Christopher Purves bass - Chandos

CHAN 3121 BOOK.qxd 12/9/06 4:19 pm Page 142
Three Boys
Ah, how can this be prevented?
Grief has driven her demented.
(to Pamina)
Lovely lady, we are here.
Pamina
I must perish, for the man
who once promised to protect me,
now has chosen to reject me.
(showing them the dagger)
But I have my mother’s knife.
Three Boys
Stay! You may not take your life!
Pamina
Better far to face damnation,
than to live in desolation.
Mother, my pain grows from yours,
and your curse its only cause.
Three Boys
Lady, will you go with us?
Pamina
Ah! My sorrows overflow!
False beloved, I must go;
Thus Pamina, pure and true
(attempting to stab herself )
meets her fate and dies for you.
Three Boys (restraining her arm)
Stay, unhappy woman, stay!
Be assured your love adores you,
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no affliction would he cause you,
for his love is yours alone.
Pamina (recovering)
Yet, instead of drawing near me
he pretended not to hear me,
and he turned his face away.
Was there nothing he could say?
Three Boys
Certain truths must stay unspoken,
but your faith should not be broken;
follow us and you will see
that this youth is brave and true
and prepared to die for you!
Come with us and you will see.
Pamina
Lead me on, and let me see,
Pamina and Three Boys
Two loving hearts no man can sever,
they live in love and last for ever.
Their enemies may plot in vain,
the Gods will shelter them from pain,
(The scene is transformed into two large
mountains; one with a thundering waterfall, the
other belching out fire; each mountain has an open
grid, through which fire and water may be seen;
where the fire burns the horizon must be coloured
brightly red, and where the water is there lies a
black fog. The wings represent rocks, each with a
closed, iron door.)
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19
(Tamino is lightly clad, without sandals. Two men
in black armour lead Tamino in. Fire burns on
their helmets; they read him the transparent words
inscribed on one of the pyramids. This stands
centre-stage, raised high, close to the grid.)
Two Armed Men
The man who dares to tread this path of danger
must bear
the trials of earth and water, fire and air.
If he contends with fear and death and wins the
fight,
then he deserves to share in heaven’s light.
Thus crown’d in glory he will stand alone,
and all the mysteries of I sis shall be known.
Tamino
No fear of death will overawe me;
the path of Virtue lies before me.
Unlock the gate and let me in,
and let the last ordeal begin.
(He is about to go.)
Pamina (from within)
Tamino wait! I’ll go with you.
Tamino
Pamina? I hear her calling.
Two Armed Men
Yes, yes, that is Pamina calling.
Tamino
Rejoice! I will not walk alone.
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Two Armed Men
Rejoice! You will not walk alone.
Tamino and Two Armed Men
What greater joy can fate allow?
Tamino
Not even death can part us now.
Two Armed Men
Not even death can part you now.
Tamino
Am I allowed to break my silence?
Two Armed Men
You are allowed to break your silence
Tamino
Oh joy, my love will soon be here.
Together what have we to hear?
Two Armed Men
Rejoice his love will soon be here
Together what have they to fear?
Tamino and Two Armed Men
If she can fight death’s darkest night
she’s worthy to attain the light.
(The door is opened. Tamino and Pamina embrace.)
Pamina
Tamino, mine, welcome at last.
Tamino
Pamina mine, sorrow has passed.