Overture
DROLL
Let me recount how my master, Oberon, the elf king, was reconciled with his wife Titania through the love of two mortals.
FIRST ACT
FIRST SCENE
A garden in Oberon's fairy kingdom, full of beautilul flowers in glorious bloom. Oberon is lying asleep among the flowers, surrounded by a tableau consisting of sprites and fairies, who, as the singing begins, hardly move at all. At the beginning of the chorus, the elves appear and group themselves in different positions next to the sprites. All are wearing wreaths of lilies on their heads and carrying lilies in their hands.
Introduction
CHOIR OF THE ELVES
singing quite softly
Light as fairy foot can fall,
Pace ye Elves your Master's hall.
All too loud the fountains play! Too loud!
All too loud the Zephyrs sigh! Too loud!
Chase the noisy gnat away!
Keep the bee from humming by!
Stretch'd upon his lily bed,
Oberon in slumber lies,
Sleep at length her balm hath shed
O'er his long unclosed eyes.
SOLOS
Oh! may her spell as kindly
Bring peace to the heart of the fairy king!
CHOIR
Light as fairy foot can fall,
Pace ye Elves your Master's hall!
All too loud the fountains play!
All too loud the Zephyrs sigh!
Too loud! Too loud! Too loud!
Droll and Puck rush in
DROLL
to the elves
Begone! don't stand around idly.
PUCK
contemplating Oberon with great concern
Why does Oberon look so sad in his sleep?
DROLL
His sorrow is so deep that all smiles are drowned in it.
PUCK
Even now?
DROLL
Yes, my dear Puck. However innocently it all started. Queen Titania found spring more beautiful than autumn. A few nights ago she was praising autumn above all else for its beautiful colours. 'You are as inconstant as all women are', rejoined Oberon. And smiled.
PUCK
He ought to have said 'as inconstint as a man', my dear Droll.
DROLL
Indeed, that was precisely Titania's reply. 'As inconstant as a man!'
PUCK
Or - like people, Droll.
DROLL
I hope that people are wiser and love each other with more intensity than they fight. Otherwise … ah, my dear Puck, I’d rather not say.
PUCK
Otherwise what?
DROLL
Otherwise great misfortune will descend upon our entire elfin kingdom, for Oberon and Titania have sworn a terrible oath. They will not love each other again until two mortals can show, as it were, that they were both right after all.
PUCK
nodding
But where are such people to be found?
DROLL
That's the trouble.
That's why the king sighs in his sleep.
PUCK
And yet you are in such good humour?
DROLL
Sighing gets you nowhere.
I’ve already started the search.
PUCK
And now you're coming to tell the king?
DROLL
Yes … but not a word. Only when Oberon himself starts to talk about it …
Puck makes a gesture of disappointment
DROLL
smiling
But it looks to me very much as though …
Oberon getting up, as if waking from a disturbing dream
Aria
OBERON
Fatal vow! - Not even slumber can thy
Victim's torture tame!
Of my woes it swells the number,
Of my wrath it feeds the flame!
Still I burn, and still I anguish,
Doubled in my dream I feel
Every pang of waking anguish,
But no balmy wounds to heal,
Fatal vow! - Not even slumber
Can thy torture tame!
Of my woes it swells the number,
Of my wrath it feeds the flame!
Fatal vow!
Droll and Puck approach respectfully
DROLL
speaking with a deep obeisance
Allow us, great king …
OBERON
now fully awake
Ah, my Puck! And you, my good friend Droll …
DROLL
Merely your servant, great king.
OBERON
smiling
But the cleverest …
DROLL
We try, dear master. I’ve been looking all night. From east to west, from pole to pole.
OBERON
surprised
Have you found them already?
DROLL
I’ve merely made a start. He is in one place, she's in another, with half the world between them. He is a knight at the court of the Emperor Charles, and his name is Huon of Bordeaux. She is Princess Rezia, daughter of the grand Caliph Harun al Raschid. If these two prove as constant to each other, beyond all bounds, as we must assume, then your oath fulfilled and then … well, you know, great king.
OBERON
tenderly
Then Titania will return to me.
DROLL
But Titania will only concede that the oath is fulfilled when the proofs are as hard as the fight.
OBERON
Still more searching?
DROLL
First they must find each other. But then they must lose each other again, and then find each other again, without wavering from the other. Huon has passed by our magic wood with Sherasmin, his squire. I didn't have to do much to contrive that. A few dancing sunbeams, a whispering voice, and I had drawn him behind me as I wanted. You'll soon see him, great king.
Huon and Sherasmin approach.
HUON
It came like a song from the air. Her voice!
SHERASMIN
Do tell me at last, your Honour, who this mysterious 'she' is. This is an unnecessary vexation. A sweetheart without a name! A beauty one may not see. A bride of whom one but dreams. I would have picked one for myself long before this, whom I could have in front of me …
HUON
He whose love is truly deep is blind to all … until he finds his true love.
SHERASMIN
I don't know the depth of your feelings, your Honour. Mine are in my gullet and belly. I'm so hungry I could weep, and thirsty!
HUON
Don't von hear, Sherasmin, how everything resounds and rings.
And suddenly I feel very sleepy.
He sinks down.
SHERASMIN
likewise lying down
I smell a good roast. The crackling is crisp and brown. And the good wine …
falls asleep
HUON
Dear bride …
In the middle of the background, flower-petals float upwards forming a ring of flowers which gradually reveal a Persian gazebo. Rezia sits in the middle, a lute in her hand.
Vision
REZIA
O, why art thou sleeping, Sir Huon the brave?
A maiden is weeping on Babylon's wave!
Up! Up! gallant knight, ere a victim she falls!
Guienne to the rescue! 'tis beauty that calls!
OBERON
waving his wand
Enough!
The rows of flowers close again and the vision fades away.
SHERASMIN
looking around
Help, Master Huon! Where are we?
goes and shakes him
Wake up! Get up!
HUON
defends himself, still half asleep
Leave me alone …
longingly
Lovely image!
at last he wakes fully
But what was that?
SHERASMIN
looks suspiciously round
Were we really bewitched after all? You have to be prepared for anything in this strange place.
HUON
So the torment of seeking comes to an end …
SHERASMIN
It's a fine kind of magic that brings nothing to life for either of us.
OBERON
appears before them, followed by Puck and Droll
Don't be afraid. I'm your friend, Master Huon of Bordeaux.
HUON
You know me?
OBERON
Indeed!
DROLL
interrupting
And we know that you are here looking for the woman who is predestined for you. Because you have not found her in France, you have crossed the sea.
HUON
I would cross all the seas of the world.
OBERON
That you will still have to do.
DROLL
interrupting
But that will be with her whom you long for …
HUON
Who can make such promises?
OBERON
with dignity
I am Oberon, the elfin king.
SHERASMIN
Nothing but fine words and good advice. You don't get fat on that!
DROLL
What more would you ask of us?
SHERASMIN
Advice is no use to me if it doesn't tell me where to get going. Tell us that, sir! Then we'll collect the bride and all that goes with her.
OBERON
smiling
You'll he satisfied, merry fellow.
He waves to the back. Two elves bring Huon a horn on a cushion, while two more genies approach Sherasmin: on their cushion is a golden goblet.
OBERON
Take the horn, Huon of Bordeaux.
DROLL
Whenever you blow gentöy upon it, Huon, a distant magic will immediately come to your aid. If you blow with all your breath, then you call upon Oberon himself.
HUON
Ah, I understand. Only he finds complete love who gives himself completely to it.
SHERASMIN
Then what am I supposed to do with the goblet … ?
OBERON
Drink from it whenever you need to.
SHERASMIN
In that case, I shall always be needing to.
takes it and drinks
That's splendid. I feel three times as bold already. Come, drink
with me, spry spirit!
Goes behind Puck. Puck gives him the slip.
HUON
On we go, Sherasmin! What are you waiting for now?
goes on ahead
Or don't you want to come any more, now that it's getting serious?
SHERASMIN
taking a quick draught
To the ends of the earth, Master Huon. Set up like this … Why, I'd risk any war …
Fairies, sprites and elves appear, forming groups and dancing. Huon of Bordeaux stays up front on the right side. Oberon is amidst the fairies, sprites and elves. Sherasmin is on the left up front.
Ensemble
CHOIR OF FAIRIES
Honour and joy to the true and the brave,
A friend they shall find in the Elfin king!
But oh! to the traitor, the coward, the slave,
For ever the Fairie's curse shall cling!
Honour and joy to the true and the brave!
Honour and joy!
HUON
to Oberon
Deign, fair spirit, my steps to guide!
To the foot of the Unbeliever's throne!
There let my arm, and my heart be tried!
There! There be the truth of thy Huon shown!
OBERON
The sun is kissing the purple tide
That flows round my Fairy bow'rs:
Oft must be set in those waters wide
Ere mortal knight from their shore could ride
To Bagdad's distant tow'rs!
But lo! I wave my lily wand!
And Bagdad is before thee.
In the middle of the background, flower-petals float upwards, forming clusters as in a flower garden lit by the evening sun and surmounted by the banks of the Tigris, the city of Bagdad can be seen.
HUON
Can I trust my startled sight:
Yes, the gilded domes are there
In the last bright sun beam glowing
And the river broad and fair
Swiftly to the sea is flowing!
But where, alas! is she? -
Who sheds love's own light upon my slumbers!
Is that form for ever fled?
Hush'd for aye those magic numbers?
OBERON
Fear not! Sir Knight, fear not!
But bold in glory's chase go forth,
The living maid in Babylon embrace!
He inconspicuously disappears amongst the fairies and elves
CHOIR OF THE FAIRIES
Speed! Huon! Speed! Love and renown
Soon shall thy courage and constancy crown!
Speed! Huon! Speed! Love and renown
Shall thy courage crown!
HUON
Deign, fair Spirit, my steps to guide
To the Unbeliever's throne!
There let my arm and my heart be tried!
Deign, fair Spirit, my steps to guide
To the Uiibeliever’s throne
There let my arm and my heart be tried!
There be the truth of thy Huon shown!
Deign to guide me! Fair Spirit!
Fairies, sprites and elves disperse and vanish. Oberon's bank of flowers sinks from view; the flowers disintegrate and petals flutter in all directions revealing a scene of Bagdad in the evening sun.
SECOND SCENE
A road from Oberon's magic wood to Bagdad.
SHERASMIN
entering with Droll and Huon; he is a few steps ahead of them
Come on, Master Huon! That' enough clever talk.
I'm hungry!
DROLL
And your goblet?
SHERASMIN
That's just it: Drinking like this really requires a foundation for the stomach.
DROLL
I’ll give you one more word of advice before you proceed, Huon.
HUON
How I shall gain Rezia?
DROLL
You have long possessed her heart. All you have to consider now is how best to win her from the Caliph's palace.
hands him and Sherasmin two priceless coats
Wear these coats. Then you will be able to enter the palace unhindered and mingle with the great around the Caliph.
SHERASMIN
But we'll keep our swords to hand under the coats! And when no‑one expects it, we'll break in.
DROLL
You are only two against countless numbers. But if things get bad, use the horn.
SHERASMIN
Will Oberon really appear if we call him?
DROLL
Certainly! But one thing you must not forger: that the next day may bring graver trouble.
HUON
Trouble, when Rezia is mine for ever? What happiness should I then lack?
DROLL
You must first discover where your fortune grows.
HUON
From your magic?
DROLL
No, Huon, much rarer.
From your suffering!
He vanishes. Huon and Sherasmin look surprised and thoughtfully after him. Then Huon, going on, takes new courage.
Aria
HUON
From boyhood trained in tented field!
The lance to lift, the mace to wield,
And still with banner broad to ride,
Where wildest roared the battle tide,
Girt with my father's sword,
Proud of my father's name,
The only mistress I adored
My only passion: Fame! fame! fame!
A milder light, a gentler beam,
Is shining over life's broader stream,
For beauty's smile is soft'ning now,
The crimson glare of glory's grow.
Sweet as the breath of eve,
Bright as its star above,
A fairer form may ever weave
Thy rosy fetters: Love! love! love! -
But though with new feelings my bosom may thrill,
Its first born emotion reigns paramount still,
Life without love, were a desert for me,
But life without honour, I live not to see!
THIRD SCENE
A splendid hall in the palace of Harun al Raschid in Bagdad
Finale
REZIA
alone
Haste, gallant knight o haste and save thy
Rezia from the yawning grave!
For round this hand the worm shall twine,
Ere linked in other grasp than thine!
Yes, my Lord! My joy, my blessing!
Rezia lives for thee alone!
On this heart his signet pressing,
Love hath claimed it for thine own,
Yes, its core thine image beareth
There it must for ever burn!
Yes, its core thine image beareth
Like the spot the tulips wear
Deep within its dewy urn!
Yes, my Lord! My joy, my blessing!
Rezia lives for thee alone! -
FATIMA
comes rushing in, full of joy
Joy, we are rescued in the hour of need!
Joy, he is found, the knight is ours indeed!
REZIA
expectantly
Found? Where? Sweet Fatima, quickly tell!
FATIMA
To old Namounua's cot, as evening fell,
He came by fate directed, by fate directed!
There, he heard thy dream, as I had told her,
Word for word,
And vowed with glowing cheek
And flashing eye, to rescue thee or die!
REZIA
Said I not? said I not?
Duettino
TOGETHER
Ah! Happy maid!
REZIA
Near me is my own true knight!
FATIMA
Near thee is thy knight!
TOGETHER
Ah! Happy maid!
REZIA
Near me is my own true knight!
FATIMA
Near thee is thy knight!
TOGETHER
Ah! happy maid! Ah! happy maid!
Hope hath not my/thy heart betrayed.
Love hath read the dream aright,
Hope hath not my/thy heart betrayed.
Ah happy maid, a happy maid!
REZIA
Near me is my own true knight!
FATIMA
Near thee is thy knight!
TOGETHER
Ah, near me is my own true knight!
Near thee is thy knight!
Hope hath not my/thy heart betray'd!
Near me is my own true knight!
Near thee is thy knight!
Love hath read the dream aright
Hope hath not my/thy heart betray'd!
FATIMA
Hark! Lady, hark! On the terrace near,
The tread of the Harem guard I hear,
And lo, thy slaves that tither hie,
Show that the hour of rest is nigh!
Rezia and Fatima come forward and give each other signs of their secret agreement. The slow music of the Janizary drifts over the terrace. Mesru, the portly captain of the Harem Guard comes waddling in with them. The thirty men watc hing from the terrace take up place behind the source of the music.
CHOIR
Now the evening watch is set!
And from every Minaret
Soon the muezins call to prayer
Will sweetly float on the quiet air,
Here no later must we stay
Hence to rest, away, away!
The full moon rises, flooding the Hall with light.
REZIA
apart
O my wild exulting soul,
How shall I thee control?
Far too well my burning cheek
And kindling eye thy tumult speak.
Ere thy rapture they betray
Let me hence, away, away, away!
CHOIR
Here no later must we stay
Hence to rest, hence to rest!
Now the evening watch is set
And from every Minaret
Soon the muezins call to prayer
Will sweetly float on the quiet air,
Hence to rest, hence to rest,
Away, away, hence to rest, away, away!
The music of the Janizary slowly moves away.
