Crafting the American Opera Libretto: Modeling,

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Crafting the American Opera LibrettoModeling,
Operese, and Language Stylein Works from the
1910s

• Aaron Ziegel
• Ph.D. Candidate in Musicology

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POIA Thy breath is in the breeze That
cometh from the southTempting the trembling
trees With yearning for thy mouth Poia,
Act I
BURTON Hear me kindly, you must hear me.I would
be your one protector, I would be your souls
one shelter, You to me are all I live for The
Sacrifice, Act I
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From the European Tradition
Almighty Father, look down on me, and grant me
Thy protection. Comfort my sorrow. Teach me Thy
mercy, and show Thine infinite compassion and
love, the peace which Thou didst promise through
our Lord, Thy Son and our Redeemer. Saviour, hear
me. Break the power of them that compass me
round. For all who trust in Thy defence shall
fear no enemy. Lord, Thou art my shield and my
salvation. The Sacrifice, Act II Alice
Nielsen, soprano (rec. 1911)
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From the European Tradition
Thy breath is in the breeze That cometh from
the southTempting the trembling trees With
yearning for thy mouth. With thee doth sorrow
cease Without thee gladness dies, Love at
thy feet I lay my soul, my life! Poia,
Act I Scott Piper, tenor Great Falls Symphony
Orchestra Gordon Johnson, cond. (rec. 2004)
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Nature Imagery in Indian Texts
Weary and old is our mother, the world, And weak
are the children she bears in her age. The tribe
is a forest of dying trees Poia, Act III
We will rush from out the mountain Like the
lightning, like the thunder Natoma, Act III
I am a bird of the wilderness, I am a thrush of
the woodland, Captive awhile to art and song Yet
true to my traditions Shanewis, Part One
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Nature Imagery in Indian Texts
Oh, ye birds of spring, Come from your
hiding Robins all and humming-birds, Come unto
this barren land. Here the waters gliding From
the melting ice and snow Salmon leap unto my
hand Shanewis, Part One Elsie Baker, soprano
(rec. 1925)
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Patriotic American Texts
You must trust in us to guard you, We who come
with honest purpose Here, to bring out of this
turmoil Lasting peace and nobler justice, Better
planned for mightier progress The Sacrifice,
Act I
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Patriotic American Texts
No country can my own outvie In tribute to the
one Who held the flag of Spain on high Toward the
setting sun. Columbia! Bright Goddess of the
free! Columbia! We pledge our love to
thee! Natoma, Act II John McCormack, tenor
(rec. 1912)
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Conversation Texts
CASTRO She has come. ALVARADO What,
Barbara? CASTRO The Padre brought her with the
convent-girls they are all inside, and with
them that young officer. Barbara has eyes for
no one but him she is entranced. ALVARADO You
are demented! CASTRO It is true! ALVARADO Nonsense
! Wait until I see her! Natoma, Act I
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Conversation Texts
ELIJAH Siskadee! Before me, Maid of
Dawn! SISKADEE Perhaps too soon I
came. ELIJAH Excuse for me is ever on thy tongue,
O Daughter of the Dawn. Still swiftly run
thy feet the mission work to do? SISKADEE As
sun to flower after rain, so is this place to
me. Narcissa, Act III
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Libretto Translations
AIDA What dost thou tell me? AMNERIS Yes,
Radames by thine is slaughtered and canst thou
mourn him? AIDA For ever my tears shall
flow! AMNERIS The gods have wrought thee
vengeance. AIDA Celestial favor to me was neer
extended. Metropolitan Opera libretto, ca.
1900
DON JOSE One only hopemy sole desire
That I might see thee once again. Now but one
tender glance I ask, One word of kindness
from thee crave True my heart to thine is
ever Carmen, am I not thy
slave? Manhattan Opera libretto, ca. 1906
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Operese
DON JOSE One only hopemy sole desire
That I might see thee once again. Now but one
tender glance I ask, One word of kindness
from thee crave True my heart to thine is
ever Carmen, am I not thy
slave? Manhattan Opera libretto, ca. 1906
POIA Thy breath is in the breeze That
cometh from the southTempting the trembling
trees With yearning for thy mouth Poia,
Act I
BURTON Hear me kindly, you must hear me.I would
be your one protector, I would be your souls
one shelter, You to me are all I live for The
Sacrifice, Act I