Bajazet Libretto

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BAJAZET (Antonio Vivaldi 1678-1741) In 1402, at the Battle of Ankara, Bajazet, the 11 th in line to a dynasty of Sultans known the world over as the Thunder Bolt of Allah was defeated by Timur, known to his enemies as Timur the Lame, or Tamerlano. Tamerlano had been steadily, ruthlessly forging the greatest empire the world had ever seen. He had taken on Bajazet’s vast and superior army and vanquished them utterly. Tamerlano had defeated Bajazet by enlisting the support of one of Bajazet’s greatest enemies: the Byzantine prince, Andronico. But now Andronico found himself wondering if he hadn’t gotten into bed with the wrong man. Tamerlano, the son of a lowly chieftain from Uzbekistan: a nowhere place. A man who claimed he was the direct descendent of Ghengis Khan but was no more than a barbaric pagan. A man who killed whole villages indiscriminately, women and children, who attacked with animal ferocity, who left piles of heads on his kill sites, as a warning… ATTO PRIMO ACT ONE SCENA 1 SCENE 1 BAJAZET Prence, lo so: vi devo questi di libertà brevi respiri. Se quest’ombra di bene accorda il mio nemico per placar l’ira mia, già la rifiuto. Che non vuo’liberta da lui che appena saria degno portar la mia catena ANDRONICO Il vostr’odio, signor, vada in oblio. Siete in poter del Tamerlano, e siete… BAJAZET Ben e pur prigioniero Non son io Bajazet? E forse sarà questo l’ultimo de’ miei giorni per non doverli più ne men la vita ANDRONICO Disperato è il pensier, non generoso. Vuoi morir? Ed Asteria? BAJAZET Non mi svegliat’in petto un nuovo affetto che abbattere potrìa la mia costanza- Son risoluto e vuoi morir. Asteria, che è la sola per cui mi duol morir, io raccomando a voi; so che vi è cara. V’ami per me, ma si rammenti poi d’odiare il Tamerlan quanto ama voi. BAJAZET Prince, I know that I am indebted to you for these brief moments of liberty. If this kind gesture is an attempt on the part of my enemy to appease my anger, I reject it. Who wouldn’t want their freedom from such an unworthy man? ANDRONICO Forget your hatred, my lord. You are in Tamerlane’s power, and you are… BAJAZET A prisoner, well and truly, am I not? I, Bajazet? If this is the last day of my life, then I will no longer owe him anything. ANDRONICO Wanting to die is a desperate thought – but what about Asteria? BAJAZET I don’t want affection to distract me from my wish to die. Asteria, the only reason why death brings me any grief, I entrust to you; I know that she is dear to you. Love her for my sake, but let her never forget to hate Tamerlane as much as she loves you. 1
Del destin non dee lagnarsi chi ha nel petto un’alma forte, e l’aspetto della morte non paventa un cuor di re. Il morir solo m’avanza e ’l mio caro amato pegno, fido Prence, a te consegno: tu poi l’ama ancor per me. The man whose spirit is strong should not grumble at fate, and the prospect of death holds no fear for the heart of a king. Death is all that awaits me, and she who is dear to me I entrust to your care, faithful Prince: you can love her when I am no more. SCENA 2 SCENE 2 ANDRONICO Non si perda di vista, Idaspe, il disperato; Serviamo Asteria in lui, e nel suo amante ami la figlia almen, l’amor del padre. IDASPE Hanno già i greci deposto nella man del vincitore l’imperio di Bisanzio; badate a questo, e vi rendete un giorno grato agli occhi d’Asteria con la corona di Bisanzio in fronte. ANDRONICO Più dell’impero apprezzo il cor d’Asteria. Tu parti, e cauto siegui dell’Ottomano i passi. IDASPE Andrò, signor, ma feminil beltade può troppo in te, che tosto langue e cade. Nasce rosa lusinghiera al spirar d’aura vezzosa, e a quel dolce mormorio va spiegando sua beltà. Poscia al suol langue la rosa, così fa bellezza altera, che mancando tosto va. ANDRONICO Idaspe, we must not let this desperate man out of our sight. Serving him we serve Asteria, in loving me, may she at least love the love I bear for her father. IDASPE The Greeks have already handed over to the conqueror the Byzantine Empire. Pay heed to this, and one day you could find favour in Asteria’s eyes with the crown of Byzantium on your head. ANDRONICO Asteria’s heart is worth more to me than the empire. Go, and keep a careful but discreet eye on the Turk. IDASPE I shall, my lord; but you are too susceptible to woman’s beauty that soon fades and dies. The rose that beguiles opens her petals to the whisper of a charming breeze, and at the sound of that sweet murmuring reveals her beauty. But then, in the sun’s glare, the rose languishes; thus, it is too with haughty beauty which soon fades. SCENA 3 SCENE 3 TAMERLANO Principe, or ora i greci han posto in mio poter il vostro impero, ed io, che solo ho in petto della gloria l’amor, vi rendo il vostro trono. Io vi dichiaro imperador. Potrete partir a vostro grado. Ite a Bizanzio… ANDRONICO Ah, mio signor, È grande il dono e il donator - ma… TAMERLANO Prince, this very day the Greeks have given your empire into my power. But the only love in my heart is for glory, and so, I return your throne to you. I declare you Emperor: you are free to leave when you will. Go to Byzantium… ANDRONICO Ah, my lord! The gift and the giver are great – but… TAMERLANO Ma il rifiutante? TAMERLANO Do you refuse? 2
Page 1: Irish National Opera presents a con
Page 5 and 6: In sì torbida procella cerco invan
Page 7 and 8: ASTERIA E Andronico l’accetta? TA
Page 9 and 10: ASTERIA Non replicate, Andronico; e
Page 11 and 12: ATTO SECONDO ACT TWO SCENA 1 SCENE
Page 13 and 14: TAMERLANO Ciò che brama il mio amo
Page 15 and 16: ANDRONICO Sul trono. BAJAZET Su qua
Page 17 and 18: Asteria, e con crudele ed inaudito
Page 19 and 20: ASTERIA Questa è troppo crudeltà.
Page 21 and 22: SCENA 2 SCENE 2 TAMERLANO Andronico
Page 23 and 24: TAMERLANO Tosto ad Asteria un nappo
Page 25 and 26: TAMERLANO Bajazet? IDASPE Se n’av

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