Christopher Purves bass - Chandos

CHAN 3121 BOOK.qxd 12/9/06 4:19 pm Page 124
8
taken with ‘Prince’ that she showed him your
portrait and commanded him to rescue you, and
he fell in love with you on the spot and here we
are!
Pamina
But… what if you are an evil spirit sent by
Sarastro?
Papageno
Me? Me, an evil spirit? Oh, no, no, no. I’ll have
you know that I’m as nice a spirit as you’ll ever
want to meet. And by the way what good does it
do me since I haven’t even found a Papagena yet.
It makes me want to pluck all me feathers out.
Pamina
Don’t you worry, heaven will provide.
Papageno
Well, I wish it would hurry up!
No. 7 Duet
Pamina
A man in search of truth and beauty
will find the love his heart desires.
Papageno
And so it is a woman’s duty
to fan the flame which she inspires.
Pamina and Papageno
We must obey love’s holy law,
living as one for evermore.
124
9
Pamina
For love possesses powers of healing;
it soothes all pain, it cures all ill.
Papageno
Let no day pass without our feeling
its force, its universal will.
Pamina and Papageno
Love shows the way to lead our life,
living as one as man and wife.
Man and wife and wife and man.
Man and wife when joined in love,
lift their life to heav’n above.
(The scene changes to a grove. At the back of the
stage is a beautiful temple, upon which are
inscribed these words: ‘Temple of Wisdom’; this
temple leads via pillars to two other temples, the
one on the right bearing the inscription ‘Temple of
reason, and the one on the left ‘Temple of Nature’.)
(Tamino is led in by three boys, each carrying a
silver palm frond.)
No. 8 Finale
Three Boys
If you can strive to be a man
you’ll soon accomplish your ambition.
Pursue your quest as best you can
with honour, valour and submission!
Tamino
But my Pamina waits for me;
is it my fate to set her free?
10
Three Boys
Obey our laws, pursue your cause
with honour, valour and submission.
Be on your way, heed what we say;
love and success will bless your mission.
Recitative
Tamino
These words of wisdom reassure me;
but say, what dangers lie before me?
Where am I now? What do I see?
What sort of fortress can this be?
A palace of wisdom, a temple of science
with knowledge and beauty in holy alliance.
When learning is sacred, when diligence thrives
we banish all hatred and fear from our lives.
I’ve right on my side, I have nothing to fear,
my purpose is noble, my conscience is clear.
I’ve sworn to fight the infidel!
Pamina calls me, Pamina calls me,
I must go.
(He goes to the door on the right and opens it; as he
is about to enter, a distant voice is heard.)
A Voice
Go back!
Tamino
Go back? Go back? I’ll try another door.
(He goes to the door on the left.)
A Voice
Go back!
125
11
Tamino
They call to me once more!
(He looks around.)
I must ignore what they say.
Perhaps this door will show the way.
(He knocks. An old priest appears.)
Speaker
What rash adventure brings you here
to dare profane our sanctuary?
Tamino
I come in search of love and truth.
Speaker
High-sounding words for such a youth!
And yet these virtues do not guide you
for it is obvious to see:
revenge and hatred burn inside you.
Tamino
Yes, hatred of iniquity.
Speaker
You will not wound us with your slander.
Tamino
Is not Sarastro your commander?
Speaker
Indeed, Sarastro is our lord.
Tamino
Not in the temple of the wise?
Speaker
He rules the temple of the wise.