinauf,
ende deinen Lebenslauf.
Nun! ich warte noch! es sei –
bis man zählet: eins, zwei, drei!

Eins! Zwei! Drei!
Nun wohlan! Es bleibt dabei!
Weil mich nichts zurücke hält,
gute Nacht, du falsche Welt!

DREI KNABE
Halt ein!
Oh Papageno und sei klug!
Man lebt nur einmal, dies sei dir genug!

PAPAGENO
Ihr habt gut reden, gut zu scherzen;
Doch brennt’ es euch, wie mich im Herzen
Ihr würdet auch nach Mädchen geh’n.

DREI KNABE
So lasse deine Glöckchen klingen,
Dies wird dein Weibchen zu dir bringen.

PAPAGENO
Ich Narr vergaß der Zauberdinge!
Erklinge Glockenspiel, erklinge,
Ich muss mein liebes Mädchen sehn!
Klinget Glöckchen, klinget,
Bringt mein Weibchen her!
Klinget Glöckchen, klinget,
Schafft mein Mädchen her!

DREI KNABE
Nun Papageno, sieh dich um!

PAPAGENO
Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Papagena!

PAPAGENA
Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Papageno!

PAPAGENO
Bist du mir nun ganz ergeben?

PAPAGENA
Nun bin ich dir ganz ergeben!

PAPAGENO
Nun so sei mein liebes Weibchen!

PAPAGENA
Nun so sei mein Herzenstäubchen!

PAPAGENO & PAPAGENA
Welche Freude wird das sein,
wenn die Götter uns bedenken,
uns’rer Liebe Kinder schenken,
so liebe kleine Kinderlein!

PAPAGENO
Erst einen kleinen Papageno!

PAPAGENA
Dann eine kleine Papagena!

PAPAGENO
Dann wieder einen Papageno!

PAPAGENA
Dann wieder eine Papagena!

PAPAGENO
Papageno!

PAPAGENA
Papagena!

PAPAGENO & PAPAGENA
Es ist das höchste der Gefühle,
wenn viele, viele Papagena/Papageno
der Eltern Segen werden sein!

Translation: Scene 29 (Papagena! Wife! Dove!)

PAPAGENO
Papagena! Papagena! Papagena!
Wife! Dove! My beauty!
In vain! Alas! She is lost!
I was really born for unhappiness!
I chattered, und that was bad,
Therefore I I got what I really deserve!

Because I tasted that wine,
Because I saw that pretty woman,
It burns in my heart’s little chamber,
it twinges here, it twinges there!
Papagena! My heart’s wife!
Papagena, darling dove!

It’s no use, it is in vain,
I am tired of my life!
Dying will put my love to an end,
When it still burns in my heart.

I want to decorate this tree
by tying my throat on it.
Because life is disagreeable to me,
Good night, you dark world!
Because you treat me badly
Because you give me no sweetheart,
Then this is it, then I die.
Beautiful maidens, think of me!

If anyone will take pity on me
Before I hang,
Well, then I will refrain!
Just call out- yes or no!
Nobody hears me! All is silent.
So this is your will!
Papageno, lively onward,
End your life’s run!
No! I will still wait,
Until I call out: one, two three!

One! Two! Three!
Well, that is it then.
Since nothing holds me back,
Goodnight, you false world!

DREI KNABE
Stop!
Oh Papageno, be smart!
Man lives only once, that should be enough!

PAPAGENO
You may well talk and joke,
But if your heart burned like mine,
You would also chase after girls!

DREI KNABE
Then ring your glockenspiel,
That will bring your wife to you.

PAPAGENO
I’m a fool, I forgot the magic!
Resound, glockenspiel, resound!
I have to see my beloved!

Ring, glockenspiel, ring,
Bring my wife here!
Ring, glockenspiel, ring,
Bring my maiden here!

DREI KNABE
Now, Papageno, turn around!

PAPAGENO
Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Papagena!

PAPAGENA
Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Papageno!

PAPAGENO
Are you now finally mine?

PAPAGENA
I am now finally yours!

PAPAGENO
Now, be my dearest wife!

PAPAGENA
Now be my heart’s little dove!

PAPAGENO & PAPAGENA
What joy it will be,
When the gods remember us,
And reward our love,
With dear little children!

PAPAGENO
First, we will have a little Papageno!

PAPAGENA
Then a little Papagena!

PAPAGENO
Then another little Papageno!

PAPAGENA
Then another little Papagena!

PAPAGENO
Papageno!

PAPAGENA
Papagena!

PAPAGENO & PAPAGENA
It is the greatest of all the feelings,
when many, many Papagenas/Papagenos
Will be their parents’ blessing.

Dôme épais le jasmin (“Flower Duet”)

by Léo Delibes

Original Text: French

LAKMÉ
Viens, Mallika, les lianes en fleurs
Jettent déjà leur ombre
Sur le ruisseau sacré qui coule, calme et sombre,
Eveillé par le chant des oiseaux tapageurs!

MALLIKA
Oh! maîtresse,
C’est l’heure ou je te vois sourire,
L’heure bénie où je puis lire
dans le cœur toujours fermé de Lakmé!

LAKMÉ
Dôme épais le jasmin,
A la rose s’assemble,
Rive en fleurs frais matin,
Nous appellent ensemble.
Ah! glissons en suivant
Le courant fuyant:
Dans l’on de frémissante,
D’une main nonchalante,
Gagnons le bord,
Où l’oiseau chante, l’oiseau, l’oiseau chante.
Dôme épais, blanc jasmin,
Nous appellent ensemble!

MALLIKA
Sous le dôme épais, où le blanc jasmin
A la rose s’assemble,
Sur la rive en fleurs riant au matin,
Viens, descendons ensemble.
Doucement glissons
De son flot charmant
Suivons le courant fuyant:
Dans l’on de frémissante,
D’une main nonchalante,
Viens, gagnons le bord,
Où la source dort
Et l’oiseau, l’oiseau chante.
Sous le dôme épais,
Sous le blanc jasmin,
Ah! descendons ensemble!

LAKMÉ
Mais, je ne sais quelle crainte subite,
S’empare de moi,
Quand mon père va seul à leur ville maudite;
Je tremble, je tremble d’effroi!

MALLIKA
Pourquoi le Dieu Ganeça le protège,
Jusqu’à l’étang où s’ébattent joyeux
Les cygnes aux ailes de neige,
Allons cueillir les lotus bleus.

LAKMÉ
Oui, près des cygnes aux ailles de meige,
Allons cueillir les lotus bleus.

Translation: Thick Dome of Jasmine

LAKMÉ
Come, Malika, the vines are in bloom
already throwing their shade upon the sacred stream
which flows calm and somber,
awakened by the song of the boisterous birds!

MALLIKA
Oh mistress
It's time I see you smile,
The blessed hour where I can read
the always-closed heart of Lakmé!

LAKMÉ
Thick dome of jasmine
With the roses assembled,
Shore in bloom, fresh morning,
Calls us together.
Ah! Let’s glide along
The fleeing current;
In the rippling waves,
With a nonchalant hand,
Let’s win the edge,
Where the bird sings.

MALLIKA
Under the thick dome, where the jasmine white
At the rose assembles,
On the shore in blooming laughing in the morning,
Come, let's go down together.
Gently gliding
From its charming flow
Let's follow the current running away:
In the quivering one,
With a nonchalant hand,
Come, win the edge,
Where the source is sleeping
And the bird, the bird sings.
Under a dome,
Under the jasmine white,
Ah! let's go down together!

LAKMÉ
But, a sudden fear overtakes me
When my father goes to their cursed city
I tremble, I tremble with fright!

MALLIKA
In order for him to be protected by Ganesh
To the pond where joyfully play
The snow-winged swans,
Let us pick blue lotuses.

LAKMÉ
Yes, near the swans with wings of snow,
We’ll pick blue lotuses.

Je suis Titania

by Ambroise Thomas

Original Text: French

PHILINE
Je suis Titania, la blonde
Je suis Titania, fille de l’air
En riant, je parcours le monde
Plus vive, que l’oiseau
Plus prompte que l’éclair
La troupe folle des lutins
Suit mon char quie vole et dans la nuit
Fuit!
Autour de moi toute ma cour
Court, chantant le plaisir et l’amour
Au rayon de Phoebè qui luit!
Parmi les fleurs que l’aurore fait éclore
Par les bois et par le prés diaprés
Sur le flots couverts d’écume dans la brume
On me voit d’un pied léger
On me voit voltiger!

Translation: I Am Titania

PHILINE
I am Titania, the Blonde
I am Titania, daughter of the air
Laughing, I travel the world
Faster that the bird
Quicker than the lightning
The crazy of elves
Follows my flying chariot in the night
Flees!
Around me, all my court
Runs!
Singing pleasure and love
In the ray of shining Phoebe!
Among the flowers that dawn makes bloom
Through the woods and meadows diaphonous
On the waves covered in foam in the midst of one sees me lightly
Fluttering!

Summertime

by George Gershwin

CLARA
Summertime
And the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin
And the cotton is high
Oh your daddy's rich
And your ma is good lookin'
So hush little baby
Don't you cry

One of these mornin's
You're goin' to rise up singin'
Yes you'll spread your wings
And you'll take to the sky
But til' that mornin'
Theres nothin' can harm you
With daddy and mammy
Standin' by

Summertime
And the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin'
And the cotton is high
Oh your daddy's rich
And you ma is good lookin'
So hush little baby
Don't you cry

In The Bedroom Down the Hall

by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

CYNTHIA
You never liked this sweater.
You said it never really fit you right
And it itched too much.
But I think I’ll keep it,
I should keep it.
‘Cause it still makes me think of you
And that little boy I knew
In the bedroom down the hall.

HEIDI
In the bedroom down the hall,
I got you Ninja Turtle nightlights for protection.
You used to say they kept the bad guys far away.
Remember?
In the bedroom down the hall,
I surprised you with that comic book collection.
Next Halloween, I dressed you up like Wolverine.
Remember?
With glow stars on the ceiling
you could count instead of sheep,
I always knew which song to sing
to get you right to sleep.
Anything to make you happy,
Anything at all.
Anything for my boy
In the bedroom down the hall.

CYNTHIA
In the bedroom down the hall,
we went to battle every evening after dinner.
I thought I knew some way that I’d get through to you.
Remember?
In the bedroom down the hall,
we fought a war where no one walked away the winner.
‘Cause every day, you pulled a little more away.
Remember?
Saw the counsellors, and the clinics,
And the cures a mother tries.
‘Cause maybe they could take away
That anger in your eyes.

CYNTHIA & HEIDI
Anything to make you happy,
Anything at all.
Anything for my boy
In the bedroom down the hall.
Oh, you try to give your kid the world,
Give him everything you’ve got.
What if I gave all I could
And I thought it was enough?
And I find that it was not.

CYNTHIA
Did I let you down?

HEIDI
What else can I do?

CYNTHIA & HEIDI
Everything I ever did,
I did it all for you.
Anything to make you happy,
Anything at all.
Anything for my boy
In the bedroom down the hall.

CYNTHIA
In the bedroom down the hall,
I think I’ll wait another day to pack these boxes.
‘Cause once I’m through,
I’m left with just one thing to do:
Remember.

Look, through the port

by Benjamin Britten

BILLY BUDD
Look!
Through the port comes the moon-shine astray!
It tips the guard's cutlass and silvers this nook;
But 'twill die in the dawning of Billy's last day.
Ay, ay, all is up; and I must up too
Early in the morning, aloft from below.

On an empty stomach, now, never would it do.
They'll give me a nibble - bit of biscuit ere I go.
Sure, a messmate will reach me the last parting cup;

But turning heads away from the hoist and the belay,
Heaven knows who will have the running of me up!
No pipe to those halyards!

But ain't it all sham?
A blur's in my eyes; it is dreaming that I am.

But Donald he has promised to stand by the plank,
So I'll shake a friendly hand ere I sink.
But no! It is dead then I'll be, come to think.
They'll lash me in hammock, drop me deep.

Fathoms down, fathoms- how I'll dream fast asleep.
I feel it stealing now...
Roll me over fair.
I'm sleepy, and the oozy weeds about me twist.

Signore, ascolta

by Giacomo Puccini

Original Text: Italian

LIÙ
Signore, ascolta!
Ah, signore, ascolta!
Liù non regge più,
si spezza il cuor!
Ahimè, quanto cammino
col tuo nome nell'anima,
col nome tuo sulle labbra!
Ma se il tuo destino doman sarà deciso,
noi morrem sulla strada dell'esilio.
Ei perderà suo figlio,
io l'ombra d'un sorriso.
Liù non regge più! Ah!

Translation: Lord, listen

LIÙ

Lord, listen! Ah, sir, listen!
Liù no longer holds, the heart breaks!
Alas, how much I walk with your name in the soul,
with your name on your lips!
But if your destiny will be decided,
we morrem on the road to exile.
He will lose his son, I will have the shadow of a smile.
Liù no longer holds! Ah!

Aber der Richtige

by Richard Strauss

Original Text: German

ARABELLA
Wie schönen Rosen!
Hat die ein Husar gebracht?

ZDENKA
Nein, sie sind von Matteo.
So gehst du mit seinen Blumen um!

ARABELLA
Ah, laß!

ZDENKA
Du hast ihn lieb gehabt!

ARABELLA
Vielleicht! Gehabt!
So ist es vorbei, du sagst es selbst.

ZDENKA
Gib acht, daß er dich das aussprechen hört!
Es war sein Tod. Anbeten tut er dich!

ARABELLA
Er ist der Richtige nicht für mich!
Ich rede im Ernst.
Ganz ohne meinen Willen dreht sich dann mein Herz
und dreht sich los von ihm.
Ich kann ja nichts dafür...

Aber der Richtige —
wenn's einen gibt für mich auf dieser Welt —
der wird einmal dastehn da vor mir,
und wird mich anschaun, und ich ihn,
und keine Zweifel werden sein
und keine Fragen,
und selig werd’ ich sein
und gehorsam wie ein Kind.

ZDENKA
Ich weiß nicht wie du bist,
ich weiß nicht ob du Recht hast -
dazu hab’ ich dich viel zu lieb!
Ich will nur dass du glücklich wirst -
mit einem der's verdient!
und helfen will ich dir dazu.
So hat ja die Prophetin es geseh’n:
sie ganz im Licht und ich hinab ins Dunkel.
Sie ist so schön und lieb - ich werde gehn
und noch im Gehn werd’ ich dich segnen,
meine Schwester.

Translation: He is not the right one for me...But the right one

ARABELLA
What beautiful roses!
Did a footman deliver them?

ZDENKA
No, they are from Matteo.
So that’s how you treat his flowers!

ARABELLA
Ah, let it go!

ZDENKA
You once loved him!

ARABELLA
Maybe I did!
But it is over, you said so yourself

ZDENKA
Don't let him hear you say that!
It would kill him. He adores you.

ARABELLA
He is not the right one for me!
I am telling you the truth.
Against my will, my heart changes
And turns from him.
I can't help it...

But the right one —
If there is one for me in this world —
will one day stand before me,
and will look at me, and I at him,
And there will be no uncertainties,
And no questions,
And I will be happy
And obidient like a child.

ZDENKA
I don't know how you are,
I don’t know if you’re right -
I love you far too much for that!
I only want for you to be happy
with someone who deserves it!
And I want to help you with that.
Just as the Prophet saw it:
She’s entirely in the light, and I in darkness.
She is so beautiful and so lovely, - I will go
And even as I go, I will bless you,
My sister.

Ma questa trama...Vado, corro al gran cimento

by Gaetano Donizetti

Original Text: Italian

NORINA
Ma questa trama si può saper quel sia?

MALATESTA
A punire il nipote, che opponsi alle voglie,
Don Pasquale ha deciso prender moglie.

NORINA
Già mel diceste.

MALATESTA
Or ben,
Io suo dottore, vistolo così fermo nel proposto,
E tosto nell’interesse vostro e in quel d’Ernesto,
Mi pongo a secondarlo.
Don Pasquale sa ch’io tengo al convento una sorella,
Vi fo passar per quella, egli non vi conosce,
E vi presento pria ch’altri mi prevenga,
Vi vede, resta cotto.

NORINA
Va benissimo!

MALATESTA
Caldo, caldo, vi sposa
Carlotto, mio cugino, ci farà da notaro.
Al resto poi tocca pensare a voi:
Lo fate a disperar,
Il vecchio impazza.
Lo abbiamo a discrezione,
Allor-

NORINA
Basta! Ho capito!

MALATESTA
Va benone!

MALATESTA & NORINA
Vado, corro al gran cimento
Pieno ho il corre d’ardimento, sì.

NORINA & MALATESTA
A quel vecchio, affè, la testa
questa volta ha da girar.

MALATESTA
La saetta fra non molto senti remo ad iscoppiar

NORINA
M'incomincio a vendicar.
Quel vecchione rimbambito
i miei voti invan contrasta.
lo l'ho detto e tanto basta,
la saprò, la vo' spuntar.

MALATESTA
Urla e fischia la bufera,
veggo il lampo, il tuono ascolto;
la saetta fra non molto
sentiremo ad iscoppiar.
Vanne, corri!

Poco pensa Don Pasquale
Che boccon di temporale,
Si prepar in questo punto
Sul suo capo rovesciar

Bene, brava, signor sì!
va benissimo così!

NORINA
Grazie,
Serva, signor sì!

Translation: But this plot...I’m going, I’m running to the grand trial

NORINA
But this plot,
Can I know what it is?

MALATESTA
In order to punish his nephew for opposing his wishes,
Don Pasquale has decided to take a wife.

NORINA
You already told me that.

MALATESTA
Now, then,
I, his doctor, seeing him so firm in his purpose,
And, in the interest of yourself and Ernesto,
I set about seconding him.
Don Pasquale knows that I have a sister at the convent.
I’ll pass you off as her,
And I’ll present you before anyone else prevents me.
He sees you, he’s smitten!

NORINA
Excellent!

MALATESTA
He marries you quickly.
My cousin Carlotto will act as the notary.
All the rest, then, is up for you to think of something.
You drive him to desperation.
The old man goes crazy,
And we will have him at our discretion!
Then-

NORINA
Enough! I understand!

MALATESTA
Splendid!

MALATESTA & NORINA
I’m going, I’m running to the grand trial.
My heart is full of confidence

MALATESTA
We will soon hear the fireworks going off!

MALATESTA & NORINA
The head of this old man,
We will surely make spin!

NORINA
I’m beginning to get my revenge
That old man, in his second childhood,
Wants to oppose my wishes, in vain!
I have said it, and that’s enough,
I know I’ll get my way.

MALATESTA
The tempest howls and whistles,
I see the lightning, I hear the thunder.

Go, run!

Don Pasquale thinks little
Of this storm
That is prepared at this moment
To fall over on his head.

Great! Brava!
This is going to be great!

NORINA
Thank you,
At your service!

Donde lieta uscì

by Giacomo Puccini

Original Text: Italian

MIMÌ
Donde lieta uscì
al tuo grido d'amore,
torna sola Mimì al solitario nido.
Ritorna un'altra volta
a intesser finti fior.
Addio, senza rancor.
Ascolta, ascolta.
Le poche robe aduna che lasciai sparse.
Nel mio cassetto stan chiusi quel cerchietto d'or
e il libro di preghiere.
Involgi tutto quanto in un grembiale
e manderò il portiere...
Bada...sotto il guanciale
c'è la cuffietta rosa.
Se vuoi...
Se vuoi serbarla a ricordo d'amor!
Addio, senza rancor.

Translation: From where she happily left

MIMÌ
From the where she happily left
to answer your call of love,
Mimì returns alone to her solitary nest.
She is returning once again
To embroider fake flowers.
Goodbye, no hard feelings.
Listen, listen.
Gather up the few things I have left about.
In my drawer is my gold ring
And my book of prayers.
Wrap them up in an apron
And I’ll send the postman for it.
Wait...under my pillow
Is the pink bonnet.
If you want...
Save it as a memory of our love.
Goodbye, no hard feelings.

So muss allein ich bleiben

by Johann Strauss II

Original Text: German

ROSALINDE
So muss allein ich bleiben
acht Tage ohne dich!
Wie soll ich dir beschreiben
mein Leid, so fürchterlich!
Wie werd' ich es ertragen,
dass mich mein Mann verließ?
Wem soll mein Leid ich klagen,
o Gott, wie rührt mich dies!
Ich werde dein gedenken
des Morgens beim Kaffee,
wenn ich dir ein will schenken,
die leere Tasse seh',
kann keinen Gruß dir winken,
aus Jammer werd' ich g'wiss
ihn schwarz und bitter trinken.
Ach!

EISENSTEIN
O Gott, wie rührt mich dies!

ROSALINDE, ADELE, & EISENSTEIN
O Gott, wie rührt mich dies!
O je, o je, wie rührt mich dies!

ROSALINDE
Wo bleibt die traute Gruppe,
kommt Mittag dann heran!
Zum Rindfleisch wie zur Suppe,
zum Braten keinen Mann!
Und sinkt der nächt'ge Schleier,
gibt's wieder mir 'nen Riss,
mein Schmerz wird ungeheuer!

ROSALINDE, ADELE, & EISENSTEIN
O je, o je, wie rührt mich dies!
O je, o je, wie rührt mich dies! etc.

EISENSTEIN
Was soll das Klagen frommen?
Den Kopf verlier' ich schier!

ROSALINDE
Mein Kopf ist ganz benommen!

ADELE
Der meine ist ganz leer.

EISENSTEIN
Leb' wohl, ich muss nun geh’n!

ROSALINDE & ADELE
Leb'wohl, du (er) musst (muss) nun geh’n.

ROSALINDE, ADELE, & EISENSTEIN
Doch bleibt ein Trost so süß!

ADELE
Es gibt ein Wiedersehen!

ROSALINDE, ADELE, & EISENSTEIN
Es gibt ein Wiedersehen!
O Gott, wie rührt mich dies!
O je, o je, wie rührt mich dies!

Translation: So must I stay alone

ROSALINDE
So must I stay alone,
eight days without you!
How can I describe to you
my suffering, so dreadful!

How will I endure it,
That my husband abandons me?
To whom can I I recount my suffering,
Oh God, how this touches me!
I will think of you,
Mornings at coffee time.
When I want to pour it for you,
I see the empty cup,
I can give you no greeting nod,
And out of unhappiness I will
drink it dark and bitter.
Ah!

EISENSTEIN
Oh God, how this touches me!

ROSALINDE, ADELE, & EISENSTEIN
Oh God, how this touches me!
Oh yes, oh yes, how this touches me!

ROSALINDE
Where does the devoted pain stay,
When midday comes around!
The beef, the stew,
A roast with no husband!
And when the veil of night falls,
it will tear me up again,
My pain will be monstrous!

ROSALINDE, ADELE, & EISENSTEIN
Oh yes, oh yes, how this touches me!

EISENSTEIN
What does complaining get you?
I’m losing my head!

ROSALINDE
My head is in a whirl!

ADELE
I have mine here!

EISENSTEIN
Farewell, I have to go now.

ROSALINDE & ADELE
Farewell, he has to go now.

ROSALINDE, ADELE, & EISENSTEIN
But there is a consolation so sweet:

ADELE
There will be a meeting again!

ROSALINDE, ADELE, & EISENSTEIN
There will be a meeting again!
Oh God, how this touches me!
Oh yes, oh yes, how this touches me!

Lippen, schweigen

by Franz Lehár

Original Text: German

DANILO
Lippen schweigen, 's flüstern Geigen:
Hab' mich lieb!
All' die Schritte sagen bitte,
hab' mich lieb!
Jeder Druck der Hände deutlich mir's beschrieb,
er sagt klar: 's ist wahr, 's ist wahr,
du hast mich lieb!

HANNA
Bei jedem Walzerschritt
Tanzt auch die Seele mit,
da hüpft das Herzchen klein,
es klopft und pocht:
Sei mein! Sei mein!
Und der Mund er spricht kein Wort,
doch tönt es fort und immerfort:
ich hab' dich ja so lieb,
ich hab' dich lieb!
Jeder Druck der Hände deutlich mir's beschrieb,
er sagt klar: 's ist wahr, 's ist wahr,
du hast mich lieb!

Translation: Lips are silent

DANILO
Lips are silent, violins whisper:
Hold me dearly!
All the dance steps ask,
Hold me dearly!
The clasping of hands describe to me
Clearly tell me: it’s true, it’s true.
You hold me dearly!

HANNA
With every step of the waltz
My soul also dances along,
the little heart frolicks,
it pounds and beats:
Be mine! Be mine!
And the mouth speaks no words,
But it still sounds out:
I hold you dearly!

Goodbye (Finale)

by William Finn

Hey,
Just saying our goodbyes.
The living was the prize.
The ending’s not the story.
I’m saying my goodbyes.
Goodbye.