Music Lib. G4S5 /903 A = "~ ~ c ° 1 A= = c/i = o 1 0^ <— — 1 — X = — m ass JO ° — = 33 — ^— m "^— C7> 1 = = ol ___ ^ | 8s —^™ I — 1 7 = — 1 1 =^= col jol 7 = JO BIBB ■< 51 =^= -n 1 1 — ^^— ^" 1 = — 1 — ■< WSMmM >^?<> m -^;.tw?TO5P?5f^prep!^pf UNDER THE DIRECTION OF M50SCAR HAMMERSTEIN 1LBRETTO THE ORIGINAL ITALIAN FRENCH OR GERMAN LIBRETTO WITH A CORRECT ENGL ISH TR ANSLATION s_ , — ~ ~~rr> SIBERIA PUBLISHED BY CHARLES E. BURDEN Steinway Hall 107-109 east 14th street, - new york SIBERIA OPERA DRAMA IN THREE ACTS BY LUIGI ILLICA MUSIC BY UMBERTO GIORDANO Entered according to Act of Congress, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington D. C. by Edoardo Souzogno, 1903 PUBLISHED BY CHARLES E. BURDEN 109 East 14TH Steeet NEW YORK M'JSIC LIBRARY THE STORV ACT I. A palace in St. Petersburg. Nikona and Ivan await Stephana and when Gleby, a spy, comes in to ask for Stephana he is told that she has not yet arisen. But he suspects and pushes open the door of her room only to find it empty. He is much perturbed when Prince Alexis and a party of nobles enter. He demands Stephana but Gleby saves the situation by pushing Nikona in the room and telling Alexis that Stephana sleeps. Gleby suggests a serenade but she remains invisible and the men go out as Ste- phana enters by the garden gate. Gleby wants to know whom she loves but she rushes to her boudoir as Alexis and Walitzin re- turn. The latter is going to Siberia and he bids Stephana fare- well through the draperies. Alexis follows him out and Vassili appears. He tells Nikona of his love for a poor girl but when Stephana appears he is amazed to find in her the object of his devotion. She on the other hand seeing he has apparently followed her, accuses him of being a spy. Vassili indignantly denies this and Nikona tells Stephana that he has been more than a son to her. Then they both urge him to go — this is a dangerous place for him to be in. But Alexis enters at the moment and demands to know who this man is. Stephana proudly exclaims that he is the man she loves. Alexis insults Vassili and they draw swords. Alexis is wounded and friends rush in to disarm Vassili who exclaims "Farewell to Glory!" He has drawn on a superior officer- ACT II. In Siberia at a convict station. The Captain and Inspector are impatiently awaiting a chain of convicts. Peasants and pedlars are about complaining of the hard times. The "living chain" arrives and is disposed of. Stephana arrives in a troika and hand- ing a letter to the Captain asks to see Convict 107. She calls him and he comes. It is Vassili. They meet rapturously and she tells him that giving up the glitter of life and donating her wealth to the poor, she has come here to join him. Love has called her. Vassili says the sacrifice she makes is too great. He tells her of the unspeakable horrors he has been through and to which he cannot condemn her. She replies that she is settled in her determination. Both then join the living chain. ACT III. The prison of the trans - Baikal mines. It is Easter time and Walitzin, who is the commandant, orders that work shall cease. Vassili and Stephana occupy a hut in the background. A cripple suggests to them a plan of escape by hiding in a well that night. They are thankful but resolve to abide their fate. Walitzin meets Stephana and sympathizes with her but she tells him that she has no complaint to make. Gleby who is a convict makes himself known to Stephana but she repudiates him. Out of revenge Gleby tells Vassili that Stepha- na was a courtezan with her love for sale. Vassili is amazed, heart- broken, but Stephana calmly tells them yes and that Gleby had been the one to profit by her sin but that now for love she had given up everything and by love she had been redeemed. These revelations cause them to take advantage of the chance to escape and when the cripple approaches them again Stephana approves of the plan. Vassili forces the well open when at a sig- nal from Gleby the soldiers swarm out. In the confusion a shot is heard and Stephana is seen to be wounded. Vassili is arrested. But a moment after Stephana falters and dies in Vassili's arms. PERSONAGES: Vassili. Prince Alexis. Gleby. Walitzin. Ivan. L'Ispravnik. The Captain. A Cossack. Stephana, ona. Siberia. 1134-M5 I na ATTO PRIMO. {Nella "Rotonda" della elegante pa- lassina, regalata dal principino Alexis Frouwor a Stephana "la Bella Orientate." Nikona veglia in- quieta aspettando la sua padrona in compagnia di Ivan, uomo di fiducia, maggiordomo, ecc, ecc. Gia, fuori, dalle chiese, le campane hanno pre- annunsiata la imminente alba della "Festa di Sanf Alessandro." I traktir hanno preparata la gran gioja russa tenendo cantina aperta tutta la notte! Stephana "la Bella Orientate" tarda piii del consueto a rientarc, e la notte tuniultuosa non e tale da rassicurare la povera c fedele Niko- na sonnccchia sulla sua sedia.) Canzone di Mugiki : Godi il tuo sole, o russo, se c'e sole; godi la luna se la luna c' e ; non t' angosciare a fantasie di fole ne delle cose chidere il perche, che se la fame picchia a la tua porta e il knout ti solca 1' anima e la schiena che importa, o russo pio e fedel, che importa ? La votka e indipendenza e pancia piena. Godi dunque il tuo sole se c' e sole godi la luna se la luna c' e . . . . E' vita anche la tua che, se Dio vuole. c'e ultima la morte anche per te. Ivan (di soprassalto) La Barina? Nikona (di nuovo dalla poltrona alia bal- conata) No, Ivan! Non ancora! (e torna disillusa alia poltrona mor- morando :) Quali imprudenze ! . . . . Ah come sono in pena ! . . . . Ivan (sbadiglia, guar da sorpreso fuori) Di gia l'aurora ! . . . . Nikona Spegniamo ! . . . . Ivan (nell'atto di spegnere si arresta ed ascolta) Sull'arena dei passi. . . . Nikona Guarda ! Ivan (alia balconata) Nessuno ! . . . . (Va a spegnere. L'alba penetra rossa rossa, alba agostana, nella Rotonda. Un suono di campanello alia porta d'ingresso dello scalone.) Nikona (sorpresa) In basso suonano ! . . . . Ivan (esce dalla porta di destra) V6! Siberia ACT I. (On the terrace of an elegant palace which Prince Alexis Frower had given to Stephana 'the Beauteous Oriental." Nikona watches, half awake, for the arrival of her mis- tress, with Ivan, the man of confi- dence, majordomo, etc. Break of day. Morning church bells of "Sanf Alessandro." Songs have been sung all night.) (Stephana, "The Beautiful Oriental," is later than usual. Nikona is anxious. Ivan goes to sleep.) (Song of Mujiks in distance.) Hail to the Sun, oh, Russians, if there is a Sun ! Hail to the Moon, if there is a Moon ! Do not worry nor ask the reason why Hunger knocks at your door And the Knout will bend your soul and spine. What does it matter, oh Russia, pious and faithful; what does it matter? The vodki is independence and a full stomach Then, hail to the sun, if there is a sun Hail to the moon, if there is a moon, And thy life, also, if God so wills, Is eventually death also for thee! Ivan (awakening.) La Barina? Nikona (going to balcony.) No, Ivan ! Not yet ! What imprudence ! . . grief is mine ! . . . . Ah ! what Ivan (excited.) Here is the break of day ! Nikona. Let us go out. Ivan (stops and listens.) Some one on the gravel. Nikona. Take care ! Ivan (on the balcony.) No one ! • (Starts to go out. Red of rising sun floods the Rotunda. Bell rings. ) ' Nikona (surprised.) They are ringing below ! . . Ivan (exit R.) I am going. (i SIBERIA. X I KONA Come tarda ! i poi, presa da spavento, ascolta presso alia porta di dove e uscito Ivan) Forse Gleby ? . . . . Scommetto che a gia qualche sospetto! {cd inquieta va ad osservare Quasi subito infatti essa rientra agitata, in preda a vero terrore, indecisa sul da farsi; ma le balena uriidea; cone entra nell' appartamento di Stephana e ne chiude dietro a so la porta.) {Entra il signor Gleby; fare untile e servile; occhi mobilissimi c irre- quieti; barba intiera ma rada ; sorriso enigmatico, fra I'ironico e il bona- rio. Appena entrato, Nikona csce dall' appartamento di Stephana in pitnta di piedi facendo segno a Gleby di fare adagio c piano in modo da non destarc la signora.) Gleby (ad Ivan ) La signora ? Due parole .... I Ma veduta Nikona, che fa cenno ad Ivan che si allonana snbito,si rivolge a lei) Un affare ! . . . . In grande ! . . . . D'oro!.... (e fa I'atto di voter penetrare nell' ap- partamento di Stephana) Nikona (che intanto ha chiuso destramente a chiave si frappone) Indisposta. . . . Gleby Poco importa ! (bondriamente la costringe ad allon- tanarsi come per voler parlare attra- verso alia porta) - \*a. ti scosta! • Dalla porta parlero ! Stephanuccia ? . . . . (ma, vista la chiave nella serratiira, apre bruscamente) Nikona (strilla angosciata:) No ! Dico no ! . . . . Gleby ( /id you see how she bowed? With what a haughty look? And with what eyes! Be sincere : she is not sympathetic, Speak with us?. . Her tongue hurts her! See! What arrogance foolish and haughty ! And how she poses! She is still a gallant woman, And she passes here arrogantly and impudently? (Women divide up ami go back C, and R of stage.) Stephana Has he told the truth ? Vassili (Makes sign of "yes"!) Over there is the well! This is the path — on the cart-track. Stephana Well? (Vassili does not answer.) Stephana What is it? (Vassili docs not answer, once more.) Stephana Liberty ! Vassili This word trembles on thy lips ! Stephana No ! Not for me ! For thee ! . . Thou comest back to me from the hardest of trials ! And all and every day your eyes are full of tears and fever! Ah, this is a torture for thee Which will consume thee. 36 SIBERIA. Vassili Ma fin a mia sciagura nelle tue care braccia ! Nella tua voce limpida canta una primavera ! Entro a' tnoi occhi e il fascino! E la tua bocca e il maggio ! Se tu mi baci io bacio l'acre od< »r di tutti i fior. Stephana Qui, dunque?! Vassili Si ! Qui ! Stephana Si ! Noi non fuggiamo ! (Sulla porta del Kazerm, in (lis parte escono c fanno grappa alcuni for- zati) Il Forzato (yuarda Stephana, e da in un grido di sorpresa c di giojd) Si ; e lei ! . . Vedi destino ! . . Stephana (cutra nella casetta e ne turua con secchi vuoti) Or v6 per acqua ! Se l'invalido torna. . Vassili Gli diro mi no bel largo e tondo ! Stephana Si, un bel "no" ! (cainpaua si fa sent ire ) L'lSPETTORE Dl SEZIONE (entra e comanda : ) Al lavoro ! (Vassili e -aggiogato ad una carriola. II forzato No. 98 anehe. Le eateue partono.) (Appena via le eateue, I'Ispravnick e gli uffiziali e gli alti impiegati delta Casa di forza ad un improvviso rullo di taiuburi ed al segnale dell' "attend!" squillato dalle trombc, si mettono in posizione) L'lSPRAVNICK Sua Nobilta il Governatore. In rango ! Le Donne ( in (/ran da fare corron fuori e parlano fra loro animat anient e) La visita di Pasqua ! La mia casa e linda ; e voi? Tutta mattina e lava e lava ! . . E in bell'assetto. Dio volesse inspirargli la grazia del riposo! L'lSPRAVNICK 1 // Governatore appare segulto da fun- zionari. E Walitzin.) Walitzin (all Ispravnick elie ad un sua cenno gli si e avvieinato ) Rapporti ai Kazerm ? L'lSPRAVNICK Nobilta, nessuno! Walitzin (passu leutaiueute avanti alle ease dove stanno le donne, esaiuiuando ) ( Le donne lo salutano iutiiuorite. Al- ciine si inchinano giu fino a terra, alt re gli baciano la fold a del luuyo eappotto. Walitzin le saluta tutte bo- nariamente. Ad un tratto, passando dalla parte opposta, giunto propria in faeeia alia easetta di Stephana, si arresta bruseauieute vedendo il Xo. 107. ) 11 107?!.. L'lSPRAVNICK ( aeeenna di si e -vedendo Stephana tornare eurva sotto il peso del secchi ) Quella, Nobilta! (e si ritira nel foudo presso gli uffiziali e i funsionari. Cost Walitzin si tro- va come solo con Stephana) ST BER I A. 37 Vassili M \ misery must finish In thy dear arms! Thy voice is spring! In thy eves is fascination And thy lips give out sounds oi May ' Every time you kiss me I kiss the Scent of sweet flowers. Then ? Stephana Vassili Yes, here ! Stephana Yes ! But we do not flee ! (At the Barracks door appears a group of Convicts ) Convict (looks at Stephana with cry of sur- prise and joy ) Yes! It is she! Look what destiny can do! Stephana (goes into house, returning with empty pails) I am going for water ! If the cripple comes hack.. I will tell him. Vassili Plainly, No ! Stephana Yes, a good No ! (Bell rings. Enter Inspector, i To work ! Inspector Vassili (All are about to go out, but cuter the Ispravnick. ) [SPRAVNICK To the ranks. His Excellency the < roverm »r ' All Women {entering the stage) The Easter inspection! My house is clean. And yours? All the morning I washed aid Washed. It is clean now. If only God would inspire Him to give us a day of repose! Ispravnick Silence ! ( is harnessed to a small cart with No. 98 and leaves for the zvorks. ) ( Enter Governor who is nozv Walitzin ) Walitzin (to Ispravnick 1 Is there any report? Ispravnick None, your Excellency! Walitzin Walks around and finally stops be fore the door of No. 107 ) Number 107? Ispravnick 1 Seeing Stephana coming back with water pails, tired and weary, points to her ) That is one of the nobility ! (Retires and Walitzin is alone with Stephana. ) 38 SIBERIA. Stephana "Voi?" Walitzin Mi avevan detto ch'eravate qui ! . . Stephana E il cnrioso destino delle cose ! Walitzin Ebben, si a pur, se il tuo destin cosi ti porta qui fra l'anime paurose d'ogni uman ben! Ma un dolce sov- venir ho in cor di te, dolcissima pieta. Penso che grigie aurore e morti di non maturan gli olezzi delle rose. Ogni uman nor qui lento si avvizzi ! Amor nan nasce in terra sterilita ! . . Se mai desio ti punge e l'avvenir ti accarezza coi sogni della vita ricordati di me ! . . Se ancor ti tenta amor di liberta ricordati di me ! . . Stephana No ! . . Grazie ! . . Nulla ! . . Walitzin In terra senza s< »le e senza fiori tutta la vita, tu? Stephana Tutta la vita ! (Canto triste c affanoso si fa sentire.) Vassili e Coro Spremi dal cuor, dall'anima, dal fronte gocce di sangue, lacrime e sudor ! Sotto rupi, in abissi, in aspro monte solo per questo a Dio sepolto Tor ! Lavora dunque, o squallida coorte, che sol non scavi l'oro pe' tuoi tzar ; anco per te tu scavi, per la morte che ti guarda la fossa preparar ! Spremi dunque dall'anima la vita e l'odio e la bestemmia ed il dolor finche il tuo corpo colmi riempita la fossa onde pei tzar tu cerchi Tor ! . . Stephana Ascolta la il martir d'angoscia fiera! Odi ! Questo e il soff rir dell'iimana bufera! Son de' morti che il morir non fa tacer! Odio! Dolor! Pure un incanto f reme la . . La senti tu una voce che viene di laggiu ? Quel pianto e amor ! A Te portai l'anima mia, o Siberia ; tu come mamma a me le braccia hai stese e doviziosa nella tua miseria m'hai dato il bene che ad amar m apprese Ond'io qui vivo e sento sole e fiori, son caldi i tuoi tramonti e le tue aurore ed in quest'aere p regno di dolori io respiro il trionfo dell'amore. Walitzin, grazie ! Ancora : grazie ! La buona Pasqua e addio! (e rientra nella sua capanna) Walitzin (all' Ispravnick) Richiamate le ciurme dal lavoro! Riposo oggi ! (Al segnale del riposo, il coro lontano face interrotto.) {Walitzin si allontana segulto dagli uffiziali e funzionari continuando altrove, ad altri Kazerm, la sua visi- ta.) Stephana Sai? Mai sentita mi son cosi felice ! . . Amo la vita ! No. 98 (concludendo dice, indicando Stepha- na e Vassili ai forzati) . . e vedrete che scena ! SIBER I \. 39 Stephana ! Walitzin Stephana Yon ! Walitzi x Some one told me yon were here! Stephana What a curious thing is destiny! Walitzin Well, it is fate, thy destiny Is thus and thy frightened soul Goes out to the human good ! But a sweet souvenir remains in My heart for thee ; a sweet com- passion. But the dark aurora and the Dying day do not bring forth the Sweet smell of the rose. All human flowers, here, fade away; Love is not born in sterile ground ! If you desire to plunge into the future And caress the dreams of life Remember me ! And, later, if you still have The love of liberty, remember me ! Stephana No ! . . Thank you ! . . Nothing ! . . Walitzin In a land without sun or flowers All thy life! Thou?. . Stephana All my life! (Hears singing of Vassili from the well) Vassili (and Chorus) Pressed from the heart, from the soul. And from the brain drops blood, tears and sweat ! Under the rocks, in the abyss, in The steep of the mountain, only for a Request of God for a sepulchre of gold ! Work is here, oh, squalid cohorts. Which only take out the gold for thy Tzar ; Uso for thyself, but only for thy Death which prepares thy grave! Always pressed by the soul. Life is The hatred, the blasphemy and pain Which fills thy body and the grave Where thou lookest for gold for the Tzar! S I EPHANA Look there for the martyrdom ( >f proud affliction ! Listen! This is what we suffer From human folly ! Dead men tell no tales ! I [orror ! Pain ! \t any rate a charm rages there. . You heard a voice which came From yonder? That cry Is love ! To thee I bring my soul, oh, Siberia ! Thou openest thine arms to me as a mother, And rich in thy misery Thou hast given me presents which J have learned to love, And I live here and feel the sun and flowers. The warmth of the break of day and the Setting of the sun. And in this air full of misery 1 breathe the triumph of Love. Walitzin, I thank thee! Again, 1 thank! A good Easter and Good bve! (Exit. ) Walitzin (to Ispravnick > Call them back from work! To-day — no work ! (Exeunt.) (Prisoners conic back from work.) I Enter Stephana on door-step. ) Stephana (to Vassili) Dost thou know that I never felt so happy ! ! I love life ! ... . i No. 98, ending the sentence he has commenced) ..and you will see the fine show! 40 SIBERIA. Vassili Ah, viperea lingua! Stephana Tli sei turbato e. . Strano incontro ! Attend ! No. 98 FORZATI No. 98 Una stretta di mano e . . complimenti ! Stephana Non vi conosco ! . . No. 98 M'a il governo mi po' troppo, inesperto parrucchiere, spelato e per meta tosato. . E Gleby si o no? Vassili (a Stephana) Tu conosci cestui ? Gleby Ah, voi queH'uffiziale dunque che fu? Stephana Si . . Lo conosco ! . . E Gleby ! Gleby . . che v'offre l'occasione d'un invitato all'agape pasquale. (accennando alia tavola nella capanna di Stephana gia pre par at a) La: detto fatto, tin altro piatto, e poi da buoni amici chiacchiererem insiera dei di felici. Vassili Voi ? La coi vostri ! Gleby To ! Che modi questi . . Forzati Ecco ! . . Dramma in famiglia ! . . Si principia ! . . Gleby Capisco ! . . Gelosia?. . Ti compiango, Stephana ! E malattia buffa ed insieme orribile ! . . Forzati Un altro rifiuto cogliesti ! Le Donne Non ti hanno voluto! Gleby Quel coso e geloso ! Prometto una festa. . Forzati (vedendo Vassili uscire ancora dalla capanna) Ritorna ! Gleby Ne faccio un cap rone con tanto di corna ! Gleby Ai primi anni Stephana, fanciulla, aveva una sdruscita corta gonnella che le copriva. . nulla, ma quindici anni e un aggettivo "Bella," e nello sguardo il furor della vita. Era preziosa di bellezza e freschezza, e, un poco d'ignoranza e un resto d'innocenza le davan la fragranza d'un bocciolo di rosa. SIBERIA. 41 Vassili Ah ! The viper's tongue ! Stephana You seem perturbed! What is it? No. 98. Strange meeting! Convict Attention ! No. 98. A hand-shake and.. Compliments! Stephana I do not know you ! . . No. 98. The government has dressed my hair too well. As an unexpected bar- ber, it has shaved me only half and sheared me too close. Am I Gleby or not? Vassili Do you know this man ? Gleby Ah, you are the officer. . Stephana Yes,. . T know him,. . He is Gleby! Gleby Who offers you the occasion to invite me to your Easter dinner! (Showing table prepared for StcpJia- na inside.) There, in a moment, another plate and, good friends, we will gossip about old friends and happy days. Vassili You ? Go over with the prisoners ! Gleby See! What manners ! Convict Look ! . . A drama in the family!. . W'c now begin !. . Gleby I understand ! Jealousy ! I sympathize with you, Stephana. It is a joke of a malady and terrible as well ! Convict You receive another refusal ! Women They don't want anything to do with you. Gleby The fellow is jealous! I promised a feast. . Convicts (seeing Vassili coming out again ) Here he comes again ! Gleby (To Convicts) I will make him carry many a horn ! In her first years, Stephana, a young girl. Carried a short waist much in rags Which cost her nothing. Fifteen years later she was a Beauty, And in her eves was the heat of life. She was a leader of loveliness And freshness. She had a little ignorance ; A remains of innocence Which brought to her the fragrance Of a rose-bud. 42 Pur le mancava quello che il gran mondo definisce: Sapienza! (fa una gran pausa poi, presentandosi coiiiicaincnte, aggiunge) Modestamente il piccolo difetto ho un po' corretto ! Gleby (riprende) Poi?.. Feste, splendori, amori ! Folli avventure! Piaceri seriza cure ! Pensieri ! Bollori ! Ridde di cuori e di . . valori ! Da mille a mille mani ! . . Un bacio? Un vezzo? Gran prezzo ! Confusioni di passioni dell'jeri col dimani ! Breve gioir profondo ed infecondo! Ecco il gran mondo dov' ella divina e bella fe da regina finche, farfalla bella, s'abbrucio l'ale e presa da un amante del cuore (e a voce forte account a Vassili) lo zotico uffiziale Vassili Ah infamia!. . Stephana No, mio Vassili ! Vassili (furibondo) Lasciami ! L'Ispettore ( intervenendo) Che avvenne? Gleby (con cinismo) Nulla!.. Vassili ! . . Contro te e Fiele !. . Fiele!. . Da un'ora me ! . . Ma chi e colui per te? Sai tu la mia tortura umana? Ti guardo, e vedo, e ascolto tutti i baci che hai dati, tr.tti i baci passati sovra il tuo volto ! Gli occhi con che mi guardi narran baci ! Volutta ! . . Spasimi ! che tu ricevi e doni ! Io vedo mille braccia intorno a te ! A miriadi ! . . A selve di tentacoli ! . . Pel seno! Pei capelli!.. Sovra il tuo fronte tutte l'onte veggo e la mia vilta ! Stephana No ! . . Taci ! . . Taci ! . . Vassili (dispcrato) Io mi credevo forte! No, non lo sono perche bugia e l'oblio! Eterna e la vergogna! Torna is passato per voler di Dio che nega il suo perdono! Or questa e la mia sorte! E la sola speranza mia ? . . La morte ! Stephana Dio? Dio, tu dici? Tu? Tu? In questo istante?. . No, falso eroe! No! No, falso amante ! E se il fango della terra tutto in fronte fosse un di passato qui, lassu Dio per questo pianto mio ora perdona. . Io piango — . . Io piango ! 43 Great prices ! Confusion ( )f passion From clay to clay ! Short but deep joy but useless ! Here is the great world Where she was A divine And beautiful queen, Until, like a fluttering butterfly You burnt your wings For a lover. (pointing to Vassili) A foreign official ! And yet there was something miss- ing Which the world calls "Wisdom"! (A long pause, then comically ) Modestly, the trifling mistake Is a little corrected. Gleby Then ? . . Banquets, Splendors, Love ! Foolish advenutres ! Pleasure Without count Thoughtful ! Heated Combats of the heart ! And of valor! From thousands and thousands of hands ! A kiss? A plan? Vassili Ah, what infamy! Stephana No! My Vassili! Vassili Leave me ! Inspector (comes over) What is the matter? Gleby Nothing! (Exit.) Vassili ( rail ! ( rail ! . . It is one hour! Against thee and me ! . . Who is he to you? Wilt thou be my human torture? I look at thee, and see and have heard All the kisses which you gave And received on your face ! Your eyes which gaze at me Tell me of your kisses ! Voluptuousness ! Torture, Received and given ! I saw a thousand arms Around thee A myriad A thousand tentacles ! On thy bosom ! On thy hair ! On thy forehead all thy shame And my vileness ! Stephana No! Re silent! Be silent ! Vassili ( desperate) I thought I was strong ! No I Am not strong, because I can X ( >t forget ! Shame is eternal ! The past comes back for the Glory of God, but he does not Pardon us ! Oh! this is my destiny! And my only hope!.. Death! Stephana God ! God ! Thou sayest ? Thou! Thou? In such a Moment?. . No, false hero! No, No! False lover! And if it is this mud of the Earth which passed over my Forehead, there above, God, For my tears ; has forgiven I weep ! . . I weep ! . . 44 Vassili No, Stephana ! Taci ! . . E, umana come Dio, tu pur perdona ! T'ho straziata ! Taci ! . . Veeli ? Qui! Nel fango! Stephana pia, non piangere cosi ! Nel fango, f ronte mia ! Vilta mia, ai tuoi pie ! Qui ! Qui ! Perdona a me, Stephana ! . . (La voce beffarda di Glebv ricordare della "Matt 'mat a") Stephana Per la croce di Dio. . Tu vuoi sapere ? Ebbene sia ! Gleby Bella Stephana. . Stephana (a Vassili) Qui!.. Qui!.. Tu vuoi saper costui chi e? Mio primo amante ! ! ! . . (e si rivolge ai forzati) O voi che avete ucciso per odio e per amor, rubato per mise- ria, giudicatelo voi ! (e rip etc) M io primo amante ! . . E m'ha ven- duta!. . (e grtda sempre tenendo strctto Gleby die tenia invano di sfuggirlc) L'oro de' baci miei? Per lui! Di mie carezze ? Per lui! Di mie vilta? Per lui!.. (poi accennando a Vassili) Un giorno ebbe l'amor pieta di me ! Ho amato ! . A questo amor pietoso offrii me stessa!. . Eppur, nei di del mio martirio santo, ecco il vile destin della mia vita tornar qui ancor ! . . Passarmi sopra 1'anima ! . . Ma no ! . . Nulla fra noi ! (scuotendo terribiliinciitc Gleby) Pitt! Piu! Pin nulla! Ti guardo e sfido ! Costui chi e?.. II nome suo?. . (gli strappa il berretto che copre la fronte di Gleby, c mostra la stim- ulate, il marchio del carnefice) Usu'ra e Falso ! Va ! , Forzati Brava la donna! Brava!.. Walttzin (appare hnprovisamentc ) Cristo e risorto ! (E la sera comincia a diffondersi in- to nio. I forcati rient ratio nel Kas- erni preoccupandosi ora soltanto della loro rappresentazione) Gleby Orsu, l'orchestra ! . . LTnvalido (a Stephana e a Vassili) Questa notte?.. Dite?. . Stephana (a Vassili) Vassili, vuoi?.. Fuggiam ? Vassili Anche morendo ! . . (E Stephana accenna di si. E I'lnvali- do le mormora sottovoce e rapida- mente indicando la garitta della scntinella: "Quando e'e il biondo!" E sallontana ringraziando Stepha- na del denaro che essa gli ha dato.) 4.5 Vassili No, Stephana ! Be silent !- And humane and pitiful Forgive like God ! I have tormented thee ! Be silent ! Look ! Here, in the mud! Holy Stephana! Do not weep like this ! In the mud is my forehead! Vileness of mine, I am at thy feet. Here ! Now ! Pardon me, Stephana ! (Gleby sings the "Matinata" from the prison.) Stephana By the Cross of God ! Thon wantest to know ? Well, I will tell thee! Gleby Beautiful Stephana ! Stephana (to I'assili) Here! Here! You want to know who he is? — My first lover!! (to other prisoners) ( )h, you who have killed from odious ness and for love, stolen from misery I appoint you my judges ! (repeating) My first lover! He sold me! (She holds Gleby who strives in vain to eseape.) The gold for my kisses? For him! Of my caresses, for him! Of my vile- ness? For him! (turning to Vassili) One day That love had pity on me! I loved! And love was given freely! Even then, on the Easter day When now I have become a virtuous woman \o\v my vile destiny turns on me igain! Crushing my very soul! But no! Nothing more between us! (Shaking Gleby) No more! Xo more! Never more! I gaze on thee and defy thee! Doest know this man — his name? (She takes off Gleby's cap and shows the executioner's mark.) Usurer! Forger! Go! — Convicts Brava ! The Woman ! Brava ! (All bells ring. Enter Wdlitzin.) Walitzin Christ has arisen ! ( livening conies on and all go into the barracks.) Gleby Music to the front and hurry it up! Cripple (to Stephana and I'assili) Well, to-night then? Stephana (to Vassili > Yassili, shall we escape? Vassil: Even if I die ! (Stephana makes sign that all is right and that she approves. And the Cripple, showing the sentinel mur- murs, "This night when there is a light haired man.") , 46 Walitzin Ah, disgraziata ! Stephana (a Walitzin ) Hanno armi per uccidere i tuoi soldati. . ( cade) Walitzin 11 medico ! . . (e vedendo Vassili trattciuito dai sol- dati) Lasciatelo ! . . Stephana {a Vassili) Xon piangere ! . . Sollevami ! . . (a Walitzin) Tu volevi salvarmi ! Per pieta ! Ma la mia vita e qui . . anche morendo ! . . "Dove non s'ama piu! Ecco Siberia!" dicesto un di !. . Ebben, Walitzin, vedi?.. Siberia e "Dove., s'ama.. oltre la vita!" Ajutami. . (e ajutata da Vassili bacia la terra) Siberia, o santa terra, terra pia di lagrime, e d'amore! Ed ora . . sul tuo cuore ! (e posa la testa sul petto di Vassili) Con te ! Qui ! Sempre ! . . (scntendo le lagrime e i baci di Vas- sili) Sulla bocca ! . . Gli occhi ! . . (Sentono avvicinarsi di una "Cantena Vivcnte" che arriva.) (Stephana fa per dire ancora. . Ma non pud piu profferir parola. II rantolo della morte la soffoca. Un urlo terribile di Vassili . . poi un silenzio profundo tutt'intorno. Sempre piu la nenia dei nuovi con- dannati che si fa sensible.) L'Ispravnick (a Walitzin) I nuovi condannati, Nobilta ! FIN. 47 (Stephana and Vassili get to the well and at a signal from Gleby the troops arc in arms and a shot is heard. . I groan from Stephana and 1 'assi/i is violently seised. Stephana clutches her breast which is bleed- ing. ) Walitzin (Enters with soldiers, women, pris- oners, etc. ) (To Stephana who is wounded in the breast ) Ah, unhappy woman! Stephana (to Walitzin i Thy soldiers have arms to kill peo- ple. (She falls.) Walitzin A doctor! (and seeing Vassili arrested by sol- diers) Let him go ! Vassili (goes to kiss Stephana) Stephana (to Vassili) Weep not ! Lift me up ! (to Walitzin ) You wished to save me! For pity's sake! But my life is still here, even in death! Where "love is unknown." That is Siberia as thou saidst one day You see now, Walitzin, Siberia is "where one loves even after death!" Eternally! Eternally! Help trie.... (and aided by Vassili. she kisses the (/round.) (puts head on Vassili' s breast) Siberia, oh, holy ground of the tears of love ! And now, on thy heart With thee! Here! For ever! (feeling I 'assili's tears and kisses) On my lips! On my eyes! (Dies.) (At the same time arrive other con- victs.) Ispravnick (to Walitzin) The new convicts. Excellency ! (Vassili throws himself on the body of Stephana.) THE END. University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 305 De Neve Drive - Parking Lot 17 • Box 951388 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90095-1388 Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed. "!|i|V {I' '! /ice Vertegrand, P"ice $55C. <| Pianos of all makes taken in exchange. v Time payments if de- sired. Also pianos for rent. STEINWAK m SONS, Steinway Hall 107-109 Etvst 14tK Street, New YorK Sjblvay Express St At ion ai the door Reg. U- 8, Pat. Off. THK L115KAKT UNIVERSITY OF CA&FORIiUa, LOS ANGELES Ljauiord PAMPHLET BINDER Z^ Syracuse. N. 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