Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901):
Alzati!?Eri tu che macchiavi
(from Un Ballo in Maschera) (1859)
Text: Antonio Somma, after Eugene Scribe?s libretto for
Daniel-François-Esprit Auber?s opera Gustave III, ou le bal masqué
Original Key/Recorded Key (aria): D Minor
Teach-Track begins: 2 mm. before m. 1 of recitative
(end of preceding aria used as introduction)*
Accompaniment Track begins: same as teach-track
Pianist: Daniel Michalak
* The ?introduction? to ?Eri tu? recorded here preserves the way the aria actually appears in the opera itself: Renato?s opening recitative (?Alzati!?) emerges immediately (or, more precisely, after a slight pause, though with no musical introduction of its own) from the end of Amelia?s preceding aria. The sinuous arpeggiated figure which concludes her aria, descending into the lower reaches of the orchestra?s string section, establishes a wonderfully dark, desolate atmosphere that matches Renato?s mood perfectly. By contrast, the two E-flat minor chords which begin the recitative in the ?old? Schirmer baritone anthology are editorial additions whose only apparent function is to give the singer a ?built-in? harmonic/melodic cue (without some kind of introduction the pianist would have to separately cue the starting pitch). Unfortunately, these chords are also misleading dramatically, since their vehemence makes Renato seem more purely enraged than he really is (his actual mood being a mixture of anger, despair, and weariness--and, as the second half of his aria ultimately reveals, tender regret).
N. B. In a famous typographical (or editorial) error, the ?old? Schirmer baritone anthology twice misspells ?Amelia? as ?Adelia.?
Notes © 1999 by Daniel O. Michalak
Alzati! la tuo figlio a te concedo riveder.
Arise! There your son to you I-permit to-see-again.
Nell' ombra e nel silenzio
In-the-darkness and in silence,
La il tuo rossore e l'onta mia nascondi.
There the your blushing and the-shame my hide.
Non e su lei, nel suo fragile petto
Not it-is on her, in-the her fragile breast
Che colpir degg' io.
That strike must-I
Altro, ben altro sangue
Other, indeed other blood
A terger dessi l'offesa.
To wipe-off must the offense.
Il sangue tuo!
The blood your!
E lo trarra il pugnale dallo sleal tuo core:
And it will-draw the dagger from-the disloyal your heart:
Delle lagrime mie vendicator!
Of-the tears my avenger!
Eri tu che macchiavi quell' anima,
It-was you that stained that soul,
La delizia dell' anima mia:
The delight of-the soul my:
Che m'affidi e d'un tratto esecrabile
Whom myself-I-trusted, and with-one stroke despicable,
L'universo avveleni per me!
The universe poisoned for me!
Traditor! Che compensi in tal guisa
Traitor! Who rewards in such manner
Dell' amico tuo primo la fe!
Of-the friend your first (truest) the fidelity!
O dolcezze perdute!
O sweetness lost!
O memorie d'un amplesso che l'essere india,
O memories of-an embrace that the-being sanctifies,
Quando Amelia si bella, si candida,
When Amelia, so beautiful, so pure,
Sul mio seno brillava d'amor!
On-the my breast radiated with love!
E finita--non siede che l'odio
It-is finished, not remains but the hate
E la morte nel vedovo cor!
And the death in-the widowed heart!