It's only too ironic that I fell in love with La Traviata in high school. Unfortunately, I never translated the score and had I done that, I would have had a much more successful high school experience!
It's only more satisfactory, now in my ripe puma age of 34, and away from the score while I translated ACT I that I really had my "ah ha" moment. The words seems are direct...and yet, put to Verdi's music...total and complete flirtatious manipulation!
Here is the background: Alfredo, the tenor, has been infatuated with Violetta while she was ill- and Alfredo's love sickness ruminated for about a year. Alas, Violetta was literally too sick to notice. At the start of the opera they are at a party hosted by a cabin-fevered Violetta when her good friend, Gaston, tells her about this young lad. Now, I am not sure if she believes him, or - what my instinct say- believes that of course Alfredo is in love with her- but, either way, she banishes it off as nonsense (her current suitor is a richer man, after all). Then, after a rousing chorus number of "let's get drunk and screw" (Libiamo), Violetta feels faint and excuses herself to her private quarters (not a ruse- she really doesn't feel well). There, Alfredo meets her and declares her love for him. He says:
Ah yes, for a year. One day, happy and ethereal, you flashed before me, and from that day, trembling, I’ve lived for an unknown love. For that love, that love that’s the pulse of the universe, the whole universe, mysterious, unattainable, cross and delight of the heart.
Not bad for a youngster, eh?
Then, Violetta says:
Ah, if that is true then leave as fast as you can… I can only offer you friendship; I don’t know how to love, nor how to handle such heroic passion. I am frank, simple; look for someone else; then you won’t find it difficult to forget me.
Ok- fair enough. She said her peace...end of opera! But-- how Verdi sets this (and music history buff note- Verdi was a terror to his librettist= every word mattered, all the more reason to see how intentional his meaning lies in the music).
In this "frank" and "simple" declaration- he writes pianissimo (quiet), high (above the staff), staccati sixteenth notes with rests (very quick notes followed by a brief pause)- almost like a cooing. She COOS this to him.
Now, I am a horrible HORRIBLE flirt. I run in the other direction or totally completely embarrass myself by saying ridiculous nonsensical things, so I am NO expert on flirting. But, if I really wanted a boy to go away, I would say- go away. If I wanted to be obvious, I would say- hell yes. But, if I wanted him to know I was interested but only had to say these things to entice him and perhaps, make him work harder...I would coo-ly and cool-y reply, Hm...you should leave me be...I'm a simple girl.
Oh why didn't I notice this 10 years ago?? How much more fun my 20s would have been!!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
ART SONG vs ARIA SMACK DOWN!!
I am organizing an ART SONG vs ARIA smack down next Tuesday, June 21st- as part of the Make Music New York festival.
Art Song Preservation Society will be joining Amore Opera in a "who wrote this medium best" smack down at Tompkins Square Park, from 5-7 pm.
Be there for the most exciting and titillating competition since Justin Timberlake and Brittney Spear's Dance off!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=173973839331046
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