Puccini La Fanciulla del West - MELODY MOORE MARIUS VLAD LESTER LYNCH TRANSYLVANIA STATE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA & CHOIR LAWRENCE FOSTER
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Puccini La Fanciulla del West MELODY MOORE · MARIUS VLAD · LESTER LYNCH TRANSYLVANIA STATE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA & CHOIR LAWRENCE FOSTER
Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) La Fanciulla del West (1910) Opera in three acts Libretto by Guelfo Civinici & Carlo Zangarini Based on the play “The Girl from the Golden West” by David Belasco CD 1 Act 1 1 Introduction 1.11 2 Hello, Nick! 5.50 3 Che faranno i vecchi miei 4. 00 4 Jim, perchè piangi? 3. 14 5 Andiam, ragazzi 1.19 6 Un poker! Nick, gettoni! 1.52 7 Mistress Rance, fra poco 1. 18 8 Hello, Minnie! 3. 24 9 Dove eravamo? 3. 34 10 La posta! La posta! 3. 09 11 Ti voglio bene, Minnie 1. 52 12 Minnie, dalla mia casa son partito 2. 23 13 Laggiù nel Soledad 2. 33 14 Chi c’è per farmi i ricci? 1. 51 15 Vi ricordate di me? 1. 39
16 Mister Johnson, voi m’avete seccato! 1. 31 Act 3
17 Mister Johnson, un valzer? 5. 24
18 Mister Johnson, siete rimasto indietro 3. 47 13 Ve lo guiro, sceriffo 1. 55
19 Io non son che una povera fanciulla 1. 17 14 Maledetto cane! 2. 04
20 Quello che tacete 1. 03 15 Ah! Ah! Ah! 5. 04
21 Come voi leggermi in cor non so 2. 39 16 Sceriffo Rance! 0. 26
22 Ah, non temete, nessuno ardirà! 5. 19 17 E così, Mister Johnson, come va? 2. 12
18 Risparmiate lo scherno 2. 11
Total playing time: 60. 19 19 Ch’ella mi creda libero e lontano 2. 47
20 Ah! È Minnie 2. 08
CD 2 21 Basta! 2. 04
Act 2 22 E anche tu lo vorrai 3. 20
23 Le tue parole sono di Dio 2. 37
1 Il mio bimbo è grande e piccino 2. 24
2 Billy, è fissato? 2. 04 Total playing time: 72. 29
3 Voglio vestirmi tutta 3. 56
4 Oh, se sapeste 5. 03
5 Ugh! Neve! 8. 12
6 Hello! 4. 59
7 Vieni fuori! 1. 23
8 Lo so, lo so! Ma non vi avrei rubato! 3. 35
9 L’han ferito. Che importa? 2. 32
10 Che c’è di nuovo, Jack? 3. 28
11 E là! E là! 2. 09
12 Una partita a poker! 5. 44Minnie Melody Moore, Soprano
Jack Rance, Sheriff Lester Lynch, Baritone
Dick Johnson (Ramerrez) Marius Vlad, Tenor
Nick, Bartender at the Polka Saloon Amitai Pati, Tenor
Ashby, Wells Fargo Agent Martin-Jan Nijhof, Bass
Sonora, Miner Kevin Short, Bass-baritone
Trin, Miner &
Un postiglione (The Pony Express Rider) Radu Cîmpan, Tenor
Sid, Miner Alexandru Suciu, Baritone
Bello, Miner Ruben Ciungan, Baritone
Harry, Miner Alessandro Luciano, Tenor
Joe, Miner Lorant Barta, Tenor
Happy, Miner Rareș Munteanu, Baritone
Larkens, Miner Antonio Di Matteo, Bass
Billy Jackrabbit, a Red Indian &
José Castro, a Member of Ramerrez’ Band Alexander Köpeczi, Bass
Wowkle, Billy’s Squaw Ilseyar Khayrullova, Mezzo-soprano
Jack Wallace, a Traveling Camp Minstrel Gustavo Castillo, Baritone
Transylvania State Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, Cluj-Napoca
Concertmaster: Paul Sîrbu
Chorus Master: Cornel Groza
Assistant Conductor: Néstor Bayona
Conducted by Lawrence Foster
Lawrence Foster
7
© Marc GinotLa Fanciulla del West; This is Giacomo Puccini’s La Fanciulla del appealing and was impressed by the poets Carlo Zangarini and Guelfo Civinini.
a pioneering work West, the work that marked the beginning breath-taking scenic effects Belasco had Neither had ever written a libretto before.
of a bold new phase in his career. No created. These began before the curtain Progress on the project was slow and as
The year is around 1850. The American longer willing to write the type of opera rose with a rolling cinematic projection of time went by Puccini began to accuse his
gold rush is at its height and has brought that had brought him fame and fortune the Californian landscape and continued librettists of being lazy and incompetent.
mass migration to the West, creating around the turn of the twentieth century, with a blizzard at Minnie’s cabin, created He was also distracted from the project
deep divisions between the Spanish- Puccini had long sought an unusual by 32 stage-hands operating wind and by an extremely unpleasant episode in his
speaking Californian population, the native dramatic subject that would stimulate a snow machines. Puccini was sufficiently personal life: his jealous wife Elvira falsely
Americans and the new U.S. settlers. We change of creative direction. The fiasco interested in Belasco’s play to request accused a young maid in the Puccini
are in a mining camp at the foot of the surrounding the first version of Madama an English friend, Sybil Seligman, to send household of having an affair with her
Cloudy Mountains, a distant and isolated Butterfly, which had been booed off the a translation to him in Tuscany. He also husband, harassing her to the point where
outpost of civilisation. Minnie, owner of stage of La Scala in 1904, led to a long sought out samples of American music, the young girl committed suicide.
the Polka Saloon, is courted both by the period of hand-wringing, during which he including a book of native American songs.
Sheriff, Jack Rance, and by a handsome considered and rejected numerous famous On the basis of this research, Puccini Eventually, however, the opera was
newcomer called Dick Johnson, who is literary sources. decided that The Girl of the Golden West completed and received its première at
later revealed to be the bandit Ramerrez. would indeed make a good subject for his the Metropolitan Opera in New York on 10
Though disappointed by Johnson’s Puccini saw David Belasco’s play The Girl next opera, and the crafting of the libretto December 1910. The work was different from
deception, Minnie shelters him in her of the Golden West on a trip to New York commenced. anything Puccini had written previously,
cabin when he is shot and plays a game of in 1907, when he was supervising the first either in terms of its musical language or
poker with Rance for life-or-death stakes. American performances of Manon Lescaut For La bohème, Tosca and Madama its subject matter. In La Fanciulla del West
When Johnson is later captured and faces and Madama Butterfly. Puccini could Butterfly Puccini had worked with two Puccini used a range of strikingly ‘modern’
the prospect of being hanged, Minnie discern little in the way of a clear narrative regular librettists, Giuseppe Giacosa and techniques – whole-tone chord progressions,
intervenes, persuades the miners to show thread, though the fact that he spoke Luigi Illica. But Giacosa had recently died, unresolved dissonances, and angular
clemency and rides off with him into the very little English probably didn’t help. and Illica was otherwise occupied, so rhythms – all of which created a rather
sunset. However, he found the character Minnie Puccini found two new writers, the young brutal musical sound-world that matched
8 9the harsh, masculine setting of the opera. Puccini travelled to New York for the effects. The opera’s theme of nostalgia, The music didn’t sound American either.
The fast pace of the action meant that opera’s première by luxury liner, taking encapsulated by the chorus ‘Che faranno But then again, what did ‘American’
there was, for the most part, no place for his son Antonio with him and leaving i vecchi miei là lontano? (What will my old music sound like? Arguments about the
the expansive moments of lyrical reflection the troublesome Elvira at home. It was folks do, way back home?)’, appealed in Americanness or otherwise of Puccini’s
that were so characteristic of his earlier an all-star occasion, with Emmy Destinn particular to the many Italian immigrants score raged against the background of
style. and Enrico Caruso in the leading roles who filled the cheaper seats in the a wider debate about whether American
and Toscanini conducting. The streets gallery. But despite the warm audience high-art music should be based on the
Puccini also used a larger orchestra than surrounding the Metropolitan Opera response, the New York critics were less music of the native Americans, or perhaps
usual – including quadruple woodwind, two House were jammed with traffic, as all than enthusiastic the next morning. The on the music of African Americans.
harps and an expanded percussion section fashionable New York tried to make its Met had hyped the work as ‘the perfect Meanwhile, Puccini protested that he had
– and combined instruments in unusual way to the theatre, including members blend of two worlds’, and a ‘synergy of never intended to write an ‘American’
ways. A lot of the musical interest is in the of the Vanderbilt, Astor and Guggenheim old and new, European and American’. opera in the first place and that Fanciulla
orchestra rather than in the vocal parts, families. The Met had never previously It is not surprising, therefore, that this was an Italian opera through and through.
to the extent that the orchestra almost staged a world première, and this was New was the subject the reviewers picked up
becomes a character itself, constantly York’s chance to put itself on the map as on to the greatest extent. Some deemed More concerning to him in the longer
commenting on the events on stage rather a major operatic centre. The symbolism the opera’s cosmopolitan cast, including term was how critics saw this opera in
than simply accompanying the voices. This of the occasion and the sums of money Italian, French, Polish and Spanish relation to his others. The critic for The
was a technique Puccini had learnt from invested in it were such that the première singers, incapable of playing Americans Nation wrote: ‘In the whole opera there is
Wagner, who pioneered a narrative use of could not afford to be anything less than a convincingly. Their style of singing was all not one of those stirring, broad, sensuous
the orchestra. When Italian composers first sensation. wrong; their deportment was wrong; even melodies which had made La bohème,
began to imitate this technique they were their way of drawing a gun and kissing Tosca and Madama Butterfly famous. The
harshly rebuked, the critics regarding it as And so it seemed to be, on the face of was deemed to be un-American. And what orchestration is rich and varied and betrays
a threat to the supremacy of the beautiful things. Puccini received 55 curtain calls. were Californian miners doing singing in great technical skill; but in this direction…
voice, that most distinctive feature of the The audience was reportedly dazzled Italian anyway? operatic success does not lie. We shall
Italian operatic tradition. both by the singing and by the scenic be very much surprised if La Fanciulla del
10 11West is a success in any European country’. on its own terms. They also failed to Libretto CD I
This comment was to come back to haunt understand a work which was quite simply
Puccini. It was hard to get European ahead of its time, but what sounded ATTO PRIMO FIRST ACT
audiences to accept this ‘American’ shocking in 1910 no longer sounds shocking
opera, with its unfamiliar narrative arc to us today. Fanciulla is probably the least- L'interno della " Polka " Inside the “Polka” saloon
and exotic American folk-tunes. Aspects often performed of Puccini’s mature works, 1
of the score were also too modern for the but it is also one of his most interesting Voci lontane Voices in the distance
critics to accept, with many perturbed by and dramatically effective operas. Hello! Hello! Hello! Hello!
its ‘contamination’ by foreign influences Alla "Polka"! Alle "Palme"! To the “Polka”! To the “Palms”!
(notably that of Debussy). By the 1920s, Whereas many of Puccini’s earlier works Holla! Hallo! Hello! Hello!
critics and even biographers supportive of feel as if they properly belong to the un ritornello lontanissimo A song from afar
Puccini were referring to Fanciulla as some nineteenth century, this is indisputably "Là lontano, Là lontano, “There, far away,
sort of misguided experiment, a point of a twentieth-century opera, which has quanto piangerà!... " how much she’ll weep!”
crisis in the composer’s career. And yet attracted considerable interest in recent
aspects of the work certainly resonated decades. Let us give the last word, then, Nick, esce dal sottoscala con una candela Nick, the barman, light candles, and the
with a wide public: Italian troops during to Anton Webern, who saw the opera in che ha acceso al lumino ad olio. La " Polka" “Polka” saloon is suddenly aglow. Groups of
the First World War are said to have sung Vienna in 1919 and described it to none si anima ad un tratto. Cominciano ad miners return from the mining camps and
the aria ‘Ch’ella mi creda libero e lontano other than Arnold Schoenberg as ‘a entrare a gruppi i minatori di ritorno dal burst into the saloon.
(Let her believe I’m free and far away)’ to score with an original sound throughout, campo.
keep up their spirits. splendid, every bar a surprise… I must say I 2
enjoyed it very much’. Puccini, ever keen to Harry, Joe, Bello ed altri Harry, Joe, Bello, and others
Of course, we hear Fanciulla with rather keep up with his forward-looking European Hello, Nick! Hello, Nick!
different ears today. The critics in 1910 were colleagues, would have been delighted.
rather too obsessed with their respective Nick Nick
nationalist agendas to listen to the opera Alexandra Wilson Buona sera, ragazzi Good evening, boys!
12 13Joe, Bello e gli altri Joe, Bello, and others Happy Happy
canterellando un ritornello americano singing an American song Anch'io ci sto. Me too!
"Dooda, dooda, day-" “Dooda, dooda day...”
Joe Joe
Harry Harry Anch'io. Me too!
Sigari, Nick! Nick, cigars!
Bello Bello
Joe Joe All right! Chi è che tiene banco? All right! Who’ll be the banker?
Whisky! And whiskey!
Happy Happy
Nick Nick Sid. Sid!
Son qua. I’m here!
Bello Bello
Bello Bello Brutto affare. It’s an ugly business!
Minnie? Where’s Minnie?
Sid Sid
Nick Nick Chi vuol mischiare, mischi. Whoever wants to shuffle can shuffle!
Sta bene. She’s well!
Joe Joe
Sid Sid Holla! Holla!
Ragazzi, un faraone! Boys, a game of faro!
Chi ci sta? Who wants to play? Entrano Sonora e Trin seguiti da parecchi Sonora, Trin, and other miners enter the
minatori. saloon.
Harry Harry
Io ci sto. I’ll play.
14 15Sonora Sonora Bello Bello
Da cena, Nick! Che cosa c'è? Nick, what’s there to eat for supper? Alle "grandi"! To high cards!
Nick Nick Minatori Miners
C'è poco. Ostriche sott'aceto... Very little! Nick, da bere! Nick, pour us a drink!
Ostrich with vinegar.
Sonora Sonora
Sonora Sonora Ti aspetto? Should I wait for you?
Hallo, Larkens! Hello, Larkens!
Trin Trin
Larkens Larkens Vengo... I’m coming!
Hallo! Hello!
Happy Happy
Minatori The Miners Gettoni! Chips!
preparandosi al giuoco Ready to play cards
Andiamo!... Let’s go! Sid Sid
Un re. Un asso. A king. An ace.
Sid Sid
Fate il giuoco. Ante up! Bello Bello
Maledetto Damn!
Joe Joe
Al "giardino"! To the queen! a Nick che gli passa accanto, As Nick passes by, Rance points to Larkens,
accennandogli Larkens, che ha chinato il sitting crouched with his arms covering his
Harry Harry capo sulle braccia. head.
Alle "piccole"! To low cards!
16 17Rance Rance Sid Sid
Larkens che ha? Sta male? What’s wrong with him? Is he sick? E novanta, fan cento. And ninety makes a hundred.
Fante... Regina... A Jack. A Queen.
Nick Nick
II suo solite male. Nostalgia. The usual sickness. Homesickness. Joe Joe
Mal di terra natia Ripensa la sua vecchia He’s always thinking about his mother and Hurrà! Evviva! Hurrah!
Cornovaglia e la madre lontana che Cornwall, and that they’re waiting for him.
l'aspetta... Happy Happy
con rabbia furious
Rance Rance Sacramento! Damn it!
Che terra maledetta, quest'occidente d'oro! This golden west is a cursed land!
Trin Trin
Nick Nick Australiano d'inferno! Damned Australian!
Ha la malaria gialla. He’s got the yellow fever.
L'oro avvelena il sangue a chi lo guarda. Gold poisons the blood of anyone who sees it. Joe Joe
Il tre non vince mai. The three never wins!
Rance Rance
E Minnie, come tarda! How come Minnie is late? Trin Trin
Tutto sul tre! Everything on the three!
Sid Sid
Quanti dollari? How much? Sid Sid
Tre. Sette. Three. Seven.
Happy Happy
Dieci. Ten. Trin Trin
Tutto perso. Good bye! It’s all lost. Good bye!
18 19Trin si stacca dal tavolo del giuoco e siede a Trin rises from the table and sits down at Tutti All
quello dove Sonora sta mangiando. the table where Sonora is eating. Hurrà! Hurrah!
Nick Nick Trin Trin
Nella sala, ragazzi, vi si vuole a ballare! Boys, you can dance in the hall! fermando Nick, in disparte, sottovoce aside to Nick
Nick, che ti ha detto? Nick, what did she tell you?
Sonora Sonora
A ballare? Son pazzi! Dance? They’re crazy! Nick Nick
Io non ballo con uomini! Ti pare? I don’t dance with men! Do you agree? furbescamente anche a lui playing along
Mah! Se ho ben capito Well, if I understand it,
Trin Trin voi siete il preferito. you’re her favourite!
Giusto! You’re right!
Trin Trin
Sonora Sonora Whisky per tutti! Whiskey for everyone!
alzandosi, in disparte a Nick aside to Nick
Minnie infine s'è decisa per me? Has Minnie finally made up her mind about Tutti All
me? Hurrà! Hurrah!
3
Nick Nick Jake Wallace Jake Wallace
furbescamente, secondandolo Cunningly playing along with him di fuori cantando singing from outside
Certo: ho capito Certainly: I understand "Che faranno i vecchi miei là lontano, “What could my old folks be doing over
che siete il preferito! you’re her favourite! là lontano, che faran laggiù? there, far away?
Tristi e soli i vecchi miei They’re probably weeping, thinking that I’ll
Sonora Sonora piangeranno, penseranno ch'io non torni più!" never come home again!”
Sigari a tutti! Cigars for everyone!
20 21Nick Nick Larkens Larkens
Ragazzi, vi annunzio Jake Wallace Boys, let me introduce Jake Wallace, in lacrime, supplicando In tears, begging
il menestrello del campo! the minstrel of the camp! Non reggo più, ragazzi! Boys, I can’t take it anymore!
la canzone ha preso tutti the song affects everyone. Son malato, non so di che. I’m sick, I don’t know from what.
Mandatemi, ah, mandatemi via! send me away! Oh, send me away!
Jake Wallace Jake Wallace Son rovinato! I’m ruined!
La mia mamma, che farà What will my mother do Son stanco di piccone e di miniera! I’m tired of picks and mining!
s'io non torno, if I don’t return, Voglio l'aratro, vo' la mamma mia! I want to plow, I want my mother!
s'io non torno? if I don’t return?
Quanto piangerà! She’ll weep so much! Tutti gli sono attorno, confortandolo, Everyone is around him and comfort him,
commossi. Sonora prende un vassoio e moved. Sonora removes his hat and takes
Wallace e i Minatori Wallace and the Miners invita tutti a versar denari per Larkens. up a collection for Larkens.
Al telaio tesserà lino e duolo “In her grief, she’ll weave
pel lenzuolo che la coprirà... the shroud that will cover her. Sonora Sonora
E il mio cane dopo tanto Will my dog recognize me Per rimandarlo a casa. To send him back home.
mi ravviserà? after such a long time?
Minatori Miners
Harry Harry Prendi. To'. Cinque dollari! Altri cinque! Take it. Here. Five dollars! Another five! For
O mia casa, al rivo accanto. Oh my home beside the river. A te, Sonora. Anche questi. you Sonora. This too.
Minatori Miners Sonora Sonora
là lontano, chi ti rivedrà? There, far away, who will see you again? a Larkens to Larkens
4 Coraggio! Courage!
Jim, perchè piangi? Jim, why are you crying?
Jim! Che hai ? Jim, what’s wrong? Sonora versa il contenuto del vassoio nelle Sonora empties the contents of his hat into
22 23mani di Larkens, che commosso confuso the hands of Larkens, who is overcome by Sid è afferrato e portato in mezzo alla Sid is dragged to the center of the room
manda intorno saluti e sorrisi fra le lacrime. emotion; he smiles and thanks his friends. scena. Jack Rance comparisce sulla porta and beaten. Jack Rance appears at the
della sala da ballo, osservando la door of the ballroom, observing the scene
Larkens Larkens scena con fredda indifferenza. with cold indifference.
Grazie, grazie ragazzi! Thanks so much, boys!
esce leaves Sid Sid
Per carità! For pity’s sake!
Minatori Miners
Va tutto? Al quattro. Al tre. Ready? To the four. The three. Rance Rance
Raddoppio. Giuoco fatto. I double. Two. Bets are in! Che succede? What’s going on?
Niente va più! Due! Tre! No more bets! Two! Three!
Bello Bello
Bello Bello Ha barato! He cheated!
Questa è da ladro! That’s cheating! Avrà ciò che gli spetta!... He’ll get what he deserves!
Sonora Sonora Tutti All
Su le mani! Raise your hands! Al laccio! Hang him!
5
Bello Bello Rance Rance
Su le braccia! Guardate! Raise your arms! Look! Andiam, ragazzi! Come on, boys, calm down.
Un po' di calma. Qua, vediamo. Get up, let’s see.
Tutti All
Sia legato! Al laccio! Tie him up! Hang him! Tutti All
Il ladro! Il baro! The thief! Cheater! Al laccio, Sid. A morte! Hang him! Put Sid to death!
24 25Rance Rance Un poker! Nick, gettoni! Some poker! Nick, Chips!
Evvia! Che è poi la morte? Be off! What is death?
Un calcio dentro al buio e buona notte! A kick in the dark and good night! Entra Ashby Ashby enters
So un castigo più degno. I know a more appropriate punishment.
Datemi la sua carta. Give me his card. Ashby Ashby
Dànno a Rance il due di picche; egli con Rance is given the two of spades, Sceriffo, hallo! Hello, Sheriff!
uno spillo lo appunta sul petto di Sid, which he pins on Sid’s chest, right over his
sopra il cuore heart Rance Rance
Sopra il cuore, come si porta un fiore. Over his heart, like one wears a flower. ai minatori to the miners
Non toccherà più carte. He won’t touch cards any more. Ragazzi, fate largo! Boys, stand aside!
È questo il segno. This is the sign. Presento mister Ashby, dell'Agenzia Wells Say hello to Mr. Ashby of the Wells Fargo
Se si azzardasse a toglierlo, impiccatelo. If he dares to take it off, hang him! Fargo. Agency.
a Bello, con autorità to Bello, with authority
Domani al campo, tu spargi la voce. Tomorrow, spread the word at the camp. Ashby stringe la mano a Rance e saluta gli Ashby shakes hands with Rance and greets
a Sid to Sid altri. the others.
Va! Get out!
Ashby Ashby
Sid Sid Nick, portami da bere. Nick, bring me something to drink!
Ragazzi, siate buoni!... Boys, be lenient! Come sta la ragazza? How is the girl?
Tutti All Tutti All
Via di qua! Via! Fuori! Ladro! Out of here, you thieve! Grazie, bene. She’s well, thanks!
6
Rance Rance Rance Rance
a Sonora e Trin to Sonora and Trin Che nuove del bandito? Any news about the bandit?
26 277
Ashby Ashby Rance Rance
Da tre mesi lo apposto I’ve been tracking him for three months! Mistress Rance, fra poco. Very soon to be Mrs. Rance.
non è molto discosto... He can’t be very far away!
Sonora Sonora
Rance Rance No, faccia di cinese! No, you yellow face!
Dicon che ruba come un gran signore! They say he steals like a gallant gentleman! Minnie si prende giuoco di te! Minnie’s toying with you!
È spagnuolo ? Is he Spanish?
Rance Rance
Ashby Ashby Ragazzo, è l'whisky che lavora. Boy, the whiskey is making you babble too
La banda di ladri, a cui comanda, The band of thieves he’s leading are Ti compatisco. much. I feel sorry for you.
è messicana: Mexican: Di Jack Rance finora nessuno, intendi, s'è Up to now, no one, no one toys with Jack
gentaccia gagliarda, astuta, pronta a tutto. they’re rabble, but cunning, ready for mai preso giuoco! Rance! Understand!
State in guardia. anything. E buon per te ch'io non curi le offese It’s a good thing that I don’t listen to insults
Io mi sdraio. Son stanco, ho l'ossa rotte. Be on your guard. degli ubriachi! from drunkards!
A tutti, buona notte! I’m stretching out. I’m dead tired!
Good night to all of you! Sonora Sonora
Vecchio biscazziere! You’re a dirty old gambler!
Trin Trin Minnie ti burla! Minnie’s making fun of you!
Che cos'è ? What’s this?
Rance Rance
Nick Nick Provalo! Prove it!
Offre Minnie! Minnie’s treat!
Sonora Sonora
Tutti All Ti burla, muso giallo! She’s making fun of you, yellow face!
Viva Minnie! Viva la nostra Minnie! Long live Minnie! Our Minnie!
28 29Rance Rance Tutti All
Ah, miserabile! Drunkard! Ah, you wretch! No, Minnie, no! No, Minnie, no!
Si azzuffano. Gli altri cercano dividerli. They fight. The others try to divide them. Sonora Sonora
Minnie entra, e l'ira cade subitamente. Then Minnie appears, and the anger imbarazzato embarrassedly
vanishes immediately. Sai, quando tu ritardi You know that when you’re late
8 ci si annoia. Ed allora... we get edgy. And then...
Tutti All
Hello, Minnie! Hello, Minnie! Minnie Minnie
scuote la testa e sorride rabbonita; shakes her head and smiles. Then she
Minnie Minnie vede Bello in contemplazione notices Bello in contemplation.
con autorità with authority Bello, che fai? Bello, what are you doing?
Che cos'è stato? What happened? Che guardi? What are you looking at?
a Sonora to Sonora
Sempre tu, Sonora? Is it you again, Sonora? Bello Bello
Nulla. Nothing.
Trin Trin
Nulla, Minnie; sciocchezze. It’s nothing, Minnie, just nonsense. Minatori Miners
Si scherzava! They were fooling around! Guardava te! He was looking at you!
Minnie Minnie Joe Joe
adirata angrily offrendole il mazzolino offering her flowers
Voi manderete tutto alla malora! Vergogna! You’ll send everything to blazes! What a Minnie, li ho colti lungo il Torrente Nero. Minnie, I’ve gathered them along the “Black
Non farò più scuola. shame! Al mio paese ce ne son tanti! Torrent.”
I’m not going to run the school anymore. I prati ne son folti. There are so many in my village!
30 31The meadows are full of them. Minnie Minnie
Hip! Hip! Hip! Hip!
Minnie Minnie offrendo sigari ad Ashby Minnie offers Ashby cigars
Oh, grazie, grazie, Joe! Oh Joe, thank you! Regalias? Auroras? Eurekas? Regalias? Auroras? Eurekas?
Sonora Sonora Ashby Ashby
levandosi di tasca un nastro giving Minnie a ribbon Se li scegliete voi, la qualità non conta nulla. If you choose any, the quality is unimportant.
È passato pel campo oggi un merciaio A trader from San Francisco passed through Ognuno avrà per me il profumo Each cigar will have the perfume
di San Francisco. Aveva trine e nastri. the camp today with laces and ribbons. della man che li tocca! of the hand that touches them!
Questo è per voi. This is for you.
Vedete, è color porpora colpe la vostra Look, it’s the color of crimson, just like your Nick Nick
bocca. lips. a Minnie to Minnie
Vi prego, andate in giro. Please make the rounds.
Harry Harry Ogni vostra parola, ogni sorriso è una Each word, each smile of yours brings
spiegando un fazzoletto di seta giving her a silk handkerchief consumazione! satisfaction!
E questo è azzurro, come il vostro sguardo! And this is blue, like your eyes!
Minnie Minnie
Minnie Minnie Mala lingua! What a naughty remark!
Grazie, grazie! Thanks! a Rance to Rance
Vi do la buona sera, sceriffo! Sheriff, I bid you good evening!
Ashby Ashby
offre un bicchiere a Minnie offers Minnie a drink Rance Rance
Gli omaggi di Wells Fargo! A tribute from Wells Fargo! Buona sera, Minnie. Good evening, Minnie.
32 33Sonora Sonora che quando ancor era ragazzo, armatosi who armed himself with the jawbone of an
a Minnie consegnandole un sacchetto d'oro giving Minnie a small bag of gold d'una mascella d'asino, affrontò un gran ass, and confronted a big giant and killed
Tira una riga sul mio conto! Cancel a row of charges on my bill! gigante e l'ammazzò. him.
Ashby Ashby Minnie Minnie
a Rance To Rance ridendo laughing
Con queste bande in giro, è una pazzia With those outlaws on the loose, it’s Che confusione! Siedi. What confusion! Sit down.
tener l'oro qua dentro. madness to keep the gold here. A posto, Joe! Find your place, Joe!
All'Agenzia starebbe molto meglio. It would be much safer at the Agency. Ora leggiamo. Versetto secondo: Now let’s read. The second verse:
“Aspergimi d'issòpo e sarò mondo... " “Purify me with hyssop and I’ll be cleansed.”
Minnie ha preso la Bibbia, ed è venuta Minnie takes out a Bible and goes to the
in mezzo alla stanza. Tutti i minatori la center of the room. All the miners encircle Trin Trin
seguono e le fanno circolo intorno. Rance e her. Rance and Ashby watch silently from a Che cos' è quest' issòpo, Minnie? Minnie, what is hyssop?
Ashby, di lontano, guardano e tacciono. distance.
9 Minnie Minnie
Minnie Minnie È un'erba che fa in Oriente... An herb that grows in the Orient.
Dove eravamo? Where were we?
Ruth? Ezechiel? No, Ester? Ruth? Ezekiel? No, Esther? Joe Joe
Ali, ecco il segno. No, here’s the place. E qui da noi non fa? Does it grow here?
Salmo cinquantunesimo, di David. Psalm Fifty-One of David.
Harry, ricordi chi era David? Harry, do you remember who David was? Minnie Minnie
Sì, Joe, nel cuore ognun di noi ne serba Yes, Joe, everyone’s heart has a little bush of
Harry Harry un cespuglietto. hyssop in it.
alzandosi come uno scolaretto rising like a schoolboy
Era un re dei tempi antichi, un vero eroe He was a king in ancient times, a real hero
34 35Joe Joe Billy Billy
Nel cuore? In the heart? Buono. Good.
Minnie Minnie Minnie Minnie
Nel cuore. In the heart. Billy! Billy!
continuando a leggere continues to lecture
"Lavami e sarò bianco come neve. “Purify me and I’ll be white as snow. Nick Nick
Poni dentro al mio petto un puro cuore, Place a pure heart in my breast, Va via di qua, briccone! Get out of that, you rascal!
e rinnovella in me uno spirito eletto." and renew a righteous spirit in me.”
Ciò vuol dire, ragazzi, che non v'è, Boys, that means that there’s not Billy Billy
al mondo, peccatore cui non s'apra una via a sinner in the world for whom a path of Padrona. Missis.
di redenzione. redemption is not open.
Sappia ognuno di voi chiudere in se May all of you know how to keep Minnie Minnie
questa suprema verità d'amore. the supreme truth of love inside of you. Che fai qui? What do you want?
Sai la lezione? Do you know your lessons?
Trin Trin
Guarda, Minnie! Look, Minnie! Billy Billy
Lezione, Billly? He'. Lessons, Billy? Huh?
Minnie Minnie
Che c'è? What’s up? Minnie Minnie
Sentiamo: conta fino a dieci. Let’s hear you count to ten.
Joe Joe
Billy lava i bicchieri! Billy’s washing the glasses! Billy Billy
Uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque, sei, sette, One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, Jack,
fante, regina e re. Queen and King.
36 37tutti scoppiano in una risata. Minnie si alza. All burst out laughing. Minnie gets up. S'è visto sul sentiero un ceffo di meticcio. A half-breed has been seen on the trail.
Minnie Minnie Ashby Ashby
Che stupida marmotta! You silly idiot! Postiglione! Conosci certa Nina? Postboy! Do you know a certain Nina?
E Wowkle? L'hai sposata? And Wowkle? Have you married her yet? Nina Micheltorena? Nina Micheltorena?
Billy Billy Minnie Minnie
Ora tardi sposare. Abbiamo bimbo. Too late marry now: we got a baby. E una finta spagnuola nativa di Cachuca, She’s a native of Cachuca who pretends to
Un'altra risata accoglie quest'uscita. Another burst of laughter greets his excuse. una sirena che fa molto consume di be Spanish. She’s a seductress who puts lots
Minnie lo chiama, egli si avvicina a Minnie calls him and he goes up to her nerofumo per farsi l'occhio languido. of black soot on her eyes to look sexy.
malincuore. La fanciulla gli toglie di tasca i reluctantly. She takes the stolen cigars from Chiedetene ai ragazzi! Ask the boys!
sigari rubati. his pocket.
Ashby Ashby
Minnie Minnie a Rance to Rance
Questo pezzente un giorno l'ha sedotta. This thieving redskin has betrayed her. Sceriffo, questa sera ho Ramerrez al laccio. Sheriff, tonight I’ll have Ramerrez with a
Furfante! The rascal! noose around his neck.
Ed hanno un bimbo di sei mesi! They’ve got a baby six months old!
Guai a te se domani non la sposi! Ora, via! There will be trouble if you don’t marry her Rance Rance
tomorrow! Off you go! Come? How?
10
Nick Nick Ashby Ashby
La posta! The mail! L'avventuriera mi dice che sa il covo del The daring woman has told me that she
bandito knows the bandit’s hideout, and tonight, at
Postiglione Postboy e che stanotte a mezzanotte vada midnight, I’m to meet her at the “Palms.”
Hello, ragazzi! State attenti! Hello, boys! Be on your guard! alle "Palme" a trovarla.
38 39Rance Rance Harry Harry
Quella Micheltorena è una canaglia. That Micheltorena woman is a good-for- leggendo il giornale reading the newspaper
Ashby non vi fidate: è un brutto azzardo. nothing. Incendi, guerre, terremoti, piene. Fires, wars, huge earthquakes, floods,
Ashby, don’t trust her. Quante cose nel mondo! What awful disasters!
E al mio villaggio, che faranno laggiù? In my own village, how are things there?
Ashby Ashby Staranno bene? How are they faring?
Vendette di donne innamorate... It’s the vengeance of women in love.
Ad ogni modo, Rance, tengo l'invito. In any case, Rance, I’ll keep the Joe Joe
appointment. leggendo reading
Pur troppo, Joe, ci son notizie tristi. Yes truly, Joe, my news is sad.
Rance e Asbby si appartano. Ashby and Rance leave.
Tutti All
Bello Bello Joe, che c'è? Brutte nuove? Su, coraggio! What’s wrong, Joe? Bad tidings? Courage!
leggendo una lettera reading a letter
Ketty sposa? Is Ketty getting married? Joe Joe
E chi sposa la mia Ketty? And who’s marrying my Ketty? leggendo reads
Sentì! L'orologiaio suo vicino... Listen! It’s her neighbor, the watchmaker. Ed anche nonna se n'è andata! Your poor old granny is no more!
Quel vecchio sordo!... Mah!... That old man is deaf! sta per dire altre parole, ma si trattiene, is about to say more, but restrains himself,
Povera Ketty! Poor Ketty! si morde un dito, asciuga gli occhi col dorso bites his finger, wipes his eyes with the back
della mano e ordina, seccamente of his hand, and drily orders
Whisky! Whiskey!
Happy Happy
leggendo, sottovoce reading softly Nick Nick
Perfino il pappagallo s'è avvilito; At last the poor old parrot is discouraged, rientrando re-entering
chiama: "Happy" e poi dice: "Partito!" He calls: “Happy!”, then says: “He’s leaving!” C'è fuori uno straniero. There’s a stranger outside.
40 41Minnie Minnie Minnie Minnie
Chi è? Who is it? sorridendo, indifferente smiling and indifferent
Non lo dite. Don’t say that.
Nick Nick
Non l'ho mai visto... I’ve never seen him before. Rance Rance
Sembra di San Francisco. He looks like he’s from San Francisco. Mille dollari, qui, se tu mi baci! Here’s a thousand dollars if you kiss me!
Mi ha chiesto un whisky ed acqua. He asked me for whiskey and water.
Minnie Minnie
Minnie Minnie Rance, voi mi fate ridere. Su via, finitela! Rance, you’re making me laugh. Stop it!
Whisky ed acqua? Whiskey and water?
Che son questi pasticci? What kind of nonsense is that? Rance Rance
Tu non puoi star qui sola! Ti sposo. You can’t stay here alone! I’ll marry you.
Nick Nick
È quello che gli ho detto That’s what I told him: Minnie Minnie
Alla "Polka" si beve l'whisky schietto. at the “Polka” we drink whiskey straight. E vostra moglie, che dirà? And what will your wife say?
Minnie Minnie Rance Rance
Bene, venga. Gli aggiusteremo i ricci. Well, let him come! We’ll fix his curls. Se tu lo vuoi, mai più mi rivedrà! If it’s your wish, she’ll never see me again!
Nick esce di nuovo. Rance si fa più Nick leaves again. Rance approaches Minnie
dappresso a Minnie, parlandole and speaks to her in a trembling voice. Minnie Minnie
con voce tremante di desiderio. con fierezza with pride
11 Rance, basta! M'offendete! Rance, enough!
Rance Rance Vivo sola così, voi lo sapete, You’re offending me!
Ti voglio bene, Minnie. Minnie, I love you! perchè così mi piace... I live alone, and you know that it’s because I
con questa compagnia sicura e buona, like it that way; there’s a safe and good
42 43che mai non m'abbandona. company of men who‘ll never abandon me. Rance Rance
Rance, lasciatemi in pace. Rance, leave me in peace! Poesia! Nonsense!
Siete in collera, Rance? Rance, are you angry? 13
Perchè? Vi ho detto il mio pensiero schietto. Why? I’ve told you my honest thoughts. Minnie Minnie
12 Laggiù nel Soledad, ero piccina, I was a little girl down there in Soledad,
Rance Rance avevo una stanzuccia affumicata I had a tiny smoky room in the tavern,
Minnie, dalla mia casa son partito, Minnie, I left my house, nella taverna sopra la cucina. above the kitchen.
ch' è là dai monti, sopra un altro mare: which is beyond the hills, and beyond the Ci vivevo con babbo e mamma mia. I lived there with my mom and dad.
non un rimpianto, Minnie, m'ha seguito, high seas. Tutto ricordo: vedo le persone Ah! I remember everything: I can see the
non un rimpianto vi potea lasciare! When I left there was not one regret, entrare e uscire a sera. people coming and going in the evening.
Nessuno mai mi amò, nessuno ho amato, and I left no regrets behind! Mamma facea da cuoca e cantiniera, Mamma was the cook and bartender,
nessuna cosa mai mi diè piacere! No one ever loved me; I never loved anyone, babbo dava le carte a faraone. and Daddy dealt the cards at faro.
Chiudo nei petto un cuor di biscazziere, and nothing ever gave me pleasure! Mamma era bella, aveva un bel piedino. Mamma was beautiful, with lovely feet.
amaro e avvelenato, A poisoned and bitter gambler Qualche volta giuocava anch'essa; ed io, Sometimes she also gambled:
che ride dell'amore e del destino: dwells in my heart, che me ne stavo sotto al tavolino and I would be under the little table waiting
mi son messo in cammino attratto sol dal and it laughs at love and at destiny. aspettando cader qualche moneta for some coins to fall,
fascino dell'oro. My journey in life is only for the attraction per comprarmi dei dolci, la vedevo I saw her snuggle her feet to daddy’s feet.
È questo il solo che non m'ha ingannato. and fascination of gold: serrar furtiva il piede al babbo mio. They loved each other so much!
Or per un bacio tuo getto un tesoro! The only thing that hasn’t deceived me. Si amavan tanto! Anch'io così vorrei Ah! I would also like to find a man that I
But for one kiss from you, I’d give up a trovare un uomo: e certo l'amerei. could truly love!
fortune!
Rance Rance
Minnie Minnie Forse, Minnie, la perla è già trovata? Perhaps the pearl has already been found?
L'amore è un'altra cosa. Love is another thing.
Minnie stà per rispondere, quando Nick Minnie is about to respond when Nick
44 45rientra. È con lui Dick Johnson. Ha sotto il returns, with him is Dick Johnson. He has Johnson Johnson
braccio la sella del suo cavallo. his saddle under his arm. La ragazza del campo? Are you the girl I met at the camp?
14
Johnson Johnson Minnie Minnie
fieramente forcefully arrossendo blushing
Chi c'è per farmi i ricci? Who’s going to curl my hair? Sì. Yes.
Minnie Minnie Rance Rance
ha uno scatto di sorpresa, come chi gives a start of surprise and recognition, but provocante avvicinandosi a Johnson aggressively approaching Johnson
riconosce una persona, ma si frena subito. controls herself at once. Nessuno straniero può entrare al campo. No stranger is allowed to enter the camp.
Salute allo straniero! Hello stranger! Certo, voi sbagliaste sentiero, giovinotto. You must have surely missed the trail.
Per caso, andavate a trovare Nina Any chance you were en route to meet Nina
Johnson Johnson Micheltorena? Micheltorena?
anche lui, dopo un moto di stupore, con also surprised at seeing Minnie
fare più dolce I’m the one who asked for whiskey and Minnie Minnie
Io son quello che chiesi whisky ed acqua. water. Rance! Rance!
Minnie Minnie Johnson Johnson
Davvero? Is that so? Fermai il cavallo qualche momento appena I stopped here to rest my horse for a few
Nick, il signore prende l'whisky come gli Nick, let the gentleman drink his whiskey as per riposarmi, e, al caso, tentare un minutes, and then, perhaps, a game of
pare. he pleases. baccarat. poker.
Minnie Minnie Rance Rance
indicando a Johnson una panca, motioning Johnson to sit down Giuocare? E il vostro nome? To gamble? What’s your name?
Sedetevi. Dovete essere stanco. Sit down. You must be tired.
46 4715
Minnie Minnie Vi ricordate di me? Do you remember me?
ridendo laughing
Forse che qui si sa il nome della gente? Since when do we ask people’s names here? Minnie Minnie
sorridendo smiling
Johnson Johnson Sì, se anche voi mi ricordate. Yes, if you also remember me.
fissando Rance staring at Rance
Johnson. Johnson. Johnson Johnson
E come non potrei? And how could I not?
Rance Rance Fu pel sentiero di Monterey. It was on the road that leads to Monterey.
ostile with hostility
Johnson. E poi? Johnson. And what else? Minnie Minnie
Fu nel tornare. It was while I was returning that you offered
Johnson Johnson Mi offriste un ramo di gelsomino. me a sprig of jasmine.
Vengo da Sacramento. I come from Sacramento.
Johnson Johnson
Minnie Minnie E poi vi dissi: Andiamo a cogliere le more. And then I said let’s go and pick some berries.
con molta gentilezza very pleasantly
Benvenuto fra noi, Johnson di Sacramento! Welcome among us, Johnson from Minnie Minnie
Sacramento! Ma io non venni. But I didn’t come.
Rance si ritira in disparte, fremendo. Nick Rance leaves, shaking with anger. Nick goes Johnson Johnson
esce. out. È vero. That’s right.
Johnson Johnson Minnie Minnie
Grazie. Thanks. Ricordate, signore? Sir, do you remember?
48 4916
Johnson Johnson Rance Rance
Come adesso. As if it was right now. Mister Johnson, infine voi m'avete seccato! Mister Johnson, you’ve bothered me!
Sono Jack Rance, sceriffo. I am Rance, the Sheriff.
Minnie Minnie Non mi lascio burlare. I don’t let myself be fooled.
Io ripresi il mio cammino, I went on my way. Che venite a far qui? What did you come here to do?
Voi dicevate. Non ricordo più. You were saying. I don’t remember any more.
Johnson si ritrae d'un passo e lo guarda Johnson goes to the counter, paying no
Johnson Johnson sdegnosamente. attention to the seething Rance.
avvicinandolesi coming closer to Minnie
Sì, che lo ricordate dissi che da quell'ora… Yes, remember I said that from that Rance Rance
moment... Ragazzi! Uno straniero ricusa confessare, Boys! A stranger refuses to tell us
perchè si trova al campo! why he’s in the camp!
Minnie Minnie
Non m'avreste scordato. You would never forget me. I Minatori Miners
Chi è? Dov'è? Lo faremo cantare! Who is he? We’ll make him talk!
Johnson Johnson
Nè v'ho scordato mai! Nor have I ever forgotten you, never! Minnie Minnie
imperioso commandingly
Minnie Minnie Io lo conosco! Innanzi al campo intero I know him! I vouch for Johnson in front of
Quanto tempo sperai di rivedervi. I waited a long time to see you again. sto garante per Johnson! the entire camp!
E non vi vidi più! And I never saw you again!
L'intervento di Minnie calma tutti i minatori, Minnie’s intervention calms the miners, who
Rance si è avvicinato al banco. Con un Rance approaches them. In a fit of jealousy, che si avvicinano a Johnson, salutando con approach Johnson and greet him cordially.
colpo rovescia il bicchiere di Johnson. he knocks Johnson’s glass down. fare cordiale.
50 51Sonora Sonora Soltanto Rance ha l'aspetto accigliato. who watches frowningly.
Buona sera, signor Johnson! Good evening, Mister Johnson!
Minnie Minnie
Johnson Johnson Io? Scusatemi, Johnson: voi non lo Me? Forgive me. You won’t believe it,
con effusione, stringendo le mani che gli si Effusively shaking hands crederete, but I’ve never danced in my life!
tendono Boys, good evening! non ho mai ballato in vita mia.
Ragazzi, buona sera
Johnson Johnson
Trin Trin Andiamo. Let’s go.
indicando Rance, che si è ritirato indietro, Pointing at the discouraged, retreated
più pallido del consueto Rance Tutti All
Ho piacere per lui! I’m happy for him! tranne Rance except Rance
Questo cialtrone smetterà quel suo fare da That rogue will now stop being so bossy! Avanti, Minnie! Sarebbe scortesia! Go on, Minnie! Be courteous!
padrone!
17 Minnie Minnie
Harry Harry prende il braccio di Johnson gracefully taking Johnson’s arm
Mister Johnson, un valzer? Mister Johnson, a waltz? E andiamo pure! Then let’s go!
Johnson Johnson Tutti All
Accetto. I accept! Avanti! Musica! Hip! Hurrah! Come on! Music! Hip! Hurrah!
Johnson offrendo il braccio a Minnie Johnson offers his arm to Minnie La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la... La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la...
Permettete? Will you allow me?
Nick Nick
Tutti guardano Minnie, sorridendo come per All look at Minnie, smilingly urging her to rientrando re-entering
incitare Minnie a ballare. dance with Johnson. Apart from Rance, Dov'è Minnie ? Where’s Minnie ?
52 53Rance Rance Castro Castro
E là dentro che balla con quel can She’s inside dancing with that dandy who Son fuggito. L'odiavo. I ran away. I hated him.
di pelo fino giunto da Sacramento! just arrived from Sacramento! Se volete, vi porto sulla sua traccia! If you want, I’ll put you on his trail!
Uomini fuori Men outside Sonora Sonora
All laccio! A morte! Hang him! Death to him! Questo sudicio ladro c'inganna! This dirty thief is lying to us!
Ashby Ashby Castro Castro
tiene in braccio Castro holding Castro Non v'inganno! No, I’m not lying!
Al laccio! Legatelo! Hang him! Tie him up!
Rance Rance
Castro Castro Conosci il nascondiglio? Do you know his hiding place?
vedendo la sella di Johnson, fra sè after seeing Johnson’s saddle
(La sella del padrone! L'hanno' preso!) (The boss’s saddle! They’ve caught him!) Castro Castro
È a poco più d'un miglio: alla Madrona It’s in the Madrona Canyada, just a little
Ashby Ashby Canyada. more than a mile from here.
a Nick to Nick Vi mostrerò la strada. I’ll show you the way.
Da bere! Sono morto. Something to drink! I’m dead tired! In nome di mia madre, Maria Saltaja, In the name of my mother, Maria Saltaja,
giuro che non v'inganno! I swear that I’m not lying to you!
Rance Rance Se volete, vi porto. If you want, I’ll take you there.
afferrando Castro per i capelli grabbing Castro’s hair Gli pianterò nel dorso la mia navaja! I’ll plant my dagger in his back!
Figlio di cane, mostraci la tua lurida faccia! You dog, show us your filthy face.
Tu sei con Ramerrez! Are you one of Ramerrez’s men? Rance Rance
Si va? Shall we go?
54 55Ashby Ashby Sonora Sonora
S'è annuvolato. Avremo la tormenta. It’s cloudy. We’re going to have a storm! Gli occhi di Minnie bastano a guardarci il Minnie’s eyes are enough to guard the
tesoro! treasure!
Rance Rance
Legatelo! Tie him up! Castro Castro
a Nick to Nick
Trin Trin Aguardiente! Some brandy!
Si tenta! We’ll try it!
Tutti escono. Poco appresso esce dalla Everybody leaves. Johnson emerges from
Trin e Sonora Trin and Sonora sala Johnson vede Castro, si domina. Nick the dance hall, controlling himself after he
A cavallo! A cavallo! Let’s get our horses! va dietro il banco a prendere l'acquavite: sees Castro. Nick goes behind the bar to
Johnson si avvicina a Castro senza farsi get a drink for Castro. Johnson cautiously
Castro Castro notare. approaches Castro.
ha visto Johnson; fra se, lieto happily, as he notices Johnson
(Non è preso! È nel ballo!) (He’s not caught! He’s dancing!) Castro Castro
a Johnson to Johnson
Minatori Miners Mi son lasciato prendere per sviarli. I let myself be caught to mislead them.
Dove si va? Where do we go? Mi seguono nel bosco i nostri. Our men followed me and are in the forest.
Presto udrete un fischio; Soon you’ll hear a whistle.
Rance Rance se c'è il colpo, rispondete col fischio vostro. If the robbery is “on” answer with your
S'insegue Ramerrez! We’ll track Ramerrez! whistle!
Nick Nick Nick Nick
a Sonora to Sonora a Johnson addressing Johnson
E l'oro ? And the gold? Quest'uomo sa la traccia di Ramerrez. This man knows the trail to Ramerrez.
56 57Rance Rance più che un bacio? just a kiss from you?
Ora via! Now, let’s go!
Minnie Minnie
Nick Nick ridendo laughing
Buona fortuna! Good luck! Anche! Onesto mi è accaduto, talvolta, That too! That’s happened to me several
18 ma il primo bacio debbo darlo ancora. times but I still haven’t given my first kiss.
Minnie Minnie
Mister Johnson, siete rimasto indietro Mister Johnson, have you remained behind Johnson Johnson
a farmi compagnia per custodir la casa? to join me in guarding the saloon? Davvero? Ed abitate qui alla «Polka?» Really? Do you live here at the “Polka”?
Johnson Johnson Minnie Minnie
con un lieve turbamento slightly startled Abito una capanna a mezzo il monte. I live in a cabin half way up the hill.
Se volete. If you wish.
Che strana cosa ritrovarvi qui It’s so strange, to find you here Johnson Johnson
dove ognuno può entrare col tranquillo where anyone can come in Meritate di meglio. You deserve better.
pretesto to drink or to steal.
di bere, e con l'intento di rubare. Minnie Minnie
Mi contento a me basta; credete. I’m content. Believe me, it’s sufficient for
Minnie Minnie Ci vivo sola sola, senza timore. me.
Vi dò la mia parola I promise you that I know how to stand up to Strano! Io sento che di voi mi fiderei, I live there alone and without fear.
che saprei tener fronte a chiunque. anyone. ben ch'io non sappia ancora chi voi siate. I also feel that I can trust you,
even though I don’t know who you are.
Johnson Johnson
sorridendo smiling Johnson Johnson
Anche a chi non volesse rubare Even one who only wants to steal Non so ben neppur io quello che sono. I hardly even know myself.
58 59Amai la vita, e l'amo, I loved life, and I love life, quando contro il mio petto sentendovi I felt you trembling against my chest;
e ancor bella mi appare. and it still seems beautiful to me! tremare and I felt a strange joy,
Certo anche voi l'amate, ma non avete tanto Surely you love life also, but you haven’t ho provato una gioia strana, a new kind of peace that I can’t describe!
vissuto per guardare fino in fondo lived long enough to absorb the entire una nuova pace che ridire non so!
alle cose del mondo. essence of the world.
Minnie Minnie
Minnie Minnie Ed anch'io, Me too,
Non so, non vi comprendo. I don’t know, I don’t understand you. 21
19 come voi leggermi in cuor non so, I can’t read my heart like you do:
Io non son che una povera fanciulla I am merely a poor girl of humble birth with ma ho l'anima piena but I have a soul full
oscura e buona a nulla. very little to offer. di tanta allegrezza, of so much happiness,
Mi dite delle cose tanto belle You say such beautiful things to me but di tanta pau... and so much fea...
che forse non intendo. perhaps I don’t understand them all.
Non so che sia, ma sento I don’t know what it is, but in my heart Nick è apparso sulla soglia, con aria Seeing Nick, who has come in trembling by
nel cuore uno scontento I feel disappointed preoccupata. the door at the back.
d'esser così piccina, that I’m so inconsequential.
e un desiderio d'innalzarmi a voi I’d like to elevate myself to your level, Minnie Minnie
su, su, come le stelle, high, like the stars, Che cosa c'è? What do you want?
per esservi vicina, to be close to you
per potervi parlare. and be able to talk to you. Nick Nick
20 Guardatevi. S'è visto Watch out! They’ve seen
Johnson Johnson qui attorno un altro ceffo messicano. another ugly Mexican around here.
Quello che tacete me l'ha già detto il cuore What you don’t say, my heart tells me.
quando il braccio v'ho offerto When I offered you my arm, Minnie Minnie
alla danza con me, and then we danced together, Dove, Nick? Where, Nick?
60 61Johnson Johnson in mezzo alla fanghiglia per mandare They’ve come here to work like dogs
Non andate! Stay here! un po’ d’oro ai cari vecchi, e ai bimbi in the middle of this mire so they can send
si ode un fischio acuto nella notte a shrill whistle sounds through the darkness lontani! a bit of gold to their parents and children
(Il segnale!) (The signal!) Ecco, Johnson, perchè chi vuol quest’oro, far away!
pria passerà su me! Here, Johnson, whoever wants this gold
Minnie Minnie Will first have to pass over my dead body!
timorosa, rifugiandosi accanto a Johnson Looking afraid, seeking Johnson’s protection 22
Ascoltate! Che sarà questo fischio? Listen! What can that whistle be about? Johnson Johnson
In quel barile, Johnson, c'è un tesoro. Johnson, there’s a fortune in that barrel. Ah, non temete, nessuno ardirà Don’t have no fears, no one will dare!
Ci ripongono l'oro i ragazzi. The boys put their gold in there. Come mi piace sentirvi parlare! How much I love to hear you speak like this,
E me ne debbo andare. But I am bound to go now.
Johnson Johnson Avrei voluto salire a darvi l'ultimo saluto Yet I want to say goodbye to you once more
E vi lasciano così? And they leave you alone? nella vostra capanna. In your cabin on the hillside.
Minnie Minnie Minnie Minnie
Ogni notte rimangon qui a vegliarlo Every night, one of them malinconica sadly
a turno, un po' per uno. takes turns to watch it. Dovete proprio andare? Che peccato! Must you really leave? What a shame!
Stanotte son partiti sulle peste Tonight they left to follow the track I ragazzi saranno qui fra poco. The boys will be returning shortly.
di quel dannato. of that damned bandit! Quando saran tornati, io me ne andrò. When they return, I’ll be able to leave here.
Oh, ma, se qualcuno vuole quell'oro, If someone wants that gold, Se volete venirmi a salutare, If you want to come and say goodbye to me,
prima di toccarlo, dovrà uccidermi qui! he’ll have to kill me before he can touch it! seguiteremo la conversazione the two of us can continue the conversation
Povera gente! Those poor people! standoci accanto al fuoco. next to the fire.
Quanti son di loro che han lasciato lontano So many of them have left family, a
una famiglia, una sposa, dei bimbi, betrothed, and children, far away from Johnson Johnson
e son venuti a morir come cani here. Grazie, Minnie. Verrò. Thanks, Minnie. I’ll come!
62 63Minnie Minnie Johnson esce Johnson exits
Non vi aspettate molto! Don’t expect too much!
Non ho che trenta dollari soli di educazione. I only have thirty dollars worth of education. Minnie Minnie
Se studiavo di più, che avrei potuto What could I have become if I studied more? Ha detto. Come ha detto? He said. What did he say?
essere? What do you think? Un viso d'angiolo! A face of an angel!
Ci pensate?
CD II
Johnson Johnson
Ciò che avremmo potuto essere! That which we have we can become! ATTO SECONDO SECOND ACT
Io lo comprendo ora soltanto che vi guardo, Minnie, I understand, now that I look at you!
Minnie! L'abitazione di Minnie Minnie’s cabin
1
Minnie Minnie Wowkle Wowkle
asciugandosi una lacrima drying a tear Il mio bimbo è grande e piccino, My baby is big and small,
Davvero? Ma che vale! Is that the truth? But what’s the use! è piccino e sta dentro la cuna, inside the crib he’s small
Io non son che una povera fanciulla oscura, I’m of humble birth è grande e tocca la luna, and big and touches the moon
e buona a nulla. and good for nothing. tocca la luna col suo ditino. with his little finger.
Hao, wari! Hao, wari! Hao, wari! Hao, wari!
Johnson Johnson
le si avvicina, con tenerezza approaches her, tenderly Billy Billy
No, Minnie, non piangete. No, Minnie, don’t cry. entrando, salutando Wowkle enters and greets Wowkle
Voi non vi conoscete. You don’t know yourself. Ugh. Ugh.
Siete una creatura d'anima buona e pura You are a person with a good and pure soul,
e avete un viso d'angiolo! and you have the face of an angel! Wowkle Wowkle
Ugh. Ugh.
64 65Billy vede sulla tavola i bicchieri. Ha uno Billy sees glasses on the table and is about Wowkle Wowkle
sguardo cupido, fa per assaggiare. to taste them. Wowkle dire: tenere Wowkle says: better we keep
coperta noi per bimbo... the blanket for the baby.
Wowkle Wowkle
Crema. Biscotti. Cream. Cookies. Billy Billy
Padrona. Non toccare. The missus. Don’t touch. Nostro bimbo! Our baby!
Domani chiesa cantare: I sing in church tomorrow:
Billy Billy “Come fil d'erba è il giorno... “The day which the Lord gave unto man is…
Tua padrona mandare. Your missus order me. Wowkle riconosce l'aria, e canta con lui Wowkle recognizes the hymn and sings along
Dice: Billy sposare. She say: Billy must marry.
Wowkle e Billy Wowkle and Billy
Wowkle Wowkle ... che all'uomo die' il Signor …like a blade of grass,
Wowkle non sapere. Wowkle not know. scende l'inverno al piano, once winter descends onto the plains, man
l'uomo intristisce e muor!” becomes sad and dies.”
Billy Billy
Che cosa dare tuo padre per nozze? What do I give your father to marry you? Billy Billy
Dopo sposare: avere perle e whisky! After marrying we get beads and whiskey!
Wowkle Wowkle
Non sapere. Not know. Wowkle Wowkle
Ecco padrona! Here’s the missus!
Billy Billy 2
Billy dar quattro dollari Billy will give your father four dollars and a Minnie Minnie
tuo padre; e una coperta. blanket. Billy, è fissato? Billy, has the marriage date been set?
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