ARSACE ll - --(Libretto) by Tomasso Terzian, editing and English version by Gerald Papasian. Opera by Dikran Tchouhadjian. (This is the original 1868 version) CHARACTERS ARSACE (Baritone) King of Armenia. OLYMPIA (Soprano) Queen of Armenia, Daughter of the Emperor of Byzantium. PARANSEMA (Soprano) Princess [of the House of Sunik], wife of Knel. VALINACE (Tenor) Prince [of the House of Sunik, Commander in chief of the Armenian Army]. NERSES (Bass) Catholicos [of Armenia]. KNEL (Tenor) Prince [of the house of Sunik, brother of Arsace, husband of Paransema]. VARTAN (Baritone) [Squire of the Mamikonian family], Arsace’s Guardsman. POLISENA (Mezzo-soprano) Olympia’s Lady in waiting. GHOST OF KING DIRAN (Bass) [Arsace’s father]. [GHOST OF YOUNG BOY (Mezzo-soprano) Arsace’s and Olympia’s child]. Other ghosts, priests, Princes and feudal lords, soldiers, [Royal guards, servants, jugglers & masked entertainers, ladies in waiting] and populace. The action takes place in the city of Armavir in Armenia, in the year 365 A.D. ACT ONE Scene One [A beautiful summer day]. A field. On the right side of the stage there are steep rocky cliffs almost concealed by forest trees. On the left, in the background, rises mount Ararat. [The populace is awaiting to acclaim the return of King Arsace the second and his victorious army who have defeated the Persians after lengthy wars. Among the crowd are present Queen Olympia, Princess Paransema, the Catholicos Nerses, priests and other dignitaries. Arsace’s army enters triumphant].*Additions 1 Trumpets are heard off stage. POPULACE Here come our valiant soldiers victorious. POPULACE (Men) Echoes of trumpets Flourish in mountains! The flag of Arsace Reaches the stars High in the heavens. The trumpeters walk in followed by the army. The crowd cheers. Our shining swords, our shining swords dismay’d our foes, Making them shudder in horror. Heaven protect Arsace Whene’er he fights for our nation and crown. As always, yes, as always shall our enemies For grace on their knees implore us. Otherwise an awful slaughter Awaits them should blood they prefer. Otherwise an awful slaughter Awaits them with blood and horror. Should earth into stormy seas alter drowning them, Saving them from our swords. That would be a better fate, Thus devour’d by raging waves. Yes, wild and raging waves. That would be a better ending, Devour’d by raging waves. Yes, wild and raging waves. Yes, wild and raging waves...etc. POPULACE (Women) Our skies are serene and peaceful now. May celestial rays shine Upon the supreme brow. Upon the supreme brow Of our mighty King, Of our mighty king! POPULACE From Euphrates to Indus His glance goes forth in warning. And all those, yes, all those who defy him, Dare to brave him, end up Imploring his mercy and grace. O Fatherland, O Fatherland Armenia, Rejoice as we sing ‘Hallelujah’! Be once more our blissful Arcadia, All glory and victory is yours. The Persians, the Persians are conquer’d, Their armies, their armies are slaughter’d. Arsace has shatter’d and vanquish’d All knavish and ungodly foes. O Fatherland...etc. Hail to the King, we cry hail! Our love for him and true devotion Twice Shall never fail. No, never fail. We hail the king forever hail! Five times Arsace enters riding a triumphal chariot preceded and followed by more soldiers, [his guardsman Vartan, Satraps and their leader Valinace]. ARSACE My loyal subjects, Hearken! Do not give praise beyond reason. VARTAN [To Arsace]. Victorious one! Your subjects greet you And welcome your return. [Olympia greets Arsace lovingly]. ARSACE [Noticing Paransema not approaching him, becomes gloomy. To himself]. If only I could somehow... Return the sunshine To my erstwhile tranquil heart. A dark and untold agitation Consumes and burns me. VARTAN & POPULACE Banish the grief that harrows The heart and soul of our King! ARSACE [Recovering and accepting the cheers]. Now that I’m back amongst you I feel content and free. Glory and Peace spread out anew, Thy wings over my country. Shine out your beams Euphoria! Arsace’s pure heart invokes thee. Disperse all throughout Armenia Joy and delight, love and beauty. VARTAN & POPULACE Shine spirit of Euphoria! ARSACE Arsace’s heart invokes thee! VARTAN & POPULACE Disperse all throughout Armenia Twice ARSACE Joy and delight, love and beauty. May bloodthirsty spectres of war Be gone, be gone for ever. May bloodthirsty spectres of all war Be gone forevermore. POPULACE & VARTAN Shine, and our hearts shall once more Twice Adore Thee, yes, as before. POPULACE Yes, as before! ARSACE Evermore! Evermore! Bloodthirsty spectres of war Be gone for evermore! Twice VARTAN & POPULACE We shall adore! We shall adore! Shine! And our hearts shall once more Adore thee, yes, as before! ARSACE Evermore! Twice ALL Be gone for evermore! [The scene ends in displays of great rejoicing]. END OF SCENE ONE Scene Two A hall in the Royal palace. [Arsace and Vartan are in consultation]. Paransema enters [carrying flowers. She waits at the doorway]. ARSACE [To Vartan]. But soft, my friend, some beauteous lady Comes with caution. She wears such graceful garments. What seems to be her sadness? Oh, how that stirs old passions Of bygone loves and romances. VARTAN [To Arsace]. ‘Tis Paransema, Sire! The tender ladylove [Of your own brother.] *Changes 1 ARSACE Indeed! What’s her petition? Arsace’s always moved by Such beauty. VARTAN She begs grace for the traitor. ARSACE For Knel? Her Prince? Ah, no! That, no, never! [He motions Vartan to leave. Vartan exits]. PARANSEMA [Approaching]. Bursting with joy and merriment, We all come to greet you, Arsace. Our land, our country, Armenia, Lauds you both in battle and in peacetime. What can a maiden offer you, O sweet and potent King [Sweet-scented flowers, simple and artless, Selected with love and with loyal devotion. Hopeful and confident humbly I offer To lay at your feet those beautiful flowers, Almighty King! What more, what more Could I bring from Armenia, To you, to you, O Arsace Triumphant? Sweet-scented flowers, simple and artless, Hand-pick’d with love to lay at your Royal feet, Gallant King! [She places her flowers at his feet]. I’d be most oblig’d, ah! If you would accept My modest flowers. O my handsome King!] *Restorations 1 [Encouraged by Arsace’s smile]. Great King, I beg you render me my Knel. Forgive his outrage. ARSACE [Angry]. You dare to name him? Banish from your heart Such hateful aspiring! PARANSEMA I kneel before you, O Mighty one. Stir not our country’s peace now! ARSACE Peace now! Pardon him - - I will not! He’s beyond compassion. PARANSEMA Kill not All my dreams and passions! ARSACE In vain you implore his release and his pardon. He led you the wrong way, tarnish’d with treason. I offer’d my heart and my life and my Kingdom, I! While he stole you and led you awry. I offer’d my Kingdom, my power and my protection, While he dared to steal you, to lead you, to lead awry! PARANSEMA Ah! ARSACE ‘Tis vain to implore now favour and compassion. PARANSEMA Remember O great King, Olympia, Olympia loves you. All her - ARSACE He led you - Twice PARANSEMA -devotion - ARSACE - the wrong way - - tarnish’d with treason, I offer’d you my heart, my life and all my kingdom. I! While he stole you and led you awry. PARANSEMA -She finds in your passion. Never, no, never would I be her rival. I’ll not betray her. I would rather die. ARSACE Led you awry...etc. PARANSEMA I’d rather die...etc. ARSACE [Terrible]. Yield lovely dame and tremble, Ere I make you repent! PARANSEMA Alas! [Kneeling]. If indeed you’re God’s reflection, Then protect the true and worthy. Hear my sorrow and lamentation, Oh, respond, respond with bounty. Even flowers grown in dry sands, Planted in more fertile and green lands, Desert flowers when taken elsewhere Fade away despite all care, Despite all care, despite all care, Ah! Despite all care, yes! ARSACE [Tenderly.] All this tearful, touching sorrow, Fair one, worthy of adoration, Stabs my heart like Cupid’s arrow, Stirring love more than compassion. Don’t refuse me, oh, cruel Princess, Rather than to beg for kindness, Kindly grant your own concessions, And my glorious crown you’ll proudly wear, Yes, and all my glory you’ll proudly share, yes! PARANSEMA Even flowers...etc. ARSACE Don’t refuse me, oh, cruel Princess, Rather than to beg for my kindness...etc. PARANSEMA If you’re indeed God’s reflection...etc. Even flowers... etc. ARSACE Do not refuse me...etc. [He seizes hold of her. She steps away horrified]. PARANSEMA Oh, what nightmare! ARSACE O maiden fair! [Paransema moves further away]. Stir not my anger Be mine or beware, Beware! PARANSEMA Horrible torture Oh, day of despair, Despair! [As Paransema tries to flee towards the door, Arsace intercepts her and takes her into his arms by force. She gives in and swoons]. *Additions 2 END OF SCENE TWO Scene Three [ The castle exterior. A secluded rocky landscape. It is night]. KNEL [Enters with stealth, closely wrapped in his cloak]. Oh, home again at last! My native country! Land of delight, yet also of tears and sorrow. I was condemn’d to exile By order of the tyrant. O beware vile Arsace, beware my vengeance. As he turns towards the rocks, he sees a hooded warrior in black clothes approaching him. Who goes there? A silent shadow is coming my way! His manner’s most suspicious! His sword seems ready! A bandit? A traitor? VALINACE Enters. Name yourself at once! KNEL My name? Call me death! Death and revenge! VALINACE Show your visage! KNEL [Uncovering himself]. This voice? O heavens! Valinace! VALINACE Knel, you here? KNEL What’s the tidings? VALINACE Death and bloodshed! KNEL Further crimes? Ah, tell me, oh, speak! VALINACE [After the Persians’ defeat was held A banquet most ungodly! Suddenly flushing with too much wine Arsace stood up and left us, Heading straight towards the tow’r of doom, Where his own father dwells; The once brave King Diran, now old, Blinded and chain’d in dungeons. A horrible scream was heard that night Coming from the hateful tower. Alas! The poor old King was slain! The butcher; his son, the King!] *Changes 2 KNEL [Murder most vile and barbarous! Diran is kill’d by his own son! O Angels shed your tears, for hence More bloody crimes await us! Know that the villain is trying hard To take away my love! Yes, I foresee my death now. And yet before I perish, I shall save my Princess, And you must warn the Queen. Olympia, Olympia is likewise in danger! Oh, hurry! Then come and join me here, We’ll fight together. Oh, join me in this holy war!] * Changes 3 VALINACE As for me, losing all my faith, I wept with shame and awe! I thought to stab myself to death, Ending my hopeless life! But words of vengeance you utter’d now, Along with other cherish’d feelings soft, Have cast out my unmanly thoughts. My death would never avenge those crimes. I too cry for vengeance! KNEL A dark design has bound us now and forever! VALINACE A dark design has bound us now and forever! I wept with shame then, Yes, I wept out of anger. I thought to stab myself to death, Yes, ending thus my torture. Twice But words of vengeance you spoke, And other feelings, Are holding back my unmanly thoughts! How could my death avenge the King’s foul crimes? Twice KNEL The sorrowful shadow Of my murder’d father Incites me to vengeance And ferocious slaughter. Yes, vengeance and slaughter For my fair love’s honour. The King’s lust and ardour Shall no more disgrace her. The tyrant shall answer His crimes with his life! Thrice [Valinace makes a sign to the satraps offstage]. KNEL Death and bloodshed! SATRAPS (Men’s chorus) Death and bloodshed! [The Satraps] appear on stage. VALINACE [Offering his hand]. Here’s my promise! KNEL [Taking it]. Here’s my hand and heart! VALINACE His fate’s in our hands now! KNEL & VALINACE To the satraps. Come join our war against the King! SATRAPS We join you against the tyrant King! His fate is in our hands! KNEL , VALINACE & SATRAPS His fate is in our hands! Etc. KNEL & VALINACE [Drawing their swords]. Ye blessed ghosts of noble Kings, Our tortur’d Fatherland invokes thee! Thy glorious names are stain’d with blood And evil rules the country. May heaven smile on our land, Once more our names may rise high! You’ll shine again, Armenia! The foul beast shall die! The beast shall die! The beast shall die! Ye blessed ghosts...etc. KNEL, VALINACE & SATRAPS May heaven smile once more! May heaven smile once more! KNEL & VALINACE May heaven smile on our land, Once more our name may rise high, You’ll shine again, Armenia, With joyful shouts of Gloria! You’ll shine again...etc. Ye blessed ghosts...etc. SATRAPS You’ll shine again...etc. KNEL, VALINACE & SATRAPS Let’s join now our daggers! Twice Our daggers and our swords!...etc. The tyrant shall fall! Yes, he shall fall! Yes, he shall fall! KNEL & VALINACE Be still now! Be cautious! KNEL, VALINACE & SATRAPS He soon shall fall! [Both men embrace and take leave. Valinace exits followed by the Satraps. Knel envelopes himself in his cloak and prepares to leave in the opposite direction. Suddenly Vartan appears from behind the rocks along with armed Royal guards. Knel draws his sword but he is outnumbered. They face each other as the curtain falls]. * Additions 3 END OF ACT ONE ACT TWO [Another] room in the Royal palace.[later the same night]. OLYMPIA [Enters alone, in distress]. Oh, God, give me strength! I thought I heard some clamour, The sound of weapons clashing, and cries in the distance. Alone I wander’d in dismay and horror, While voices seem’d to whisper all around me. What terror! What suffering! Oh, heaven! Where’s the king? Oh, where’s my love? I wait and wait, but the king, alas, does not appear! Oh, why? Oh, why? VALINACE Enters. [To himself]. She’s unattended! OLYMPIA [Startled] Valinace! My heart is full of doubt and mistrust. VALINACE Look upon me, and learn to trust me. I’m not one of those who serve him, for some gold They sell their souls to the vile and cruel king! OLYMPIA Guilty words! VALINACE Sincere ones, believe me! Oh, my Queen, I come to save you. You must hurry! Yes, your star Is fast declining, oh, gentle soul! OLYMPIA What’s my danger? VALINACE Death and destruction. OLYMPIA If indeed I’m in such danger, Are you then brave enough to save me? What gives your heart such strength? VALINACE Love of country, and... OLYMPIA Tell me! VALINACE And passion! OLYMPIA What are you saying? You speak of passion! VALINACE Should I tell you all my feelings? They torment my wretched heart! But first, mark well my warning! [The king intends to take Another Queen - Paransema!] * Changes 4 Your son’s in danger too! OLYMPIA Ah! No more, no more! I shall not hear, Ah, no! I’ll hear no more those dreadful rumours. VALINACE Alas! Olympia, come! Delay not! Pity yourself and come! A secret signal shortly Will gather loyal soldiers. You’ll hear it, the distant sound of a trumpet. OLYMPIA And what are you proposing? VALINACE Can’t you see? Oh, God! I love you! OLYMPIA Oh, heavens, I need you! Guide me! VALINACE You were a dove-like maiden sweet, Roses blooming on both cheeks, When your beauteous form I first did see As Bosphorus flow’d gently. You cloth’d in purple regally. Oh, lovely maiden so fair, Since that day I had one mournful pray’r; Solely to die for your love, To die for you my true love! Sweet angels have answer’d my pray’rs tonight! I’m now your shield, your faithful knight. Dear maid, if I’m not to live by you, I’d gladly die for you. OLYMPIA Oh, heav’n! VALINACE I’d die for you. OLYMPIA Oh, heav’n! VALINACE I’d die, yes, I would die for you! OLYMPIA Ah, such fervour! No more, I beg you! VALINACE Cover me with shame and scorn me, But do not endanger your son. OLYMPIA Oh, my firstborn! VALINACE You have to save him! OLYMPIA Render him to his mother, I pray you, Ah, my heart is beating so fast! VALINACE Yield, my Olympia, yield now! OLYMPIA Oh, hush now! [Trumpets are heard]. What’s that uproar? VALINACE My loyal comrades! OLYMPIA Oh, heav’n! SATRAPS (Men’s chorus) [As they enter]. Swift as the lightning that rends apart The darkest clouds of the heaven, Our swords unsheath’d will glow now And show how valiant we are at heart! VALINACE & SATRAPS No king shall conquer and outwit - Twice Armenia’s truest defenders. No! VALINACE & SATRAPS Swift as the lightning that rends apart...etc SATRAPS No king shall conquer and outwit - Armenia’s most faithful defenders. VALINACE Olympia, you have to escape! SATRAPS For the angels of freedom will guide us, The angels of freedom will guide us. Darkness will soon depart. VALINACE Olympia, you have to escape! OLYMPIA Protect me, oh, God!...etc. VALINACE You have to escape! ...Etc. SATRAPS Oh, come! We have to escape! ...Etc. VALINACE & SATRAPS Let’s run away, let’s run away! ...Etc. Arsace enters [sword in hand, followed by his men]. ARSACE So you thought that you could plot against my person! I’m still your king, Arsace! To Olympia Oh, sinful traitress! [The satraps draw their swords]. SATRAPS (Tenors) Slay him! SATRAPS (Basses) Slay him! SATRAPS (All) Slay him! OLYMPIA Protecting Arsace Oh, heav’n! Nerses enters [stopping the bloodshed]. NERSES Lay down your weapons! Heaven will punish, for it sees all his crimes. To Arsace Beware the anger of heaven! Do not awaken the wrath of God almighty! ARSACE Old man, be wise! Don’t stir up further bloodshed. NERSES You’ll heed my words, O proud Arsace! ‘Tis God Who compels me to speak and warn thee. Like haughty Cedars of Lebanon, Standing erect and defiant, Outbraving tempest and thunderstorm, You seem eternal, and look triumphant. Yet nothing on earth is durable, One day ‘twill all be no more. You lift up thus your valiant arms, Like Cedar trees defying, Before your sword your enemies Run for their lives all trembling. But you are mortal, king, And an avenging God Watches you from above! Yes, you are mortal, king, And an avenging God Is watching from above, Yes, watching you From above! ARSACE Hold your tongue, O foolish elder! Go and pray now, implore all your angels, Yes, to keep away those traitors, Safely away from my wrath. [To his men]. Ho there! Guardsmen! Open wide at once those portals. To Nerses Look on and tremble! The portals are opened. Knel is seen mortally wounded in Paransema’s arms. [They are surrounded by Vartan, gloating in triumph, and the Royal guard]. PARANSEMA Help! Oh, help me! Knel is wounded! Come quickly! He is dying! SATRAPS Oh, fatal day! Oh, fatal day! PARANSEMA He’s dying! Ah, my heart, my lamenting heart is bursting! My beloved dying thus in my arms! O my lords, see my plight, I’m no longer, No, no longer an Imperial Princess, But a most wretched woman imploring At your feet, yes, imploring bath’d in tears. KNEL [To Paransema]. Hold back your tears, love, for I feel in my veins Some fury gushing forth! Such an unearthly blaze, A demonic fire, that burns my heart, And turns my vision into a fatal lightning, To strike the villain Monarch! [To Arsace]. Hear me Arsace! [He moves staggering towards Arsace]. Evil scoundrel, monstrous tyrant! You have tarnish’d our throne with bloodshed. All the country is now in mourning. Grief and anguish reigns across the land! Parricidal King of darkness, You who tread on pallid corpses, May you suffer fiercer tortures Then you ever made us bear. May you live to see and witness Those you slay’d appear like shadows Pluck your heart with bestial forces And to thousand pieces tear, Yes, to thousand pieces tear! Shaking thunders, raging firebolts! Strike the wicked, hateful monster, As his life was corrupt and evil May he die in pain and horror! Shaking thunders, raging firebolts! Strike the wicked, hateful monster, As his life was corrupt and evil May he die now and burn in hell! ARSACE [Terror-stricken, to himself]. O dreadful spectres, eternal shadows, To me you granted a life of bloodshed. Your fateful falchion now shines across The gloomy sky like an evil star! NERSES & SATRAPS O Lord of compassion, Holy Creator, Receive him, receive his soul within thy great kingdom. Oh, cast not thy angry, ominous thunder Against our bleeding, yes, our bleeding, unhallow’d throne. NERSES O Lord, Lord of compassion, receive him in heaven. Take his soul in thy Kingdom. Send us not, no, thy angry, ominous thunder Against our bleeding, unhallow’d throne. Ah! NERSES & SATRAPS O Lord of compassion...etc. PARANSEMA [To Knel]. What worth is living without you, beloved? Leave not your lov’d one forsaken here and lovelorn. If wreaths of roses were not our fortune, Let Cypress trees then, our gravestones adorn. KNEL [To Paransema]. No more tears, O fair one! Forego grief and crying! Let me repose now close to my true love. Smile for me once more and comfort my dying, And I’ll reach peacefully heaven above. NERSES & SATRAPS O Lord of compassion...etc. OLYMPIA [To herself]. Oh, what vile, ungodly vision! Pale as death, he struggles no longer! Maybe life has ere now departed! Let’s pray now for his soul’s salvation. PARANSEMA [As above]. What worth is living without you?...etc. KNEL [As above]. No more tears, no more ...etc. ARSACE [To himself]. My heart is failing! Oh, day of mourning!...etc. KNEL No more tears, oh, my fair one...etc. OLYMPIA & VALINACE Cruel love, remorseful feelings, Burn with conflict in his pure spirit! Shame, oh, shame upon our household, Once again evil is victorious. PARANSEMA What worth is living without you? ...Etc. ARSACE My heart is failing!...etc. NERSES Oh, what vile and ungodly vision!...etc. SATRAPS Oh, what vile, ungodly vision! There he lies in blood and gore! Oh, what vile, ungodly vision! Let us pray for him, let’s pray now! KNEL My heart is failing!...etc. - Forevermore! Ah! OLYMPIA & VALINACE Oh, what vile, ungodly vision!...etc. - Ah! PARANSEMA Oh, day of mourning!...etc. - His days are o’er. ARSACE Oh, day of woe!...etc. - He struggles no more! Ah! NERSES Pale as death...etc. - Ah! SATRAPS He’s dying! He’s dying! Behold! He’s so pale, and he stirs no more, ah! KNEL No more tears, oh, fair one...etc. PARANSEMA Leave not your lov’d one...etc. ARSACE Oh, you dreadful spectres and shadows eternal, Oh, you dreadful spectres! Terror is shaking my heart! Crushing me, tormenting me now! (Part of the sextet is repeated). NERSES Oh, day of woe! ARSACE Oh, day of horror - - and sorrow! Twice KNEL - Forevermore! OLYMPIA, VALINACE & PARANSEMA He’s no more! NERSES & SATRAPS Oh, day of woe! OLYMPIA, VALINACE, PARANSEMA, ARSACE, NERSES & SATRAPS Oh, day of woe! Oh, day of woe! KNEL I’m dying! I’m dying! He expires. OLYMPIA, VALINACE, PARANSEMA, ARSACE, NERSES & SATRAPS Ah! The curtain comes down slowly. End of Act Two.