FIRST ACT
Ouverture
FIRST SCENE
A square in front of the Pasha's palace by the sea shore
No. 1 - Aria
BELMONTE
alone
Here I shall see you again,
Constanza, who are all my joy!
Oh heaven, let it be so
And restore my peace of mind.
Oh love, I have suffered too much!
Now bestow happiness upon me instead
And lead me to my goal.
Dialogue
BELMONTE
But how am I to get into the palace, how to see her, how to speak to her?
SECOND SCENE
BELMONTE, OSMIN
Osmin arrives with a laddder, which he leans against a tree by the door of the palace.
No. 2 - Song and Duet
OSMIN
He who has found a sweetheart
Who is faithful and true,
Must reward her with a thousand kisses;
Must make her life a delight,
Must be her comforter and friend.
Trallalera, trallalera.
BELMONTE
Maybe I can discover something by questioning this old fellow. ? Hey there, friend! Am I right in thinking that this is the country estate of Pasha Selim?
OSMIN
carries on singing, while he continues to work.
But to ensure that she remains faithful
He had better lock up his sweetheart with care;
Since the mischievous young things try to capture
Every passing butterfly, and are
All too fond of eating stolen fruit.
Trallalera, trallalera.
BELMONTE
Hey there, old fellow! Are you deaf? Is this the palace of Pasha Selim?
OSMIN
looks at him, turns back and continues singing as before
By the light of the moon in particular,
Friends, watch them well!
Oft young gentlemen are lurking,
Whispering sweet nothings to the little fools
And then you can say good?night to fidelity!
Trallalera, trallalera.
BELMONTE
Confound you and your ditty!
I am truly tired of your singing;
Just listen to me for a moment!
OSMIN
The devil, how dare you
Work yourself up so, carry on so?
What do you want? Hurry up, I've got to go.
BELMONTE
Is this the house of Pasha Selim?
OSMIN
Eh??
BELMONTE
Is this the house of Pasha Selim?
OSMIN
This is the house of Pasha Selim.
turns to leave
BELMONTE
Just wait a moment!
OSMIN
I cannot stay.
BELMONTE
A single word?
OSMIN
Quick then, I must away.
BELMONTE
Are you in his service, my friend?
OSMIN
Eh??
BELMONTE
Are you in his service, my friend?
OSMIN
I am in his service, my friend.
BELMONTE
How can I get to speak to Pedrillo
Who is in his service here?
OSMIN
That rogue, who ought to break his neck!
See to it yourself, I shan't help you.
turns to leave
BELMONTE
aside
What a rude old rascal!
OSMIN
aside
He is a proper gallowsbird.
BELMONTE
You're mistaken, he is an honest man.
OSMIN
So honest that I'd like to put him on a spit.
BELMONTE
Your surely don't know him very well.
OSMIN
Well enough! I'd have him burned this very day.
This very day I'd have him burnt.
BELMONTE
In truth, there is no harm in him.
OSMIN
I'd like to stick his head on a stake!
turns to leave
BELMONTE
Please stay here!
OSMIN
What else do you want?
BELMONTE
I'd like to...
OSMIN
derisively
... To creep around
The house from afar
And abduct girls?
Away with you,
We don't need your type here.
BELMONTE
You're out of your mind!
To address me
So viciously
And disrespectfully!
OSMIN
Don't get worked up!
I know your type.
BELMONTE
Save your venom,
Stop threatening me.
OSMIN
Go to the devil
Or else, I swear it,
You'll get the bastinado
Without mercy.
You've still got time.
pushes him away
BELMONTE
There's no doubt about it:
You're out of your mind.
What a way to behave
On account of my questions!
Do keep your temper.
exit
THIRD SCENE
Osmin, Belmonte, Pedrillo
Dialogue
OSMIN
alone
I could just do with another rascal like Pedrillo. If only he had not got into the Pasha's good books the way he has, he'd have been strung up long ago.
PEDRILLO
Is the barometer pointing to «stormy weather» again? Why can we not make peace for once?
OSMIN
Make peace with you? I'd like to wring your neck!
PEDRILLO
But tell me: why? why?
OSMIN
Why? Because I can't stand you.
No. 3 - Aria
OSMIN
Popinjays sprung up from nowhere
Who do nothing but ogle women,
I can't put up with them.
All they ever do
Is to watch our every step,
But I'm not duped by types like that!
Your deceipt and your plots,
Your schemes and your tricks,
I know them all.
If you'd get the better of me
You'd have to be cunning indeed.
I've got some sense too.
Therefore, by the Prophet's beard,
By day and by night I rack may brains,
And I won't rest until I see you killed,
No matter how much care you take.
PEDRILLO
You really are a wicked old fellow, and I have done you no harm at all.
OSMIN
You've got the face of a gallowsbird, and that is enough for me.
First you'll be beheaded,
Then you'll be hanged,
Then impaled
On red?hot spikes,
Then burned,
Then manacled
And drowned;
Finally flayed alive.
off into the house
FOURTH SCENE
Pedrillo, later Belmonte
Dialogue
PEDRILLO
alone
Just go away, you confounded snooper, die game isn't over yet! Who knows who may get the better of the other!
BELMONTE
Pedrillo, my dear Pedrillo!
PEDRILLO
Oh, dearest Sir! Is it possible? Is it really you?
BELMONTE
Tell me, is my Constanza still alive?
PEDRILLO
She lives and, I hope, still lives for you. As luck would have it, Pasha Selim bought the three of us: your Constanza, my Blonda and me. Donna Constanza has become his special favourite.
BELMONTE
Ha! What are you saying?
PEDRILLO
Come, come, don't flare up so! As far as I know, his love is still unrequited.
BELMONTE
Oh my dear, good Pedrillo, do what you can so that I may see her, that I may speak to her! My heart is beating with fear and joy!
PEDRILLO
Stay close by. The Pasha is due to return from his pleasure trip on the water. I will introduce you to him as a clever architect. But you must control yourself: Constanza is with him.
exit
FIFTH SCENE
No. 4 - Recitative and Aria
BELMONTE
alone
Constanza, to see you again, you! ?
Oh how fearfully, oh how fervently
My heart is beating, full of love!
And the tears shed at seeing her again
Are recompense for the bitter pain of parting.
I tremble, I falter,
I hesitate, I shrink,
My heart swells and beats faster.
Is that her whisper?
Anxiety fills me.
Was that her sigh?
My cheeks are afire.
Did love deceive me?
Was it a dream?
Dialogue
PEDRILLO
hurries in
Quick, quick, step aside and hide yourself. The Pasha is coming.
Belmonte hides.
SIXTH SCENE
Pasha Selim and Constanza arrive on a pleasure craft, preceded by another boat carrying a Janissary band, which lands first. The Janissaries line up, sing the following chorus and depart.
No. 5 - Chorus
JANISSARIES' CHORUS
Sing to the mighty Pasha,
Resound, fiery song;
And let the shore reverberate
With the joyful sound of our songs!
SOLOS
Waft towards him,
Cooling breezes,
Flow more gently,
Billowing waters!
Let your song carry towards him,
Soaring choirs,
Let your song implant
Love's joy in his heart!
Janissaries off
SEVENTH SCENE
Selim, Constanza
Dialogue
SELIM
Still so despondent, beloved Constanza? Still in tears? Look, what a lovely evening, what charming surroundings, what enchanting music, my tender love for you ? tell me, can none of these calm you at last and move your heart? ? Consider: I could command you, I could be cruel to you, I could compel you?
CONSTANZA
sighs
SELIM
But no, Constanza, I want to have your love because you, you yourself, gave it to me?
CONSTANZA
Most generous of men! If only I could ? but?
SELIM
Tell me, Constanza, tell me, what holds you back?
CONSTANZA
You will hate me.
SELIM
No, I swear it. You know how much I love you, how much li-berty I give you, more than any other woman, that I look upon you as the only one?
CONSTANZA
Then forgive me.
No. 6 - Aria
CONSTANZA
Alas, I loved,
I was so happy;
I knew nothing of love's pain.
Promised to be true
To my beloved,
And I gave him all my heart.
But how quickly my joy deserted me,
Separation was my unhappy fate.
And now my eyes are bathed in tears,
Grief resides in my breast.
EIGHTH SCENE
Selim, Pedrillo, Belmonte
Dialogue
SELIM
Her grief, her tears, her constancy enchant my heart all the more, and make her love even more desirable. Who could use force against a heart like hers? ? No, Constanza, no, Selim has a heart as well, Selim knows love as well?
PEDRILLO
My Lord! Forgive me for daring to intrude upon your thoughts?
SELIM
What do you want, Pedrillo?
PEDRILLO
This young gentleman has heard of your wealth and has come to offer you his services as an architect.
BELMONTE
Could be so happy to win your acknowledgement besides my low abilities?
SELIM
Let us see what you can do.
NINTH SCENE
Belmonte, Pedrillo
Dialogue
PEDRILLO
Triumph, Sir! The first step has been taken.
BELMONTE
I have seen her, I have seen the dear, faithful, best of girls! If only it were possible to speak to her?
PEDRILLO
We will have to see what can be done. Just come into the garden with me; but for heaven's sake, be careful.
They are about to enter the palace. Osmin encounters them in the door and restrains them.
TENTH SCENE
As before, Osmin
Dialogue
OSMIN
Where are you going?
PEDRILLO
Inside.
OSMIN
What does the fellow want?
PEDRILLO
He is in the Pasha's service.
OSMIN
If he were in the hangman's services, he cannot enter.
PEDRILLO
But he must enter!!
OSMIN
Just take one step across the threshold?
PEDRILLO
Don't be difficult.
BELMONTE
Stand back, wretch!
No. 7 - Trio
OSMIN
Away! Away! Away! Clear off!
Or else the bastinado
Will be straightway at your service!
BELMONTE and PEDRILLO
My, wouldn't it be a pity
To treat us like that!
OSMIN
Don't come any closer,
Or else I'll let fly.
BELMONTE and PEDRILLO
Stand back from the door,
We're going in.
They push him away from the door.
OSMIN
Quick march! Or I'll let fly!
BELMONTE and PEDRILLO
Stand back, we're going in.
They force him aside and enter.
SECOND ACT
A garden in Pasha Selim's palace; Osmin's quarters are at the side.
FIRST SCENE
Osmin, Blonda
No. 8 - Aria
BLONDA
With tenderness and pretty words,
Kindness and pleasantries,
It is easy to conquer
Good girls' hearts.
But surly commands,
Banging about, nagging, tormenting,
Will result, in a few days,
In love and fidelity departing.
Dialogue
OSMIN
Tenderness! Pretty words!
aside
I hope you have not forgotten that die Pasha has given you to me as my slave?
BLONDA
Never you mind about the Pasha! Girls are not goods that can be given away as presents. I am an Englishwoman, born to be free, and defy anyone who would attempt to coerce me!
OSMIN
Poison and daggers! My patience is at an end! Go into the house this instant!
BLONDA
I'm not budging an inch.
OSMIN
Don't make me use force!
BLONDA
I shall meet force with force. My mistress is the Pasha's favourite. It only needs one word from me and you have fifty of the best on the soles of your feet. Be off?
OSMIN
aside
She is a devil.
No. 9 - Duet
OSMIN
I'm going, but let me advise you
To keep away from that rascal Pedrillo.
BLONDA
Be off, don't order me about,
You know that I can't abide it.
OSMIN
Promise me ...
BLONDA
How dare you?
OSMIN
Hang it all …
BLONDA
Away, leave me alone!
OSMIN
Indeed, I won't budge an inch
Until you swear to obey me.
BLONDA
Not a bit, you poor fool,
Even if you were the Great Mogul in person.
Together, but each to him/herself:
OSMIN
O Englishmen, what fools you are
To let your women have their own way!
What a bother and nuisance it is
To be landed with such a creature.
BLONDA
A heart born to freedom
Will never submit to slavery;
Even if liberty is lost
It is still proud to be free and laughs at the world!
Now be off!
OSMIN
How dare you address me like that?
BLONDA
Just like that.
OSMIN
I'll stay, all the more.
BLONDA
pushes him away
Some other time! Now you must go.
OSMIN
Was there ever such impudence!
together
BLONDA
pretending to scratch his eyes out
Your eyes are in peril
If you stay here any longer.
OSMIN
retreating nervously
Keep quiet, I'm going, I going,
Before you start using your fists.
exit
SECOND SCENE
Blonda, Constanza
Dialogue
BLONDA
How sadly my dear lady approaches! Of course it is painful to lose one's beloved and be a slave.
No. 10 - Recitative and Aria
CONSTANZA
without observing Blonda's presence
Oh, what changes have been wrought in my heart
Since that day when fate parted us!
Oh Belmonte! The joys have departed
Which I knew when by your side;
The pains of anxious longing
Now inhabit my oppressed heart!
Unhappiness has become my lot
Because I have been torn from you.
Like the rose, eaten by worms,
Like the grass that withers in winter
My wretched life is fading away.
Not even to the air may I confide
The bitter anguish of my soul,
Because, unwilling to endure it,
The very air blows all my laments
Back into my afflicted heart.
Dialogue
BLONDA
Oh, my dear lady! Still so despondent? I can see the Pasha over there.
exit
THIRD SCENE
Constanza, Selim
SELIM
Well, Constanza, are you considering my request? The day is al-most over, and tomorrow you must love me or?
CONSTANZA
Must? As though it were possible to command love! I will always think as I do now: I will honour you, but – love you? Never.
SELIM
And do you not tremble before the power that I have over you?
CONSTANZA
Not in the least. All I have to look forward to is death.
SELIM
Wretch! No, not death, but tortures of every kind?
CONSTANZA
I will endure them too; you cannot frighten me, I am ready for anything.
No. 11 - Aria
CONSTANZA
Tortures of every kind
May await me,
I scorn agony and pain.
Nothing will shake me,
Only one thing might make me tremble:
If I were to be unfaithful.
I implore you,
Spare me!
The blessings of heaven
Shall be your reward.
But you are determined.
Willingly, unflinchingly
I choose every pain and grief.
Well then, command, coerce me,
Roar, fulminate, rage,
Death will liberate me in the end.
exit
FOURTH SCENE
Selim alone
Dialogue
SELIM
Is it a dream? Where has she suddenly found courage to defy me like this? Is she hoping to escape me? Ha! That must be pre-vented. But that cannot be the reason, then she would dissemble, would seek to lull me ? Yes! It is desperation! I achieve nothing by being firm ? nor by entreating her ? well then, what threats and entreaties have not been able to do shall be achieved by cunning.
exit
FIFTH SCENE
Blonda alone
Dialogue
BLONDA
No Pasha, no Constanza any longer? Have they come to an agreement?
SIXTH SCENE
Blonda, Pedrillo
PEDRILLO
Pst, pst! Blonda! Is the coast clear?
BLONDA
What have you got?
PEDRILLO
News which will delight you.
BLONDA
Well? Quickly, out with it!
PEDRILLO
Belmonte has arrived, and I have introduced him into the palace under the guise of an architect. He has a ship close by and we have decided to carry you off this very night.
BLONDA
How splendid? But Osmin?
PEDRILLO
Here is a sleeping draught for the old slyboots; I'll put it in his drink. Now go and prepare Constanza, I will wait here for Belmonte.
BLONDA
Oh, what happiness I shall bring her!
No. 12 - Aria
BLONDA
What bliss, what delight
Holds sway within my heart!
I must hasten without delay
To bring her the news straight away
And with laughter and pleasantries
I will prophesy to her weak, timid heart
Happiness and rejoicing.
exit
SEVENTH SCENE
Pedrillo, alone
Dialogue
PEDRILLO
Oh, if only it were over and done with! If only we were already on the high seas, our girls in our arms and this accursed country behind us! But I must risk it; it's now or never. He who hesitates ist lost.
No. 13 - Aria
PEDRILLO
Now to battle!
Now to arms!
Only cowards are afraid.
Should I tremble,
Should I quake,
Rather than valiantly
Risking my life?
No, oh no, I'll take the risk!
Now to battle!
Now to arms!
Only cowards are afraid.
EIGHTH SCENE
Pedrillo, Osmin
Dialogue
OSMIN
Ha! Someone is having a great time here! You seem to be full of beans.
PEDRILLO
A cheerful disposition and wine sweeten the worst slavery. Truly, your father Mohammed made a terrible blunder when he forbade you to drink wine. If it weren't for that confounded law, you'd have to join me in a glass, whether you wanted to or not.
OSMIN
Join you in a glass of wine? Poison?
PEDRILLO
Always poison and daggers, daggers and poison! Do let the old enmity be, just for once, and have some sense. Look here, a brace of bottles of Cyprus wine?
OSMIN
But if you give me away?
PEDRILLO
Mohammed has been asleep for ages, and he has got better things to do than to worry about your bottle of wine.
No. 14 - Duet
PEDRILLO
Vivat Bacchus,
Long live Bacchus,
Bacchus was a fine fellow.
OSMIN
Shall I chance it?
Shall I drink it?
Can Allah see me?
PEDRILLO
What's the use of wavering?
Down with it, down with it!
Don't delay any longer!
OSMIN
drinks
Now the deed is done,
Now I have downed it;
I do declare, that's brave!
TOGETHER
Three cheers for the girls,
The blondes, the brunettes,
Three cheers!
PEDRILLO
It tastes lovely!
OSMIN
It tastes heavenly!
TOGETHER
That's what I call a drink for the Gods!
Vivat Bacchus,
Long live Bacchus,
Bacchus who discovered wine!
Dialogue
PEDRILLO
Truly, there is nothing better than wine!
OSMIN
That's true - wine - wine - is a lovely drink; and our great ? prophet, I hope he won't mind ? Poison and daggers!
PEDRILLO
aside
It is time to be rid of him!
aloud
Come, old chap, let's go to sleep.
takes him up
OSMIN
Sleep?
PEDRILLO
Come along, lest the Pasha should surprise us!
OSMIN
leaving
Yes, yes - a bottle - of fine - Pasha - is better - than - anything in the world! Good night ? brother ? good night.?
PEDRILLO
leads him away and returns immediately.
NINTH SCENE
Pedrillo, later Belmonte, Constanza, Blonda
BELMONTE
Has Constanza not yet arrived?
PEDRILLO
Here she is.
CONSTANZA
Belmonte!
BELMONTE
Constanza!
they embrace
CONSTANZA
Happiness brings tears as well!
No. 15 - Aria
BELMONTE
When tears of joy flow freely,
Love kindly smiles upon the lover;
To kiss them from her cheeks
Is love's highest reward.
Oh, Constanza! To behold you!
Blissfully and full of delight
To hold you close to my faithful heart,
Croesus' treasure could not equal it.
Were we never to be reunited,
Better that we were never to know
The bitter pangs of separation.
Dialogue
BELMONTE
I have a ship in readiness nearby; at midnight I will come to your window.
Love will be our companion.
No. 16 - Quartet
CONSTANZA
Ah, Belmonte, my beloved!
BELMONTE
Ah, Constanza, my beloved!
CONSTANZA
Can it be? What rapture!
To hold you close to my heart
After so many days of unhappiness!
BELMONTE
What bliss to find you!
Now all gnef must vanish!
Oh how my heart rejoices!
CONSTANZA
See how my tears of joy flow freely.
BELMONTE
Angel! Let me kiss them from your cheek.
CONSTANZA
Let them be the last ones.
BELMONTE
Indeed, you shall be free this very day.
PEDRLLLO
Now, Blonda, have you understood?
Everything is prepared for flight.
We will be here on the stroke of midnight.
BLONDA
Don't worry, all will be ready,
I shall count the minutes;
If only the moment were here already!
ALL FOUR TOGETHER
At last the sun of hope
Illuminates the gloomy skies.
Full of rapture, joy and bliss
We can see the end of our suffering.
BELMONTE
Yet, in spite of my happiness
My heart within my breast
Is full of secret care.
CONSTANZA
What is it, dearest? Tell me,
Quickly, explain yourself.
Conceal nothing from me!
BELMONTE
They say ? they say ? that you . . .
regards Constanza silently and anxiously
CONSTANZA
Go on!
regards Belmonte silently and anxiously
PEDRLLLO
indicating that he risks being hanged
But Blonda, oh that ladder!
Are you really worth it?
BLONDA
You fool, have you gone mad?
It might be better
If you had turned the question round!
PEDRLLLO
But Master Osmin??
BLONDA
Let's hear it!
CONSTANZA
Will you not explain yourself?
BELMONTE
They say??
PEDRLLLO
But Master Osmin??
BELMONTE
That you??
PEDRLLLO
But Master Osmin??
BLONDA
Let's hear it!
CONSTANZA
Go on??
Will you not explain yourself?
BELMONTE
I will. But do not be angry
If, having heard a rumour,
I should dare to ask you
In fear and trembling
Whether you love the Pasha?
PEDRLLLO
to Blonda
Has Master Osmin never,
As one might well believe,
Exercised his lordly rights
Upon you as your owner?
That would a poor bargain!
CONSTANZA
to Belmonte
Oh, how you grieve me!
She weeps
BLONDA
to Pedrillo
Here's my reply to you!
slaps Pedrillo's face
PEDRLLLO
rubbing his cheek
Now I am in the picture.
BELMONTE
on his knees
Constanza, oh forgive me!
BLONDA
angrily walking away from Pedrillo
You don't deserve me at all!
CONSTANZA
sighing as she turns away from Belmonte
Have I remained faithful to you?
BLONDA
to Constanza
The rogue has dared to ask
Whether I have remained true to him!
CONSTANZA
to Blonda
And Belmont has been told
That I love the Pasha!
PEDRLLLO
rubbing his cheek
I'd take my dying oath
On Blonda's fidelity!
BELMONTE
to Pedrillo
Constanza is true to me,
There can be no doubt about it.
CONSTANZA and BLONDA
When men become suspicious
And have no faith in our honour,
And look upon us with mistrust,
It is not to be borne.
BELMONTE and PEDRLLLO
When women are aggrieved
Because we think them fickle,
Then they are really true
And free from all reproaches.
PEDRLLLO
Dearest Blonda do forgive me!
Look, I put more faith in your fidelity
Than upon m own head!
BLONDA
No, you can't get away with it.
Suspecting me of doing that
With that foolish old buffer!
BELMONTE
Oh, Constanza, my beloved!
Can you ever forgive me
For having asked such a question?
CONSTANZA
Belmonte! How could you believe
That anyone could steal this heart
Which beats for you alone?
BELMONTE, then PEDRLLLO
Oh, forgive me!
PEDRILLO, then BELMONTE
I am repentant!
CONSTANZA and BLONDA
I forgive
Your remorse.
ALL FOUR
Well, let this be the end of the matter!
Long live love
Let us value nothing else!
Let nothing kindle
The fire of jealousy.
all off
THIRD ACT
FIRST SCENE
Pedrillo, Klaas
and
SECOND SCENE
Belmonte, Pedrillo
contain only dialogue and are often omitted.
THIRD SCENE
Belmonte alone
Dialogue
BELMONTE
Oh, Constanza! How my heart is beating! The nearer the moment approaches, the more anxious my soul becomes. Love, be my guide!
No. 17 - Aria
BELMONTE
Oh love, I build upon your strength,
I rely upon your power;
Consider what works
Have been achieved by you!
What all the world thinks impossible
FOURTH SCENE
Belmonte and Pedrillo
Dialogue
PEDRILLO
Everyone is asleep.
looks at the clock
Go and keep a sharp look?out, so that we shan't be caught.
taking up his mandolin
Courage is the most foolish thing in the world. If you haven't got it, nothing will give it to you. My father must have been the greatest coward ever.
He starts to play
Nothing venture, nothing win!
No. 18 - Romance
PEDRILLO
In Moorish lands imprisoned lay
A girl, pretty and delicate;
Rosy cheeks, white skin, black hair,
She sighed day and night, she even wept,
Longing to be rescued.
Then came from foreign lands
A young knight
Who took pity on the maiden.
Hey, he cried, I'll risk my life and honour
If only I can rescue her.
PEDRILLO
So far so good; nothing is stirring.
BELMONTE
comes forward
That is enough, Pedrillo.
PEDRILLO
It's not my fault that they have still not shown themselves. We must try again. Just stay at your post.
BELMONTE
off again
PEDRILLO
I'll come to you at dead of night,
Dearest, let me in quickly;
I fear neither padlocks nor watchmen,
Heigho, take heed, at midnight
You shall be saved.
No sooner said than done, one the stroke
Of midnight the brave knight was there;
Gently she gave him her white hand,
Next morning her cell was found to be empty;
She was gone, up and away!
Dialogue
PEDRILLO
as Constanza opens her window
She's opening up, Sir, she's opening up!
Pedrillo places the ladder under the window; Belmonte climbs in.
Belmonte and Constanza emerge from the door.
CONSTANZA
How anxiously my heart is beating! If only we can escape safely.
PEDRILLO
Away, quickly! No chatting now!
Belmonte and Constanze off
Blonda, Blonda! Hurry up, for heaven's sake!
He climbs into her window.
FIFTH SCENE
Osmin, a black mute
OSMIN
Poison and daggers, what's this? Thieves! Murderers!
He sits down on the bottom rung of the ladder and starts to sleep. The mute departs.
BLONDA
looks out of the window
Heavens above, Pedrillo! We are lost.
Pedrillo comes out of the door with Blonda; they tiptoe away.
Some guards escort Pedrillo and Blonda back.
OSMIN
Do my eyes deceive me? You two? Just you wait, you rascally Pedrillo. Your head must part company from your shoulders, as sure as I am a Muslim.
Some more guards bring Belmonte and Constanza.
BELMONTE
struggling
Wretches, let go of me!
OSMIN
Did the architect want to take a stroll as well?
BELMONTE
Here is a purse full of cold coins, it is yours if you let me go.
OSMIN
I do believe you are out of your mind! We do not need your money, we will get that anyway; we want your heads.
The guards lead Belmonte and Constanza away together with Pedrillo and Blonda.
No. 19 - Aria
OSMIN
Oh, how I shall triumph
When they conduct you to the place of execution
And put the garrotte round your throats!
I shall gambol, laugh and jump about
And sing a song of delight,
Since I am rid of you at last.
No matter how softly and carefully you prowl,
You confounded harem mice,
Our ear is bound to detect you!
And ere you can escape us
You find yourselves caught in our snares
And will get your just deserts.
Oh, how I shall triumph ...
SIXTH SCENE
The Pasha's apartments
Selim with his attendants, later Osmin, Belmonte, Constanza and guards
Dialogue
SELIM
What is it, Osmin? What is the meaning of this commotion?
OSMIN
My Lord, the most scandalous treachery in your palace?
SELIM
Treachery?
OSMIN
The fine architect has ? abducted your lovely Constanza.
Belmonte and Constanza are led in by the guard.
SELIM
Traitor! Can it be true? And you, false siren? Is this how you abu sed the indulgence which I showed you, in order to deceive me?
CONSTANZA
It is true, Sir, that I am culpable in your eyes. But this is my belo ved. I will gladly embrace death, but spare his life!
SELIM
Impudent woman, you dare to beg for mercy for him?
CONSTANZA
I dare more: to die for him!
BELMONTE
Pasha! Never before have I humbled myself to beg. But behold, I lie at your feet and ask for your mercy. I am the scion of a great Spanish family. My name is Lostados.
SELIM
surprised
What do I hear? Do you know the Commandant of Oran?
BELMONTE
He is my father.
SELIM
Your father? What blessed day! To have the son of my worst enemy in my power! Listen, wretch! It is because of your father, that barbarian, that I had to leave my country. His implacable greed robbed me of my beloved, whom I treasured more than life itself. He deprived me of an honourable position, of my property, of everything. In a word, he ruined my whole happiness. And now I have this man's only son in my power. Tell me, if he were in my position, what would he do?
BELMONTE
quite despondent
My fate would be deplorable indeed.
SELIM
And so it shall be. As he treated me, so I shall treat you.
exit with Osmin
SEVENTH SCENE
Belmonte and Constanza
No. 20 - Recitative and Duet
BELMONTE
What cruel fate! What grief!
Has everything conspired against me?
Oh, Constanza! Through my fault you are in peril!
What agony!
CONSTANZA
Beloved, do not let it trouble you.
What is death? It leads to peace.
And furthermore, by your side,
It is a foretaste of bliss.
BELMONTE
Angelic being! What sweet perfection!
You bring comfort to my distracted heart.
You ease the mortal pain,
And I, alas, take you into the grave with me.
You must die on my behalf!
O, Constanza, how dare I
Lift my eyes to you?
I am the cause of your death!
CONSTANZA
Belmont, you die because of me!
It is I who brought about your ruin,
And should I not die with you?
This precept is bliss for me.
TOGETHER
Noble soul, to live for you
Is my desire and all I strove for.
Without you, to live on in this world
Brings me nothing but pain.
BELMONTE
Gladly will I suffer everything,
CONSTANZA
Peacefully and joyfully will I die,
TOGETHER
Because you will be by my side.
For you beloved,
I would gladly give my life.
Oh what delight!
To die with the beloved
Is enchanted bliss!
With radiant looks
We shall depart this world.
FINAL SCENE
Constanza, Belmonte, Pedrillo, Blonda, Pasha, Osmin (gleeful) and attendants.
Dialogue
SELIM
Are you trembling? Are you ready to receive your sentence?
BELMONTE
Yes, Pasha. Take your revenge upon me, expunge the wrongs that my father committed against you.?
SELIM
You are mistaken. I despised your father far too much ever to follow in his footsteps. Take your freedom, take Constanza, tell your father that you were in my power, that I released you so that you might tell him that it is a far greater pleasure to repay injustices suffered by good deeds than to compensate evil by more evil.
CONSTANZA
Lord, forgive me! Until now I valued ... your noble soul, but now I admire …
SELIM
Enough! I hope that, in return for the deceipt that you practi ced upon me, you should never regret that you rejected my love.
turns to leave
PEDRILLO
falls at his feet
My Lord! Dare we two wretches also implore you to be lenient?
OSMIN
No lenience for him! He has deserved death a thousand times.
SELIM
Then let him find it in his own country.
to the guards
Conduct all of them to their ship.
OSMIN
What! Is he to take my Blonda away as well?
SELIM
jovially
Old fellow - calm yourself. Those whom one cannot win over by kindness one has to get rid of.
No. 21a - Vaudeville
BELMONTE
Never will I forget your benevolence;
For ever shall I sing your praises.
In every place, at every time
I shall proclaim you great and noble.
CONSTANZA, BELMONTE, PEDRILLO, BLONDA, OSMIN
Anyone who can forget such graciousness
Deserves to be looked upon with scorn.
CONSTANZA
Never, even while rejoicing in love,
Shall I forget what gratitude commands;
My heart, devoted to love from now on,
Feels emotions inspired by gratitude as well.
CONSTANZA, BELMONTE, PEDRILLO, BLONDA, OSMIN
Anyone who can forget such graciousness
Deserves to be looked upon with scorn.
PEDRILLO
If ever I were to forget
How close I came to being strangled,
And all the other perils?
I'd run as though my head were on fire.
CONSTANZA, BELMONTE, PEDRILLO, BLONDA, OSMIN
Anyone who can forget such graciousness
Deserves to be looked upon with scorn.
BLONDA
My Lord Pasha, full of joy I thank you
Most heartily for board and lodging.
But I am truly glad
That you allow me to depart from here.
pointing to Osmin
Just look upon that beast there,
Is that to be endured?
OSMIN
These dogs, we ought to burn them,
Who tricked us so shamefully!
I can bear it no longer;
My tongue is almost paralysed
Through not being able to order their reward:
First you'll be beheaded,
Then you'll be hanged,
Then impaled
On red?hot spikes,
Then burned,
Then manacled
And drowned;
Finally flayed alive.
runs off in a rage
CONSTANZA, BELMONTE, BLONDA, PEDRILLO
Nothing is as loathsome as revenge;
But to be humane and kind
And to forgive without self?interest –
Only a great soul is capable of that.
Anyone who can forget such graciousness
Deserves to be looked upon with scorn.
No. 21b – Chorus
CHORUS OFJANISSARIES
Long live Pasha Selim!
Let him be honoured!
Let his exalted brow be wreathed
With rejoicing and renown.