opera-simplified

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Opera Simplified #7: Les Huguenots—Part I

Les Huguenots

(The Huguenots)

Opera Simplified #7

The Basics:

Music: Giacomo Meyerbeer

Libretto: Augustin Eugène Scribe and Émile de Saint-Amand Deschamps

Premiere: February 29, 1836; Salle Le Peletier (Opéra national de Paris), Paris, France.

Based on: No direct source material except history, although some scenes (but not the overall plot) are likely very loosely based on scenes from Prosper Mérimée’s 1829 novel Chronique du règne du Charles IX (Chronicle of the Reign of Charles IX).

Setting: The French province of Touraine (Acts I-II) and Paris, France (Acts III-V); August 1572.

Characters:

Marguérite de Valois, Princess of France, sister of King Charles IX, and soon-to-be Queen of Navarre—soprano

Urbain, her favorite page—soprano*

Valentine de Saint-Bris, her favorite lady-in-waiting—soprano*

Raoul de Nangis, a Huguenot nobleman—tenor

Marcel, his servant and formerly grandfather’s ward, also a seasoned soldier—bass

Le Comte de Saint-Bris, Valentine’s father, leader of the Catholic noble faction, and governor of the Louvre—bass-baritone

Le Comte de Nevers, Valentine’s fiancé, a Catholic nobleman—baritone

Tavannes, also a Catholic nobleman—tenor

Cossé, another Catholic nobleman—tenor

Thoré, yet another Catholic nobleman—tenor

de Retz, still another Catholic nobleman—baritone

Méru, there are way too many extra Catholic noblemen in this opera—baritone

Maurevert, *sigh* ditto except he’s a Special Plotting One in Act III—baritone

Léonard, Nevers’ valet—tenor**

Bois-Rosé, a Huguenot captain—tenor

A nightwatchman—bass

A Catholic student—tenor

Two ladies-in-waiting—sopranos

Two Catholic girls—soprano and mezzo-soprano

Two Roma girls—soprano and mezzo-soprano

Three monks—tenor and two basses

Henri de Bourbon, the Huguenot King of Navarre and Marguérite’s eventual husband—silent

*Note: While Urbain and Valentine were intended to be sung by sopranos, both roles have a history of being cast with mezzo-sopranos, although this is much more extensive in the case of Urbain than of Valentine.

**In some productions and recordings, Léonard is turned into a trouser role mezzo.

A Note Before I Recommend Recordings: The performance and recording history of this opera is…exceedingly complicated. A lot of this is due to a combination of there being LOTS of revisions and cuts over the years, including large chunks of music cut before the premiere, parts of which have since been restored. A critical edition was prepared approximately a decade ago; however, the score/libretto still has not been made available to the general public (possibly because there are some differences in the scenes from original to premiere) and no full recording—either audio or visual—has been made of said edition (although someone did splice together a recording from multiple recordings that comes very close and which was instrumental in the making of this Opera Simplified.)

Further adding to the problem is that while several productions in the last decade have been either audio or visual recorded, all of them use different pieces of the critical edition and none of them are complete or add up to a complete reading. As such, yours truly is working with as much material as she can but this Opera Simplified is not and cannot be truly complete. 

[Last note: this also means that while I have done my very best to provide clips that are as complete as possible, a) the level of completeness of any given excerpt may vary and b) some of the clips will overlap.]

Recommended Video Recordings:

The Sydney 1990 production is rather heavily cut but great for a first-timer (source: this recording is what made me fall in love with this opera). Also, this is actually a recording of Dame Joan Sutherland’s final ever full staged performance of any opera, so this is opera history.

The Montpellier 1990 production is an excellent and much-less cut traditional option as well.

The Brussels 2011 (Part I; Part II) and Geneva 2020 productions are both somewhat “out there” direction wise (the latter more than the former) but both are excellent shows overall.

The Paris 2018 production is worth a watch if only for Lisette Oropesa as Marguérite (although that cast is for the most part very good).

Recommended Audio Recordings:

If you can find the Diederich Montpellier 1988 recording, a) snap it up ASAP and b) PLEASE SEND IT TO ME because it was online for a while but then it disappeared and it hasn’t been available for streaming ANYWHERE online for over three years now.

The Bonynge 1970 recording is overall quite good, except the Raoul isn’t great.

This audio recording of a Berlin 2016 performance is overall very good (Juan Diego Flórez as Raoul!!!), although I’m still mad at the Deutsche Oper Berlin for not filming this production.

This Vienna 1971 performance is VERY heavily cut but what we have is really good.

And if you love balls-to-the-wall singing and don’t care about pesky things like French language and style or cuts (no judgment here though, we all need some straight up balls-to-the-wall sometimes) this legendary La Scala 1962 recording is nothing to scoff at.

Shoutout to @carlodivarga-s and @monotonous-minutia for being the best readers/idea-bouncer-offers a writer could’ve ever asked for.

The Opera, Very Simplified: “Way out yonder somewheres, the Lord’s great heart must break at seein’ how men treat one another an’ say they’re doin’ it all for His sake.” -Carlisle Floyd, Susannah, Act I, Scene 5

(btw if you haven’t seen or listened to Susannah, go do so asap. Here’s a recording with Cheryl Studer, Samuel Ramey, and Jerry Hadley.)

ACTUALLY, I lied when I said this was the last note. One more note:

If you are reading this Opera Simplified on the date of its publication, you are reading it on August 24, 2022 (at least in Paris time, which is 7 hours ahead of the author’s time zone). This is deliberate, and you will learn the reason why before too long.

THE OPERA (or at least the first three acts of it):

Overture **

ACT I:

Here’s a quick introduction to the French Wars of Religion up until when our story begins.

Early afternoon, a hall in the summer chateau of the Comte de Nevers in Touraine. At the back are several large windows opening onto a lawn and gardens. On the right is a door leading to the rest of the house; on the left is a window covered by a light curtain, which separates the hall from a private chapel. Nevers is hosting his bachelor party, to which he has invited several other Catholic noblemen.

Nevers: YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Oh, you want me to say that more eloquently? Okay, fine. Let’s enjoy the beautiful days of our youth, let’s be joyful, let’s get drunk, let’s enjoy these moments because time is flying by and soon we won’t be able to have these moments again!

Nobles: YEAH WHAT HE SAID BECAUSE TIME IS FLYING BY FAST

Nevers: Let’s dedicate our lives to fun and frivolousness and forget EVERYTHING except pleasure!!!

Nobles: YEAH WHAT HE SAID LET’S FORGET EVERYTHING

Nevers: Everything except pleasure.

Nobles: YEAH YOU’RE RIGHT WHAT YOU SAID EVERYTHING EXCEPT PLEASURE

Nevers: Are you all just going to keep repeating everything I say?

Nobles: …maybe.

Nevers: Well, then, at least we’re all in agreement! Say it with me!

Nevers and Nobles: LET’S ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL DAYS OF YOUTH AND HAVE FUN BECAUSE TIME IS FLYING BY FAST SO LET’S DEDICATE OUR LIVES TO FUN AND FORGET EVERYTHING EXCEPT PLEASURE

Tavannes: Our most generous, esteemed host and lord of this enchanting place, dear Nevers…hello?

WHY THE FUCK AREN’T WE EATING YET I’M HUNGRYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Nobles: US TOO SO WHY AREN’T WE SITTING DOWN TO EAT YET

Nevers: We’re still waiting on a guest. We have to be civilized, yes?

Nobles: Who is it?

Nevers: He’s a young gentleman who just got a commission to join our military forces. He got a recommendation from Admiral Coligny— ***

Nobles: WAIT WAIT WAIT HE’S A HUGUENOT?!?!

Nevers: Well, yes. But remember: the King is reconciling with the Huguenots and he wants everyone else to do the same. Admiral Coligny and the Medicis even swore before God to have eternal peace between Catholics and Protestants. 

So be nice.

Tavannes: That peace won’t last long!

Nobles: Not long at all!

Nevers: What does all this matter to us anyway?

*Raoul enters through the back and the nobles all see him.*

Tavannes: Who’s that person coming from over there?

Nevers: That’s our guest. Everyone, meet Raoul de Nangis. 

Thoré: He seems gloomy…

Méru: …Or bored!

Tavannes: That’s just what happens when you’re Protestant! All that dogma and absolutely no fun.

De Retz: I’d like to amuse myself with him!

Nevers: And I’d like to convert him!

Tavannes: You want to convert him?

Nevers: I want to convert him to the true gods, love and pleasure!

…What did you think I meant, Catholicism?

Nobles: Well, yes. BUT CONVERTING HIM TO LOVE AND PLEASURE IS A MUCH BETTER IDEA

*Raoul and Nevers greet each other.*

Raoul: Hello! I just have to say, what an honor it is for little old me to be here beneath this beautiful Touraine sky, in the company of the most brilliant and distinguished gentlemen the court has to offer! I’m just a simple soldier from the provinces and basically no one important knows me, so really, what an honor to be invited here with all of you!

Nevers: *softly* Really, everyone, he’s not bad at all…

Cossé: He’s very nice!

Tavannes: But he’s so awkward; you can obviously tell he’s from the provinces.

Nevers: But we’ll polish him up and he’ll surely improve!

Cossé: YES WE WILL

Nevers: After all, this is a favor to the court of the new Prince Henri! ****

Raoul: I’m just a simple soldier from the provinces and basically no one important knows me, so really, what an honor to be invited here with all of you!

Nevers: Really, he’s not bad, and we’ll polish him up, make a society man out of him!

Nobles: Yeah, what you said! He’s quite decent! 

Raoul: WHAT AN HONOR IT IS

Nevers: ALRIGHT EVERYONE LET’S EAT

Nobles: WOOHOO FUCKIN FINALLY COME ON LET’S EAT

*A table overflowing with food and wine is brought in. Everyone sits down to eat.*

Nobles: WE LOVE FEASTS THEY ARE THE ONLY TRUE HAPPINESS BECAUSE THEY’LL NEVER LET YOU DOWN ALSO DRINK UP EVERYONE AND LET BACCHUS ALONE RULE THE FEAST

Nevers and Méru: Pour out the wines…

Nobles: …of Touraine!

Tavannes and Cossé: Wine causes us…

Nobles: …TO SING HAPPY SONGS

Tavannes and Cossé: And let’s drown…

Nobles: …our woes…

Tavannes and Cossé: …and our discretions…

Nobles: …by getting drunk! EVERYBODY SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS

Nevers, Méru, Tavannes, and Cossé: YEAH LET’S GET WASTED AND SING SONGS AND FORGET ALL OUR PROBLEMS AND OUR DISCRETIONS WOOHOO

Everyone: THE PLEASURES OF THE TABLE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN ANYWAY LET’S GET WASTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED

*Everyone except Raoul is now probably at least a little drunk.*

Nevers: Servants, remember to pour the wine generously! And get some fresh wine in here!

Alright, Raoul, let’s drink to our mistresses!

Raoul: Um…but I don’t have a mistress.

Nevers: But I’d bet just by looking at you, and that tender and languid look on your face, that you’re in loooooooooooove.

Raoul: Who, me? In love?

Nevers: It’s more likely than you think. Besides, we’re young and free, we’re allowed to love! Not me for much longer though. I’m getting married tomorrow and technically this is actually my bachelor party. I’ve promised: when I get married, I’ll remain good and faithful, I’ll renounce all passion…

And since the day it got out that I was engaged, the ladies of the court have been pursuing me even more relentlessly! I simply can’t keep up with all of them!

Tavannes: I HAVE AN IDEA LET’S ALL TELL STORIES ABOUT GIRLS WE’VE KNOWN

Nevers: That’s a great idea! Newcomer goes first.

Nobles: THAT’S HOW IT GOES AFTER ALL

Raoul: Very well, gladly. I can do it without compromising the woman who’s stolen my heart.

Nevers: SO I WAS RIGHT anyway, before you start, who is she?

Raoul: Here’s the thing: I have no idea. I think she knows who I am, but I have no clue about her, actually.

Nevers: What’s her name?

Raoul: I don’t even know that.

Nevers: Really??? OKAY EVERYONE LISTEN UP THIS STORY IS BOUND TO BE REALLY SPICY

Raoul: SO, I was just wandering around the countryside, not far from the old towers and ramparts of Amboise, when suddenly I saw this grand carriage at a bend in the road. But the real thing that caught my attention was that the carriage had been stopped by this big crowd of students!

They were being so loud and bold and rude, and I figured out right away what they were trying to pull with that, so I started running towards them, and they all fled like the cowards they were! And then I approached the carriage so I could check and make sure that whoever was inside was okay…

And then…with my own two eyes, I saw the most enchanting person to have ever graced the world! So fair, so pure—even purer than a spring day—she was a dazzling angel! How beautiful she was! And I was in love right away…I couldn’t help but bow before her, and I remember just what I said to her:

“Beautiful angel, queen of love, heavenly beauty, I want to love you forever, I will love you forever!”

Nobles: WHAT A CHARMING STORY BUT TBH IT’S KINDA LAME THAT HE’D BE SO ENCHANTED AND WEAK AND NAIVE BECAUSE OF TWO PRETTY EYES

Raoul: BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE

When she heard me pour my heart out to her, she smiled the sweetest smile in the world, and it told me she felt the same way! And I could see it in her eyes too…

I’m faithful to her, and my heart still burns for her, and sometimes I repeat those same words to myself and remember:

“Beautiful angel, queen of love, heavenly beauty, I want to love you forever, I will love you forever!”

Nobles: HIS FORTHRIGHTNESS AND HIS STORY ARE CHARMING BUT BUT TBH IT’S KINDA LAME THAT HE’D BE SO ENCHANTED AND WEAK AND NAIVE BECAUSE OF TWO PRETTY EYES SOME LOVE THIS MUST BE

Raoul: AND IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUU

*Marcel appears in the doorway at the back.*

Tavannes: Uh, who’s that?

Raoul: This is an old servant of mine—he’s been around since I was born!

Marcel: WHERE’S RAOUL

*One of the guests points to Raoul.*

(Oh God! He’s mingling with them?)

MASTER, GOD TELLS US TO NOT FEAST WITH THE WICKED

Méru: Ha, he’s a true saint of Israel!

Marcel: IN THE CAMP OF THE PHILISTINES

Nevers and Nobles: Excuse you?

Raoul: Sorry, everyone; please forgive him! My grandfather took him in and raised him up on Luther between a sword and the Bible! So he’s…a bit zealous. He hates women. And the Pope. And Hell.

Marcel: THAT’S EXACTLY RIGHT

Raoul: But really, he’s great—faithful, heroic, and a sensitive soul at heart. In short, he’s a true diamond in the rough!

*He pulls Marcel aside and whispers to him.*

Come wait on us and be quiet. 

*Marcel opens his mouth to reply, but Raoul cuts him off.*

Be quiet if at all possible! Seriously, Marcel, please don’t embarrass me in front of all my potential frieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeends.

Marcel: Very well, fine!

*Raoul returns to the table.*

(But how can I save him from them?)

Nevers, Méru, and de Retz: LET’S TOAST TO OUR MISTRESSES

Raoul, Tavannes, and Cossé: A TOAST TO THE SOLE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTIONS

Marcel: ENOUGH OF THIS LUTHER COME SAVE HIM FROM EVIL AND COME MIX YOUR VOICE OF THUNDER WITH THEIR HELLISH SONGS

*He begins to sing.*

O LORD YOU ARE THE STRENGTH AND ONLY SUPPORT OF US WEAK SOULS WHO WORSHIP YOU… *****

*Nevers offers Raoul a glass of wine.*

Nevers: Here, drink, it’ll—

Raoul: No!

*He lowers his eyes and nervously sets down the glass.*

Marcel: …AND NO SUFFERING CHRISTIAN EVER CALLS UPON YOU IN VAIN!

Méru: What’s he singing?

Raoul: That’s a Lutheran hymn we always sing in times of danger.

Marcel: O LORD THE ETERNAL TEMPTER IS ARMING HIMSELF WITH CUNNING AND WRATH TO DESTROY US SO COME SAVE US ONCE AGAIN O LORD

Cossé: Wait! The more I look at him, the more he reminds me of a certain soldier from La Rochelle—******

Marcel: Really? You recognize me?

Cossé: By God, I think so!

*He gestures to a scar he has and Marcel looks at it.*

This large wound—

Marcel: YUP THAT CAME FROM ME

Raoul: Oh God, Marcel!

Cossé: No worries! It was a true fair fight! And to prove it, I offer you this: have a glass with me!

Marcel: I do not drink, thank you very much.

Cossé: At least not with a son of Hell, eh?

Raoul: I’M SO SORRY PLEASE EXCUSE HIM

Nevers: Well, if he doesn’t drink, then let him sing!

Raoul: I really don’t think that’s a good idea—

Nobles: HE HAS TO SING LET HIM SING

Marcel: Gladly! I’ll sing an old Huguenot song denouncing all Papists and members of that damnable sex!

All of you, especially you with that wound I gave you, should know it: it’s our battle song, the one we sang during the fighting at La Rochelle!

Raoul: MARCEL! Oh, for fu—uh, fiddlesticks—great.

Marcel: You remember? It was then, to the accompaniment of the drums and the cymbals and the piff, paff, poof of the musket balls, that I sang:

Piff, paff, piff, paff!

DOWN WITH THE MONKS AND CONVENTS AND WAR AND MISFORTUNE TO ALL PAPISTS BECAUSE WE’LL PURGE THEIR TEMPLES OF HELL WITH FIRE AND SWORD CRUSH THEM AND STAB THEM AND STRIKE THEM ALL DOWN PIFF PAFF POOF PIFF

Let them cry, let them die, but never show mercy!

Nobles: HAHAHAHAHA ADMIRE HIS SWEET NATURE AND FORGIVE US HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Tavannes and Cossé: Oh, please do forgive us! Ha ha!

Marcel: …Is this some sort of joke to you?

SECOND VERSE NOT THE SAME AS THE FIRST A LITTLE BIT LOUDER AND A LITTLE BIT WORSE

MY ARM NEVER EVEN TREMBLED WHEN WOMEN WEPT BECAUSE ALL WOMEN ARE DELILAHS WHO CAUSE THE RUIN OF MEN’S SOULS SO CURSE THEM ALL AND LET’S DESTROY THEIR HELLISH CHARMS WITH OUR SWORDS AND DRIVE THEM OUT AND HUNT THEM DOWN AND STRIKE DOWN THOSE DEMONS PIFF PAFF POOF PIFF

Let them cry, let them die, but never show mercy!

*Léonard, Nevers’ valet, appears at the back with a veiled woman. The woman disappears into the gardens and Léonard enters the hall.*

Léonard: There’s someone who has requested to speak to the Count de Nevers!

Nevers: I DON’T CARE WHO IT IS EVEN IF IT’S THE KING HIMSELF TELL THEM I’M NOT HOME

When I’m drinking and dining with all my friends, I don’t even care about the God of the universe!

Marcel: THAT’S CALLED BLASPHEMY AND THAT’S NOT ALLOWED IN THE CHRISTIAN MINECRAFT SERVER

Léonard: But sir, it’s a pretty, young woman!

Nevers: A WOMAN??? Goodness me, really, you all would not believe the lengths the ladies go to chase me every single day! 

Léonard: She’s waiting in your private chapel.

Nevers: Let her wait!

Tavannes and Cossé: THAT’S NOT RIGHT AT ALL I’LL GO REPLACE YOU LIKE A TRUE GENTLEMAN OF THE COURT

de Retz and Méru: NO I WILL

Nevers: I’d gladly let you! But wait: Léonard, which one is she? The Marquise d’Entrague or that young Countess?

Léonard: Um, neither.

Nevers: Oh! Madame de Raincy, then?

Léonard: No, my lord, I’ve actually never seen this one here before.

Nevers: A NEW CONQUEST! Well, that changes things; after all, today is my last day as a bachelor. I’ll go see her right away…if only out of curiosity! 

Dear guests, please excuse me. Continue to enjoy yourselves and don’t hold up the party just because I’m gone for a bit. Though passion means I’m absent for a little while, I’m sure I’ll be back with all of you before long, if you know what I mean. Have fun, everyone! 

*He leaves through the back door with Léonard.*

Tavannes: What a delightfully strange thing to happen at a party!

de Retz: Surely he’ll have the best time of us all!

Nobles: What a delightfully strange happening! Everything is turning out great for him and surely he’ll have the best time of us all! We have to remain quiet about it so he doesn’t overhear us, but how I wish I was the hero of this escapade!

Tavannes and Thoré: HOW I WISH I WAS THE HERO

Nobles: WE WISH WE WERE THE ONES GETTING VISITED BY PRETTY LADIES

*Marcel pulls Raoul aside and begins to scold him for coming to the party and fraternizing with the Catholics. As a result, neither of them are able to hear anything else going on.*

de Retz: But who is that beauty he’s talking to?

Cossé: I, for one, would like to know!

Méru and Cossé: Can’t we even get close enough to see her?

Tavannes: WAIT I HAVE AN IDEA AND IT’S FOOLPROOF so they’re in that private chapel, right? Right. See, there’s a window covered by that light curtain and it looks right into the chapel—

Nobles: THAT’S THE BEST IDEA EVER

Tavannes: I HAD THE IDEA I GET TO LOOK FIRST

*He parts the curtain enough to be able to look into the window.*

de Retz: TELL US WHAT YOU SEE

Tavannes: I SEE HER

Cossé: Is she pretty?

Tavannes: SHE’S HOT

*The nobles all run to the window and start pushing each other to get a look at the window.*

de Retz: MY TURN

Cossé: I SEE HER

Thoré: SHE’S DIVINE

Méru: SHE HAS SUCH AN ELEGANT FIGURE

Tavannes: Do you know her?

Méru: NOPE

Cossé: How about you?

de Retz: ALSO NOPE

Tavannes: How about you?

Cossé: ALSO ALSO NOPE

Nobles: LET ME SEE HEY NO PUSHING IT’S MY TURN DO ANY OF YOU KNOW HER BECAUSE WE SURE AS FUCK DON’T WELL I GUESS NONE OF US KNOW HER BUT SHE’S SO CHARMING AND YOUTHFUL AND NEVERS MUST BE SO HAPPY TO HAVE SUCH A PRETTY MISTRESS

*de Retz notices that Raoul has been completely oblivious to all of this.*

de Retz: Huh! Raoul, you’re the only one who hasn’t even shown the slightest hint of interest! Awe you scawed? 

Do you think that seeing such a pretty young woman will somehow make you betray your faith, like how chaste all you Huguenot men are?

Raoul: Very funny. But really, you judge us too highly, and I’ll go ahead and prove it to you right now—

*He looks in the window.*

OH MY GOD 

Nobles: What’s the matter?

Raoul: THAT WOMAN IS THE SAME WOMAN I WAS TELLING YOU ALL ABOUT EARLIER MY LIFE IS OVER

Nobles: It’s HER?!?!

Raoul: I RECOGNIZE HER PLAIN AS DAY

Nobles: It’s her??? Ah, poor lover, in his naïveté, he believed she was a pure woman, but she’s already someone else’s mistress! Ha!

Raoul: Oh, come on! I loved her, but she is another’s mistress…she only deserves contempt! This is all too much!

Nobles: THE POOR MAN WAS SO NAIVE AND SHE’S ANOTHER MAN’S MISTRESS HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Raoul: THAT SLUT CAME HERE FOR ANOTHER MAN THIS HURTS TOO MUCH I CAN’T BEAR IT LET’S GO

Marcel: THAT SLUT CAME HERE FOR ANOTHER MAN ALMIGHTY GOD COULD YOU REALLY SIT BY AND WATCH THIS OUTRAGEOUS SIN WITHOUT UNLEASHING YOUR WRATH??? LET’S GO

*Raoul rushes towards the back in an attempt to leave the room and head for the chapel to confront Nevers, but the nobles run after him and grab him.*

Méru: EVERYONE SHUT UP I CAN HEAR THEM WHICH MEANS THAT NEVERS IS COMING BACK SO ACT LIKE WE WEREN’T JUST SPYING ON HIM

Nobles: ALRIGHT EVERYONE LET’S GO THEN

*Everyone hides. Nevers reappears in the garden with the veiled woman, escorting her by the hand. He respectfully bids her farewell and she leaves. Nevers then re-enters the hall, oblivious to the guests gradually coming out of hiding; in turn, the guests are oblivious to him.*

Nevers: IT’S LITCHRALLY ONE (1) DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING AND I HAVE TO BREAK OFF THIS MARRIAGE

It’s all so strange: Marguérite de Valois told her favorite lady-in-waiting that she should do this, something about “political matters” and “other arrangements”. And that favorite lady-in-waiting also just so happens to be my fiancée! Well, ex-fiancée, I guess. But she came here, by herself, in secret, to ask me to break off the engagement the day before the wedding!

Well, she didn’t have much of a say in the engagement in the first place because her father forced her into it, so there’s that. Of course, I’m nothing if not a gentleman, and I agreed to break up with her…but I’m not gonna lie and say it doesn’t suck when it very much does.

Nobles: WE DIDN’T HEAR ANYTHING YOU JUST SAID SO HURRAY FOR THE MAN WHO CONQUERS ALL WOMEN EVERYONE LOVES HIM AND LOVE ONLY HAS BEAUTIFUL THINGS FOR HIM SO HURRAY FOR HIM

*Urbain enters from the back.*

Nevers: What are you looking for?

Urbain: HI EVERYONE!!! Hi to you, and you, and you, and you, and you, and ALL you noble gentlemen!!!

Anyway, this wise noblewoman who would be the envy of kings—and I promise I’m not just saying that because I have a crush on her like come on who has a crush on their boss definitely not me that’s weird—gave me this letter,

*He pulls out a sealed letter.*

which is for one of the gentlemen in this room. I won’t say who yet because that takes all the fun out of it, but I will say that no one has ever had such honor and glory and fortune as the man to whom this letter is addressed! And this isn’t a prank either, so don’t worry about that. 

Well, hello again to all of you! And may God protect you!

Nevers: Sometimes being so overqualified can be so draining, but oh well. Everyone, remember this: we can’t avoid the blows Fortune deals us…

Very well, then, give me the letter.

Urbain: Hi! Are you Raoul de Nangis?

Nevers: WAIT WHAT

Urbain: This letter is for Raoul de Nangis. 

Nobles: WAIT WHAT

Marcel: *pointing out Raoul* Raoul de Nangis? That’s my master and he’s right here!

Raoul: For me? There must be some mistake. I’m practically a nobody here; I don’t know anyone in the area who would be even remotely interested in me…

Urbain: And yet, there’s no mistake. This is for you.

*He hands the letter to Raoul, who opens and reads it aloud.*

Raoul: “Raoul, come to the old tower at sunset. Let yourself be led there, blindfolded. Be discreet. Do not ask questions. Do not say anything about this to anyone else. Do only as you are told. Are you brave enough to do this?” 

No signature. Hmm. I see someone wants to have a good laugh at my expense. It could cost me dearly. You know what? Very well! I accept.

*He holds out the letter to Nevers.*

Read it yourself.

*Nevers takes the letter and immediately gasps.*

Nevers: OH MY GOD OH MY GOD YOU GUYS

*He hands the letter off to Méru. The nobles each take a turn looking at the letter.*

Méru: WHOA THIS IS SHOCKING

Cossé: IT’S HER CREST

Tavannes: LOOK THAT’S THE SEAL SHE USES

Nobles: IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING YUP IT’S HER HANDWRITING 

OH MY GOD OH MY GOD YOU GUYS LOOKS LIKE RAOUL’S GONNA WIN THE PRIZE

Raoul: …Who are you all talking about?

*The nobles all decide to kiss up to Raoul.*

Nevers: Raoul, you know that I am your devoted, tender friend—

Méru: If you need someone to serve you or defend you—

*The nobles begin pushing each other around and jostling for Raoul’s attention.*

de Retz: You can always count on us—

Cossé: If you need someone to serve you or defend you—

Tavannes: If you need someone to serve you or defend you—

Nevers and the Nobles: YOU CAN RELY ON US BECAUSE WE’LL TOTALLY ALWAYS BE YOUR FRIENDS YOU’VE PROMISED ME SO REMEMBER THAT AND PLEASE DON’T FORGET US LATER

Urbain: *imitating the nobles* YEAH WE’LL TOTALLY ALWAYS BE YOUR FRIENDS YOU’VE PROMISED ME SO REMEMBER THAT AND PLEASE DON’T FORGET US LATER

Raoul: Wow…this is all so sudden and unexpected…Good Lord, what should I do?

Nevers and the Nobles: ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING YOU WANT

Tavannes: Everything…

Nobles: Everything!

Marcel: Everything?

Urbain: EVERYTHING!!!

*He takes Raoul by the arm and leads him to one side.*

Pleasures, honors, power…all your wildest dreams are about to come true! Be bold! Remember, power always belongs to the one who knows how to take it!

*Nevers in turn takes Raoul by the arm and pulls him in the opposite direction.*

Nevers: Things are looking up for you! Beauty calls! And remember, power always belongs to the one who knows how to take it!

Urbain, Nevers, and the Nobles: YUP THAT’S RIGHT SO YOU SHOULD DO WHAT THE LETTER SAYS

Marcel: (Would you look at that! They’re treating him so differently now! Hypocrites, the lot of them.)

Raoul: Pleasures? Honors? All my wildest dreams are about to come true? WHAT IS GOING ON HERE

Urbain, Nevers, and the Nobles: YEAH BUT WE’RE NOT GONNA TELL YOU

Raoul and Marcel: I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS

Marcel: HURRAH WE PRAISE THEE O LORD SAMSON HAS DEFEATED THE PHILISTINES

Raoul: ALL MY WILDEST DREAMS ARE APPARENTLY ABOUT TO COME TRUE I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS

Urbain, Nevers, and the Nobles: YEAH THEY ARE SO YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT

*Nevers signals some servants to bring in wine, and everyone raises a toast to Raoul.*

A TOAST TO YOU RAOUL AND TO YOUR HEALTH AND TO ETERNAL SUCCESS AND LUCK FOR THIS CONQUEROR OF WOMEN 

GO GO GO LOVE AND HONOR ARE WAITING FOR YOU GOODBYE AND DON’T BE AFRAID EVERYTHING WILL BE ABSOLUTELY ONE HUNDRED PERCENT AMAZING

*A group of masked men appears at the back. One of the men presents a blindfold to Raoul, who puts it on. Marcel tries to keep Raoul from leaving, but Urbain leads Raoul and the masked men away.*

Notes

ACT II:

Later the same day, in the gardens of the Chateau de Chenonceaux. The chateau, which is built on a bridge, is seen in the distance. The Loire River meanders in curved lines throughout, occasionally disappearing behind clumps of trees. On the right is a wide stone staircase leading from the chateau to the gardens. Marguérite de Valois sits in the gardens, surrounded by her ladies-in-waiting and several pages, including Urbain.

Marguérite: ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF BY DOING A TRAVEL COMMERCIAL FOR THE BEAUTIFUL LAND OF TOURAINE

We have cheerful gardens! We have green fountains! We have gentle brooks that barely make any noise and are PERFECT for dreaming next to! And I know this because I just abso-fuckin-lately LOVE to sit by the water and dream, and dream, and dream…

We have beautiful woods! We have shadowy shores! AND I REALLY HOPE THEY HIDE ME SO THAT THE STORMS OF THE WORLD NEVER REACH ME AND I CAN JUST BE HAPPY HERE FOREVER

Anyway, where was I? Right, here in the beautiful land of Touraine we have cheerful gardens, green fountains, gentle brooks that barely make any noise and are perfect for dreaming next to, and I know this because I just love to sit by the water and dream…and dream…and dream!

Now as for this whole religious war business: these religious disputes do nothing but drown the earth in blood! And these ministers like Luther and Calvin, who terrify us with their austere morality in Heaven’s name! To hell with all of it!

Marguérite, Urbain, and Two Ladies-in-Waiting: THIS IS A NEGATIVITY-FREE ZONE SO NEGATIVITY DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT COMING HERE AFTER ALL UNDER MARGUÉRITE’S RULE OUR ONLY DUTY IS TO PAY HOMAGE TO THE GOD OF LOVE

Marguérite: All I want is for everything around us to echo our love songs every day so we hear them again!

Urbain and the Ladies-in-Waiting: And they’ve learned our love songs!

Everyone: WE LOVE LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE

Marguérite: LISTEN THE BIRDS HAVE LEARNED TO ECHO OUR LOVE SONGS AND THEY SING THEM IN THE AIR AND THE TURTLEDOVES COO OUR SONGS UNTIL THE SOUND DIES ON THE WAVES OF LOOOOOOOOOOVE

Urbain and Ladies-in-Waiting: ALL NEGATIVE THINGS AND ENERGIES ARE BANNED FROM THIS COURT FOREVER BECAUSE THAT’S TOTALLY REALISTIC AND ALSO OUR ONLY DUTY IS TO PAY HOMAGE TO THE GOD OF LOVE

Marguérite: WHAT Y’ALL SAID ALSO UNDER MY RULE WE ONLY LIVE AND BREATHE TO SMILE AT THE GOD OF LOVE

At just the mention of love, nature is reborn! The birds repeat it in the shadows of the trees, the stream even repeats it too, the earth, the waves, the earth—did I already say that? anyway—, even the heavens themselves repeat our songs of love!

Marguérite, Urbain, and the Ladies-in-Waiting: Earth and heaven alike repeat ALL our love songs!!!

Marguérite: THEY’LL EVEN REPEAT MY INSANELY DIFFICULT COLORATURA FLOURISHEEEEEEEEEEES AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Everyone Else [including, probably, the audience]: AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH OUIIIIIIIIIIIIIII BRAVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 

Urbain: Indeed, our queen is so lovely! Alas…what a pity!

Marguérite: What’s the matter with you?

Urbain: I’m only a PAGE! A discreet, faithful, obedient, forgettable PAGE! 

Marguérite: Well, I’m sure that the ladies-in-waiting would disagree.

*Valentine appears at the top of the staircase.*

Who’s coming from up there? Go look!

Urbain: IT’S YOUR PRETTIEST LADY-IN-WAITING

…not like I have a crush on either of you or anything.

Marguérite: Oh, I know who you mean! Valentine! Valentine, come here, don’t tremble in fear!

Urbain: Everything for Valentine, Marguérite’s favorite, wink winky wink wink wink wink.

Marguérite: And what of it? Besides, I’ve seen the pain in her heart, and tears are always able to move me.

Urbain: Then I’ll never laugh again!

Marguérite: Come here, dear Valentine, have courage! Tell me: how did the trip to Nevers’ go?

Valentine: Nevers has sworn by his honor to renounce my hand in marriage.

Marguérite: Good! Then everything falls right into place, and soon, I promise you, we’ll have another marriage—

Valentine: Oh God! What are you saying?

Marguérite: Poor child, you’re blushing! 

*Valentine nervously lowers her eyes.*

You truly love Raoul?

Valentine: Well…but I mustn’t…what about my father?

Marguérite: Be calm! I’ll talk to him and get everything sorted.

Valentine: Okay, but what about Raoul?

Marguérite: You’re overthinking this. Besides, I’ve invited him to come here—

Valentine: OH GOD I’D NEVER DARE TO—

Marguérite: Really? Really, never, Valentine? Well, it’s okay. I know how you are. I’ll talk to him for you.

*One of the ladies-in-waiting steps forward.*

A Lady-in-Waiting: IT’S REALLY HOT OUT HERE SO LET’S ALL SIT IN THE SHADE AND GO BATHING IN THE RIVER ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW OUR HIGHNESS CAN GET REALLY OVERHEATED

*Several of the ladies-in-waiting head off behind the trees to bathe in the river. Others, dressed in gauzy robes, dance, play, and run after each other. Marguérite watches contentedly, sitting on the grass. Urbain spies on the women from behind a tree.*

Ladies-in-Waiting: IT’S HOT AS HELL OUT HERE BUT LET’S GO IN THE SHADE AND THE WATER SO WE CAN BE COOL AND REFRESH OURSELVES

Marguérite: Thank you all for your care and…

URBAIN WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING BEHIND THAT TREE

*The women flee as Urbain comes out from behind the tree.*

Urbain: Who, me? Absolutely nothing! Nothing but waiting for Madame’s orders—

Marguérite: I forgot all about you! In fact, I almost mistook you for one of the ladies!

Urbain: (Gender fluidity achieved!)

Marguérite: GET OUT OF HERE RIGHT THIS INSTANT

Urbain: But I don’t wannaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa I just came here to have a good time and I’m honestly feeling so attacked right nooooooooooooooow

*He reluctantly leaves as the women’s voices waft in from the direction of the river.*

Ladies-in-Waiting: It’s so hot out here but let’s go in the shade and bathe in the river so we can refresh ourselves…

*The women finish their bathing and return. Urbain reappears at the top of the staircase.*

Marguérite: URBAIN DIDN’T I JUST TELL YOU LIKE TWO MINUTES AGO TO LEAVE

Urbain: BUT MADAME THERE’S A GENTLEMAN HERE

Valentine and Ladies-in-Waiting: A MAN?!?!?!

Urbain: CALM DOWN EVERYONE LISTEN TO MY STORY IT’S SO FUCKING HILARIOUS **

*The ladies-in-waiting gather around.*

No, seriously! I bet none of you have ever heard anything like what this page is about to tell you! And the village girls who saw it happen are never gonna forget it.

Picture this: you’re just goin’ about your business like any other day when all of a sudden, you see this guy, and he’s blindfolded! And he’s being led through town with all these fancy-looking guys surrounding him, right? Right. 

And he’s practically gliding on thin air and everyone’s crowding around and watching him and being like “Who is he?” and “Where’s he going?” and “Why’s he going?” And everyone is chattering and it’s all confusion and FUN! You’ve never seen anything like it!

Some Ladies-in-Waiting: SHUT UP THAT’S SO FUCKIN FUNNY but we don’t know what’s going on there so let’s keep it on the down-low and not unpack that. BUT IT HAS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING TO DO WITH LOVE BECAUSE OUR COURT IS ALL ABOUT LOVE

Other Ladies-in-Waiting: HMM WE DON’T KNOW WHAT’S GOIN’ ON THERE BUT IT’S OBVIOUSLY ONE OF THOSE LITTLE TRICKS THE GOD OF LOVE PLAYS BECAUSE HE HOLDS HIS COURT HERE

Urbain: He can’t see a thing! He’s just feeling his way along, his neck stretched out as far as it can go, and the kids tease him with their grubby little hands, and their sisters throw him flowers!

Ladies-in-Waiting: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Urbain: No, seriously! I bet none of you have ever heard anything like what this page is about to tell you! And the village girls who saw it happen are never gonna forget it.

What a beautiful, fun procession it is—a blindfolded gentleman surrounded by village girls!

Ladies-in-Waiting: THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER

Urbain: LOOK IT’S APPROACHING THE CHATEAU RIGHT NOW HERE IT ISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Ladies-in-Waiting: THERE’S THE GENTLEMAN THERE HE ISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Marguérite: That’s Raoul de Nangis.

Urbain: Our mysterious hero of this little tale!

Valentine: NOPE I’M TOO ANXIOUS FOR THIS I NEED TO LEAVE IMMEDIATELY

Marguérite: I want you to stay here!

*Raoul, still blindfolded, appears at the top of the staircase with some village girls, who bring him down the staircase. The ladies-in-waiting, except Valentine, gather around him.*

Ladies-in-Waiting: EVERYONE SHUT UP THERE HE IS awwww but we can’t resist talking about him because JUST LOOK AT HIM he’s trembling the poor boy is probably so frightened IT’S SO CHARMING 

If only he knew the “danger” he was in—because being surrounded by scantily clad ladies is apparently dangerous—he would be all too happy! But his oath as a cavalier and that little blindfold protects us from his wandering eyes! 

…We don’t know why we’re joking about that, but anyway. Maybe it’s just because we’re relieved that he can’t spy on us, so we can have fun instead of worrying. Don’t read into it too much.

Urbain: *once again behind the tree* BUT THEY’VE ALL FORGOTTEN ABOUT ME WHICH SUCKS ON THE ONE HAND BUT ON THE OTHER NOW I CAN LOOK UPON THESE “DANGERS”

Marguérite: I have to speak with him about some Very Serious Matters™. You are all dismissed; please leave us. And Urbain, that includes you. Stop staring at the ladies.

Urbain: awwwwwwww but who wouldn’t be jealous of having a private audience with her?

*The ladies-in-waiting start to leave, but very slowly, and they often turn back to look at Raoul.*

Ladies-in-Waiting: LET’S ALL GO OUT SILENTLY awwww but we can’t resist talking about him because JUST LOOK AT HIM he’s trembling the poor boy is probably so frightened IT’S SO CHARMING 

If only he knew the “danger” he was in—because being surrounded by scantily clad ladies is apparently dangerous—he would be all too happy! But his oath as a cavalier and that little blindfold protects us from his wandering eyes! 

Urbain: WHO WOULDN’T BE JEALOUS

Marguérite: WHY THIS DELAY 

Ladies-in-Waiting: WE GO WE GO

Marguérite: BUT DAMN IT YOU DON’T GO

Ladies-in-Waiting: WE GO WE GO WE GO WE GO WE REALLY REALLY GOOOOOOOOOOOO

*Everyone except Marguérite and Raoul leaves.*

Marguérite: Such loyalty is unusual, especially with how unusual this whole scheme was in the first place. However, you have done everything I have asked you to and it is now time for you to receive the reward you deserve. Take off the blindfold.

*Raoul takes off the blindfold and is immediately dazzled by the gardens.*

Raoul: OH MY GOD WHERE AM I THIS PLACE IS SO BEAUTIFUL I THINK I MIGHT BE HALLUCINATING AFTER BEING IN THE DARK FOR SO LONG

*He looks around and confirms that it is not in fact a hallucination. Eventually, his eyes come to rest on Marguérite.*

My God…you’re divine, enchanting…you’re obviously in charge here, so I have to ask: I don’t know if you’re mortal or a goddess or something, but am I still on earth or am I in heaven? 

Hello? HELLO??? PLEASE JUST SAY SOMETHING

Marguérite: Well, I get why Valentine fell so hard for him! He’s such a gentleman, so poetic and charming—not even royalty could choose better! No, no one could choose better!

Now, Raoul, let me make something very clear: a true gentleman, any person of good character really, must live for whomever he loves! He must be faithful, especially when they’re far apart from each other—no straying, not even a little bit, or else. You understand?

Raoul: (Somehow everything here reminds me of that faithless woman! She strayed from me, so what does it matter what I do?)

Marguérite: Whenever you’re away from her, wherever you goooooooooooo, you’re never far away from her, I want you to knooooooooooow! She only has to close her eyes, dear, and suddenly she’s where you are—you better never stray, ‘cause she’ll never be far away!

Raoul: (Well, I don’t care about that harlot anymore! She abandoned me already, and besides, this woman is just so charming! So it’s a two-for-one: I get back at her and I find pleasure elsewhere!)

I HUMBLY PLEDGE MY ETERNAL SERVICE AND DEVOTION TO YOU

Marguérite: (But I still need to figure out whether he’ll go along with this plan.)

*Raoul kneels before Marguérite.*

Raoul: I SWEAR I’LL DO EVERYTHING YOU WANT I AM YOURS AND I’LL DO EVERYTHING YOU WANT

Marguérite: *hesitating* Ha!…Ha!…Ha!!!

Me, a coquette! GOD!!! If I were a coquette, I would take him for myself, he’s so charming! 

But NOPE NOPE NOPE WE ARE NOT GOING THERE the woman he loves and who loves him is counting on me to arrange this for her, not for me, and she’s my best friend and I am NOT going to let her down even though the idea of being a coquette—ha! could you believe it?—it’s charming! but no! this is for Valentine, not for me!

Raoul: I PLEDGE MY LIFE AND MY SOUL AND MY SWORD AND MY SUPPORT AND ALL MY BLOOD TO YOU

I would die in defense of three things in this world: my honor, the lady I serve, and my God! I would gladly die for any and all of those things! 

Marguérite: I LOVE HIS WHOLEHEARTED PASSION

Raoul: I PLEDGE MY LIFE AND MY SOUL AND ALL MY BLOOD TO YOU

Marguérite: OKAY OKAY OKAY YOU REALLY NEED TO CALM DOWN listen all I want is to make you happy. That’s it. 

Raoul: I’M YOURS FOREVER

Marguérite: Me, a coquette! GOD!!! If I were a coquette, I would take him for myself, he’s so charming! 

But NOPE NOPE NOPE WE ARE NOT GOING THERE the woman he loves and who loves him is counting on me to arrange this for HER, not for me, and she’s my best friend and I am NOT going to let her down even though the idea of being a coquette—ha! could you believe it?—it’s charming! but NO! this is for Valentine, not for me! 

Raoul: TEN MINUTES AGO I SAW YOOOOOOOOOU AND NOW I REALLY WANT TO GET LAAAAAAAAID BECAUSE GETTING LAID WILL MAKE MY REVENGE PLAYED ON THAT HARLOT WHO FAR FROM ME STRAAAAAAAAAYED

TEN MINUTES AGO I MET YOOOOOOOOU EVEN THOUGH I STILL DON’T KNOW YOUR NAAAAAAAME I’LL LOVE YOU FOREVER MY DAME LOYAL ALL THE SAME YOU HAVE SET ME AFLAAAAAAAME

Marguérite: I’M NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU JUST SAID BUT JUST TO BE CLEAR I AM NOT GOING TO BANG YOU EVEN THOUGH YOU’RE HONESTLY KINDA HOT BECAUSE BESTIES DON’T BETRAY BESTIES AND I’M NOT YOUR GIRL

*And then for some reason like 50% of production have them make out. Either way, at this point Urbain reappears at the top of the staircase.*

Urbain: MADAME!

Marguérite: YOU AGAIN! ALWAYS YOU BARGING IN WHERE YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE but I still think you’re my favorite page anyway what is it?

Urbain: The leading nobles are waiting outside to come pay homage to you, Your Majesty.

Raoul: wait WHAT?!?! YOUR MAJESTY?!?!

Marguérite: Right, I never actually introduced myself to you or told you why I brought you here in the first place. I am Marguérite de Valois, Princess of France and soon-to-be Queen of Navarre. You promise to obey me still?

*Raoul nods.*

Very well. The reason you are here is because my family wishes to reconcile the Huguenots and the Catholics. I intend to support those efforts both by marrying Henri de Bourbon, uniting Protestants and Catholics in the royal family, and by arranging a similar interreligious marriage for you. 

You will be marrying a lovely, kind young woman: the sole daughter and heir of the Comte de Saint-Bris. Now, I know that historically, the Nangis and Saint-Bris families haven’t gotten along, but I know you two will be very happy together because I Know Things. 

The Count has agreed to it, and he has promised me that he will forget all his old hatreds. Do you accept?

Raoul: Unite our families? Very well, I accept! 

Marguérite: Great! In return, I’ll make you part of my inner court.

Raoul: You’re too kind!

Urbain: SHE’S SO KIND TO EVERYONE EXCEPT ME :/

*Saint-Bris and Nevers appear at the top of the staircase and come down into the gardens, followed by all the noblemen and ladies of the court. The Catholics take their positions on one side of the garden; the Protestants on the other.*

Nobles: ALL HONOR TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND GRACIOUS OF ALL WOMEN SHE’S CALLED US ALL HERE SO LET’S PAY HOMAGE TO HER BECAUSE SHE’S OUR PRINCESS AND ALSO JUST SUCH A DELIGHT

Marguérite: Yes, I called you all here for a very special reason: I have arranged this marriage, which is sure to bring us all peace and happiness and love, and I would like you all to be witnesses to the marriage announcement! 

*Marguérite has Raoul, Nevers, and Saint-Bris greet each other; they shake hands.*

Nobles: ALL HONOR TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND GRACIOUS OF ALL WOMEN LET’S PAY HOMAGE TO HER BECAUSE SHE’S OUR PRINCESS AND ALSO JUST SUCH A DELIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT

*A valet pulls Marguérite aside and hands her several documents, which she reads to herself. Marcel slips in and pulls Raoul aside.*

Marcel: WHAT’S THIS I HEAR ABOUT YOU MARRYING A MIDIANITE ***

Raoul: *motioning to Marcel in an attempt to silence him* Marcel, relax. It’s not that big of a deal.

Marcel: BUT YOU’RE MARRYING A CATHOLIC

Raoul: Be quiet! You don’t even know her.

Marcel: Neither do you.

Raoul: Not the point, but touché.

Marcel: HER HOUSE IS A HOUSE OF SIN

Raoul: SHUT UP

Marguérite: The Counts of Saint-Bris and of Nevers! 

*Saint-Bris and Nevers step forward.*

My brother, the King, knows that both of you are devoted to him. As such, he commands both of you to be in Paris as soon as possible—this evening would be ideal—to begin work on a very important project. I have no idea what it is, but that’s what I was asked to tell you. Probably some fussy not-actually-important bureaucratic thing or other, I don’t know. ****

Nevers and Saint-Bris: We bow to his command.

Marguérite: As you should! But first, bow to mine. Now, I really want this marriage to go well for the sake of all involved, for our very nation—for love and peace’s sake, no more hatred!

I want you three to swear right now, as if you were taking an oath before God, to have eternal peace with each other! None of this stupid fighting over religion. 

Actually: ALL you nobles must swear the same oath of eternal peace! Because this is totally foolproof.

*Raoul, Nevers, Saint-Bris, and the nobles prepare themselves for the oath.*

Raoul, Nevers, Saint-Bris, and the Nobles: By our honor, by our names which we have inherited and which we uphold, by our King, by our swords, and by the God who knows and punishes all perjurers, we solemnly swear before you that we will have eternal peace between all of us, Catholics and Protestants alike!

Marcel: LET US SWEAR BY LUTHER AND OUR FAITH AND THE CROSS AND OUR SWORDS THAT WE WILL FIGHT ROME AND ITS SOLDIERS AND PRIESTS TO THE DEATH AND WE WILL NEVER HAVE FRIENDSHIP OR PEACE EVER

Raoul, Nevers, and Saint-Bris: Providence, let harmony descend upon the earth and help us become friends, brothers even!

Marcel: Providence, let your light descend upon my master so he returns to the fold like a good Protestant! Heaven help him find the only true way once again!

Marguérite: May Heaven hear these vows and bless them forever! 

Urbain and a Lady-in-Waiting: AMEN TO THAT

Raoul, Nevers, and Saint-Bris: WE SWEAR ETERNAL FRIENDSHIP

Marcel: I SWEAR WAR TO THE DEATH

Noblemen: WE SWEAR ETERNAL PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP 

Noblewomen: AND MAY GOD BLESS THESE OATHS

*Saint-Bris leaves to get Valentine.*

Marguérite: AND NOW THE MOMENT WE’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR IT’S TIME TO PRESENT THE HAPPY COUPLE

Raoul, I’d like to present you with your fiancée! She’s a charming young lady and you two will be very happy together.

Here she is! Raoul, meet your fiancée, Valentine de Saint-Bris!

*Saint-Bris brings Valentine into the gardens and presents her to Raoul, who immediately recognizes her.*

Raoul: Oh, good Lord…what?! Is this actually happening?!

Marguérite: What’s the matter?

Raoul: *hardly able to speak* What?! She’s going to be my fiancée? They’re offering me…?

Marguérite: Marriage and love! What’s the pro—

Raoul: I HAVE BEEN BETRAYED AND DECEIVED FUCK ALL OF THIS I’M NEVER GOING TO MARRY HER

Everyone Else Except Marcel: OH MY GOD WHAT JUST HAPPENED

Raoul: WHAT BETRAYAL AND DECEIT HOW DARE THEY INSULT ME LIKE THIS

Nevers and Saint-Bris: I CAN’T TAKE IT I’M LITERALLY PHYSICALLY SHAKING WITH UTTER SHAME AND RAGE

Marguérite, Valentine, Urbain, and the Nobles: THIS IS PURE INSANITY WHY DID HE JUST DO THAT

Marguérite, Valentine, Urbain, and a Lady-in-Waiting: WHY IS HE BREAKING THIS OFF DID HE MAYBE JUST FALL IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE ELSE AND NOT HAVE AN IDEA HOW TO BREAK IT OFF GRACEFULLY???

Raoul: THIS WOULD BE SUCH A SHAMEFUL MARRIAGE AND I WILL HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO MORE OF THIS NONSENSE AND IF ANYONE DARES CALL ME OUT I’LL JUST LAUGH AT THEM BECAUSE MY HONOR COMES FIRST

Nevers and Saint-Bris: I MUST HAVE HIS BLOOD FOR INSULTING ME AND VALENTINE LIKE THAT OUR HONOR DEMANDS US TO AVENGE THIS INSULT

Marcel: BRAVO RAOUL YOU’RE SO BRAVE!!! A true knight and Christian, he puts his honor first and shuns the approval of the world!

Nobles: WHY IS HE BREAKING OFF THE ENGAGEMENT??? THIS INSULT CRIES FOR BLOOD AND HER FATHER NEEDS TO AVENGE HIS HONOR AND MAKE HIM PAY FOR THIS INSULT IMMEDIATELY

Valentine: SO WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS OUTRAGE????

I CAN’T DO THIS ANYMORE ANY COURAGE AND HOPE I EVER HAD IS TURNING TO ICE IN MY HEART

Raoul: WOE IS ME HOW DARE EVERYONE INSULT ME LIKE THIS

Everyone Except Marcel: GOOD LORD WHAT FRESH HELL IS THIS THERE OUR DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE GO DOWN THE DRAIN 

Valentine: SERIOUSLY WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS OUTRAGE????

Raoul: WHAT BETRAYAL WOE IS ME HOW DARE EVERYONE INSULT ME LIKE THIS

Nevers and Saint-Bris: I AM FULL OF SHAME AND RAGE AND I MUST HAVE HIS BLOOD TO GET RID OF IT

Marcel: RAOUL IS SO BRAVE BRAVO FOR SAYING NO TO THE TUXEDO

Valentine, Marguérite, Urbain, and a Lady-in-Waiting: DID HE MAYBE JUST FALL IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE ELSE AND NOT HAVE AN IDEA HOW TO BREAK IT OFF GRACEFULLY??? IN ANY CASE THIS IS PURE INSANITY WHY DID HE JUST DO THAT

Nobles: THIS INSULT CRIES FOR BLOOD AND HER FATHER NEEDS TO AVENGE HIS HONOR AND MAKE HIM PAY FOR THIS INSULT IMMEDIATELY

Marcel: TIME FOR ME TO SING MY FAVORITE SONG

Everyone Else: THIS REALLY ISN’T—

Marcel: O LORD YOU ARE THE STRENGTH AND ONLY SUPPORT—

Marguérite: YOU JUST PUBLICLY REJECTED AND HUMILIATED MY BEST FRIEND—

Raoul: I WISH I DIDN’T HAVE TO BUT I HAVE LEGITIMATE REASONS

Marcel: —OF US WEAK SOULS WHO WORSHIP YOU!

Marguérite: SO TELL ME YOUR REASONS

Raoul: THEY CANNOT BE SAID IN POLITE AND PROPER COMPANY BUT I AM NEVER GOING TO MARRY HER

Marguérite: THIS IS UTTER MADNESS WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO HER AND BREAK UP WITH HER ESPECIALLY IN THIS WAY I THOUGHT YOU LOVED HER

Raoul: WOE IS ME HOW DARE THEY INSULT ME LIKE THIS

Saint-Bris: I AM TREMBLING WITH SHAME AND RAGE

*Nevers, Saint-Bris, and Raoul all draw their swords. The nobles also get into it.*

Nevers and Saint-Bris: LET’S TAKE THIS OUTSIDE 

Nobles: YEAH THIS INSULT DEMANDS BLOOD

Nevers and Saint-Bris: WE NEED TO AVENGE THIS INSULT WITH HIS BLOOD

Raoul: I WOULD ONLY BE TOO HAPPY TO FIGHT YOU BOTH AND VINDICATE MYSELF

Marguérite: EVERYONE STAND DOWN WHAT AN INSULT THIS IS ALSO RAOUL GIVE UP YOUR SWORD

*She signals to an officer to disarm Raoul and then turns to call out Saint-Bris and Nevers.*

YOU TWO DID YOU FORGET FIVE MINUTES AGO WHEN I TOLD YOU THAT THE KING HAS COMMANDED BOTH OF YOU TO BE IN PARIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Raoul: I’LL FOLLOW THEM AND GET MY REVENGE

Marguérite: HOW ABOUT NOPE BECAUSE I’M SHUTTING YOU UP IN MY COURT SO I CAN KEEP AN EYE ON YOU UNTIL I GET TO PARIS FOR MY WEDDING

Saint-Bris: Oh, so HE gets to stay in the Princess’ court because the bastard is SO lucky to have SUCH a privileged woman putting him under HER protection—

Marguérite: HOW DARE YOU?!?!?!?!?!

Raoul: The only person who’s getting protected through this is YOU because if only I had my sword I’d kill you for trying to pass off YOUR daughter—

Saint-Bris: YOU ALL ARE TRYING TO KEEP ME FROM BRAVELY DEFENDING MY HONOR AND I WILL NOT STAND FOR IT

Marguérite: HOW DARE BOTH OF YOU?!?! FEAR MY WRATH BECAUSE IF YOU HAVEN’T NOTICED Y’ALL ARE PISSING ME OFF TO NO END

Valentine: BUT WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS NO ONE IS EXPLAINING IT TO ME AT ALL AND I CAN’T THINK OF ANYTHING

Raoul: —AND AT ANY RATE WE’LL MEET AGAIN SOON IN PARIS

Nevers and Saint-Bris: YOU’RE RIGHT ABOUT THAT MUCH WE WILL MEET AGAIN SOON

Marcel: BRAVO RAOUL WHAT COURAGE

Valentine, Marguérite, Urbain, and a Lady-in-Waiting: WHAT AN INSULT THIS IS PURE INSANITY

Raoul, Nevers, and Saint-Bris: YOU CAN’T STOP ME FROM DEFENDING MY HONOR AND WE WILL MEET AGAIN SOON

Raoul: Y’ALL HAVE INSULTED ME

Nobles: YOU CAN’T STOP THEM FROM TRYING TO DEFEND THEIR HONOR

Raoul, Nevers, Saint-Bris, Marcel, and Nobles: LET’S GET THE HECK OUT OF DODGE

Nobles: NOTHING CAN SAVE RAOUL AT THIS POINT AND HONESTLY HE DESERVES WHAT HE’S GOT COMING

Valentine, Marguérite, Urbain, and a Lady-in-Waiting: THIS IS THE WORST DAY EVER

Raoul, Nevers, and Saint-Bris: I WILL AVENGE MY HONOR

Nobles: THIS INSULT DEMANDS BLOOD

Marcel: *singing joyously* O LORD YOU STILL DEFEND US—

Marguérite: EVERYONE GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE I’VE HAD IT WITH THIS SHIT

Everyone Else: YEAH LET’S GET OUT OF HERE

Marcel: —MY GOD, YOU STILL DEFEND US!!!

Marguérite: SERIOUSLY I HAVE HAD IT WITH ALL OF THIS GET OUT

Everyone Else: YEAH LET’S GET OUT OF HERE

Marguérite, Urbain, and a Lady-in-Waiting: THIS IS PURE INSANITY WHY DID HE JUST INSULT HER AND ALSO SERIOUSLY WHY IS HE BREAKING THIS OFF DID HE MAYBE JUST FALL IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE ELSE AND NOT HAVE AN IDEA HOW TO BREAK IT OFF GRACEFULLY???

Valentine: I SERIOUSLY STILL DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT I DID TO DESERVE SUCH AN INSULT SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME BUT AT ANY RATE MY HEART IS BROKEN AND MY COURAGE IS DESTROYED AND SO IS MY LOVE AND MY HONOR SO I GUESS I’LL JUST BE HOPELESS AND DEPRESSED FOREVER

Raoul, Nevers, Saint-Bris, Marcel, and the Nobles: SOMEONE IS GOING TO AVENGE THEIR HONOR FOR THIS INSULT SO THERE’LL BE BLOODSHED SOONER RATHER THAN LATER AND YOU CAN’T STOP US THAT IS A PROMISE SO THIS ISN’T OVER

*Valentine, on the verge of fainting from shock, is taken away by Saint-Bris and Nevers, who make threatening gestures to Raoul. Raoul attempts to follow them, but Marguérite’s officers stop him and barely prevent the crowd from attacking each other.*

Notes

ACT III: **

6 PM on a Sunday, the Pré-aux-Clercs in Paris. The Seine is visible in the background. In the foreground on the left is a tavern frequented by Catholic students and their girlfriends; opposite is another tavern similarly frequented by Huguenot soldiers and their girlfriends and wives. In the background on the left is the entrance to a Catholic church. The list of people who are here in the original stage directions is really fuckin long so I’m just gonna say that there are a LOT of people on both sides of the religious divide, of all classes and occupations, just trying to enjoy a Sunday evening. 

Townspeople: HURRAY IT’S SUNDAY WHICH MEANS WE GET A DAY OFF SO LET’S FORGET ALL OUR STRESS AND WORRIES AND HAVE SOME FUN TRALALALALALA IT’S SUNDAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

Law Clerks: WE’RE HORNY AND WE WANT THE PRETTY LADIES TO COME DANCE WITH US

Young Ladies: YEAH THAT’S NOT HAPPENING BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT Y’ALL LAW CLERKS ARE DANGEROUS

Law Clerks: PLEAAAAAAAAAAAASE

Young Ladies: NOOOOOOOOOOOPE

Law Clerks: PWETTY PWEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAASE

Young Ladies: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPE

Townspeople: HURRAY IT’S SUNDAY WHICH MEANS WE GET A DAY OFF SO LET’S FORGET ALL OUR STRESS AND WORRIES AND HAVE SOME FUN TRALALALALALA IT’S SUNDAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

Huguenot Soldiers: RATAPLAN RATAPLAN RATAPLAN PLAN PLAN HERE’S OUR BATTLE SONG

*Some of the Huguenot soldiers continue singing “rataplan” over and over while Bois-Rosé leads the others in a call-and-response.*

Bois-Rosé, then Huguenot Soldiers: OLD COLIGNY TOOK UP HIS BATTLE SWORD THAT BRINGS DOWN FORTS AND WALLS AND SAID “SOLDIERS OF THE FAITH, FOLLOW ME I’M YOUR CAPTAIN AND I’LL TAKE YOU TO VICTORY OR TO PARADISE EITHER WAY IT’S A WIN”

LONG LIVE WAR AND LONG LIVE COLIGNY DRINK UP EVERYONE

*The Huguenot soldiers strike up the rataplan accompaniment again.*

ALRIGHT EVERYONE SECOND VERSE NOT THE SAME AS THE FIRST A LITTLE BIT LOUDER AND A LITTLE BIT WORSE

ALRIGHT CALVINISTS LET’S GO GET US SOME PAPISTS’ DAUGHTERS AND ALSO SOME VALUABLE BOOTY AND GOOD WINE THAT THEY USE FOR THEIR ALTARS AND THEIR WICKED FEASTS BECAUSE ALL THOSE THINGS ARE JUST SPOILS THAT GO TO THE VICTORS OF WAR AND THERE’S TOTALLY NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS LOGIC

LONG LIVE WAR AND LONG LIVE COLIGNY DRINK UP EVERYONE

*The Catholics get (understandably) offended but before anything can come of this, a wedding procession appears on the right. Nevers and Valentine are surrounded by their friends and relatives, as well as a group of young girls. The procession makes its way across the square to the church on the left. The Catholics kneel as the procession passes by.*

Two Young Catholic Girls: BLESSED BE THE HOLY VIRGIN WHO PRAYS FOR ALL SINNERS AND WHO TAKES AWAY ALL OUR SORROWS

Catholic Women: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVE MARIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAA

All the Catholic Girls and Women: BLESSED BE THE HOLY VIRGIN MARY

*As the procession enters the church, Marcel enters with letter in hand.*

Marcel: The Comte de Saint-Bris?

Catholics: shhhhhh you can’t talk to him right now

Marcel: WHY NOT

Catholics: GET OUT OF THE WAAAAAAAAAY IT’S THE LOOOOOOOOOORD

Marcel: YOU CAN’T TELL ME TO BOW MY HEAD OR GET OUT OF THE WAY IT’S NOT LIKE GOD IS IN THE PROCESSION OR ANYTHING 

Catholics: THAT’S BLASPHEMY 

Bois-Rosé: HE’S RIGHT THOUGH

Marcel: WHEN THERE’S TOO MUCH DRAMA AT THE PRÉ-AUX-CLERCS, ALL YOU GOTTA DO IIIIIIIIIIS WALK AWAAAAYAAAAAAAYAAAAAAAAY

*He leaves.*

Huguenot Soldiers: RATAPLAN RATAPLAN RATAPLAN LONG LIVE WAR AND LONG LIVE COLIGNY DRINK UP EVERYONE

Catholic Women: BLESSED BE THE HOLY VIRGIN WHO PRAYS FOR ALL SINNERS 

Catholic Men: THE HUGUENOTS ARE ALL WICKED BLASPHEMERS WITH HARDENED HEARTS THEY SHOULD ALL BE BURNED ALIVE AND THAT’LL PREPARE THEM FOR THE FIRES OF HELL BECAUSE BURNING PEOPLE ALIVE IS DEFINITELY NOT AN OVERREACTION TO A MINOR ARGUMENT OVER RELIGIOUS DOCTRINE

Huguenot Women: *do not say or sing anything for whatever reason*

*The people become increasingly upset and begin threatening each other. At the moment when it’s about to come to blows, a group of Romani dancers, musicians, and fortune-tellers arrives on the scene.*

Two Romani Girls: HEY EVERYONE IF YOU WANNA HAVE YOUR FORTUNES TOLD FOR A VERY SMALL FEE WE CAN DO JUST THAT TRALALALALALALALA

Townspeople: COME DANCE WITH UUUUUUUUUUUUS

*The Romani dancers dance with various townspeople, successfully lowering tensions so the people no longer want to burn each other alive or commit other acts of violence, at least for the moment. 

After the group leaves and the townspeople resume their normal activities, Nevers, Saint-Bris, and Maurevert leave the church.*

Nevers: Valentine wants to stay in the church until later tonight and pray. And that’s completely fine by me! If anything, it gives me more time to prepare the rest of the festivities so I can come back later and give her the grand procession home that my dear new wife deserves. Anyway, catch you later.

*He leaves.*

Saint-Bris: Thanks to him marrying my daughter, I can save face and not be completely dishonored, but there’s absolutely no way I can forget or forgive Raoul’s insult, and if we should ever meet again—

*Marcel comes back with the same letter.*

Marcel: The Comte de Saint-Bris? 

Saint-Bris: …Can I help you?

Marcel: My master asked me to give this letter to you, and I—

Saint-Bris: WAIT YOU’RE RAOUL’S SERVANT GIMME THAT LETTER NOW

*He snatches the letter from Marcel’s hands.*

AT LAST RAOUL IS IN PARIS

Marcel: YEAH WE JUST ARRIVED HERE FROM TOURAINE WITH MARGUÉRITE DE VALOIS AND HER COURT AND YOU DIDN’T SO HAHAHAHAHA SUCK IT

Saint-Bris: Given that the reason for that is that your master insulted my daughter and me in front of just about the entire French court, including the Princess, and for whatever reason she thought it would be a good idea to keep him with her—I guess to keep an eye on him—that’s not the flex you think it is.

Marcel: AT ANY RATE WE’RE ALL IN PARIS NOW

Saint-Bris: AND THANK GOD FOR THAT

*He opens the letter and reads the first sentence.*

He has challenged me to a duel!

Marcel: WAIT WHAT OH GOD WHAT IS MY MASTER DOING

Saint-Bris: *showing Maurevert the letter* He wants to have the duel today, right here at the Pré-aux-Clercs, when it’s dark and everyone else has already turned in for the night. ***

Maurevert: Right here! In this very place! It’s perfect!

Saint-Bris: GOD WANTS REVENGE SO HE IS BRINGING RAOUL HERE TO ME AND RAOUL WILL NOT LEAVE THIS PLACE ALIVE

*He turns to Marcel.*

I accept the challenge. We shall wait for him here.

*Marcel leaves.*

We absolutely cannot have Nevers find out about this. It’s his wedding day, for Pete’s sake! We can’t have him potentially getting himself killed on his own wedding day!

Lord Arturo Bucklaw: *popping in from an opera that had premiered only five months earlier* YEAH THAT WOULD REALLY SUCK

Saint-Bris: GO BACK TO YOUR OWN OPERA

Maurevert: We also can’t have you potentially getting killed on your own daughter’s wedding day!

Look at it this way: he’s Protestant. Protestants suck. God hates Protestants. God is okay with Protestants dying. We can find a way to guarantee he dies.

Saint-Bris: …I’m intrigued. What do you have in mind?

Maurevert: God wills it! We have some ideas. Let’s go into the church to discuss them. ****

*They go back into the church. A church bell rings the hour as a nightwatchman appears.*

The Nightwatchman: ALRIGHT EVERYONE IT’S CURFEW TIME IN PARIS SO PACK IT UP AND GO HOME AND SHUT UP

Townspeople: aww nuts alright everyone it’s curfew time so uh let’s pack it up and go home and shut up

Bois-Rosé: Let’s all go and drink, my friends, and have fun that never ends; let us all forget our rage, and this is the end of my time onstage!

A Catholic Student: Let’s go to our side of town and drink ‘til dawn and no more frown; let’s all go and have some shots and stay away from the Huguenots!

The Nightwatchman: SERIOUSLY Y’ALL GO THE FUCK HOME

Townspeople: IT’S CURFEW WE KNOOOOOOOOOOOW

*The nightwatchman leaves. The townspeople disperse, many going into the two inns. After the square has emptied, Saint-Bris and Maurevert emerge from the church.*

Maurevert: So it’s agreed? You understand what I mean?

Saint-Bris: Our friends will be here in an hour, and we can count on them. Got it. *****

*They leave. Night falls. Marcel returns and looks around to see if Raoul has arrived yet.* ******

Marcel: I want to wait for him here, and if he dies, I’ll die too!

I’M HONESTLY HAVING AN EXISTENTIAL CRISIS RIGHT NOW ALL JOY IS FLEETING AND USELESS AND FATE IS JUST TAKING US ALONG FOR THE RIDE OF LIFE

But seriously: the whole city is celebrating this royal wedding and they’re being all like “oh!!! fun and peace!!!” and MEANWHILE, we can’t even exist for even a day without the threat of death hanging over us—just because we’re Protestants! 

*He impatiently looks around for Raoul again. Nothing. He sighs sadly.*

Let us pray; it is the only thing that can help us!

*He kneels and begins to pray.*

God, defend us! We’re alone and defenseless and this place isn’t safe for us. We have pretty much no one to lead us or support us; we’re being forsaken by everyone who’s supposed to protect us!

THE YOUTH THESE DAYS SERIOUSLY I well told Raoul to avoid mingling with the Catholics at all costs and I told him that they would try to entice him but it was a trap…but he didn’t listen! No one listens to us old folk.

No, Marcel, what are you doing? Stop moaning and groaning—you need to pray!

*He tries to compose himself by praying, but it doesn’t help.*

Please, almighty God, defend us, protect us! We’re alone in the world—

And what would his father say? He entrusted his own son to me; what would we say to each other about all this?

He’d say “You need to stop this duel!” And I’d say, “But our honor is at stake…” And he’d say, “But what about respect and mercy?” And I’d say, “But we’re soldiers!” And he’d say, “All soldiering does is lead to useless death!” 

What’s going to happen? Dear God, the moment is at hand…You must pray! Pray!

Almighty God, protect and defend us! We’re alone in this world, and this place isn’t safe for us, and death is hanging over our heads and we have no one to lead or guide us…

IT’S ALL TOO MUCH GOD HAVE MERCY ON US AND PROTECT AND DEFEND US

God, have mercy on us…have mercy!

*He disappears into the darkness. Immediately after this, Valentine appears at the door of the church.*

Valentine: OH GOD I’M SO TERRIFIED I’M SHAKING EVEN AT THE SOUND OF MY OWN FOOTSTEPS I THINK I MIGHT BE LOSING MY MARBLES

I was behind a pillar, and no one could see me, and I was trying to pray but I heard everything! They’re going to try to murder Raoul, and I have to save him—not for his sake, dear God; please don’t hold this against me, I don’t want to be unfaithful; but for my father’s sake, so he doesn’t have blood on his hands and the sin of murder on his soul!

BUT HOW DO I WARN RAOUL

*Marcel returns and Valentine goes back into the church.*

Marcel: My plan is still the same: wait for him, be here at the duel, and if he dies—I die too!

I’M WAITING HERE ALL ALONE AND I’M HEARING STRANGE NOISES AND THEY’RE MAKING ME REALLY NERVOUS AND SCARED IT’S SO UNSETTLING Marcel do the smart thing and find a place to stand guard

*Valentine hesitantly emerges from the church, veiled.*

Valentine: Dear God, I don’t have a lot of time! It’s almost time for the duel and I’m right where it’s supposed to happen and I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO WARN RAOUL SO PLEASE HELP ME

Marcel: WHO’S THERE

Valentine: (Oh thank God, it’s his servant, Marcel!)

HEY MARCEL

Marcel: UH WHAT SOMEONE JUST CALLED MY NAME WHO’S THERE

Valentine: COME OVER HERE

Marcel: STOP RIGHT THERE AND GIVE THE PASSWORD OR ELSE I’M GOING TO KILL YOU

Valentine: (What password?) Uh…Raoul?

Marcel: Raoul? Actually, you know what, that’ll do. Come forward so I can see you.

*Valentine steps into the light.*

A VEILED WOMAN?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Valentine: Are you afraid of me?

Marcel: Me, afraid??? ME???

Come on, you know me: I’m Marcel! I’m the old defender of the true God! I fight godless Catholics like you! I’M DOIN’ JUST FINE (i lied i’m dyin’ inside)

Valentine: WE DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS LISTEN UP BOOMER

Marcel: WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME

Valentine: LISTEN!!! Raoul is coming here for a duel.

Marcel: Yeah, I know. He’s fighting a horrible, horrible, wicked man in order to avenge his honor. God will defend him. Tell me something I don’t know.

Valentine: Let’s just say that you absolutely must make sure that Raoul has extra people on backup to help defend him. His opponent is planning to pull something really bad so YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE HE HAS BACKUP!!!

*She signals to him to go find Raoul. Marcel leaves in search of Raoul, leaving Valentine with some time to Process Her Feelings™.*

That ungrateful man hurt me so badly when I did absolutely nothing to offend him! But I still love him with everything I have, even though my life has been destroyed! So, I have a chance to save his life, and I want to save his life just like he saved mine in Amboise all that time ago…

Marcel: I WANTED TO TELL HIM BUT I FORGOT HE ALREADY LEFT TO COME HERE AND THAT HE TOLD ME TO GO AHEAD AND WAIT FOR HIM HERE WHEN HE LEFT PROBLEM NOW IS THAT I HAVE NO CLUE WHERE HE IS OR IF I’LL EVEN HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO WARN HIM BEFORE THE DUEL SO I’M TORN ABOUT WHAT TO DO

Valentine: …and then, if I have to forget him, I’ll simply die!

Marcel: OH GOD IF HE SHOWED UP WHILE I WAS GONE THEY’D ALL ATTACK HIM AND HE’D BE COMPLETELY ALONE AND DEFENSELESS AND HE’D BE CRYING OUT FOR ME AS THEY MURDER HIM SO I HAVE TO STAY

But what can I do? What can one man do against so many?

*He begins to sob.*

I’ll do the only thing I can do if things go wrong: I’ll die upon his corpse! I’ll die with him, like a faithful servant!

Valentine: He hurt me so badly, but I still love him with everything I have…and if I have to forget him, I’ll die!

Marcel: God have mercy on me!

Valentine: You clearly understood what I meant. I’ve done what I need to here; goodbye.

*She makes to go back into the church, but Marcel holds her back.*

Marcel: No! Who are you? I want to know!

Valentine: I’m…(Do I tell him who I actually am?)

Marcel: Who are you?

Valentine: I’m…Marcel, I’ll tell you this much: I’m a woman who loves Raoul with everything I have and would gladly die to save his life!

Marcel: Really? You love him that much?

Valentine: OH YOU CANNOT POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND BECAUSE WORDS CANNOT ADEQUATELY EXPRESS EVERYTHING I’M GOING THROUGH BUT I’LL TRY TO EXPLAIN

Faith, love, and duty are all fighting in my heart! In order to save Raoul, the man I love with every fiber of my being, I’m betraying both my own honor and my father! But I do my best: I beg forgiveness and I place my trust in God, because only God understands every heart!

Marcel: *deeply moved* You have nothing to regret or repent of—you are a devoted and truly noble soul! Don’t cry, my child; from the bottom of my heart, I give you my blessing! Remember: old men’s humble prayers and blessings can do a lot of good, and I trust that God will hear me and grant you His grace!

Valentine: *breaking down into sobs* Thank you, but you truly cannot understand my suffering…I’ll try to explain it as best as I can even though there aren’t enough words…faith and love and duty, and I’m getting torn apart between them all…

Marcel: *to himself* I was always told that women, especially Catholic women, were deceitful from top to toe, inside and out…but her sincerity and her passion come STRAIGHT from God!

*trying to comfort Valentine* Please, don’t cry, there’s nothing to be ashamed of…

Valentine: BUT I DO MY BEST AND I HUMBLY PLEAD FOR FORGIVENESS AND PLACE MY TRUST IN GOD BECAUSE HE’S THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN TRULY UNDERSTAND EVERYONE INCLUDING ME

Marcel: YOU HAVE NOTHING TO REGRET OR REPENT YOU ARE TRULY AND YOU HAVE MY BLESSING AND I BELIEVE THAT IT CAN DO A LOT OF GOOD AND FOR MY SAKE GOD WILL GRANT YOU HIS GRACE 

Valentine: I’M BEING TORN APART AND I’M BETRAYING MY HONOR AND MY FATHER 

DEAR GOD PLEASE FORGIVE ME I’M PUTTING MY TRUST IN YOU

Marcel: FROM HEAVEN ABOVE GOD WILL HEAR ME AND GRANT YOU HIS GRACE BECAUSE I GIVE YOU MY BLESSING

*Valentine takes off in the direction of the church. Marcel tries to stop her so he can question her further, but she runs back into the church.*

Okay, so I’m not one hundred percent sure what kind of danger Raoul’s in, but he’s definitely in danger! Wake up! We must save Benjamin!  *******

*Raoul, Saint-Bris, Tavannes, Cossé, (who are serving as Saint-Bris’ seconds) de Retz, and Méru (who are serving as Raoul’s seconds) enter.* ********

Saint-Bris: Good, we’ve gotten here at the same time.

Raoul: Excuse me? Are you calling my punctuality into question?

Marcel: (How do I warn Raoul about what his opponent is going to try to pull?)

Raoul: OH HEY MARCEL

Marcel: Did you think I wasn’t going to be here?

*He pulls Raoul aside and whispers in his ear.*

An angel came and gave me a warning. Master, you’ve walked right into a trap!

Raoul: MARCEL! HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND???

Marcel: …No?

Raoul: Now, I’m not super-experienced with this kind of thing. You four presumably have more experience. Read the duel commandments—I don’t know if there are actually ten or not but anyway, I trust you to ensure a fair fight.

I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN SUNSHIIIIIIIIIINE I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN RAIIIIIIIIIIN I HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT SPRING WILL COME AGAIN BESIDES WHICH YOU SEE I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN ME BY WHICH I MEAN I HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT MY CAUSE IS JUST

Raoul, Saint-Bris, and the Seconds: I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE JUSTICE OF MY CAUSE

Raoul: In order to avenge myself—

Raoul, Saint-Bris, and the Seconds: LET THE SWORD BE THE JUDGE 

I demand satisfaction! Give me a good sword and some courage; every man for himself and God for all!

Raoul, Saint-Bris, and the Seconds: I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE JUSTICE OF MY CAUSE SO LET THE SWORDS AVENGE OUR HONOR, LET  EVERY MAN FIGHT FOR HIMSELF, AND MAY GOD HELP US ALL

Marcel: THIS IS HORRIBLE IT FEELS LIKE GOD IS FORSAKING US 

They’ve betrayed him! God, have mercy and save Raoul, he’s like a son to me!

*The seconds meet in the center of the square.*

Seconds: Number one: no matter what, we will start at the same time. Number two: The fight is three against three—one opponent and two seconds—to the death.

Raoul, de Retz, and Méru: Agreed.

Saint-Bris, Tavannes, and Cossé: Understood.

*Two of the seconds take Raoul and Saint-Bris’ swords and daggers, examining and measuring them. The other two mark out the paces.*

Marcel: THEY’VE BETRAYED RAOUL DEAR GOD PLEASE SAVE HIM

Seconds: Number three: This fight will only involve us. No one else will take part pinky promise we’re definitely not crossing our other fingers behind our backs 

Raoul, de Retz, and Méru: Agreed.

Saint-Bris, Tavannes, and Cossé: Understood.

Raoul, Saint-Bris, and the Seconds: Number four: absolutely no mercy to whoever loses. 

Raoul, de Retz, and Méru: Agreed.

Saint-Bris, Tavannes, and Cossé: Understood.

Raoul, Saint-Bris, and the Seconds: I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE JUSTICE OF MY CAUSE SO LET THE SWORDS DECIDE THE RESULT

*Marcel joins the back-and-forth.*

Saint-Bris, Tavannes, and Cossé: THEY’RE ALREADY SHAKING LIKE THE COWARDLY WUSSES THEY ARE

Raoul, Marcel, de Retz, and Méru: LET’S JUST IGNORE THAT AND NOT GET PSYCHED OUT

Saint-Bris, Tavannes, and Cossé: LET’S THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND AND BE BRAVE

Raoul, Marcel, de Retz, and Méru: EN GARDE YOU COWARDS

Raoul, Marcel, Saint-Bris, and the Seconds: I CAN’T WAIT FOR THIS FIGHT TO BE OVER

Saint-Bris and Méru: THEY’RE ALREADY SHAKING LIKE THE COWARDLY WUSSES THEY ARE

Raoul, Marcel, Tavannes, and de Retz: LET’S JUST IGNORE THAT AND NOT GET PSYCHED OUT

Saint-Bris, Cossé, and Méru: I REALLY HOPE WE CAN KILL HIM AND END THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL

Raoul, Marcel, Tavannes, and de Retz: LET’S GET THIS DUEL STARTED

Raoul, Marcel, Saint-Bris, and the Seconds: I REALLY HOPE WE CAN END THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL

Raoul, Marcel, Tavannes, Cossé, and de Retz: LET’S GET OUR SWORDS AND SOME COURAGE

Saint-Bris and Méru: ALL WE NEED IS OUR RAGE

Raoul and Marcel: EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF AND MAY GOD HELP US ALL AND LET’S GET SOME COURAGE 

Saint-Bris and Tavannes: WE HAVE TO KILL HIM

The Other Seconds: GOD HELP US ALL

Saint-Bris and de Retz: THOSE DIRTY PROTESTANTS ARE DEFYING HEAVEN’S WRATH

Saint-Bris: GOD WANTS US TO KILL THEM

Raoul and Marcel: EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF AND MAY GOD HELP US ALL

The Seconds: WE HAVE TO KILL HIM

*Everyone gets into place for the beginning of the duel.*

Raoul, Marcel, Saint-Bris, and the Seconds: ALRIGHT LET’S FIGHT AND END THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL SWORDS UP EN GARDE 

*Raoul and Saint-Bris begin the duel. A loud noise is heard from the back, and Marcel runs in the direction of the noise.*

Marcel: STOP I CAN’T TELL HOW MANY PEOPLE THERE ARE OR IF THEY’RE ARMED BUT THERE’S DEFINITELY PEOPLE COMING

*He draws his sword.*

WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS HERE

*Maurevert appears with two other men. All three are armed.*

Maurevert: THAT’S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS

OH MY GOD HEY EVERYONE THERE ARE A BUNCH OF HUGUENOTS TRYING TO MURDER ONE OF OUR OWN AND THAT’S DEFINITELY NOT BASICALLY EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT’S ACTUALLY HAPPENING

*Saint-Bris, Maurevert, the four seconds, and the two armed men line up side by side.*

ALL DEFENDERS OF THE TRUE GOD COME OUT HERE

*A dozen armed Catholics who had been waiting behind the tree spring out of hiding and join Maurevert, leaving Raoul and Marcel almost completely surrounded.*

Marcel: WHAT BETRAYAL YOU MONSTERS GOD SEES WHAT YOU’RE DOING

*The Huguenot soldiers are heard singing in the tavern on the right. Marcel barely escapes and starts banging on the door.*

IN THE NAME OF COLIGNY HELP DEFEND US AND THE PROTESTANT FAITH

*The soldiers come pouring out of the tavern.*

AT LAST GOD YOU GRANT US VICTORY

*Saint-Bris begins banging on the door of the tavern on the left.*

Saint-Bris: HEY YOU BRAVE STUDENTS GET YOUR BUTTS OUT HERE AND HELP MEEEEEEEEEEEEEE AGAINST THESE HUGUENOT TRAITORS

A Catholic Student: WE’RE ALL COMING

*The students come pouring out in similar fashion. Raoul and Saint-Bris resume their duel.*

Catholic Students and Huguenot Soldiers: HERE WE ARE GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE

Catholic Students: YEAH GET OUTTA HERE

Huguenot Soldiers: GO BACK TO YOUR CLASSES SCHOOLBOYS

Catholic Students: YOU’RE ALL PRAYER MUTTERERS AND DEVIL WORSHIPPERS

Huguenot Soldiers: Y’ALL ARE WEAK-ASS SOLDIERS WHO FIGHT FOR HOLY WATER FOUNTS

Catholic Students: Ah, so THIS is what Calvinist honor looks like!

Huguenot Soldiers: And THIS is what Papist loyalty looks like! 

Catholic Students: TO THE STAKE WITH ALL YOU HEATHENS

Huguenot Soldiers: TO THE DEVIL WITH ALL YOU SELF-RIGHTEOUS BIGOTS

*The Catholic and Huguenot women with the soldiers and students pour into the square and begin insulting each other in similar fashion.*

Catholic Women: YOU EAT WITH HERETICS

Huguenot Women: YOU DANCE WITH THE STUDENTS AND DANCING IS BAD

Catholic Women: GO HIDE WHERE THE SUN DON’T SHINE YOU SHAMELESS HORRIBLE WOMEN

Huguenot Women: YOU’RE THE SHAMELESS HORRIBLE ONES AND YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND SHUT ALL THE WAY UP

Catholic Women: YOU’RE THE HUGUENOTS’ LITTLE PLAYTHINGS

Huguenot Women: YOU’RE THE PETS OF FILTHY HYPOCRITES

All the Women: GET THE FUCK OUT WE’VE HAD IT SO WATCH OUT

*The people continue to repeat the same insults.*

All the Townspeople: ENOUGH OF INSULTS GOD WILLS IT

Raoul, Marcel, and Saint-Bris: YOU COWARDS YOU COULDN’T TRUST A FAIR OUTCOME SO YOU ALREADY HAD YOUR FRIENDS THERE THAT’S NOT FAIR AT ALL NOW LET’S FIGHT AND GOD WILL DECIDE THE RESULT

*Saint-Bris stops for a moment.*

Saint-Bris: Very well! Until now, we’ve had a duel that was all nice and proper! But you’ve forced my hand—LET THIS BECOME AN ALL OUT WAR NO RULES NO MERCY

Raoul: VERY WELL THEN ALL OUT FIGHT TO THE DEATH 

Everyone: LET’S GO IT’S AN ALL OUT FIGHT TO THE DEATH

*The duel turns into a mass street riot.*

NOT ANOTHER WORD DEATH TO ANYONE WHO OPPOSES US GOD WILLS IT

*An entourage of royal guards and pages, including Urbain, arrives and breaks up the riot.*

Urbain: EVERYONE STOP AND SHOW SOME RESPECT FOR MARGUÉRITE DE VALOIS

*Everyone clears to opposite ends of the square as Marguérite enters on horseback with her royal suite. She dismounts.*

Marguérite: Are. you. KIDDING ME??? Even in Paris, the very home of the King, the center of our power, we have to live in fear of you fighting like this?!?!?! I can’t even go out on a Sunday night and return home without running into a riot?!?! 

Someone tell me who started it. Now.

Saint-Bris: *pointing to Raoul, Marcel, and the Huguenot soldiers* IT’S THEIR FAULT WE WERE JUST TRYING TO GET JUSTICE BECAUSE THEY BETRAYED US

Raoul: *pointing to Saint-Bris* IT’S HIS FAULT HE TRIED TO MURDER US FOR LITCHRALLY NO REASON

Marguérite: Great, I can’t even get a conclusive answer! Who am I supposed to believe??? And these are very serious accusations that you two are making. What proof is there to back them up?

Marcel: I HAVE PROOF LET ME TELL YOU

*He points to Saint-Bris and Maurevert.*

THEY WANTED TO MURDER MY MASTER

Saint-Bris: OH GOD WHO TOLD YOU

Marguérite: Um…I have the same question.

Marcel: I CAN TELL YOU 

This woman, she could’ve been an angel for all I know, came and told me because she wanted to save Raoul! And she was completely right about Raoul being in danger because of these TRAITORS!!!

Saint-Bris: YOU SIT ON A THRONE OF LIES

If you’re telling the truth, which you surely are not, then where is this woman NOW, huh???????

*Conveniently for Marcel and for the advancement of the plot, at this exact moment Valentine emerges from the church, still veiled.*

Marcel: WAIT THERE SHE IS

*Everyone turns to look at the veiled woman.*

Townspeople: THE PLOT THICKENS

Saint-Bris: So SHE’S the one who accused and betrayed me? I WILL FIND OUT WHO THIS FAITHFUL INFORMANT IS

*Valentine, who is (understandably) extremely uncomfortable with all this, runs down the church steps and tries to escape, but Saint-Bris chases after her and pulls her veil off.*

MY DAUGHTER?!?!?!?!?!

Townspeople: OH GOD SHIT JUST GOT REAL

Saint-Bris: You…here…at this late an hour…

Valentine: Father, please—

Saint-Bris: WHAT AUDACITY YOU HAVE TO BETRAY ME LIKE THIS

Valentine: Everything overwhelms me! 

Saint-Bris: YOU’RE A DOUBLE CROSSER

Valentine: I’M SORRY THIS REALLY ISN’T A GREAT SITUATION AND I DON’T LIKE IT EITHER

Saint-Bris: YOU WANT TO DESTROY MY REPUTATION

Valentine: NO I DON’T PLEASE FORGIVE ME

Raoul: What?…What is going on here?…I can scarcely believe it—what noble bravery!

Marguérite: I can scarcely believe it…

Raoul: She stood up for me, she defended me against her terrifying, domineering father—even after I insulted her!

Marguérite: I didn’t know she had such noble bravery in her!

Valentine: You’ve accused me of trying to ruin you when I wanted to do no such thing! Do you really think that I would try to do that to you?

Marguérite, Urbain, and a Lady-in-Waiting: SHE STOOD UP AGAINST THE CRUELTY OF HER FATHER THAT’S HONESTLY REALLY HUGE

Everyone Else: WOW WHAT’S GOING ON HERE

Raoul: WAIT HOLD UP A SECOND I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY SHE WAS WILLING TO SAVE MY LIFE BY RISKING HER FATHER’S WRATH WHEN SHE DOESN’T EVEN LOVE ME

Marguérite: What are you talking about? She only loves you!

Valentine: MADAME FOR MERCY’S SAKE PLEASE DON’T MAKE THIS WORSE

Raoul: THAT’S NOT TRUE SHE BETRAYED ME

Marguérite: EXCUSE ME WHAT WHERE DID THIS HAPPEN

Raoul: AT NEVERS’ HOUSE

Valentine: WAIT WHAT

Raoul: YEAH I SAW HER WITH NEVERS AT HIS HOUSE

Marguérite: OH MY GOD VALENTINE ONLY WENT THERE BECAUSE THEY WERE ENGAGED AND SHE WAS GOING TO BREAK OFF HER ENGAGEMENT—

Valentine: PLEASE THIS IS ONLY GOING TO MAKE HIM FEEL WORSE

Marguérite: —SO SHE COULD MARRY YOU

Raoul: WAIT WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Townspeople: OH GOD OH FUCK

Saint-Bris: VALENTINE HOW DARE YOU THIS WHOLE THING IS UNFORGIVABLE

Everyone: OH GOD WHAT AN OUTRAGE THIS SITUATION IS SO FUCKED UP 

Raoul: So I’m the one who’s unworthy of her, not the other way around…

Everyone: YUP THIS WHOLE THING IS SO FUCKED UP

Raoul: OH GOD I INSULTED HER FOR NO REASON VALENTINE I’M SO SORRY PLEASE FORGIVE ME

*He turns to Saint-Bris.*

I know this is super-awkward timing and a bad situation in general, but can I please marry your daughter? I love her madly!

*Valentine opens her mouth to speak but Saint-Bris cuts her off.*

Saint-Bris: You loved her?

Raoul: I still do! All I ask is for your forgiveness and her hand in marriage.

Saint-Bris: You really still love her?

Raoul: WITH ALL MY HEART AND WITHOUT HER I WILL NEVER HAVE TRUE HAPPINESS AGAIN

Saint-Bris: WELL THAT JUST MAKES TODAY ALL THE SWEETER AND MORE SCHADENFREUDE-Y

You beg me for her hand in marriage? Well, I have some news for you: she’s no longer mine to ask for, because earlier today she and Nevers were married—SHE’S NOW THE WIFE OF ANOTHER MAN!!! 

Townspeople: WAIT SHE’S BEEN MARRIED OFF TO SOMEONE ELSE???

Huguenot Soldiers: Oh, good Lord!

*At this moment, a joyous march can be heard in the distance.*

Saint-Bris: WOULD YOU LISTEN TO THAT! Her husband is coming back to get her! 

EVERYONE IS SO HAPPY AND WE ARE TRIUMPHANT AND IT’S A SPECTACLE WORTHY OF THE SAINT-BRIS AND NEVERS FAMILIES

*A large boat, richly decorated and lit, sails down the river. Onboard are Nevers, musicians, pages, several members of the court, and Nevers and Valentine’s entire wedding party. Nevers gets off the boat and rushes in to greet Valentine.*

Nevers: My noble wife, my dear Valentine, come with me! I love you, and I hope we can cherish our vows together! There’s a whole party waiting so we can celebrate this happy day together—I adore you and I’m proud to be your husband and your friend!

*The Romani dancers and musicians return and take up the festive music. They approach Valentine and Nevers and present them with flowers and sweets. Nevers signals to one of the pages to give them gold. The dancers dance and the others bring in torches. Nevers takes Valentine’s hand and escorts her to the boat; they are followed by Saint-Bris, Nevers’ pages, and the entire wedding escort.*

Marguérite, Urbain, Saint-Bris, Wedding Party Members, and Townspeople: THEIR WEDDING PARTY IS GOING TO BE AMAZING MAY HEAVEN BLESS THEM WITH LONG LIVES AND A HAPPY HOME LET’S ALL SING AND DANCE AND CELEBRATE 

LONG LIVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL OF BRIDES AND MAY HEAVEN BLESS THIS COUPLE WITH JOY

*The Catholic students and Huguenot soldiers begin threatening each other again.*

Catholic Students and Huguenot Soldiers: NO MORE PEACE WE HAVE TO FINISH THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL SO REVENGE OR DEATH

Marguérite: EVERYONE STOP FIGHTING AND SHOW SOME RESPECT

Marguérite, Urbain, Saint-Bris, Wedding Party Members, and Townspeople: MAY THEY HAVE LONG HAPPY LIVES AND THE BEST WEDDING PARTY EVER ANYWAY LET’S ALL CELEBRATE

Raoul: I FUCKED UP AND NOW MY LIFE IS OVER

Marguérite and Urbain: RAOUL PLEASE CALM THE FUCK DOWN

Saint-Bris: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA THIS IS THE FUNNIEST THING EVER ULTIMATE SCHADENFREUDE

Catholic Students and Huguenot Soldiers: ENOUGH OF THIS OUR ONLY OPTIONS ARE VENGEANCE OR DEATH

Marguérite and Urbain: CALM DOWN!!! but really things are not looking good at all

Raoul: NOW SHE’S MARRIED TO SOMEONE ELSE BECAUSE I FUCKED UP SPECTACULARLY I HATE THIS AND I HATE HER NEW HUSBAND BECAUSE HE’S MY RIVAL

Marcel: THIS IS SO MESSED UP

Marguérite: EVERYONE STOP AND SHOW SOME RESPECT

Nevers and Valentine: *do not say anything, for some reason*

Marguérite, Urbain, Saint-Bris, Wedding Party Members, and Townspeople: WE LOVE WEDDINGS AND MAY THEY HAVE THE BEST WEDDING PARTY EVER AND THE BEST MARRIAGE EVER AND LONG LIVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF BRIDES

Raoul, Marcel, Catholic Students, and Huguenot Soldiers: ENOUGH OF THIS NO MORE PEACE 

Marguérite, Urbain, Saint-Bris, Wedding Party Members, and Townspeople: LONG LIVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL OF BRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDES

*Once everyone in the wedding party is on board the boat, it sails away as the majority of the crowd waves it goodbye. Marguérite remounts her horse and leaves with her entourage; the people bow. Groups of Protestants and Catholics continue to threaten each other from across the square.*

Notes

Due to technical issues (unrelated to the ones that caused me to have to remake this post), Acts IV and V are on a separate post here.

[opera-simplified]

due to a technical error, the first part of this Opera Simplified will have to be reposted. thanks!

[opera-simplified]

Opera Simplified #7: Les Huguenots—Part II

Les Huguenots

(The Huguenots)

Opera Simplified #7

The Basics:

Music: Giacomo Meyerbeer

Libretto: Augustin Eugène Scribe and Émile de Saint-Amand Deschamps

Premiere: February 29, 1836; Salle Le Peletier (Opéra national de Paris), Paris, France.

Based on: No direct source material except history, although some scenes (though not the plot as a whole) are likely very loosely based on scenes from Prosper Mérimée’s 1829 novel Chronique du règne du Charles IX (Chronicle of the Reign of Charles IX).

Setting: The French province of Touraine (Acts I-II) and Paris, France (Acts III-V); August 1572.

Characters:

Marguérite de Valois, Princess of France, sister of King Charles IX, and soon-to-be Queen of Navarre—soprano

Urbain, her favorite page—soprano*

Valentine de Saint-Bris, her favorite lady-in-waiting—soprano*

Raoul de Nangis, a Huguenot nobleman—tenor

Marcel, his servant and formerly grandfather’s ward, also a seasoned soldier—bass

Le Comte de Saint-Bris, Valentine’s father, leader of the Catholic noble faction, and governor of the Louvre—bass-baritone

Le Comte de Nevers, Valentine’s fiancé, a Catholic nobleman—baritone

Tavannes, also a Catholic nobleman—tenor

Cossé, another Catholic nobleman—tenor

Thoré, yet another Catholic nobleman—tenor

de Retz, still another Catholic nobleman—baritone

Méru, there are way too many extra Catholic noblemen in this opera—baritone

Maurevert, *sigh* ditto except he’s a Special Plotting One in Act III—baritone

Léonard, Nevers’ valet—tenor**

Bois-Rosé, a Huguenot captain—tenor

A nightwatchman—bass

Two ladies-in-waiting—sopranos

Two Catholic girls—soprano and mezzo-soprano

Two Roma girls—soprano and mezzo-soprano

Three monks—tenor and two basses

Henri de Bourbon, the Huguenot King of Navarre and Marguérite’s eventual husband—silent

*Note: While Urbain and Valentine were intended to be sung by sopranos, both roles have a history of being cast with mezzo-sopranos, although this is much more extensive in the case of Urbain than of Valentine.

**In some productions and recordings, Léonard is turned into a trouser role mezzo.

The Opera, Very Simplified: “Way out yonder somewheres, the Lord’s great heart must break at seein’ how men treat one another an’ say they’re doin’ it all for His sake.” -Carlisle Floyd, Susannah, Act I, Scene 5

This is Part II, aka Acts IV and V. If you haven’t read Part I (Acts I-III), here it is. Go read that first.

THE OPERA (or at least the last two acts of it):

ACT IV:

Evening, August 23. A hall in the Comte de Nevers’ townhouse in Paris. Portraits of Nevers’ ancestors and relatives line the walls. A large door and a Gothic window are at the back. On the left is a door leading to Valentine’s private apartments. On the right is a fireplace and a closet, the entrance to which is covered by a tapestry. Also on the right is a large window overlooking the street. Valentine enters alone and collapses onto a sofa.

Valentine: AT LAST I’M ALONE AT HOME **

wait. oh no. NOW I HAVE NOTHING TO DISTRACT ME FROM MY SORROW SO I GUESS I’LL VENT BECAUSE I HONESTLY REALLY NEED TO DO THAT

DAD THE REST OF MY LIFE IS GOING TO BE A LIVING NIGHTMARE BECAUSE YOU KNEW I’M IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE ELSE AND YET YOU MARRIED ME OFF ANYWAY

AND AS FOR YOU, GOD, YOU TURNED A DEAF EAR WHEN I BEGGED YOU TO HELP ME AND YOU ALLOWED THIS MARRIAGE TO HAPPEN ANYWAY AND I’M TRYING MY BEST HERE SO AT LEAST HAVE SOME PITY ON ME AND LET ME FORGET RAOUL BECAUSE OTHERWISE I JUST MIGHT LOSE MY MIND

I can’t stop thinking about Raoul; I spend my days crying and dreaming about him! And that only makes me feel more horrible, because I know it’s a sin to even think about him, much less be in love with him, and I want to forget him so badly, but I just can’t!

I hear his voice constantly everywhere—even here, in the very house I share with my husband, and it’s like I can’t hear anything else, not even the voice of my conscience, of God!

And that makes me feel the worst of all: I can’t even pray without thinking about him! I‘m trying with everything I have, I go and kneel before the altar and try to pray like a good Catholic, but every time, I see his face! GOD I JUST TRY TO PRAY BUT I CAN’T WITHOUT PICTURING HIM AND SEEING HIM EVERYWHERE

I DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW RAOUL HAS THIS HOLD ON ME I CAN’T EVEN FOCUS ON GOD BECAUSE OF ALL THIS SO IT’S USELESS TO TRY TO ESCAPE HIM BECAUSE MY MESSED-UP BRAIN IS JUST GOING TO KEEP THINKING ABOUT HIM ISN’T IT MY GOD I CAN’T HELP IT I WANT TO FORGET HIM SO BADLY BUT MY MIND ALWAYS GOES BACK TO HIM AND I CAN’T HANDLE THIS ANYMORE

*Raoul appears in the back doorway and Valentine sees him.*

ARE YOU KIDDING ME

Please, God, just let me have ONE (1) GOOD DAY????????

God, somewhere: Oh my God, you again? Give it a rest, buddy!

Raoul: Yes…it’s me…look at me, coming here in the middle of the night like I’m a criminal or something…BUT I CAN’T HANDLE THIS ANYMORE I LOVE YOU AND I’M GONNA DIE OF DESPAIR

Valentine: WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY HOUSE

Raoul: I WANT WAFFLE FRIES

Valentine: It’s 1572, those don’t exist yet, and I’m honestly kinda frightened WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME

Raoul: Nothing…only to see you one last time before I DIE

Valentine: WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU’RE GOING TO DIE ALSO SERIOUSLY WHY ARE YOU HERE DID YOU FORGET THAT MY DAD AND/OR MY HUSBAND COULD BE HERE

Raoul: Nope, I’m well aware of that.

Valentine: THEY’RE BOTH STILL REALLY MAD AT YOU AND IF THEY FIND YOU HERE WITH ME THEY’LL KILL YOU SO LEAVE SO YOU DON’T GET KILLED

Raoul: Actually, the part about them finding me here with you and then killing me is my exact plan.

*Footsteps are heard outside.*

Valentine: THERE ARE PEOPLE COMING GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE

Raoul: NOPE I’M STAYING HERE AND I’LL WAIT FOR THEM TO FIND AND KILL ME

Valentine: RAOUL THAT IS LITERALLY THE WORST IDEA OF ALL TIME

*She cracks open the door and looks into the hallway outside.*

RAOUL MY DAD AND MY HUSBAND ARE COMING AND IF THEY FIND YOU HERE I’LL BE DISHONORED AND RUINED FOREVER SO AT LEAST FOR MY SAKE PLEASE HIDE

*She hides Raoul in the closet. In the nick of time too, because almost immediately Nevers and Saint-Bris enter with four other Catholic noblemen.*

Saint-Bris: The Queen Mother has told us all to meet here. We’re all here, so, as she requested, it is now time for me to tell you about these plans, which have been in the making for a long time and which are protected by God!

Valentine: (Huh? I have a bad feeling about this…)

Saint-Bris: Valentine? What are you doing here?

Valentine: …I live here?

Saint-Bris: You. Out. Now.

Nevers: Hold up a second, why does she have to leave? I mean, I have no idea what our plans are beyond “religious matters that the royal family is getting involved in”, but she’s as devout a Catholic as any of us, so there shouldn’t be any issue with her learning about the supreme orders of our Queen Mother and our God!

Saint-Bris: …Fine.

*The nobles, including Nevers, gather around Saint-Bris.*

Do you want to save our country from going through more war?

Nobles: YES WE DO

Saint-Bris: Do you want to strike down the enemies of our government and our faith, enemies that lurk within our country and threaten to destroy our homeland?

Nobles: THAT SOUNDS AWESOME AND WE ARE SO READY TO DO THAT

Saint-Bris: Good! The sword of God’s wrath is now hanging over those very same enemies—within the next day, the Huguenots, every last wicked one of them, will be wiped off the face of the earth.

Valentine: (WAIT WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!)

Nevers: *stunned* But…who condemns them to this?

Saint-Bris: God!

Nobles: GOD!

Nevers: And who’s going to kill them?

Saint-Bris: We are!

Nobles: WE ARE!

Nevers: *horrified* We are? WE ARE???????????

*Saint-Bris looks at Nevers distrustfully and then begins a speech of the distinctly “lofty way of describing unspeakable horrors” kind, conspicuously aiming his words towards Nevers.*

Saint-Bris: In this holy cause, I will obey my God and my King, no questions asked, no misgivings, no fear! Count on my courage; I pledge my word and my faith to you!

Nobles: ALMIGHTY GOD SAVE OUR FAITH!!!! WE OBEY OUR KING!!!!!

Nevers: (WHAT ARE THEY SAYING????? I ONLY PLEDGE MY WORD AND FAITH TO WHAT’S HONORABLE AND GOOD)

Valentine: (How can I stop them? God, strengthen me, give me courage, and have mercy on me! Almighty God, have mercy on us all!)

Saint-Bris: *turning back to the nobles* Can the King count on you?

Nobles: YES HE CAN WE SWEAR IT

Saint-Bris: I’ll be leading you all; can I count on you too?

Nobles: WE WILL FOLLOW YOU

Saint-Bris and Valentine: (What??? Nevers isn’t saying anything!)

Valentine: (What is he going to say? I’m afraid…)

Nevers: *exploding* It’s all fine and good to fight on the battlefield, but NOT TO KILL UNARMED, DEFENSELESS PEOPLE JUST TRYING TO LIVE THEIR LIVES!!! To murder ordinary people in the dead of night, stabbing them with daggers like cowardly, common assassins—that’s not right, and I WILL NOT STAND FOR IT!!!

Saint-Bris: BUT THE KING HAS COMMANDED IT

Nevers: He may command me to, but I will not listen. This is dishonorable in the highest order, and I will not do it! I will not betray myself, my honor, my family, or anything I stand for!

*He gestures to the portraits on the walls.*

You see these portraits of my ancestors? I look at them and I see the glory of my heritage—I count many soldiers, but no assassins! And I’m not about to become the first!

Saint-Bris: So you’re betraying our faith?

Nevers: NO! But I refuse to join in this slaughter! And I will save my sword, the symbol of my nobility and honor, from such gross dishonor! I will not let it be used in this slaughter!

*He breaks his sword over his knee and throws it on the ground.*

Now take it! Here it is! LET GOD JUDGE BETWEEN US

Valentine: THANK YOU FOR BEING A GOOD PERSON FROM THIS MOMENT FORWARD I’M YOURS AND NO LONGER MY FATHER’S anyway come here I have to tell you something—

*Before she’s able to pull him aside and tell him what she was going to tell him [and we never find out what she was going to tell him], the door opens again and a crowd of constables, magistrates, and leaders of the city militia enters.*

Saint-Bris: *pointing to Nevers* Arrest the Comte de Nevers, my son-in-law. Hold him in jail until tomorrow. Until then, all of you will answer to me for him.

Valentine: (May Heaven calm my father’s wrath!)

Saint-Bris and Nobles: IN THIS HOLY CAUSE I WILL OBEY MY GOD AND MY KING NO QUESTIONS ASKED NO MISGIVINGS AND NO FEAR

Valentine: I’M FILLED WITH TERROR AND I CAN’T HANDLE IT GOD HAVE MERCY ON ME

Nevers: My cause is the truly just and holy one! I can and I must stand against this, I must stand up and resist my King!

*Nevers is arrested and led out through the back. Saint-Bris threateningly signals to Valentine that she must leave the room, so she goes into her private apartments but stands at the door, listening. A large group of nobles enters.*

Saint-Bris: You all have shown your devotion to God, our country, and the faithful people of our city by coming here today and answering God’s call. Now, we have a lot of logistics to get through for this operation, so EVERYONE LISTEN UP

Spread out through the city later tonight, when it’s dark and no one else is out. Get on every last street, and make sure that no one hears you. And then, there’ll be a signal—I will tell you about that in a moment—and at that signal, it will all begin!

Everyone Else: WE’LL ALL START AT THE SAME TIME

Saint-Bris: Now, it’s time to talk targets.

*He points to a man in the crowd.*

You, de Besme, and your soldiers will surround the Admiral’s house. LET HIM BE THE FIRST ONE TO DIE ***

Everyone Else: YEAH LET HIM BE THE FIRST ONE TO DIE

Saint-Bris: *pointing to another man in the crowd* Go to the Hôtel de Nesle! All the other Huguenot leaders will be there tonight, throwing a party to celebrate the wedding of Marguérite de Valois and the King of Navarre! ****

Everyone Else: YEAH GO TO THE HÔTEL DE NESLE AND KILL THEM ALL

Saint-Bris: ALRIGHT EVERYONE LISTEN UP THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT

When the bell of Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois rings for the first time, everyone be absolutely silent and very careful, and get your soldiers and weapons ready. *****

*He points to another man in the crowd.*

But you, run through the city and rouse the alarm! I’m counting on you to be discreet so the Huguenots don’t suspect anything!

*He addresses everyone once more.*

And when that holy bell rings for a second time, that will be the true signal! AT THAT SIGNAL OF HEAVEN’S VENGEANCE WE WILL ALL RISE UP AND KILL EVERY LAST HUGUENOT

God, who already hears and blesses you, will lead you! ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS

*He leaves the room for a moment. Valentine pokes her head out the door on the left as everyone gets into place.*

Valentine: OH GOD HOW CAN I HELP HIM HE HAS TO LISTEN TO ALL THIS AND HE CAN’T EVEN GET OUT I WANT TO RUN TO HIS SIDE BUT IT’S WAY TOO RISKY

DEAR GOD THIS IS SO DANGEROUS PLEASE SAVE RAOUL AND LET ME DIE INSTEAD

*She goes back into her apartments. Saint-Bris returns with three monks, who carry baskets filled with white scarves and set them to the side.*

Saint-Bris and the Monks: GLORY BE TO THE GREAT GOD OF VENGEANCE AND TO THE FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN SOLDIER WHO SERVES HIM BY THE SWORD

*All the noblemen and city officials kneel as they draw their swords and daggers.*

Holy weapons, which will soon be soaked with unclean blood, by which God the Most High will strike down His enemies, be blessed!

*The monks bless the weapons.*

Everyone: GLORY BE TO THE GREAT GOD OF VENGEANCE AND TO THE FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN SOLDIER WHO SERVES HIM BY THE SWORD

*Saint-Bris points to two of the items he is wearing: a white scarf tied around one arm and the Cross of Anjou.* ******

Saint-Bris: Let all of us Catholics wear this white scarf and this unblemished cross so we can distinguish ourselves, Heaven’s chosen, from the others!

Saint-Bris and the Monks: SHOW NO MERCY START KILLING AND DON’T STOP KILL EVERYONE WHO FLEES OR TRIES TO HIDE FROM YOU

Everyone Else: STRIKE THEM DOWN

Saint-Bris and the Monks: IF ONE OF THEIR FIGHTERS IS BEGGING YOU FOR THEIR LIFE—

Everyone Else: STRIKE THEM DOWN

Saint-Bris and the Monks: SHOW NO MERCY KILL THEM ALL LET THEM ALL DIE BY THE SWORD AND THE FIRE INCLUDING THE ELDERLY AND THE WOMEN AND THE CHILDREN

ANATHEMA UPON THEM!!!

Everyone: ANATHEMA UPON THEM MAY THEY ALL BE DAMNED IN HELL

Saint-Bris and the Monks: God does not know them!

*Everyone with weapons holds them up, and as if it’s even possible, become more whipped up in the frenzy as they run forward.*

Everyone: GOD WILLS IT GOD COMMANDS IT SHOW MERCY TO NO ONE

GOD WILL GRANT US FORGIVENESS FOR OUR SINS IF WE SERVE HIM BY SLAUGHTERING HIS ENEMIES SO LET THE SWORDS GLEAM AND LET THE HUGUENOTS’ BLOOD FLOW BECAUSE WE WILL BE REWARDED IN HEAVEN FOR DOING THIS

GOD WILLS IT GOD COMMANDS IT SHOW MERCY TO NO ONE AND HE WILL GRANT US FORGIVENESS FOR OUR SINS IF WE SERVE HIM BY SLAUGHTERING HIS ENEMIES

GOD WILLS IT SPARE NO ONE HE WILL FORGIVE US GOD WILLS IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saint-Bris: WAIT EVERYONE SHUT UP I HAVE SUDDENLY REALIZED THAT THERE MAY BE PEOPLE LISTENING IN ON US

A Monk: YEAH EVERYONE WHAT HE SAID SHUT UP

Saint-Bris: MAKE SURE NO ONE BETRAYS US

A Monk: WHAT HE SAID

Saint-Bris and the Monks: Let’s all leave without making any noise! But first…

*The monks signal for everyone to kneel and then bless them. The people rise after they have been blessed by the monks.*

Everyone: IN THIS HOLY CAUSE I WILL OBEY MY GOD AND MY KING NO QUESTIONS ASKED, NO MISGIVINGS, AND NO FEAR!!! COUNT ON MY COURAGE I PLEDGE MY WORD AND MY FAITH TO YOU

alright everyone now we really need to be quiet but we’ll start at midnight! don’t make any noise! make sure nothing betrays us and that they don’t find out about this! let’s go! but first…

*Despite having literally just said they need to be quiet, they choose to scream the next three words as loudly as possible.*

GOD WILLS IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

alright everyone we start at midnight! see you then!

*Everyone leaves. Raoul cautiously lifts the tapestry to make sure everyone has gone and then runs to the door at the back, but stops when he hears it being locked from outside. Valentine comes in through the door on the left.*

Valentine: WHERE ARE YOU GOING

*She tries to stop him.*

ANSWER ME RAOUL

Raoul: Where am I going?…I have to go help my brethren! I HAVE TO WARN THEM ABOUT THIS SO WE CAN STOP THEM FROM KILLING US ALL

Valentine: DO YOU WANT TO KILL MY FATHER AND MY HUSBAND???

Raoul: I MUST PUNISH MURDERERS

Valentine: But…it’s useless…they’re armed in the name of God—

Raoul: DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT

Valentine: I DON’T KNOW THIS IS JUST REALLY MESSED UP

Raoul: And this is the God that your religion worships! A God who orders you to massacre your fellow human beings, your fellow Frenchmen!

Valentine: DON’T BLASPHEME GOD IS MERCIFUL AND CARES ABOUT YOU HE WANTS YOU TO LIVE

*Raoul tries to find a way out of the room.*

DON’T LEAVE

Raoul: BUT I HAVE TO

Valentine: YOU’RE GOING TO GET YOURSELF KILLED

Raoul: BUT I’LL BE BETRAYING MY HONOR AND MY FRIENDS IF I STAY HERE

Every second, our destruction is coming closer, time is running out—just let me leave!

Valentine: BUT YOU’LL BE DEFENSELESS OUT THERE AND THEY’LL KILL YOU DON’T LEAVE RAOUL

Raoul: Valentine…

Valentine: YOU’RE THE ONLY GOOD THING IN MY LIFE

Raoul: THEY’RE ABOUT TO KILL ALL MY BRETHREN

Valentine: IF YOU GO I’LL DIE

Raoul: THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT PRIORITIES HERE PLEASE JUST LET ME LEAVE

Valentine: I am going to figure out how to get you to stay here!

Raoul: I HAVE TO LEAVE YOU MY HONOR DEMANDS IT

Valentine: RAOUL PLEASE FOR MERCY’S SAKE JUST LISTEN TO ME

Raoul: I HAVE TO LEAVE

*Raoul frees himself from Valentine’s arms and runs toward the door (even though it’s locked), but she follows and stops him.*

Valentine: SO HELP ME GOD YOU ARE NOT GOING TO STEP OVER THAT THRESHOLD I WON’T LET YOU

Raoul: Don’t you know…I’m guilty of sin just by being here alone with you, listening to you?

Valentine: YOU DON’T THINK THAT I KNOW THAT??? But I do it anyway, because at this moment I only see you, and my only thought is that your life is in grave danger!

Stay here, Raoul! Since you love me, if nothing else, I’m begging you, stay here for my sake…IF YOU DIE THEN I’LL DIE TOO STAY HERE!!!!!!!!!

*She starts sobbing.*

Stay here—I love you!

Raoul: You love me? You love me??? YOU LOVE ME????????

WHAT RAPTURE AND BLISS IT’S AS IF YOUR WORDS CAME FROM HEAVEN ITSELF I CAN DIE HAPPY AT YOUR FEET RIGHT NOW

Valentine: …shit. Did I really just say that?!

Raoul: *ecstatic* You said it…YOU SAID IT!!!

You said it—you love me! It’s like a star has begun to shine in the darkness of my life…I’m reborn, this is the pure air of heaven itself…There, forever, forgetting, forgotten…You said it—you love me!

Valentine: OH GOD WHAT HAVE I DONE

Raoul: Speak again, make this moment last even longer, it feels like a dream, an indescribable dream…if it is a dream, let me never wake up!

Valentine: WHAT HAVE I DONE

Raoul: SPEAK AGAIN AND MAKE THIS MOMENT LAST LONGER IF IT’S A DREAM I NEVER WANT TO WAKE UP AGAIN

Valentine: OH GOD THE HOUR HAS STRUCK IT’S DEATH AND THERE’S NO FUTURE

Raoul: IF THIS JOY I FEEL IS A DREAM LET ME NEVER WAKE UP YOU SAID IT YOU LOVE ME

Valentine: DEATH HAS COME THE HOUR IS STRUCK THERE’S NO MORE FUTURE

Raoul: Night of love…

Valentine: Night of death!

Raoul: I HAVE A GREAT IDEA LET’S ESCAPE PARIS TOGETHER AND RUN AWAY WITH EACH OTHER

Valentine: NO THAT’S A TERRIBLE IDEA AND I’M TERRIFIED

Raoul: YOU SAID IT YOU LOVE ME

*He tenderly draws her toward the door.*

Come…let’s run away…

Valentine: No…stay here…

Raoul: Come…let’s run away…

Valentine: No…stay here…

Raoul: Come! Come!

*In the distance, the bell of Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois tolls for the first time. Raoul remains lost in the moment.*

Do you hear that?

Valentine: IT’S MAKING MY BLOOD RUN COLD

Raoul: It’s a cry of rage, rising from the darkness…

*He puts a hand to his face as if waking from a dream.*

Wait a second, where was I?

Valentine: You were by my side, Raoul!

Raoul: OH FUCK NOW I REMEMBER THAT BELL IS THE SIGNAL FOR THE MASSACRE NO NO NO

*He frees himself from Valentine’s embrace.*

NO MORE LOVE OR ECSTATIC BLISS I HAVE MASSIVELY FUCKED UP BY STAYING HERE WITH YOU I CAN SEE MY BRETHREN BEING SLAUGHTERED BEFORE MY VERY EYES MY FRIENDS NEED ME SO I CAN’T STAY HERE AND LISTEN TO YOU ANYMORE

I HAVE TO GO DEFEND THEM OR DIE WITH THEM

Valentine: YOU’RE JUST GOING TO COMPLETELY IGNORE OUR LOVE AND RUN OFF TO GET YOURSELF KILLED??? OVER MY DEAD BODY!!!

Raoul: NO MORE LOVE OR ECSTATIC BLISS I HAVE MASSIVELY FUCKED UP BY STAYING HERE WITH YOU

Valentine: RAOUL I THINK YOU’RE LOSING YOUR MIND WHY ARE YOU COMPLETELY IGNORING ME I’M TRYING TO MAKE SURE YOU DON’T DIE I’M ALSO GOING THROUGH A LOT OF SHIT WITH ALL THIS AND BESIDES YOU CAN’T DEFEND YOURSELF FROM THE POWER OF TRUE LOVE

Raoul: I CAN SEE MY BRETHREN BEING SLAUGHTERED BEFORE MY VERY EYES MY FRIENDS NEED ME SO I CAN’T STAY HERE AND LISTEN TO YOU ANYMORE I HAVE TO GO DEFEND THEM OR DIE WITH THEM

Valentine: RAOUL AT LEAST LISTEN TO ME OR ELSE I’LL DIE RIGHT HERE AT YOUR FEET

*The bell of Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois tolls for the second time. Valentine throws her arms around Raoul in an attempt to restrain him. The Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre begins.*

Raoul: THE END HAS COME THE HOUR HAS STRUCK HEAVEN WILLS THAT I MUST DIE AND MY FRIENDS NEED ME SO I HAVE TO GO DEFEND THEM

Valentine: *as if about to lose her mind* NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Raoul: YOU’RE TRYING TO STOP ME BUT SO HELP ME GOD I AM GETTING OUT OF HERE

Valentine: I’M NOT LEAVING YOU

Raoul: GOD GIVE ME COURAGE

Valentine: HERE JUST GO AHEAD AND STAB ME TO DEATH

*Raoul drags Valentine to the window.*

Raoul: LOOK LOOK SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING OUTSIDE SEE THOSE BLEEDING CORPSES

*Valentine finally realizes the true extent of what is happening.*

Valentine: OH GOD I’M LOSING MY MIND THIS IS ABSOLUTELY MONSTROUS AND EVIL

Raoul…they’ll kill you…have mercy…I feel like I’m dying…

*She faints.*

Raoul: VALENTINE WAKE UP I DON’T LIKE THIS VALENTINE WAKE UP!!! HEY, HELLO???

What should I do?…This is all just so terrible…Can I still resist her tears?

*The bell begins to ring again.*

NO I HAVE TO LEAVE

*Valentine begins to regain consciousness.*

MERCIFUL GOD PROTECT HER *******

*He jumps out the window to the street below. Valentine screams and faints a second time.*

Notes

Act V: **

Scene 1: ***

Shortly after midnight, August 24, the grand ballroom of the Hôtel de Nesle [one of the previously-named targets]. The Huguenot nobles have all gathered to throw a party for the celebration of Henri and Marguérite’s wedding. Much dancing ensues. Henri and Marguérite briefly appear with their royal entourage, including Urbain, and are greeted by the Huguenots before they leave. The bell of Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois rings repeatedly, but the Huguenots, unaware of what is happening outside, continue dancing until a loud noise is suddenly heard outside. Raoul rushes in, pale, disheveled, and covered in blood.

Raoul: TO ARMS EVERYONE THEY’RE SLAUGHTERING ALL THE HUGUENOTS AND THE FAR BANK OF THE SEINE IS OVERFLOWING WITH BLOOD AND THE GANGS OF HIRED ASSASSINS WILL BE HERE TO KILL US AT ANY MOMENT NOW

By the light of their torches, I saw soldiers running everywhere to slaughter us all, all in a frenzy…and in the darkness they were screaming “STRIKE THEM DOWN! GOD HAS CONDEMNED THEM!!!”

I saw unarmed warriors be murdered in the street…and the Catholics attacked Coligny’s house! With a thirst for vengeance in whatever hearts they may have had and with their cowardly daggers, they stabbed him to death—a thousand blows!

*He gestures to his clothes.*

HERE IS COLIGNY’S BLOOD

Huguenot Nobles: OH GOD THAT’S HIS BLOOD

Raoul: WHAT A MONSTROUS CRIME IT’S UNHEARD OF

Huguenot Nobles: THIS IS COMPLETELY UNHEARD OF WHAT A HORRIBLE CRIME ****

Raoul: …But we will not go down without a fight! VENGEANCE!!! IN COLIGNY’S NAME, VENGEANCE!!!

LET’S GET OUR WEAPONS AND FIGHT BACK AND GO TO THE DEFENSE OF OUR MARTYRS AND HEROES

Huguenot Nobles: LET’S GO

Raoul: WAR FOR WAR LET’S AVENGE THE SLAUGHTER OF OUR BRETHREN WITH THE BLOOD OF THEIR MURDERERS

Huguenot Nobles: THIS MEANS WAR

Raoul: LET’S GET OUR WEAPONS AND FIGHT BACK AND GO TO THE DEFENSE OF OUR MARTYRS AND HEROES

Huguenot Nobles: YES LET’S DO IT

Raoul: WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS SITTING DOWN WE WILL FIGHT BACK AND AVENGE THIS MASSACRE

Raoul and Huguenot Nobles: YES LET’S GO GET REVENGE AND HELP DEFEND EACH OTHER AND WE’LL DIE TRYING IF NEED BE

*Raoul and the other men draw their swords. Everyone runs out of the Hôtel through every possible exit.*

Scene 2:

Shortly after the previous scene. A cemetery on the outskirts of Paris, with a Huguenot church in the background. Bullets have shattered some of the glass in the church windows. On the left is a door leading to the interior of the church; on the right is a gate that overlooks a crossroads. A group of Protestants, led by Marcel, hurriedly builds a barricade to protect the area. Marcel, who has been wounded, helps everyone else get inside the church and then frantically begins to search the area for Raoul, who appears soon after.

Raoul: MARCEL IT’S YOU I THOUGHT I RECOGNIZED YOU THANK GOD YOU’RE ALIVE

Marcel: MY GOOD MASTER RAOUL THANK GOD I GET TO SEE YOU AGAIN

Raoul: YOU WERE WOUNDED?!?!?!

Marcel: What does it matter?

Raoul: I WILL AVENGE THIS

Marcel: You really think you’ll be able to? We’re surrounded on all sides by the Catholics. This church is the only Huguenot church in all of Paris that they haven’t taken yet. This is our last refuge. The women, the children, all the defenseless are inside the church right now, waiting for death.

I know you want to be the hero, Raoul, but try as we may, there’s nothing we can do to stop this. All we can do now is share their death.

*They turn to go into the church, but Valentine, disheveled and out of breath, runs in with a white scarf on her arm and two more in hand.*

Valentine: WHERE ARE YOU GOING

Raoul: TO GLORY

Marcel: TO MARTYRDOM

Valentine: NO YOU’RE NOT GOING TO DIE GOD HAS INSPIRED ME AND HAS GUIDED ME TO YOU SO I CAN SAVE YOU

Raoul: WAIT DO YOU ACTUALLY HAVE A WAY TO SAVE US

Valentine: Yes!

*She hands them the extra scarves.*

Tie these white scarves onto your arms. The soldiers will let you through their lines and you’ll have safe passage all the way to the Louvre! Thankfully, I did a little extra planning just a bit ago and I got the Queen Mother to agree to let you be spared, if you want… *****

Raoul: Hold up. Is there a catch?

Valentine: …Yeah. You kinda sorta have to convert to Catholicism once you get there.

*Raoul and Marcel throw the scarves down.*

Raoul: NOPE NEVER I’M NOT BETRAYING MY FAITH IF I DID AS YOU ASKED I WOULD BE DISHONORED AND I STILL COULDN’T EVEN BE WITH YOU EVERYTHING KEEPS US APART AND ALSO YOU’RE MARRIED TO SOMEONE ELSE

Valentine: Actually, about that…let’s just say I can love you now without it being a sin.

Raoul: Wait, what?

Marcel: I hadn’t gotten the chance to tell you yet, but the only reason I’m not dead right now is because Nevers, that truly noble warrior, saved my life from a Catholic attack! He was so brave…and the Catholics murdered him! He is dead, God rest his soul.

Raoul [and also probably about half the audience]: WAIT NEVERS IS DEAD??? ******

Valentine: WE DON’T HAVE TIME TO TALK ABOUT THIS WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE

Raoul: Duty…love…what am I supposed to do? I CAN’T CHOOSE

Marcel: RAOUL FOR CRYING OUT LOUD

Raoul: Marcel…can’t you see that I actually have a chance of having a future, a life full of happiness with the woman I love?

Marcel: Can’t you see the hand of God that is stopping you?

Valentine: COME ON LET’S GO

Raoul: NOPE I’M STAYING HERE WITH MARCEL AND WE’RE GOING TO DIE FOR OUR FAITH

Valentine: SO, THEN, I’LL HAVE TO WATCH YOU DIE???

I’ll have to endure exile, without you, on this earth where we have suffered, where we have loved? Me staying here without you—YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT?!?!?!

GOOD LORD NONE OF YOU MEN UNDERSTAND WHAT TRUE LOVE IS SO VERY WELL THEN I AM A WOMAN AND I WILL SHOW YOU WHAT TRUE LOVE IS

When we are so, so close to being together, you want to escape me through death? NOPE THAT IS NOT HAPPENING NOT ON MY WATCH I DON’T KNOW IF I’LL BE RISKING MY SOUL BUT COME HEAVEN OR HELL NO MATTER WHAT I’M NEVER LEAVING YOU AGAIN

EVERYTHING HAS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN AND I DON’T RECOGNIZE ANYTHING ANYMORE

You curse my faith…I embrace yours!

Now God can act in accordance with His will—we will be together on earth and in eternity!

WE’LL BE UNITED TOGETHER FOREVER ON EARTH AND IN ETERNITY

*She takes off her scarf, throws herself into Raoul’s arms, and bursts into tears.*

Raoul: OH MY GOD THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER

Marcel: (The Lord has shed His light upon her!)

Valentine: My faith is yours, my faith in God remains the same—but they will damn me for converting! Marcel, you’re a true father to me, bless us both in my new faith!

Raoul: There are no ministers here, and you’re the only other person I’d trust with uniting us in the sight of God.

Marcel: You don’t even have to ask—the answer is YES! I ACCEPT THIS HOLY TASK WITH THE GREATEST JOY

Let your old servant be your minister today!

*The refugees begin to sing their hymn in the church.*

Huguenot Refugees: O Lord, You are the strength and only support…

Marcel: Listen! The martyrs of the faith are praying…

Huguenot Refugees: …of we defenseless souls who implore You…

Marcel: …and they sing the praises of the Lord…

Huguenot Refugees: …as the eternal tempter arms himself against us today!

Marcel: …while awaiting death!

Huguenot Refugees: Come save us once more!

Marcel: You two, here in this place of sorrow…answer as if you were before God!

*Raoul and Valentine kneel before Marcel, who silently prays before beginning the ceremony.*

Do you know that by joining your hands here, I am blessing a farewell, a marriage that will only be fulfilled in death?

Raoul and Valentine: We know that we will only be united in Heaven.

Marcel: Have you cast aside everything tying you to this earth, any hopes you may have had for this life? Does faith alone live on in your hearts?

Raoul and Valentine: Yes, at last faith reigns peacefully in our hearts!

Marcel: Will you be able to look death in the face without trembling in fear? And whether you’ve lived in the faith all your life or this is your first day, will you have courage and not deny your faith…even in the face of martyrdom?

Raoul and Valentine: God gives us courage by giving us love!

*Marcel blesses Raoul and Valentine as the Huguenot refugees inside the church begin to sing again.*

Huguenot Refugees: O Lord, You are the strength and only support of we defenseless souls who impl—

*At this moment, the singing is suddenly cut off as the Catholic soldiers break into and barricade the church from inside so no one else can get in or out. Loud shouts and the sound of weapons are heard from inside; torches and weapons become visible through the church windows. The Catholics have begun their assault on the church.*

Catholic Soldiers: RECANT OR DIE HEAVEN COMMANDS IT YOUR TIME HAS COME SO RECANT OR DIE GOD WILLS IT

Huguenot Refugees: NO!!!

*Valentine rushes over to the windows and peers inside.*

Valentine: THESE ARE WOMEN AND CHILDREN!!! I KNOW YOU CAN’T HEAR ME BUT STOP IT YOU MONSTERS OH GOD THEY’RE KILLING EVERYONE

Huguenot Refugees: *singing their hymn* NO!!! GOD, DEFEND US!!!

*A round of shooting is heard from inside the church.*

Valentine: THEY’RE STILL SINGING

Raoul and Marcel: THEY’RE STILL SINGING

Catholic Soldiers: WE MEAN IT RECANT OR DIE HEAVEN COMMANDS IT YOUR TIME HAS COME SO RECANT OR DIE GOD WILLS IT

Huguenot Refugees: NO!!! NO!!!!!!!!

Valentine: THEY’RE KILLING THESE PEOPLE WHILE THEY’RE PRAYING OH GOD THEY’RE EVEN KILLING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE OLD AND SICK THEY’RE KILLING EVERYONE

Huguenot Refugees: *singing their hymn* NO!!! WE WON’T RECANT!!! GOD, DEFEND US!!!

*A second round of shooting is heard from inside the church. The Catholics and Huguenots continue screaming and singing inside the church as the former group gradually shoots down the latter.*

Valentine: THEY’RE STILL SINGING

Raoul and Marcel: THEY’RE STILL SINGING

*Valentine, in desperation, falls to her knees and begins to pray.*

Valentine: GOD YOU CAN DO ANYTHING SO HELP THEM…

Catholic Soldiers: RECANT YOU HERETICS

*A third round of shooting is heard from inside the church. After that, it is silent.*

Valentine: Our prayers are in vain…

Marcel: They sing no more.

*Raoul, Valentine, and Marcel all go completely silent, realizing what this means, and they put their heads in their hands and begin to weep. Suddenly, Marcel rises, his face beaming with rapture.*

LOOK! LOOK!!!!!!!!!!

LOOK HEAVEN HAS OPENED ITSELF UP AND IT IS SHINING GLORY TO GOD THE DIVINE TRUMPET HAS SOUNDED

Raoul and Valentine: (Look, his face is shining with light…)

Marcel: AND THE ANGELS ARE PLAYING A MATCH TO LEAD THE SOULS OF THE MARTYRS TO GOD

Raoul and Valentine: (His head is crowned with lightning! And his voice echoes through space—it’s like he’s one of God’s archangels!)

Marcel: These harps that I hear…

Raoul and Valentine: WE’RE WATCHING AND LISTENING

Marcel: …are showing me the way!

Raoul and Valentine: HE’S SHOWING US THE WAY

Raoul, Valentine, and Marcel: I’M FLYING THERE MYSELF THIS IS SUPREME BLISS

SWEET DEATH HOW I LOVE YOU FAREWELL TO THIS WORLD OF TEARS AND GRIEF

*A round of shooting is heard outside the cemetery gate. A group of soldiers tries to force the gate open but it does not budge. Some of the soldiers leave to get reinforcements.*

Catholic Soldiers: RECANT OR DIE HEAVEN COMMANDS IT AND GOD WILLS IT

Valentine, then Raoul and Marcel: NO!!! I’M NOT AFRAID OF YOU BESIDES NOTHING MORTAL REMAINS IN US

Catholic Soldiers: RECANT OR ELSE

Marcel: LOOK HEAVEN IS SHINING THE DIVINE TRUMPET HAS SOUNDED

Marcel, then Raoul and Valentine: GLORY TO GOD

Catholic Soldiers: (THEY’RE NOT AFRAID?!?!?!)

*The soldiers smash the gate in and swarm the cemetery.*

Raoul and Valentine: LOOK HIS FACE IS SHINING YOU COULD SAY HE’S AN ARCHANGEL

Marcel: THE ANGELS ARE LEADING THE MARTYRS’ SOULS TO GOD

Catholic Soldiers: RECANT HUGUENOTS RECANT OR DIE

Raoul, Valentine, and Marcel: WE’RE NOT AFRAID OF YOU AT ALL

*The soldiers offer them white scarves and Crosses of Anjou.*

Catholic Soldiers: RECANT!!!!!

Raoul, Valentine, and Marcel: ABSOLUTELY NOT HAPPENING

*The trio join hands and slowly walk forward, offering themselves to their would-be murderers. The Catholic soldiers involuntarily recoil, stunned at their sheer courage.*

HOSANNA DEATH I LOVE YOU HOSANNA FAREWELL TO THIS WORLD COME DEATH I LOVE YOU GO AHEAD AND STRIKE US DOWN

Catholic Soldiers: RECANT GOD WILLS IT RECANT OR ELSE YOU’LL DIE

Raoul, Valentine, and Marcel: HOSANNA COME DEATH FAREWELL WORLD

*Enraged, the soldiers surround Raoul, Valentine, and Marcel, separating them by force.*

Catholic Soldiers: RECANT OR DIE

Raoul, Valentine, and Marcel: WE’RE NOT AFRAID OF YOU GO AHEAD STRIKE US DOWN

Catholic Soldiers: DO YOU RECANT????????

Raoul, Valentine, and Marcel: NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*Raoul and Valentine manage to break free from the soldiers and run into each other’s arms, but the soldiers separate them again.*

FAREWELL WORLD

Catholic Soldiers: FINE YOU’LL DIE THEN

*The soldiers drag Raoul, Valentine, and Marcel through the remains of the gate. The moment they enter the crossroads, there is another round of shooting.*

Scene 3: *******

Just after the previous scene. A quay by the Seine; the sky is filled with stars. Bells ring in the distance as another band of Catholic soldiers sweeps the area.

Catholic Soldiers: LET US WIPE OUT THE HUGUENOTS WITH FIRE AND SWORD NO MERCY BECAUSE NONE OF THEM ARE INNOCENT AND ALL OF THEM MUST DIE

SOLDIERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH LET US HUNT DOWN AND KILL ALL THE HERETICS

*Valentine and Marcel rush in with Raoul, who has been mortally wounded.*

GOD WILLS IT GOD WANTS THEIR BLOOD

*Saint-Bris enters from the opposite direction with several of his men.*

Saint-Bris: WHO GOES THERE

Valentine: Raoul, for mercy’s sake, don’t say any—

Raoul: I AM A HUGUENOT

Valentine and Marcel: SO ARE WE

Saint-Bris: SHOOT THEM IN THE NAME OF THE KING

*The soldiers shoot Raoul, Valentine, and Marcel. Raoul and Marcel are instantly killed. Valentine is mortally wounded. Saint-Bris steps forward to take a closer look, and then…*

Saint-Bris: Ah—what do I see here…?

MY DAUGHTER?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

*Valentine just barely manages to lift herself up.*

Valentine: Yes, it’s me! I go to pray for your soul…I’m going to pray for you!

*She dies.*

Urbain: *in the distance* MAKE WAY FOR THE QUEEN OF NAVARRE

Catholic Soldiers: LET US WIPE OUT THE HUGUENOTS WITH FIRE AND SWORD AND LET’S HUNT DOWN AND KILL ALL THE HERETICS

*Marguérite and her entourage (including Urbain), enter on their way back to the Louvre.*

GOD WILLS IT!!!!!!!!!!! GOD WANTS THEIR BLOOD!!!!!!!!!! YES, GOD WANTS THEIR BLOOD!!!!!!!

*Marguérite stops, horrified at the sight of the massacred Huguenots, and tries to stop the soldiers, but they ignore her. She sees Valentine’s corpse and screams in despair.

The Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre continues.*

THE END

Notes and Appendix

One Final Note:

If you are reading this, then in Paris time it is at or past midnight on August 24, 2022.

August 24, 2022, is the 450th anniversary of the beginning of what has become known as La Saint-Barthélémy, also known as the Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre.

The first night of the Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, the night which ends our story here, was really only the beginning. In the end, the Massacre took the lives of tens of thousands (estimates as to exactly how many tens of thousands vary, and range up to one hundred thousand [100,000] slaughtered, but you get the point) of Huguenots in the late summer and early fall of 1572.

The author would thus like to dedicate this Opera Simplified, and in particular the last two acts, to not only all the victims both known and unknown of the Massacre, but to all victims of genocide and all victims of other acts born of hatred and bigotry, particularly on the basis of religion.

May they all rest in peace, and may atrocities like this never happen—or be allowed to happen—again.

[opera-simplified]

Opera Simplified #7: Les Huguenots—Notes for Act V and an Appendix!

Notes:

** For some bizarre reason (possibly a combination of length and the fact that this act does not portray the Catholic Church in a good light at all), it was surprisingly common performance practice for a very long time (although not anymore) that this act would be cut entirely and the opera would end with Raoul getting shot outside Valentine’s house at the end of Act IV. If you’re scratching your head too...yeah.

*** Partly because this scene is often seen as not really necessary for the main plot and partly because it primarily consists of an extremely difficult tenor aria, this scene is frequently cut.

**** The version of the aria given in the main text is the version commonly performed; due to a combination of cuts and censorship of anti-monarchical content, the aria here is much shorter than originally written. Below is an English translation of what was to have been an additional verse of the aria and would have been inserted after this line:

RAOUL

When he [Coligny] was alive, they did not dare look upon

this noble face honored by victory without paling—

and in death, they insulted him!

Friends, here is his blood!

Do you still doubt?

And these are Frenchmen!

And these are Christians

who claim their support from Heaven and the royal throne for this!

Roving and full of fury, cursing their torture,

I ran to the Louvre, running through the danger,

to plead with King Charles! What a crime! May he be cursed!…

I saw the King himself shoot down his [Huguenot] subjects,

whom he is supposed to protect, from the top of his balcony!

Everywhere, murder and fire!

Everywhere, furious priests

proclaiming the wrath of Heaven!

And alas, no one, not even

the young girl in prayer

or the baby at its mother’s breast,

escapes their blows!

Will we helplessly watch this blood flow

when it cries out for vengeance?

It is waiting to be avenged! And they will have that vengeance from us!

***** The Louvre Palace was the royal palace of France prior to the building of the Palace of Versailles. It did give its name to the art museum now partially housed within it, but to be clear, Valentine is not telling them to take refuge at an art museum.

****** Props to Olivier Py (director of La Monnaie De Munt’s 2011 production) for apparently being the only director with enough common sense to let Nevers die onstage.

******* The ending of the previous scene is often modified so that this and the previous scene take place in the same setting.

Appendix:

so as you may have guessed, there was a shitton of research and online articles and things used in the making of this very long, very detailed project!

the following are some of the resources used in the making of this Opera Simplified:

-Wikipedia

-Google Translate

-Collins French-English online dictionary

-Wiktionary

-five (5) different libretti:

Google Books previews of Giacomo Meyerbeer: The Complete Libretti

Nico Castel’s word-for-word English translation

this webpage of Eugène Scribe’s original libretto before Deschamps (and others) made changes to it

this French/Spanish libretto

and this French/Italian libretto

-a piano/vocal score and a full orchestral score both available on IMSLP

-this delightful post from my dear @monotonous-minutia

-this post i wrote over two years ago

[opera-simplified]

Opera Simplified #7: Les Huguenots—Notes, Act IV

** This aria (not including the recitative, which was always kept in) was cut before the premiere. It is now pretty much always reinstated because come on, you’re going to put on a four-hour opera and NOT give the leading lady an aria??? And it’s quite a lovely aria too.

*** de Besme, real name Charles Dianovitz, was an assistant of the Catholic leader Henry I, Duke of Guise. Of Bohemian (as in “present-day Czech”) origin, he is recorded as being the assassin of Admiral Coligny.

**** The Hôtel de Nesle was a mansion on the outer edge of Paris. Built around the Tour de Nesle, a 13th-century guard tower, the Hôtel was torn down in 1665. (There is apparently a currently operational hotel also called the Hôtel de Nesle; presumably there is no connection beyond the name.)

The wedding of Henri de Bourbon, the Huguenot King of Navarre, and Marguérite de Valois, the Catholic Princess of France, took place on August 18, 1572. However, as we all know, royal weddings are not simple affairs but ARE widely and lavishly celebrated. As such, thousands of Catholics and Protestants poured into Paris in the weeks prior to the wedding, leading to rapidly increasing tension between the faiths. In addition, both parties remained in the city for several days afterwards to continue celebrations such as this one.

This would prove fatal.

***** Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois is a Catholic church located directly across from the Louvre Palace, which was the royal palace at the time this opera takes place. And in fact, the bell of Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois was actually the signal for the beginning of the massacre in real life.

****** Known now as the Cross of Lorraine, the Cross of Anjou was a double-barred cross associated with the (Catholic) Valois family. As anyone who has been following the historical part of this Opera Simplified will realize, the dowager royal family consisted of a marriage between King Henri II de Valois and Caterina de Medici, aka Catherine de Médicis, making all their children, including King Charles IX and his sister Marguérite de Valois, descendants of both families.

******* This line is sometimes altered slightly and given to both Raoul and Valentine.

[opera-simplified]

Opera Simplified #7: Les Huguenots—Notes, Act III

** Note: this act was originally supposed to be prefaced with a brief introductory scene taking place inside the Saint-Bris house on the morning of the same day, although the scene was cut prior to the premiere and to my knowledge has never been performed.

In the scene, Valentine inadvertently witnesses her father and Maurevert (whom you’ll meet in just a bit) unsuccessfully attempt to assassinate Admiral Coligny (see notes for Act I) while she is being dressed for her wedding. The two would-be assassins return to the house and Saint-Bris yells at Maurevert for a bit before the latter leaves and then Valentine begs him not to make her marry Nevers. This goes over about as well as you think it does.

*** At the time this opera is set, the Pré-aux-Clercs was a notoriously popular place for duels, and by the 19th century this had captured the public imagination. So much so that just four years before the premiere of Huguenots, Ferdinand Hérold had written a wildly popular opéra comique about the French Wars of Religion and dueling at the time called Le Pré-aux-Clercs. Unlike Les Huguenots, it is a comedy. (Coincidentally or not, Marguérite de Valois is also a character in that opera, which is set in 1582, ten years after the events on which the opera under current discussion is based.)

**** “Dieu le veut!” (“God wills it!”). This is the first instance of that phrase in the opera. Keep it in the back of your head. Those will be the watchwords for the remainder of the opera.

***** The assignment of these lines differs between different libretti, scores, and performances. However, given that Maurevert was the one to initially hint at plans being made, I have decided to assign these lines as what makes the most sense when taking that into consideration.

****** The following solo scene for Marcel was cut before the premiere and no part of it was performed until 2011. The scene has still never been performed in its entirety in performance; the linked audio clip cuts about half the scene. However, because I like this scene and because I have all the text for it, I have decided to include it in its entirety. If you would like to experience this how most performances go, skip this section and go straight to Valentine’s next entrance.

******* This is presumably a reference to Genesis 44, in which Benjamin, the youngest of Jacob’s 12 sons, is the victim of a trap set by Joseph in order to test his once-wicked brothers. However, the reference is presumably simply about being the unknowing victim of a trap; the scheme in this opera is considerably less benign than Joseph’s test.

******** Note: The four seconds are initially unnamed in the libretto but are later identified as Tavannes, Cossé, de Retz, and Méru. The librettists made a mistake here: obviously, Tavannes, Cossé, de Retz, and Méru are all Catholic noblemen, and thus it would be exceedingly unlikely that Raoul could have gotten any of them to be his seconds. The usual resolution is to either ignore that part of this stage direction or (and I like this better) for two of the nobles to pretend to offer themselves as Raoul’s seconds in order to lull him into a false sense of security. My additional headcanon is that the four nobles played round-robin rock paper scissors in order to decide who had to pretend to be Raoul’s seconds.

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Opera Simplified #7: Les Huguenots—Notes, Act II

** The aria that Urbain sings here, “Non, vous n’avais jamais, je gage” was not written until 1848 for a London production of the opera. Some productions include it, others do not. However, it was in the first production I watched and also it’s just such a fun aria and should always be done, so I have chosen to include it in the main body of the text.

*** Basically what you need to know about the Midianites in this context was that in the book of Numbers, Midianite and Moabite women allegedly caused many of the Israelite men to commit idolatry and various sexual sins. Numbers chapters 25 and 31 cover the bulk of it. Ah, sexism.

**** *narrator voice* it was not in fact a fussy not-actually-important bureaucratic thing or other. keep a pin in this; it will be important later.

(also why the fuck is bureaucratic so hard to spell lmao)

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Opera Simplified #7: Les Huguenots—Notes, Act I

** Two things:

the overture (or really more of a prelude) here is not the overture Meyerbeer originally wrote, which was apparently more in a traditional overture style and was cut and replaced with this one; however, no recording has been made of the original overture, so I cannot include it here.

more important to know about this overture: yes, the tune here IS “Ein feste Bürg ist unser Gott” (“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”), a hymn by the one, the only Martin Luther. keep the tune in the back of your head because Meyerbeer uses it as a motif throughout the opera. Yes, it is a Lutheran hymn. Yes, the vast majority of Huguenots were Calvinists. Just roll with it.

*** Admiral Gaspard II de Coligny (1519-1572) was a prominent French nobleman who converted to Protestantism in the late 1550s.

In 1562, the first of the French Wars of Religion broke out and Coligny served as a lieutenant under the Huguenot military general Louis, Prince of Condé. After Condé was executed by Catholics following his defeat, surrender, and capture at the Battle of Jarnac in 1569, Coligny became the de facto leader of the Huguenots. Well liked by King Charles IX of France, he was a voice in the French government on behalf of the Huguenots and of peace. However, this, along with (obviously) his Protestantism, made him many enemies at court.

**** As previously mentioned, Henri de Bourbon was the young Protestant King of Navarre at the time this opera takes place and was about to marry to Marguérite de Valois. Thus, it is a favor to the incoming court to have good relations with Protestant nobles.

***** This hymn, which will recur in different forms throughout the opera, is the first appearance in the opera of the previously-mentioned “Ein feste Bürg”, although in French and obviously not a 100% literal translation.

****** La Rochelle is a seaport in western France (and according to early letters by Meyerbeer, Raoul and Marcel’s hometown). During the French Wars of Religion, it was one of the Huguenots’ chief strongholds, and it declared itself independent from France in 1568. The city was famously sieged several times, most notably for about nine months in the immediate aftermath of the Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. However, the conflict being referenced here is presumably a Catholic naval blockade of the city that took place in 1571, which was fiercely resisted by Huguenot forces and the city’s inhabitants.

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Opera Simplified #7: Les Huguenots—Before You Go, Some Geographical and Historical Context:

AKA What You Need To Know About The French Wars of Religion:

-If you know anything about 16th century Europe, it’s that the girls (Catholics and Protestants) were FIGHTINGGGG.

-France was no exception.

-Protestantism found its way to France in the 1520s and quickly became popular among nobles, merchants, and ordinary folks alike for various reasons that I will not get into right now because I’m trying to keep this short and also it’s 2 AM when I’m writing this.

-By the time the opera takes place, about 10% of the French population was Protestant, the vast majority of them Calvinists.

-the French Protestants were given the collective nickname Huguenots. Thus the title of the opera.

-anyway-

-Following the sudden death of Henri II de Valois, King of France, in 1559, a series of power struggles began over the royalty and court influence, especially given that increasing numbers of nobles were converting to Protestantism. in 1561, the government passed the Edict of Saint-Germain, which gave Protestants limited freedom of worship in the hopes that there wouldn’t be a civil war.

-but on March 1, 1562, a group of Catholic soldiers murdered about 50 Huguenots attending a church service. this was called the Massacre of Vassy, and oopsie! it started a civil war.

-the first war ended about a year later with the Edict of Amboise. uneasy peace followed.

-in 1567, a bunch of Huguenot nobles decided to overthrow and kidnap King Charles IX in what was called the Surprise of Meaux. however this failed spectacularly and it started a second civil war, which ended the following year with the Edict of Longjumeau (presumably no relation other than place name to Adolphe Adam’s 1836 opera Le postillon de Lonjumeau), which was basically “meh let’s do what the Edict of Amboise did”.

-and then they started a third civil war in 1569 like a bunch of dumbasses

-and then it was ended in 1570 by the Peace of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

-so for the last two years before the beginning of the opera, there has been yet another more or less uneasy peace.

-here is a map of France at about the time the opera takes place. the province of Touraine (where the first two acts are set) is approximately circled in blue. the little dot with an arrow pointing to it is the approximate location of the Huguenot city of La Rochelle, which is not home to any of the opera’s action but is nevertheless an important city:

-meanwhile, in an effort to reconcile the religious factions, Queen Mother Catherine de Médicis (Caterina de Medici), Henri II de Valois’ widow and King Charles IX’s mother, announced in 1572 that she would be marrying off her 19-year-old daughter Marguérite de Valois to the Huguenot King of Navarre Henri de Bourbon. The wedding was set to be held in Paris on August 18th.

-and btw, if you’re wondering “wait, is Marguérite de Valois related to Élisabeth de Valois? like the one from Don Carlos?” the answer is yes (they were sisters).

-and that’s what you missed on the French Wars of Religion!

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alright peeps, you’re about to get a set of notes posts dropped a full day early because i feel like it so hurray

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Opera Simplified #6: I Lombardi alla prima crociata

I Lombardi alla prima crociata (The Lombards at the First Crusade)

Opera Simplified #6

The Basics:

Music: Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Temistocle Solera

Premiere: February 11, 1843; Teatro alla Scala, Milan.

Based on: Tommaso Grossi’s epic poem of the same name, available here in Italian.

Setting: Milan, Antioch, and various locations in the desert near Jerusalem; 1095-1099 CE.

Characters:

Arvino, a nobleman, one of the two sons of Lord Folco of Rò—tenor 

Viclinda, his wife—soprano

Pagano, his brother—bass

Giselda, Arvino and Viclinda’s daughter—soprano

Pirro, Arvino’s squire—bass

Acciano, Governor of Antioch—bass 

Sofia, his wife—soprano

Oronte, their son—tenor

A Prior of the City of Milan—tenor

Recommended Audio Recordings: if you can get over the presence of The Tenor Turned Baritone Who Shall Not Be Named [yours truly opts to skip over the parts featuring That Singer, as luckily there are not many such parts], this 1971 recording also starring Cristina Deutekom and Ruggero Raimondi is quite good (YouTube; Spotify). Another quite good recording, with That One Conductor From The Met Who Shall Not Be Named, June Anderson, Samuel Ramey, Luciano Pavarotti, Richard Leech, and young Patricia Racette and Ildebrando d’Arcangelo in supporting roles is this nice 1996 take (YouTube; Spotify). A third is this live recording from Parma in 2009 (YouTube; Spotify).

Recommended Video Recordings: The Met 1993 production, which has [unfortunately] the same conductor as the 1996 recording but also Ramey, Pavarotti, and the delightful Lauren Flanigan, is great (and also the source of the vast majority of the featured video clips). The 2009 Parma production is pretty good too, as is this 1999 Santiago production (Part I; Part II).

The Opera, Very Simplified: After one of the Folco brothers returns from exile to (allegedly) reconcile with his brother, who himself has been named leader of the Lombard forces for the First Crusade, things could not look more rosy. But when the brother just returned from exile horribly botches an attempt to murder the other brother, that combined with the family’s imminent departure for the Crusade throws the family into chaos, especially when the heiress to the family is captured by the enemy and summarily falls in love with a local prince...and who is the mysterious hermit helping the Lombards at every turn anyway?

A couple more things:

Here’s some quick geographical/historical context going in, courtesy of your history and European studies dual-degree student and series author.

DISCLAIMER: the author of this Opera Simplified would like to make explicitly clear that she roundly condemns both the Islamophobic nature of the Crusades and the Islamophobic sentiments that certain characters in this opera voice. At the same time, she has also written about how this opera was not intended to be Islamophobic, although there are certain potentially uncomfy aspects to the drama on account of the subject matter.

With that in mind,

THE OPERA:

Prelude (note: as written, this goes directly into the first act)

ACT I: La vendetta (Revenge) **

Scene 1:

Outside the Church of Sant’Ambrogio in Milan, 1095. Joyful music can be heard coming from the church. A bunch of men come out of the church into the square.

Some Men: THIS IS SO WONDERFUL

Other Men: I know, right? Everyone looked so happy!

Some Men: Yeah, well, everyone except Pagano. He still looks like he’s filled with terror.

All the Men: YEAH HIS EYES ARE STILL HOLLOW AND HE STILL LOOKS LIKE HE’S TORMENTED LIKE ALL THOSE YEARS AGO 

I mean, we’re not saying it’s impossible to change, but really: it’s very rare for fury like a wolf’s to turn into peace like a lamb’s.

*A bunch of women run in.*

Women: Hey, it’s dark out, so out of curiosity, what’s going on in the church? Why does it sound so festive in there?

Men: Oh, haven’t you heard? It’s a ceremony of forgiveness and reconciliation between Pagano and his family. Pagano had to agree to it before his exile was allowed to be lifted.

Women: Exile? For what? Tell us!

Men: ...How do none of you know this story?

Women: Well, we do, but the audience doesn’t.

Men: *heavy collective sigh*...Fine.

So y’all know Viclinda, right?

Women: Yup! Great gal.

Men: Right. She was this young woman, very beautiful, very gentle and kind. So of course all the most eligible young bachelors in Milan wanted desperately to marry her. And two of those bachelors were Arvino and Pagano, the two sons of Lord Folco. And of course, Viclinda and Arvino fell head over heels for each other, and she picked him to be her husband.

Women: And now they’re such a wonderful couple!

Men: But that’s not all. Pagano couldn’t get over the rejection, so he swore revenge, and one day when Arvino and Viclinda were going to church, he tried to ambush and murder Arvino! Thank God it failed, but Pagano was sent into exile in the Holy Land so he could pray at all the holy places and repent of his sins. He’s been away for many years now, he’s done that, and now he’s been allowed to come back.

...You got that, audience?

Women: They can’t talk to you. That would be violating the commonly-accepted rules of operatic theatricality.

Men: SO WHY DID YOU HAVE US TELL THAT ENTIRE STORY IF WE CAN’T EVEN TELL WHETHER OR NOT THEY UNDERSTAND

Women: Because if you didn’t, they definitely wouldn’t. Now they have...a chance.

Men: Can’t they just read their program books?

Women: When has anyone ever read the program book? ***

Men: Touché.

Is there going to be any more of this quasi-metatheatrical, break-the-fourth-wall exposition-type thing?

Women: As far as we know, no.

Men: Good.

Women: HERE THE FAMILY COMES NOW THEY ALL LOOK SO HAPPY

Men: BUT PAGANO STILL LOOKS LIKE HE’S FILLED WITH TERROR

Everyone: YEAH HIS EYES ARE STILL HOLLOW AND HE STILL LOOKS LIKE HE’S TORMENTED LIKE ALL THOSE YEARS AGO 

I mean, we’re not saying it’s impossible to change, but really: it’s very rare for fury like a wolf’s to turn into peace like a lamb’s.

*Pagano, Arvino, Viclinda, Giselda, and Pirro appear, preceded by Priors of the City of Milan and servants with torches. Pagano kneels.*

Pagano: Because this is the scene of my attempted crime, it is only fitting that this is the place where I, humble and repentant, ask forgiveness of all of you, the world, and God.

Arvino: Come here! Let me seal your forgiveness with a kiss.

*They kiss each other on the cheek and embrace.*

People: LONG LIVE ARVINO HE’S SUCH A GREAT PERSON

Viclinda, Giselda, Pirro, and People: And now, let there be peace!

Pagano: (What shame I feel!)

Giselda: Dad, are you alright? What’s the matter? You’re shaking, you’re turning pale...this should be a happy moment! I’m so happy our whole family is finally back together for the first time in my life; are you not happy too?

Arvino: (For a moment, I trusted him, I could have shared anything with him, but one look at the fury in his eyes and my whole heart froze up and now I’m suspicious...)

Pagano: (Pirro, you understand me. Not even Heaven itself will protect them from me! They dared to hurt me when I loved her all those years ago, and now they want me to play nice and make peace with them! Not happening!)

Pirro: (Pagano, whatever order you give me will be exactly what I do. I know a lot of people who would be more than happy to assist you; we can all meet up tonight to plan.)

Viclinda: I’m just happy that things seem to be looking up...my love, are you not happy too?

People: THEY’VE RECONCILED BUT STILL LET’S ALL HOPE THIS ISN’T LIKE THE KISS WITH WHICH JUDAS BETRAYED JESUS BECAUSE WE ALL STILL HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A BAD FEELING ABOUT THIS

*One of the Priors of the City of Milan steps forward.*

The Prior: AND NOW FOR AN ANNOUNCEMENT

People: ooh we like announcements

The Prior: PETER THE HERMIT HAS BEEN GETTING EVERYONE SUPER-EXCITED ABOUT THE FIRST CRUSADE AND WELL LONG STORY SHORT THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY HAVE DECIDED THAT ARVINO WILL COMMAND THE LOMBARD CRUSADERS ****

Everyone: HOORAY

Arvino: I accept this challenge and I look forward to fulfilling my task even to bloodshed and beyond. 

Pagano, today just got even better! Let’s vow to remain faithful to one another forever!

Arvino and Pagano: LET’S FORGET ALL THE HATRED BETWEEN US AND FIGHT TOGETHER AGAINST THE ENEMY

Everyone Else: MAY SHAME AND DISHONOR STRIKE ANYONE WHO BREAKS THEIR SACRED OATH AND IF ANYONE KILLS ANYONE ELSE MAY THE KILLER NEVER KNOW A MOMENT OF PEACE ON THIS EARTH

*Everyone leaves. A chorus of nuns begins to sing from offstage.* *****

Nuns: THE NIGHT IS DARK AND FULL OF TERRORS SO HYMN TIME

Dear God, please let us have sweet dreams and bring peace to the world and foil the plots of those who want to violate their sacred word and betray others...and in return, we will sing even more joyfully tomorrow!

*Pagano and Pirro enter.*

Pagano: hahahahahahahaha that’s hilarious that you really think that your prayers will be heeded because I myself about to do the exact thing y’all are praying won’t happen and I am not going to fuck it up

Pirro, I need you to understand something: I’m not inherently a bad person; IT’S LOVE’S FAULT I’M LIKE THIS BECAUSE LOVE COULD HAVE EITHER MADE ME THE BEST AND MOST PIOUS PERSON ALIVE OR MADE ME ACT LIKE THIS AND LOOK WHAT IT PICKED

Nuns: Bring peace to the world...

Pagano: And as for you, Viclinda, did you really believe I could forget you? While you’ve been off being happy, I’ve only been hurting because MY LOVE FOR YOU HAS ONLY GROWN WITH TIME IT’S LIKE A VOLCANO

I’M NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP NEVER GONNA LET YOU DOWN NEVER GONNA RUN AROUND OR DESERT YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOU

Pirro: Hey, I’ve gotten a bunch of men together. You can rely on them to help you, just say the word.

Pagano: Let me see them.

*Pirro points to some nearby bushes, where the hired assassins are hidden.*

They need to set the palace on fire.

*The assassins come out of the bushes.*

It’s a very dangerous job I’m asking you to do: Arvino has lots of servants and guards. However, anyone who does their job well will be richly rewarded for their efforts.

Assassins: WE’RE NOT AFRAID WE DO THIS ALL THE TIME AND WE’RE REALLY GOOD AT OUR JOB AND WE LOVE IT LIKE WE CAN JUST GO KILL SOMEONE AND THEN GRAB A BITE TO EAT RIGHT AFTERWARDS IT’S GREAT

Nuns: Foil the plots of those who want to violate their sacred word and betray others...

Pagano: AT LAST MY REVENGE IS WITHIN SIGHT AFTER SO MANY YEARS OF BEING OBSESSIVELY IN LOVE AND OBSESSED WITH GETTING THIS ONE WOMAN AT ALL COSTS I DON’T CARE ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE JUST THAT ONCE UPON OF TIME I WOULD HAVE EVEN GLADLY SPILLED MY BLOOD IF IT MEANT WINNING HER BUT NOW I’LL WIN HER AND THE ONLY PERSON SPILLING BLOOD WILL BE ARVINO

Pirro and Assassins: JUST TELL US WHAT TO DO AND WE WILL DO IT

*They all leave.*

Scene 2:

A large passageway in the Folco family’s palace, which leads to Arvino’s rooms on the left and another set of rooms on the right. A single lamp lights the way. Viclinda enters, visibly worried.

Viclinda: I’m trembling all over, even in the depths of my soul...no. I don’t think he’s truly sorry for what he tried to do to Arvino and me. His face...that was a look of anger, not of repentance. 

*Giselda enters.*

There you are, Giselda! Come here. This whole situation, it just feels so dangerous, and I’m willing to do just about anything to keep that danger away...so you and I, let us make a vow right here before God: if He protects Arvino tonight, you and I will go barefoot to the Holy Sepulchre and pray there. ******

*Arvino emerges from his rooms.*

Arvino: Viclinda, dear, take Giselda with you and go into my rooms, but do not go to bed just yet.

Giselda: Oh God! What’s happening? I don’t understand, what’s this danger everyone’s afraid of?

Arvino: My father will be staying with you two in my rooms for the night. I’ll go investigate—I think I hear people running around, here, in the middle of the night! To be fair, it could just be me being paranoid what with Pagano being back and all, but it never hurt anyone to check and make sure everything’s okay. You two, turn in for the night.

*He leaves.*

Giselda: Holy Virgin, hear my prayer...

*Giselda and Viclinda kneel.*

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Virgin, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, that He may look upon us in mercy at the hour of our death. Amen.

*They rise and go into Arvino’s rooms, leaving the passageway empty. After a few moments, Pagano and Pirro enter.*

Pirro: Come, the time is right: the coast is clear, and a servant told me that Arvino is already sound asleep in his room.

Pagano: Excellent! Put out that lamp. In just a minute, there will be plenty of light because THE FLAMES WILL BE LIT TO SIGNAL THE TRIUMPH OF MY VENGEANCE

Anyway, wait here.

*He cautiously enters Arvino’s rooms. Moments later, fire appears elsewhere in the palace.*

Pirro: THE HIRED MEN ARE SETTING EVERYTHING ON FIRE AND ALSO I HEAR SWORDS LET’S GO

*He draws his sword and runs off. Giselda runs out of Arvino’s rooms and off to find her father. Shortly after this Pagano enters, holding Viclinda at dagger point.*

Viclinda: OH MY GOD PAGANO YOU HORRIBLE MAN ARVINO HELP ME

Pagano: ASKING ME AT DAGGER POINT TO RELEASE YOU DOES NOT MAKE IT ANY MORE LIKELY THAT I WILL RELEASE YOU SO SHUT UP AND COME WITH ME

Viclinda: I WOULD RATHER DIE AT YOUR FEET

Pagano: WELL I’M NOT GOING TO LET YOU DIE BECAUSE I WANT YOU OH AND WHO EXACTLY IS GOING TO SAVE YOU FROM ME???

NO ONE WILL FREE YOU FROM ME AND THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO WILL ANSWER YOUR CRIES AND YOUR SCREAMING ARE MY HIRED ASSASSINS SO DON’T YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT RESISTING

*The fire within the palace is extinguished.*

ONCE AGAIN THERE IS NO ONE TO HEAR YOU

*Enter Arvino with Giselda, Pirro, servants, and other people.*

Arvino: ACTUALLY I’M HERE AND I HEAR HER

Pagano: (WHAT?! ARVINO?!?! HE’S SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD!!!)

Arvino: Well, I’m still very much alive and unharmed, thank you. ALSO WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING

Pagano: Wait...but I stabbed someone...I thought I killed you...and my sword is covered in blood...

So if I didn’t stab you at all, let alone kill you...then who did I kill?

Giselda and Viclinda: THAT WAS YOUR FATHER

Pagano: I KILLED WHO NOW?!?!?!?!

Everyone Else: WAIT OH MY GOD WHAT THE FUCK

*Pagano drops his dagger.*

Everyone Except Pagano: PAGANO YOU ARE A MONSTER FROM HELL AND WHY CAN’T THE EARTH JUST SWALLOW YOU UP OR GOD STRIKE YOU DOWN WITH LIGHTNING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE HEAVEN RECOILS FROM YOU IN HORROR

Pagano: CAN THE EARTH JUST SWALLOW ME UP OR GOD STRIKE ME DOWN WITH LIGHTNING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THIS WENT REALLY, REALLY WRONG AND NOW HEAVEN RECOILS FROM ME IN HORROR

Arvino: MOTHERFUCKER YOU MURDERED YOUR OWN FATHER SO NOW I’M GOING TO MURDER YOU BECAUSE FAIR IS FAIR AND THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT HYPOCRITICAL AT ALL AND YOU’LL DIE UPON THE CORPSE OF THE FATHER YOU MURDERED

*He makes to stab Pagano but Giselda intervenes.*

Giselda: EVERYONE PLEASE STOP TRYING TO MURDER EACH OTHER BECAUSE TWO WRONGS DON’T MAKE A RIGHT AND ALSO IT’S NOT GOING TO RESOLVE ANYTHING IT’LL JUST MAKE EVERYTHING WORSE

Pagano: OH SO ARVINO NOW YOU’RE HESITATING??? LOOK I’LL JUST TAKE MY OWN LIFE THEN SO ALL’S AVENGED

*He grabs his sword and attempts to kill himself, but the guards prevent him.*

The People: YOUR PUNISHMENT WILL BE TO LIVE WITH YOUR GUILT IN EXILE BECAUSE THAT’LL BE MORE OF A TORMENT TO YOU THAN DEATH

Pagano: GOD HAS STRUCK ME WITH THE MARK OF CAIN BECAUSE I ACCIDENTALLY KILLED MY OWN FATHER AND NOW I’LL HAVE TO LIVE WITH MY TERROR UNTIL I DIE AND NO MATTER WHERE I GO I WILL NEVER KNOW ANY PEACE BECAUSE MY DEMONS WILL ALWAYS BE THERE

Everyone Else: GOD HAS STRUCK YOU WITH THE MARK OF CAIN AND TERROR WILL CONSUME YOU EVEN MORE THAN ALL THE TORMENTS OF HELL AND NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO YOU WILL NEVER KNOW ANY PEACE BECAUSE YOUR DEMONS WILL ALWAYS BE THERE

Notes

ACT II: L’uomo della caverna (The Man of the Cave)

Because Solera apparently thought it would be a great idea to scatter a bunch of exposition in a rather confusing manner throughout Act II, here’s a roundup of most of the major stuff that happened in between acts.

Scene 1:

A hall in Acciano’s palace in Antioch, 1098. Acciano is seated on his throne; before him stand ambassadors, soldiers, and people.

Ambassadors: SO ALL OF THESE THINGS YOU’RE SAYING ARE TRUE?!?!

Acciano: ...Yup. I saw them and their weapons with my own two eyeballs.

Ambassadors: THE SHEER AUDACITY THEY HAVE TO THINK THAT THEY CAN JUST UP AND LEAVE THEIR HOMES AND RUN ALL OVER OURS BUT THEY WILL BE STRUCK DOWN BY THE PROPHET MOHAMMED’S THUNDERBOLTS

Acciano: They’re cruel and mean and ruthless! All they do is rape and pillage and murder and all they leave behind is destruction!

Everyone: ALLAH WE ARE UNDER ATTACK SO COME DOWN AND HELP FIGHT FOR US AND PUNISH THE ENEMY AND THAT WILL MAKE US EVEN BRAVER 

WE SWEAR TO PUT ASIDE OUR DIFFERENCES AND RIVALRIES SO WE CAN RISE AS ONE AND DO OUR BEST SO WITH YOUR HELP THEY WON’T BE ABLE TO ESCAPE

*They exit. Oronte and Sofia, the latter veiled, meet up.*

Oronte: Mom, what’s Giselda doing? How is she?

Sofia: The bad news: she’s still pretty much the same—she’s still sighing, weeping, crying out for her family...poor girl. The good news: she loves you.

Oronte: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY THERE IS NO ONE ON EARTH HAPPIER THAN ME BECAUSE I LOVE HER SO MUCH

Sofia: (Dear God, please let this be a way to touch my son’s mind and heart!)

Oronte: If only I could make her as happy as I am! If only I could use my love to make the universe even more harmonious and beautiful, especially for her! If only we could go to Heaven together and fly where no other mortals can go and try to keep us apart!

Sofia: About that last thing you said...You do know that you cannot marry her if one of you doesn’t convert, and it would be better if you were the one to convert to her faith.

Oronte: Oh, I completely agree with you!

Sofia: Thank God!

Oronte: You know, I keep thinking that she must be right and that her God must be the true God!

I mean, think about it: how could Heaven create such a wonderful, lovely angel of a woman and not grant her divine truth? Please, take me to her, let me see her, let me find comfort for my mind and heart with her!

Sofia: AN ANGEL HAS GRANTED YOU THIS LOVE IN ORDER TO SAVE YOU

Oronte: HOW COULD SHE BE WRONG LET ME SEE HER AND FIND COMFORT WITH HER

*They leave.*

Scene 2:

A mountain overhang outside of Antioch, which has the opening to a cave; June 2, 1098. A hermit emerges from the cave. **

The Hermit: Still nothing...absolutely nothing! WHEN WILL THE CRUSADERS EVER GET HERE??? WILL I NEVER GET THE CHANCE TO REDEEM MYSELF BY FIGHTING AGAINST THOSE WICKED MUSLIMS???

Still nothing...absolutely nothing! When will I ever have peace? But really, that is folly to even think about—I do not deserve peace. But God alone is just, and may He bless grief and suffering.

And yet...when I hear the Crusaders cry “God wills it!”, when I see their crosses shine...MY HEART WILL COME ALIVE AND I’LL TAKE MY SWORD AND FIGHT AND WIN FORGIVENESS

*He sees a figure in the distance.*

Wait, who’s coming here?...He’s dressed in Muslim garb; I need to get inside my refuge!

*He turns to retreat into the cave as Pirro enters.*

Pirro: DON’T LEAVE HAVE MERCY ON ME EVERYONE’S SAYING YOU’RE THE ONE TO COME TO WITH SPIRITUAL MATTERS AND SUCH BECAUSE YOU’RE SO HOLY AND I NEED ABSOLUTION

*He kneels before the Hermit.*

Okay, so: my name is Pirro. I’m originally from Lombardy but I assisted in what turned out to be a patricide, so I fled here and renounced my faith, but I feel HORRIBLE about that so PLEASE FORGIVE ME

The Hermit: Get up! Take heart! It’s not too late for you.

Pirro: If it's relevant at all, I’m also in charge of the gates of Antioch.

*Loud noises and military music can be heard in the distance.*

The Hermit: What’s that noise?

Pirro: Those are the Crusaders.

The Hermit: DID YOU SAY THOSE ARE THE CRUSADERS ARE YOU TELLING ME THE TRUTH

*Pirro nods.*

WELL THEN WE CAN BOTH FIND FORGIVENESS WITH THE CRUSADE THANKS BE TO GOD THERE IS NO LIMIT TO HIS MERCY

Pirro, I will grant you full forgiveness of your sins if you open the gates of that wicked city to the Crusaders and let them in and give the city over to Heaven!

*The military music is now much closer.*

Pirro: I SWEAR THAT I MYSELF WILL OPEN THE GATES OF ANTIOCH TO THE CRUSADERS TONIGHT

The Hermit: THEY’RE ALMOST HERE HALLELUJAH

*The Crusaders begin to arrive at the hermitage.*

OH MY GOD THEY’RE LOMBARDS

Pirro: AND I’M STILL IN HOT WATER WITH THEM

The Hermit: Go, claim sanctuary in my cave.

*The two of them go into the cave. The Hermit quickly reemerges with a sword and donning a helmet as the Lombard Crusaders, led by Arvino, enter.*

NOW I CAN USE YOU AND BE A WARRIOR AGAIN MY WONDERFUL SWORD AND HELMET

Arvino: Are you the hermit who lives here?

The Hermit: Yes, that would be me. What do you ask of me?

Arvino: Your prayers, so we do not have any chance of being struck with God’s wrath. You’re the only one who can intercede with God to prevent that!

The Hermit: ...Do you know who I am?

Arvino: YEAH YOU’RE THE SUPER-EFFECTIVE HERMIT EVERYONE IN THE AREA TOLD US ABOUT THEY SAID THAT GOD HIMSELF APPEARS TO YOU

Anyway, I have a bit of a problem on my hands: my daughter Giselda was kidnapped by a band of Muslims. I tried to pursue them and get her back, but they were too fast for us, so as far as I know she’s being held prisoner in Antioch. And also this is definitely the only thing I’m worried about right now and her safety and well-being are definitely my top priority and this is definitely the only reason we’re trying to get into Antioch.

The Hermit: Tell me one thing: do you have a large and strong army?

Arvino: Yes.

The Hermit: Alright, then you should be seeing your beloved daughter very soon.

Arvino: I’m just going to completely ignore you saying that and instead show you the AMAZING army we’ve put together!

*He leads the Hermit to a lookout point.*

See that? That’s all of Europe right there, all gathered under Godfrey of Bouillon and ready to strike! ***

The Hermit: THAT’S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING I’VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE but anyway it’s starting to get dark so we need to get a move on

FOLLOW ME BECAUSE I SWEAR TO YOU THAT TONIGHT YOU WILL BE WITHIN THE WALLS OF ANTIOCH AND THIS IS DEFINITELY DIVINE INTERVENTION AND MY SUPER-STRONG FAITH AND I’M NOT SAYING THAT BECAUSE I JUST GOT INTEL OR ANYTHING

Arvino: YOU’VE CALLED US TO GLORY AND WE ARE BURNING WITH HOLY ZEAL READY TO FIGHT

Everyone: STUPID ALLAH OUR WRATH WILL FALL UPON YOU AND WE WILL WIPE ISLAM OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH SO THE HOLY WORD OF OUR GOD WILL RESOUND EVERYWHERE

THE CROSS IS ALREADY SHINING WITH LIGHT THAT LOOKS LIKE THE BLOOD WE’LL SHED WHEN WE TRIUMPH OVER THE BARBARIC INFIDELS AND KILL THEM ****

*They all leave.*

Scene 3:

Inside the harem of Acciano’s palace in Antioch, later the same day. Giselda is dejectedly sitting on a sofa; the other women of the harem are scattered around the room, gossiping about her.

Women: LOOK AT THE BEAUTIFUL FOREIGN GIRL WHO CAPTURES EVERYONE’S HEARTS LET’S ALL DANCE AROUND HER

Why is she always crying when she has the best of everything and Oronte only loves her? Hmm, why did you leave your family and your home behind? Was it perhaps because you couldn’t find a lover to suit your whims and thought you’d have better luck here? 

Look at those splendid eyes...oh, what does the foreign beauty desire? We’ll definitely do it for her! Such a foolish and proud girl—she’ll soon see her family and people be beaten and die!

Alright, let’s go, she’s too depressed, perhaps she wants to be alone and pray again...what a strange girl, this foreign beauty!

*They run off, leaving Giselda alone.*

Giselda: MOM I KNOW YOU’RE NOT HERE ANYMORE BUT PLEASE I NEED YOU MY PEACE IS GONE AND I’M SUFFERING

Why did you leave me? Now I’m here, alone, in a strange land trying to figure my life out for the first time...and I’m in love with someone my faith says I should not love, which only makes me feel worse...PLEASE HELP ME

I’ve prayed that you will miraculously be returned to me, but if such prayers are useless and you cannot come back from Heaven, then let me die and join you! All I can see in my future is endless suffering...why can I not just die? Let me die and see you again!

Women: *from offstage* WHO WILL SAVE US

Giselda: WHAT’S GOING ON

Women: *still offstage* EVERYONE OUT RUN FOR YOUR LIVES

Crusaders: *also offstage* KILL THEM ALL

*Turkish soldiers, Crusaders, and women of the harem all run onstage in confusion.*

Women: WHO WILL SAVE US FROM THESE BARBARIANS IF THE PROPHET HAS ABANDONED US

Giselda: THE CRUSADERS ARE HERE?!?!

*Sofia runs onstage in a state of panic.*

Sofia: GISELDA A TRAITOR OPENED THE GATES TO THE CRUSADERS AND NOW THEY’RE MASSACRING AND PILLAGING EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING AND ALSO THEY KILLED BOTH MY HUSBAND AND MY SON

Giselda: WAIT WHAT THE FUCK

*Arvino enters with the Hermit and more Crusaders. Sofia points to him.*

Sofia: THERE’S THE MAN WHO KILLED THEM BOTH

Giselda: MY FATHER?!?!?!?! MY OWN FATHER?!?!?!?!?!?!

The Hermit: *pointing to Giselda* As promised, here she is, safe and sound.

Arvino: GISELDA LET ME EMBRACE YOU AGAIN

Giselda: *recoiling from him* ABSOLUTELY FUCKING NOT YOU ARE COVERED IN HUMAN BLOOD

Sofia: What grief I feel...

Giselda: No!...No!

IT IS NOT THE JUST CAUSE OF GOD TO DROWN THE EARTH IN HUMAN BLOOD THIS IS INSANITY AND YOU ALL JUST WANT THE WEALTH OF THE MUSLIMS AND YOU’RE USING RELIGION AS A COVER BECAUSE HEAVEN NEVER WANTED THIS

No! God does not will it. GOD DOES NOT WILL IT

Arvino and the Crusaders: WHAT AM I HEARING?!?!?!?!?!?!

The Hermit and Sofia: (Oh, poor girl!)

Giselda: GOD HAS LIFTED THE BLINDFOLD FROM MY EYES THE VANQUISHED WILL RISE AND THEY WILL HAVE THEIR REVENGE AND IT WILL BE TERRIBLE AND NONE OF YOU WILL DIE IN YOUR HOMELAND

YOU HAVE SLAUGHTERED INNOCENT HUMAN BEINGS AND SUCH SLAUGHTER HAS ALWAYS OFFENDED GOD BECAUSE HE CARES ABOUT ALL HUMANKIND

Arvino: YOU ARE COMMITTING BLASPHEMY AND SACRILEGE

Giselda: YOUR HEADS WILL BECOME THE PLAYTHINGS OF THE WIND AND WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS REGION THE PEOPLE OF THIS REGION WILL DO TO ALL EUROPE BECAUSE IT WAS NEVER THE WORD OF GOD FOR HUMAN BLOOD TO BE SHED LIKE THIS

NO GOD DOES NOT WILL THIS HE ONLY CAME DOWN TO EARTH TO SPEAK OF PEACE HE DOES NOT WILL THIS

The Hermit: (GISELDA SHUT UP YOU’RE BEING RASH AND THIS WILL NOT GO OVER WELL FOR YOU)

Arvino: *drawing his dagger* MAY YOUR DEATH WIPE THOSE BLASPHEMOUS OBSCENE WORDS FROM YOUR LIPS 

Giselda: STRIKE ME AND KILL ME THEN I DON’T FUCKING CARE ANYMORE IF ANYTHING IT WILL ONLY PROVE MY POINT

*Arvino attempts to stab Giselda but is stopped by the Hermit.*

The Hermit, Sofia, the Crusaders, and the Women: WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK ARE YOU DOING CAN’T YOU SEE THAT SHE’S LOST HER MIND

Arvino: FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINE I GUESS THAT’S FAIR

Giselda: I HAVEN’T LOST MY MIND STRIKE ME DOWN I DON’T FUCKING CARE ANYMORE

*The scene descends into mass confusion.*

Notes

 ACT III: La conversione (The Conversion)

Scene 1:

The Kidron Valley, in which are scattered several hills, of which the most important is the Mount of Olives. Jerusalem can be seen in the distance; an unspecified but presumably significant amount of time (although no more than a year) after the previous act. Crusaders and pilgrims cross the scene. **

Crusaders and Pilgrims: JERUSALEM THE PROMISED CITY WE ARE ALMOST THERE WE’VE SHED SO MUCH BLOOD ALREADY IN THE NAME OF GOD AND OUR PALM GARLANDS ARE READY FOR WHEN WE ARRIVE

Women: WE LOVE SEEING THESE HOLY PLACES AND WEEPING AT THEM AND WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO DIE HERE AND THEN OUR SOULS WILL FLY TO GOD 

Men: HERE ARE ALL THE HOLY PLACES OF CHRIST’S FINAL DAYS AND DEATH AND RESURRECTION

Crusaders and Pilgrims: WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO DIE HERE AND THEN OUR SOULS WILL FLY TO GOD 

THIS LAND IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL AND SACRED PLACE AND THE LIVING GOD WILL COME HERE AND BE TERROR TO THE INFIDELS

*They go out singing.*

JERUSALEM!!!...Jerusalem...

*Giselda wanders in.*

Giselda: I’m wandering alone...where am I? I had to get out of there, I felt like I was being suffocated in my father’s tent...I need air, free air; here everything is open, free desert...there’s no sounds, not even song...

My mind cannot bring itself to think about God...I can think of nothing but love...

*During these last words, Oronte, still very much alive, enters.*

Oronte: GISELDA IT’S YOU

Giselda: *seeing him* OH MY GOD I MUST BE LOSING MY MARBLES

Oronte: NO YOU’RE NOT I’M HERE WITH YOU YOU’RE IN MY ARMS

Giselda: No...this has to be a dream...

*She starts sobbing.*

But my tears are bathing your forehead, so this must be real...

Oronte: GISELDA YOU DIDN’T FORGET ME

Giselda: OF COURSE NOT I’VE SPENT ALL MY TIME MOURNING YOU BECAUSE I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD

Oronte: Well, when the Crusaders attacked, I was just thrown down and hurt. I wanted to see you again more than anything, so I fled and I’ve been wandering around here ever since, trying to find you...I found these garments that look a little more like what your people wear and put them on, just so I might have a better chance of seeing you one more time...that’s all I wanted: to see you one more time and then die!

Giselda: NO YOU WON’T DIE 

Oronte: I’ve lost everything: my family, my home, my throne, my friends, and any chance at life with you!

Giselda: YOU HAVEN’T LOST THAT CHANCE I WILL RUN AWAY WITH YOU

Oronte: Giselda, you really want to do that?

Giselda: YES I LOVE YOU

Oronte: Giselda, I love you too and that’s exactly why I would encourage you to not do that.

Listen: my life is cursed—I have virtually nothing to offer you. Like I said, I’ve lost everything and now I live by wandering. I shelter in caves when I can but sometimes I simply must face storms all alone in the open. If we were to somehow marry, your wedding bed would be the desert sands and you would only have the hyenas to sing to you. This poor life and my love are all I can offer you. Are you sure you would be willing to live like this?

Giselda: WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR LET’S GO WE DON’T HAVE MUCH TIME

Oronte: Are you sure about this?

Giselda: I LOVE YOU AND THAT’S WHAT MATTERS

Oronte: I LOVE YOU TOO LET US DEFY EVERYTHING ON EARTH TOGETHER

Giselda: YOU’RE EVERYTHING TO ME 

Oronte: YOU ARE WORTH MORE THAN THE KINGDOM I LOST

Giselda: Wait! One more look. Goodbye. Goodbye world. Goodbye, Lombard tents. Goodbye to breezes like the ones from home....and everything I’ve ever known. Something better and more beautiful and more divine is waiting for me. Mother up in Heaven, forgive me...this is such a great love, and it will redeem us...

Oronte: You’re leaving your entire world behind for me...and I am for you...we will weep together and love each other like we have one heart! And the God you worship—I will worship the very same God!

Crusaders: *nearby* TO ARMS

Oronte: WHAT’S THAT NOISE

Giselda: The Lombards...their camp is nearby...they’re probably going to pursue us...I’m afraid for you...

Crusaders: TO ARMS

Giselda and Oronte: ALRIGHT LET’S GO NOTHING IN HEAVEN OR ON EARTH CAN DIVIDE US EXCEPT DEATH 

Crusaders: TO ARMS TO ARMS TO ARMS

*Giselda and Oronte run off together.*

Scene 2:

Arvino’s tent in the Lombards’ camp, near the Kidron Valley. Arvino is alone.

Arvino: WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL DID I JUST SEE?!?!?!?!

So horrible, so disgraceful—I am simply paralyzed with rage and terror...to review: my daughter ran off with a Muslim prince, a man DAMNED BY GOD—I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At least the Hermit and a bunch of my men went chasing after them, I guess.

GISELDA YOU WICKED IMPIOUS DISGRACEFUL WHORE AND DISHONOR TO MY NAME I WISH YOU HAD DIED IN YOUR CRADLE BECAUSE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER THAN YOU GROWING UP TO BE A SACRILIGEOUS WICKED EVIL WOMAN AND I ALSO WISH THAT YOU HAD NEVER BEEN BORN AT ALL 

*Several Crusaders enter.*

What’s going on?

Crusaders: There have been multiple confirmed sightings of Pagano lurking around our tents—

Arvino: OH MY GOD YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME

Crusaders: WHY IS HE HERE OBVIOUSLY THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WRATH OF GOD STRIKING US WITH SO MANY MISFORTUNES SO WE ALL NEED TO GET TOGETHER AND PUNISH HIM BECAUSE HE CANNOT ESCAPE ALL OF US

Arvino: WELL OBVIOUSLY HEAVEN AND I HAVE BOTH MADE A MISTAKE BY NOT PUNISHING HIM BUT I AM ALREADY SO READY TO KILL THAT WICKED BASTARD AND EVEN IF HE WERE HIDDEN IN HELL ITSELF HE COULDN’T ESCAPE ME

*They all leave together.*

Scene 3:

This scene begins with a mini violin concerto because why not. It’s gorgeous.

The interior of a grotto. Through an opening in the rear can be seen the banks of the Jordan River. Giselda enters, supporting Oronte, who has been mortally wounded.

Giselda: Here...rest here...

*She lays him down on a boulder.*

What a horrible wound those cruel men gave you!

Oronte: Giselda...I’m dying...

Giselda: (I am disgusted, I am revolted, I dedicate my entire life to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and this is the thanks I get?!)

Oronte: GISELDA I’M DYING

Giselda: I KNOW FOR MERCY’S SAKE I LOVE YOU AND PLEASE BE QUIET BECAUSE SHOUTING WILL ONLY MAKE IT WORSE

You’ll recover...you have to...I’ve already bound up and closed your wound...

Oronte: Giselda, you are so kind, but it’s useless...

Giselda: ALRIGHT GOD MY FAMILY AND I HAVE ALL WORSHIPPED YOU BUT I HAVE SOME CHOICE WORDS TO SAY TO YOU

YOU TOOK MY MOM FROM ME AND LEFT ME ON EARTH IN MY SORROW AND THEN I FOUND TRUE LOVE AND NOW YOU’RE TAKING HIM FROM ME TOO BECAUSE YOU ARE CRUEL AND—

*The Hermit enters.*

The Hermit: WHO HERE IS BLASPHEMING AND CHALLENGING GOD

*He takes one look at Giselda and Oronte.*

This love is a sinful one.

Giselda: ...Why do I suddenly feel really awful?

The Hermit: That’s Catholic guilt for you.

Oronte: Who are you?

The Hermit: I am a man who can bring you new life if you turn to our faith.

Giselda: God inspires him...

Oronte: Giselda, at last, you’ve really done it...I’ve wished for this many times that it would be able to happen...and now, thanks to you, it is...sir, you are a man of God...come here...

The Hermit: You do not call upon Heaven in vain—in this moment, it shows you its glories!

*He retrieves some water from a spring in the cave connected to the Jordan.*

May the holy waters of the River Jordan grant you new life. While you are at the point of death, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

*And as such, he baptizes Oronte.*

Giselda: Now no one, not even Heaven itself, can honestly say our love is a sin...

ORONTE I’M BEGGING YOU PLEASE LIVE

Oronte: I suddenly feel new vigor, new life flowing through me...through all my veins...and it feels so wonderful...help me, Giselda! I can barely see you anymore!

Giselda: No...Oronte, please don’t die...wait for me...we’ve lived through so much together already, so it’s only fair that we should die together...not have it be like this...

The Hermit: He’s dying; take this moment seriously. Both of you, turn your heads and fix your gazes, your whole beings upon God!

Giselda: Why are you leaving me behind when I love you so much? Why won’t the angels let me go to Heaven with you right now?

The Hermit: Young lady, your love here on earth may have been rewarded with nothing but sorrow, but take heart! One day, among the angels, your love will be rewarded with bliss! Have hope!

Oronte: Giselda...come here...let me feel your tears...

You have opened Heaven up to me, Giselda, and I will wait for you...I’m dying...I will wait for you in Heaven!

*He dies.*

ACT IV: Il Santo Sepolcro (The Holy Sepulchre)

Scene 1:

A cave near Jerusalem. Giselda is sleeping alone inside when she begins to have a vision of celestial spirits. Summer 1099.

Celestial Spirits: GISELDA REJOICE THANKS TO YOU A SOUL HAS BEEN REDEEMED AND IS COMING INTO PARADISE AND YOU DESERVE SOME OF THAT HEAVENLY JOY SO COME...COME!!!

*Giselda rises, but is still dreaming.*

Giselda: The cave is shining with these ethereal spirits...yes! yes! I beg you, let me die, let me see the eternal dawn, let me join those I love in Heaven...

Oronte? Are you there among the angels? Why aren’t you saying anything? LET ME SEE HIM LET HIM TALK TO ME

*Her prayer is summarily granted and Oronte’s soul appears.*

Oronte: Thanks to you, Giselda, I’m in Heaven and God has already accepted my prayers...I must tell you something.

Giselda, your people are dying of thirst in the desert and they are losing all hope. Run to them, tell them to have hope, and tell them that the fountain of Siloam will be gushing fresh water for them! ***

Oronte and the Celestial Spirits: Come, Giselda, for your share of heavenly joy...come...

*The vision disappears and Giselda fully awakens.*

Giselda: A miracle...a cave changed into Heaven and then back again...no, it must have been a dream! But suddenly I feel so much strength in my heart...no, it was not a dream!

IT WASN’T A DREAM I CAN STILL HEAR HIS VOICE AND SEE THAT VISION OF HIM HOLDING THE PALM LEAVES OF THE BLESSED SOULS SO I’LL GO TELL THEM ABOUT THE FOUNTAIN LET’S GO EVERYONE THE WATER WILL REVIVE YOU

*She runs off.*

Scene 2:

The Lombard camp, in the desert near the tomb of Rachel outside of Bethlehem; July 15, 1099. The Crusaders and pilgrims are exhausted and dehydrated. ****

Crusaders and Pilgrims: Dear God, we have followed Your will here on this Crusade, but we’re fighting a losing battle, we’re exhausted, we’re on the brink of death by thirst...O Lord, do not let us become fodder for mockery by the enemy!

Lombardy is such a beautiful place...don’t you remember the breezes and waters and vineyards of home? GREAT NOW THAT THOUGHT JUST MAKES OUR CURRENT CONDITIONS SEEM EVEN WORSE AND ALSO WE’RE MASSIVELY HOMESICK NOW

Giselda, Arvino, and the Hermit: *in the distance* EVERYONE GO TO THE FOUNTAIN OF SILOAM

Crusaders and Pilgrims: WHAT IS IT

*Giselda, Arvino, and the Hermit run in.*

Giselda: HEAVEN HAS HEARD YOUR PRAYERS THE FOUNTAIN OF SILOAM IS GUSHING FRESH WATER

Crusaders and Pilgrims: THIS IS THE BEST NEWS EVER

Arvino: ALRIGHT EVERYONE LAST TIME Y’ALL ABANDONED THE PROJECT BECAUSE YOU WERE EXHAUSTED COWARDS BUT I KNOW THAT NOW YOU HAVE WATER YOU WON’T FUCK THIS UP AGAIN SO LET’S GO STRIKE DOWN SOME INFIDELS

Y’ALL HEAR THOSE TRUMPETS GODFREY OF BOUILLON IS GIVING US THE SIGNAL AND TODAY THE HOLY LAND WILL BE OURS

Everyone: IT’S WARTIME EVERYONE LET’S GO

Arvino and the Hermit: OUR HOLY BANNERS ARE GLEAMING WITH BLOOD AND TERROR AND WE WILL HAVE VICTORY

Everyone: LET’S FLY LIKE THE WIND LET’S GO TO WAR

*Everyone rushes off.*

*In between scenes, the Crusaders capture the city of Jerusalem. In the process, the Hermit is mortally wounded. This scene is normally just implied during the interlude, but it is sometimes staged, as in the video linked here.*

Scene 3:

The Lombard camp, in the desert outside of Jerusalem. Early morning, July 16, 1099. The Hermit enters, supported by Giselda and Arvino on either side.

Arvino: Here’s my tent; you can rest here. But why aren’t you talking?

Giselda: He’s horribly wounded! He was the first man to scale the walls.

Arvino: ...That didn’t answer my question.

The Hermit: GO AWAY actually wait who are you?

Arvino: Don’t you know me? We’ve met and fought together before. I’m the commander of the Lombard forces, Arvino.

The Hermit: *looking at his hands* ARVINO?!?!?!?! NO BE QUIET I HAVE YOUR BLOOD ON MY HANDS HELL OPEN BENEATH ME I AM COVERED IN OUR FATHER’S BLOOD

Arvino: Wait, what?

Giselda: Be calm...you’re safe here...near me. Remember me? You saved my life once.

The Hermit: That voice...it feels like my heart is opening...you’re an angel...an angel of forgiveness!

Arvino: Wait...who are you?

The Hermit: I am Pagano!

Giselda and Arvino: WAIT WHAT

Pagano: I’m going to die...I only have a little time left, I can feel it...

Arvino, my brother, my soul is about to appear before God! I HAVE DONE WHAT I CAN TO ATONE AND REDEEM MYSELF PLEASE DO NOT CONDEMN ME

Giselda: Father, he really has done what he could...God has forgiven him, so forgive him too...

Pagano: My brother, forgive me...

Arvino: *embracing him* Very well, you’ve won...

Giselda and Arvino: The rest of us will all forgive you too.

Pagano: I’m so happy...now grant me...before I die...one last look...at Jerusalem!

*The sun rises, revealing Jerusalem in the distance.*

Crusaders: O LORD WE PRAISE YOU FOR VICTORY AND SALVATION AND GLORY

Pagano: Thanks be to God that I was able to live long enough to see this moment come...and that in my last moments He has mercy on me and remembers this man the world once recoiled from in horror!

Arvino: As I forgive you, intercede with God for me so my sins may be forgiven...

Giselda: Go in peace! You will join my mother and my true love in Heaven...when you get there, all three of you, pray to God that I will be allowed to die soon and join you!

Everyone: O LORD WE PRAISE YOU FOR VICTORY AND SALVATION AND GLORY AMEN

*Pagano dies.*

Notes

THE END

[opera-simplified]

Opera Simplified #6: I Lombardi alla prima crociata—Notes, Acts III and IV

** The stage directions actually state that this scene takes place in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, but there is lots of disagreement as to whether said place actually exists. At any rate, at the time Verdi wrote this opera, people generally believed that the Kidron Valley was the Valley of Jehoshaphat, so I have taken that liberty.

*** The term “fountain (or pool) of Siloam” refers to several rock-cut pools located southeast of the walls of the Old City portion of Jerusalem and on the southern slope of the Wadi Hileah. In the Bible (specifically John chapter 9), the water of Siloam was able to heal the blind, among other things.

**** The tomb of Rachel, one of the two wives of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, is located slightly north of Bethlehem and is a spot revered by Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. Once again, the date provided here (and the date provided in the stage direction for the next scene) is based on historical reality, not anything written in the libretto.

[opera-simplified]

Opera Simplified #6: I Lombardi alla prima crociata—Notes, Act II

** The Hermit is Pagano. There, I said it. However, all of the characters in this opera apparently have faceblindness towards Pagano because it takes him literally outright saying that he is Pagano for anyone to figure out this foregone conclusion. Ah, Bad Opera Disguises.

Also the date is not actually specified in the libretto; however, given the historical fact behind the action (although once again, looking for historical accuracy in opera is generally a useless endeavor etc etc etc) and that Scenes 2 and 3 of this act take place on the same day, there it is.

*** Just helpfully referring you back to this post.

**** Yet again, this blog does not condone Islamophobia in any way, shape, or form. At the same time, frankly portraying Islamophobia as it is (because hello, we are talking about the Crusades) is not the same as condoning it.

[opera-simplified]

Opera Simplified #6: I Lombardi alla prima crociata—Inter-Act Exposition Roundup (you’re going to need it)

So, if we are to go by historical fact (although let’s face it, looking for historical accuracy in opera is an entirely useless endeavor) in the absence of any contradicting evidence, about two to three years have passed in between the end of Act I and the beginning of Act II, as Act I takes place in the wake of Peter the Hermit’s efforts to start the First Crusade earlier than the official August 15, 1096 date set by Pope Urban II, while Act II takes place around the time of the Siege of Antioch, which occurred from late 1097 to mid-1098.

So obviously, a lot can happen in two to three years, so here’s the rundown. All of this is eventually explained in some form or other but it can get rather confusing so as the title of this series indicates, I’m here to simplify it for you:

As planned, the Lombard Crusade forces led by Arvino left Milan for the Crusade; both Viclinda and Giselda accompanied Arvino.

Pagano went back into exile in the Holy Land. More on him in just a bit.

At some point on the journey, Viclinda died of unspecified causes (genuine RIP).

Giselda has since been captured by the forces of Acciano, ruler of Antioch. Arvino has thus far been unable to rescue her, although he is preoccupied with the somewhat related goal of taking the city of Antioch for the Crusader forces.

During her unwanted stay in Antioch, Giselda has met and fallen in love with Acciano’s son Oronte, although she has never told him as such. Oronte, for his part, has fallen in love with her.

Giselda has also become close friends with Oronte’s mother and Acciano’s wife Sofia, who at an unspecified point in the past secretly converted to Christianity. Thus, one of the main reasons Sofia encourages Oronte and Giselda’s relationship is that she wants her son to convert to Christianity and thinks that if there’s anyone who can get him to convert, it’s Giselda. Spoiler alert: she is eventually proven correct.

And that’s what you need to know going in!

[opera-simplified]

Opera Simplified #6: I Lombardi alla prima crociata—Notes, Act I

** Verdi and Solera gave each of the four acts a subtitle.

*** For the record, I read the program book, although usually I don’t have enough time before a show to really read everything and process it all mentally, so you know what? Even if you do read the program book, this sort of exposition can be insanely helpful.

**** If you didn’t already read the thing I put above the cut, here it is. The thing about Peter the Hermit is included.

***** Some productions divide Scene 1 into two scenes at this point. For example, the Met production has a scene change during the nuns’ chorus and the second scene takes place inside the Church of Sant’Ambrogio.

****** The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, located in Jerusalem, is generally considered to sit on the two holiest sites in Christianity: the site of the crucifixion of Christ and the empty tomb associated with the Resurrection. At the time this opera takes place, the Holy Sepulchre (tomb) itself was open to the air; the church, following extensive damages, was being gradually reconstructed and consisted of an open-air court and five small chapels.

Also hey, Internet spell-check, “Sepulchre” is a word so screw you.

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Opera Simplified #6: I Lombardi alla prima crociata—Before You Go, Some Geographical and Historical Context:

Please, please, please read this before you read the actual opera portion of this Opera Simplified. It will make things so much easier for everyone. I’ll even link this post when specific stuff covered in this post gets mentioned in the opera.

First off, what is Lombardy, where is Lombardy, and who the fuck are the Lombards?

Lombardy is a region in northwestern Italy, currently one of Italy’s 20 administrative region, although at the time this opera is set, it was a semi-autonomous collection of communes (city-states) formally under the rule of the Holy Roman Empire. Milan, where the first act of this opera takes place, is the capital of the region.

Here’s a map of what the region currently looks like, which I think would be less confusing than a map of the region according to how it was at the time the opera takes place:

The term “Lombard” is just the term for anyone from the region of Lombardy.

* Dating from the Roman Empire, Rò (Rho), which gives our central family its title, is a municipality located around 14 kilometers/9 miles northwest of Milan. At the time this opera takes place, it was a capopieve, or the central seat of a Catholic parish, and was part of a commune with several other cities in the region.

And the Crusades—specifically the First Crusade?

Oh boy, this is above my historian pay grade.

I kid; I am not getting paid at all for my academic studies as an American university student dual-degreeing in history and European studies whose historical track is leaning towards European history between the 17th and early 20th centuries. As such, my knowledge of the Crusades is not incredibly intricate but I’d like to believe it’s pretty good, so here’s the incredibly short version:

Let’s start, like with many good historical explanations, with a map:

If you would like to look at the map in greater detail, you can here.

Anyway, the First Crusade:

Declared in late 1095 by Pope Urban II, the First Crusade was supposed to begin on August 15, 1096, but various peasants and petty nobles around Europe got a bit of a leg up on the people in charge, largely due to the extreme charisma of Peter the Hermit, a priest from Amiens who decided he wanted to get started ASAP.

There are a...wide variety of reasons why the First Crusade happened, and as already stated this is not my area of expertise. However, during the century immediately preceding the First Crusade, there had been much upheaval in the East: the Great Schism of 1054 was unprecedented in the way it shook Christianity, the Byzantine Empire had suffered some defeats at the hands of the Seljuk Turks, and a significant uptick in pilgrimages to the region (alongside some likely-fabricated stories of abuse of said pilgrims by inhabitants of the region). Add this to already-going-on anti-Muslim efforts such as the Reconquista in Spain, prejudices within Christian European society, bored knights who weren’t fighting enough for their own liking, and desire for economic/political power tied up with religion, among other things, and you have a powder keg. And with Pope Urban II’s famous declaration of “Deus vult!” (”God wills it!”), it exploded. The people of Europe went on crusade, many of them led by the French nobleman Godfrey of Bouillon, who is briefly mentioned in the opera.

The two main real events of the First Crusade focused on in this opera are the sieges of Antioch (1097-1098) and Jerusalem (1099), specifically how both of these sieges end.

Siege of Antioch:

There were technically two Sieges of Antioch, as the first siege failed to take the city’s citadel, but for all intents and purposes, the main Siege of Antioch ended on June 2, 1098, when thanks to a traitorous gatekeeper, the Crusaders were able to get inside the city.

Two real-life personages made their way into the opera:

Yağısıyan (1011-1098), Governor of Antioch who unsuccessfully attempted to unify warring groups in the face of imminent attack by the Crusaders, only for the city to fall and for him to be killed by Crusaders, became Acciano. If you’re wondering how that name change happened, Crusades-era European writers spelled his name several different ways; one was Acxianus, which in Italian becomes Acciano.

Firouz, also spelled Pirus (dates unknown), a man in charge of several of Antioch’s towers who opened the gates of the city to let the Crusaders in on June 2-3, 1098. Little else is certain about him; sources differ on his name and origins, as detailed in this paper. Verdi and Solera (and also possibly Grossi; I have not read the original poem, so I cannot confirm) took advantage of this by making him into the character of Pirro, who does other important things early in the opera but who does in fact ultimately let the Crusaders into Antioch.

Siege of Jerusalem:

After several years of doing their Crusader thing, the Crusaders did in fact take the city of Jerusalem on July 15, 1099. That’s the most important thing for the opera. Upon taking the city, the Crusaders did massacre thousands of Muslim and Jewish inhabitants of the city, but that is not part of the opera.

One more point, this one re: the forgiveness of sins as part of the First Crusade:

yeah! it was a thing! that was one of the main things Pope Urban II used to get more people to sign up.

while this passage (from Charny’s A Knight’s Own Book of Chivalry) is about 250 years after the time period in question, it reflects the general viewpoint in this regard:

“Those who perform deeds of arms more to gain God’s grace and for the salvation of the soul than for glory in this world, their noble souls will be set in paradise to all eternity and their persons will be for ever honored.”

keep that in mind. we’ll come back to this in the opera, I promise.

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Opera Simplified #5: Stiffelio

Stiffelio

Opera Simplified #5

The Basics:

Music: Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Premiere: world premiere: November 16, 1850; Teatro Grande, Trieste, Austria (now Italy). premiere of Verdi and Piave’s complete and uncensored original version: October 21, 1993; Metropolitan Opera, New York, New York.

Based on: Gaetano Vestri’s translation of the last three acts of Eugène Bourgeois’ and Émile Souvestre’s 1849 play Le pasteur, ou l’évangile et le foyer (The Pastor, or The Gospel and the Home), itself based on Souvestre’s 1838 novel Le pasteur d’hommes (The Pastor of Men).

Setting: A castle on the banks of the Salzach River outside of Salzburg, Austria; around the time of composition.

The Characters:

Stiffelio (alias Rodolfo Müller), a Protestant minister- tenor

Lina, his wife- soprano

Count Stankar, her father, a retired military officer, and the owner of the castle- baritone

Raffaele di Leuthold, a longterm guest at Stankar’s house, supposedly a count- tenor*

Jorg, another Protestant minister and Stiffelio’s mentor- bass

Federico di Frengel, one of Lina’s cousins and another longterm guest- tenor

Dorotea, ditto- mezzo-soprano

Fritz, a servant who appears onstage for about ten seconds total but is still a named character- mute

*Souvestre’s novel introduces Raffaele perfectly, but this was too long to put in the above:

Moitié Faust et moitié Don Juan, il était puissant par l'intelligence, par la volonté, par les sens; mais il lui était resté un vide que rien ne pouvait remplir: il n'avait pas de coeur!

(Half Faust and half Don Juan, he was powerful because of his intelligence, his will, his senses; but there remained in him a void which nothing could fill: he did not have a heart!)- p.15

Requested by: no one, but this opera is ridiculously underrated and also I’ve been thinking about it almost nonstop for a couple of weeks, so here you go.

(Special thanks to @sweatershowgirl for being a perfect springboard for ideas and a source of moral support while writing this.)

Recommended Audio Recordings: The 1980 Gardelli recording (YouTube; Spotify) is marvelously performed on all accounts and is still my go-to. However, it does not account for the critical edition discoveries made within the last thirty years; the 2000 Luisotti recording (YouTube; Spotify) does and is also wonderfully performed. Both are good to have in your library.

Recommended Video Recordings: Stiffelio is very lucky on film; just about any production is worth a watch. However, the Venice 2016 production (available here with Italian and French subtitles) is my favorite. The Met 1993 production was my first full one and I would highly recommend it if not for everyone’s least favorite tenor-conductor pair, Placido Domingo and James Levine *sigh*. (I’m still mad at the Met for not filming the 2010 revival with Sondra Radvanovsky as Lina and Michael Fabiano as Raffaele. But I digress.)

The Opera, Very Simplified: A Protestant minister returns home from an extended ministry trip only to get the feeling that something is extremely off, but he doesn’t know what. When he discovers that he has been horribly betrayed, he finds himself in an extreme internal conflict between his desire for revenge and his faith’s calling of forgiveness.

One More Note: Because the censors absolutely sucked, Verdi ended up withdrawing this opera in 1856 and reusing most of the music (although writing a new fourth act to replace the final scene, as well as revising music elsewhere) for another opera entitled Aroldo, which has a somewhat similar plot. However, trust me when I say that it’s nowhere near as good. Watch it as a curiosity, I guess, but seriously this is way better.

(As for Stiffelio, it was thought lost for over a hundred years and the first modern performance wasn’t until 1968, while the first performance using all of Verdi’s original manuscripts wasn’t until 1993. For perspective, that is only ten years before I was born.)

THE OPERA:

Overture

Act I:

Scene 1:

A hall in the castle. In the middle of the back wall is a door, with a window to its left. A fireplace burns at right. In front of the window there is a table with books, one of which is very large and has a clasp lock. There is also a large table, where Jorg is sitting alone and reading.

Jorg: Holy Word of God, give us the truth and inspire God’s chosen prophets!

As for you, Stiffelio, as you come home, let your words strike fear into the hearts of God’s enemies on earth as lightning, floods, or storms do!

*He closes the book, gets up, and looks outside.*

He’s back! His wife’s gone to meet him. As for them, Heaven forbid that their love and anything related to that gets in the way of his mission!

*Stiffelio enters with Lina, Stankar, Raffaele, Federico, and Dorotea.*

Stiffelio: At last, I get to see you all again-- my dear wife, my friends…

Jorg: Welcome back, Stiffelio!

Stankar: My son-in-law!

Stankar, Raffaele, Jorg, Federico, and Dorotea: WE’RE ALL SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU AGAIN WE’RE ALL GONNA REMEMBER THIS DAY FOREVER BECAUSE WE LOVE YOU

Dorotea: Hey, one of the boatmen came here earlier because he wanted to see you.

Stiffelio: Did he want to talk about something?

Dorotea: Yes.

Stiffelio: Oh yeah, that was Walter. Good man. He saw something strange a little while ago and wanted my guidance about it.

Stankar, Raffaele, Jorg, Federico, and Dorotea: Can you tell us what he told you?

Stiffelio: Sure! I’m not forbidden to tell you.

So he was crossing the river from here at dawn one day when he saw a window in a tower of this castle open, and then he saw a terrified young man looking out of it.

Stankar: (Wait! I have my suspicions about this!)

Lina and Raffaele: (Oh God, what am I hearing?!)

Jorg: Tell us the rest!

Federico and Dorotea: Well, that’s certainly strange.

Stiffelio: And THEN he saw a woman appear at the window and she looked almost like she had lost her mind. The man hesitated for a second but it seemed fear got the better of him because he stood on the window ledge and then jumped into the river!

Stankar: How long ago was this?

Stiffelio: Eight days ago.

Lina: OH NO OH GOD

Raffaele: (...This is EXACTLY what happened with me…)

Stankar, Jorg, Federico, and Dorotea: Did they figure out who he was?

Stiffelio: *taking a wallet out of his pocket* No, but the man dropped these papers…

Jorg, Federico, and Dorotea: ooh can we see them?

Lina and Raffaele: oh no oh no 

Stankar: What are you going to do with them?

Stiffelio: Well, in order to return them, I’d have to read the papers to find the name of the person who dropped them, and then I’d find out about something that honestly really isn’t my business. My job is to save souls, not to go snooping around in people’s personal documents.

Jorg: So…

Lina and Raffaele: What is he going to do?

Stankar, Jorg, Federico, and Dorotea: What have you decided?

Stiffelio: LET THE PAPERS BURN ALONG WITH THE NAME OF THE GUILTY MAN

*Which he summarily does by throwing them in the fireplace.*

Lina and Raffaele: THANK GOD I CAN BREATHE AGAIN

Stankar, Jorg, Federico, and Dorotea: HE’S SUCH A WONDERFUL PERSON

Stiffelio: Let both the sin and the identity of the sinner be buried in the ashes. After all, God has told us we must forgive each other.

Jorg and Federico: His forgiveness is so great that even the memory of the sin has been forgotten (and us talking about it is definitely not an oxymoron)!

Raffaele: *whispering* HEY LINA I REALLY WANT TO MEET WITH YOU AGAIN EVEN THOUGH IT’S NECESSARY TO HIDE AND LIE TO DO SO

Jorg, Federico, and Dorotea: STIFFELIO IS SUCH A GOOD AND PURE AND WONDERFUL PERSON

Stankar: ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh Raffaele I’m not sure what’s going on between you and my daughter but I have my suspicions and if it turns out I’m right and that you’ve destroyed our honor then you will fucking pay for it with your LIFE

Raffaele: *still whispering* I’M GOING TO PUT A LETTER IN THAT BOOK WE HAVE KEYS TO THAT WILL TELL YOU WHERE WE’RE GOING TO MEET NEXT

Lina: Thank God everyone didn’t find out…

Stiffelio: God has said it, it is written: we must forgive each other.

Lina: THANK GOD BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN MOVED BY MY ANGUISH SO IF I’M SAVED THEN I WILL NEVER FALL INTO SIN AGAIN

Friends and Congregation Members: *from outside* LONG LIVE STIFFELIO

Stiffelio: What’s going on?

Jorg: *looking through the window* There are a bunch of happy people coming to see you!

Stiffelio: Why?

Jorg: Duh, because they want to welcome you!

*All of the family friends and members of Stiffelio’s congregation enter.*

Friends and Congregation Members: Where is he? OH THERE HE IS 

HEY STIFFELIO WE HAVE A SONG FOR YOU BECAUSE WE THINK YOU’RE AWESOME BECAUSE YOU’RE THE PRIDE OF AUSTRIA AND GERMANY AND YOU’RE THE BEST AT GETTING RID OF SIN AND YOU FIGHT FOR THE WORD OF GOD THROUGH JUSTICE AND BROTHERLY LOVE AND YOU’LL BE IN OUR HEARTS AND WITH US EVERYWHERE FOREVER

Lina: I HAVE SO MUCH REMORSE AND IT’S ONLY MADE WORSE BECAUSE HE’S SUCH A GOOD PERSON

Stiffelio: EVERYONE THANK YOU BUT REALLY YOU SHOULD ONLY SING HYMNS TO GOD BESIDES THEN THEY’LL RING OUT ACROSS THE WHOLE WORLD

Friends and Congregation Members: WE DIDN’T HEAR WHAT YOU JUST SAID SO WE’RE GONNA KEEP SINGING OUR SONG

Raffaele: (His goodness should make me feel remorse, but...meh, it doesn’t. Besides, there is so much pleasure to be had!)

Stankar: His virtue should make Lina feel remorse...that and a father watching closely over her should do the trick.

*Lina collapses into a chair by the table; everyone else except Stiffelio follows Stankar into the next room.*

Stiffelio: She hasn’t said anything to me, or even looked at me…

Well, we’re alone together at last.

Lina: Rodolfo! Oh, sorry, forgive me: I’m still not accustomed to calling you by your real name…

Rodolfo Müller...that dear name you used when you first came to us...the first name I ever called you...when you were fleeing your persecutors and my father welcomed you into his home... **

Stiffelio: I was so unhappy without you!

Lina: But...out in the world, you had success, you must have had triumphs and pleasures…

Stiffelio: Pleasures? You’re sorely mistaken. You weren’t with me...so let me tell you what it was really like.

Everywhere I saw virtue being oppressed, young and old alike enslaved to depravity, greed reigning, justice mocked...in short, humanity adrift in a sea of sin.

Lina: THAT’S HORRIBLE

Stiffelio: And worst of all, everywhere married women, who you know are supposed to be faithful and modest, were being unfaithful to their husbands--

Lina: Ah!

Stiffelio: I know. I’m sorry. It’s all so horrible...but I see you again and I’m reminded there is still faithfulness and goodness in this world…

Lina: WHAT ARE YOU SAYING

Stiffelio: The truth, of course. But on the extreme off-chance I am ever betrayed like that, woe to the betrayer!

Lina: You are such a good person…

*she starts getting overwhelmed by emotion*

...and surely if that happened you would be forgiving?

Stiffelio: Well, no. It’s easy for a heart that hasn’t been broken to forgive, but in every soul there is a hidden treasure that no one can destroy without serious consequences. And for people who are married, that treasure is their faithfulness to one another…

*Lina, devastated for obvious reasons, starts sobbing.*

But you’re crying and shaking! Something is troubling you, I can tell. Please, whatever it is, just tell me. Talk to me.

Lina: No…

Stiffelio: No? Then at least would you smile for me? Remember, today is a happy day; it’s our wedding anniversary!

Lina: I know…(this hurts too much!)

Stiffelio: Just think, today my mother looks down from Heaven and blesses us…

*He takes her hands in his.*

Today, her ring…

*He notices that she is not wearing the ring.*

wait, WHERE’S THE RING?!?!?!?!?!

Lina: OH NO

Stiffelio: IT’S NOT THERE YOU HAVE TO TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED TO IT

Lina: To the ring?

Stiffelio: YES I’M IMMEDIATELY GOING TO ASSUME YOU GAVE IT TO SOMEONE ELSE FOR WHATEVER REASON SO WHO DID YOU GIVE IT TO

Lina: OH MY GOD THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING

Stiffelio: OH I CAN SEE YOUR REMORSE BECAUSE IT’S PRACTICALLY WRITTEN ON YOUR FACE AND YOUR SILENCE ONLY FURTHER PROVES THAT YOU’RE GUILTY OF SOMETHING ALTHOUGH I DON’T KNOW WHAT BUT IF I HAVE BEEN WRONGED MAY I BE STRUCK WITH LIGHTNING AND THEN SINK INTO THE GROUND AND HAVE ALL CREATION TURNED AGAINST ME

Lina: HIS ANGER TERRIFIES ME

*Stankar unexpectedly comes in.*

Stankar: Müller?

Stiffelio: WHAT IS IT

Stankar: Your friends are waiting for you.

Stiffelio: CAN I GET A SINGLE MOMENT TO MYSELF AROUND HERE

Stankar: ...Why are you so angry?

Stiffelio: ...Forgive me. Let’s go.

And as for you, Lina, I will be back soon. But if you have betrayed me...

Lina and Stankar: HIS ANGER REALLY TERRIFIES ME

*Stiffelio and Stankar leave.*

Lina: He said he’d be back soon...I’m done for! How could I possibly explain this away? My remorse keeps me from saying anything, and besides, what could I even say? I’M A HORRIBLE PERSON AND I’VE BEEN BETRAYED AND NO ONE ON EARTH CAN SAVE ME FROM ALL THIS

MERCIFUL GOD SEE MY ANGUISH AND PLEASE FORGIVE ME AND LET HIM FORGIVE ME TOO OR ELSE LET ME PAY FOR MY SHAME WITH MY LIFE

He’ll be coming back...and I’ll have to answer him somehow! But how? What should I say? Should I go ahead and tell him everything? Well...no. I’ll tell him everything, but in a letter.

*She sits down and starts to write a letter.*

“Rodolfo…” AGH I CAN’T DO THIS yes you can Lina you need to

*As she goes back to writing, Stankar comes back in.*

Stankar: I need to get to the bottom of all this.

*He sees Lina.*

Ah, there she is!

Lina: ...that isn’t right, this isn’t what I want to say or how to say it…

*Stankar approaches Lina slowly and suddenly places his hand on the letter.*

Stankar: A letter! You’re writing to Raffaele again, aren’t you?

*He grabs the paper.*

Lina: WHAT NO

Stankar: Shut up.

*He starts to read the letter.*

“Rodolfo, I am no longer worthy of you--”

SO I WAS RIGHT ABOUT YOU AND RAFFAELE HAVING AN AFFAIR

Lina: PLEASE I CAN’T KEEP QUIET ABOUT THIS ANYMORE IT’S TOO MUCH TO BEAR

Stankar: Okay, first off: who breaks up with someone via letter???

Lina: Dad-- 

Stankar: More importantly, IF STIFFELIO FINDS OUT ABOUT ALL THIS THEN HE’LL FALL INTO DESPAIR AND DIE ***

Lina: NO! Dear God, I want him to live, but I CAN’T LIE TO HIM ABOUT THIS

Stankar: Fine. But tell him that you’re too weak to put your sin behind you and too afraid of your own guilt. Tell him that you think it’s easier for YOU to tell him you betrayed him even though YOU KNOW IT WOULD KILL HIM. 

I mean, look at you: as if it weren’t enough that you committed adultery and risk bringing dishonor upon us all if anyone finds out about this, you have to go and be a coward as well!

Lina: DAD STOP

Stankar: Listen to me. You will save your husband. YOU ARE UNWORTHY OF HIS LOVE BUT YOU ALSO HAVE TO KEEP UP APPEARANCES THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE OR ELSE WE’RE ALL RUINED

Lina: NO

Stankar: I AM YOUR FATHER YOU MUST OBEY ME IT’S EVEN IN THE BIBLE EXCEPT GIVEN RECENT EVENTS YOU’RE NOT PARTICULARLY GOOD AT FOLLOWING THAT

Lina: NO STOP IT

Stankar: BUT--

Lina: NEVER

Stankar: NEVER???

Lina: NEVER!!!

Stankar: NEVER?!?!?!?!

Lina: NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stankar: Well, consider this: in order to keep up appearances and save my own honor, you know what I have to do? I’ll have to keep all my anger and shame bottled up inside me and pretend everything is fine and still call you my daughter, even though I DESPISE YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE BROUGHT DISHONOR UPON ME

Lina: THIS IS HORRIBLE WHY ARE YOU MAKING ME SUFFER LIKE THIS WHEN I’VE REPENTED AND YOU CAN SEE ME CRYING AND ALSO I NEED TO POINT OUT THAT I DID NOT SIN OF MY OWN FREE WILL ****

Stankar: YOU DISHONORED ME AND I AM SO ASHAMED OF YOU

Lina: I DIDN’T DO IT WILLINGLY

Stankar: Enough. Stop your blubbering.

Lina: DAD NO STOP I CAN’T

Stankar: You must.

Lina: BUT I CAN’T

Stankar: LET ME REMIND YOU THAT YOU MUST OBEY ME

Lina: BUT I CAN’T KEEP SILENT

Stankar: You must. It will be the one duty as a wife that you haven’t fucked up. And for your husband’s sake, you must keep it that way.

Lina: Fine. I’ll keep silent.

Stankar: Good.

Lina: (Who will help me???)

Stankar: Stop crying and come with me. No one, and I mean no one, must even suspect what’s happened with you and Raffaele. So let’s bury the truth because our honor demands it, and if Stiffelio has lost your love...make sure he never knows. Let him have the love of his flock as consolation. But he especially must never know.

Lina: This is all too much...I’ve lost him forever...fine. I’ll stop crying and put on a happy face and pretend I’m not dying inside. But I’ve lost my husband forever, even though I’ve always loved him!

*They leave together. Raffaele enters, looking a little miffed.*

Raffaele: Everyone’s avoiding meeeeeeeeeee I don’t understand whyyyyyyyy (I mean, there’s no way that it could be because of my personality or behavior or anything) but I wanna have a rendez-vous with Lina so I’m gonna leave her a note! 

*He takes a note out of his pocket.*

Here’s the book. She and I are the only ones who have keys to it. It’s FOOLPROOF!

*He unlocks the book. Jorg approaches from the other side of the window.*

Jorg: IT’S TIME FOR A VIBE CHECK oh wait what’s this???

*He watches as Raffaele places the note inside the book and locks it.*

This does not pass the vibe check.

*Federico enters and Jorg continues watching.*

Federico: Raffaele?

Raffaele: Yello?

Federico: Oh hey, you have it. Klopstock’s Messiah, right? Yeah. Uh...we need that book like right now. *****

Raffaele: oh shit i thought this was foolproof uhhhhh Raffaele play this cool

*Federico takes the book. He and Raffaele leave together as Jorg watches disapprovingly.*

Notes

Scene 2:

A reception hall in the castle, brightly lit and prepared for a party celebrating Stiffelio’s return. The guests (friends of the family and members of the congregation) are mingling and having a good old time.

Guests: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY STIFFELIO’S BACK WE’RE SO HAPPY we really hope that everything here will be full of joy and peace and just as much love as he spreads to people because it makes everyone equal regardless of social class anyway LET’S ALL SING AND SHOW HIM HOW HAPPY WE ARE AND HOW MUCH WE LOVE HIM

*They move to the back of the hall as Jorg enters and finds Stiffelio.*

Stiffelio: You’re late! Where were you?

Jorg: These parties are too worldly for me.

Stiffelio: Even an innocent celebration like this? 

Jorg: You think it may be innocent, but even something like this can be the cause of sin.

Guests: ...we really hope that everything here will be full of joy and peace…

Stiffelio: Anyway, if you’re so scornful of these parties, then why are you here?

Jorg: I need to tell you something.

Stiffelio: What is it?

Jorg: I was going to do one of my vibe checks--

Stiffelio: What is a “vibe check”?

Jorg: I’m older than you; how do you not know what a vibe check is?

Stiffelio: ...The point is?

Jorg: The point is that when I was going to do my vibe check, when I saw this guy place this note inside a book and lock it and he was obviously worried about getting caught--

Stiffelio: A note? 

Jorg: --and awaiting a reply to that note. I think there is some sin afoot.

Stiffelio: Oh God! Who?

*Lina, Raffaele, Dorotea, and Federico (who is carrying the book) enter with some friends.*

Jorg: The guy with the book, right there, talking to Lina.

Stiffelio: FEDERICO?!?! How do I confirm this?

Jorg: We can figure that out later.

*Stiffelio falls into deep thought.*

Dorotea: Hey, whatcha doin’ there, Stiffelio? Planning your new sermon?

Federico: We’re going to have a special meeting at the church tonight!

Guests: AND WE’LL ALL BE THERE TOO

Federico: Sneak preview- what’s the topic?

Stiffelio: Judas’ betrayal.

Lina and Raffaele: oh friiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick.

Federico: THAT’S A GREAT TOPIC

Guests: YEAH BECAUSE THE WICKED WILL TREMBLE

Stiffelio: ...You want me to give a preview?

Guests: Sure!

Stiffelio: Alright, then…

So in this sermon I’m planning, I’m going to talk about Judas, yes, but also more broadly. I’m going to condemn all betrayers. Especially the ones who use their cunning to be homewreckers, and ESPECIALLY the very ones who are oh so friendly and hold out their hand for you to your face while bragging about how they’ve betrayed you behind your back! And I will hurl a curse upon them-- the very curse of betrayers in that book!

*He grabs the book from Federico and unsuccessfully attempts to open it.*

It’s locked!

Dorotea: HEY I DON’T KNOW IF THIS HELPS AT ALL BUT LINA HAS A KEY TO THAT BOOK

Lina: OH GOD DOROTEA STOP

Stiffelio: OPEN IT THEN

Lina: you want me to WHAT

Stiffelio: I WANT YOU TO OPEN IT

Lina: ME???

Stiffelio: YOU CAN BE AFRAID ALL YOU WANT BUT THAT’S NOT GONNA CHANGE THE FACT THAT YOU’RE GONNA UNLOCK THIS BOOK BECAUSE THERE IS DAMNING PROOF OF A BETRAYER LOCKED INSIDE

*Everyone freezes and internally panics.*

OKAY NOW I’M INTERNALLY PANICKING BECAUSE MY MIND IS GOING ALL OVER THE PLACE AND BECAUSE THERE’S SOME HORRIBLE SECRET INSIDE THAT BOOK

Everyone Else: WE’RE ALL INTERNALLY PANICKING NOW TOO BECAUSE IT’S ALMOST TOO TERRIBLE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT HORRIBLE SECRET IS INSIDE THAT BOOK

Everyone: WHATEVER THIS SECRET IS IT’S GOING TO BE REALLY BAD AND PROBABLY RUIN PEOPLE’S LIVES

Stiffelio: You won’t open it? Fine, I’ll go ahead and open it myself.

*He breaks the lock, opening the book. Raffaele’s note falls out of the book and onto the floor.*

A note!

Lina: (Oh God!)

*Stankar immediately grabs the note.*

Stankar: YOU DON’T HAVE THE RIGHT TO READ THIS AND YOU’RE NOT GONNA FIND OUT WHO WROTE IT OR TO WHOM IT WAS ADDRESSED

Stiffelio: I WANT THAT NOTE GIVE IT BACK

Stankar: I am an old man, so you’d best treat me with some respect.

Stiffelio: GIVE IT BACK

Stankar: NO!

Stiffelio: GIVE IT BACK

Stankar: NO!!!!!!!

Stiffelio: I WILL NOT SAY THIS AGAIN GIVE IT--

Stankar: *ripping up the note* HOW ABOUT NOPE

Stiffelio: WHO WILL SAVE YOU FROM MY ANGER BECAUSE YOU ARE A HORRIBLE PERSON AND I’M REALLY REALLY ANGRY AND I CAN’T HOLD MY ANGER BACK ANYMORE

Lina: *intervening* DON’T DO THIS TO MY FATHER IF YOU WANT TO GET REALLY REALLY ANGRY AT SOMEONE GET ANGRY AT ME ESPECIALLY BECAUSE MY FATHER IS OLD (no offense, Dad)

Stankar: *whispering* Raffaele, I officially challenge you to a duel tonight in the cemetery.

Raffaele: *whispering* CALM DOWN FOR FIVE SECONDS 

Stankar: Choose your weapons because we are going to fight, you traitor.

Raffaele: I’m not afraid of you, but you need to keep in mind who I am, mm’kay?

Jorg, Dorotea, Federico, and Guests: EVERYTHING WAS GOING JUST FINE SO WHY DID A DEMON HAVE TO COME MAKE STIFFELIO BE SO SUSPICIOUS OF EVERYONE

Raffaele: Besides, you shouldn’t be calling me a traitor because I’m not a traitor.

Stankar: KEEP TELLING YOURSELF THAT BUT IT WON’T CHANGE ANYTHING

Guests: THIS IS JUST SO MESSED UP WHY WOULD ANYONE TRY TO MESS WITH STIFFELIO???

*Stiffelio and Jorg leave together through the doors on the right; Lina and Stankar leave together through the doors on the left; everyone else leaves through the doors in the middle of the back wall.*

Act II:

That night, at the castle cemetery. Center stage is a cross with several steps in front of it; to the left is a staircase leading to a church lit from within. At right in the distance is an entrance to the castle. The moon illuminates the graves, which are shaded by cypress trees. One of the graves looks more recent. Lina enters from the back.

Lina: Oh God, where am I? Something has brought me here...but what? Raffaele will be here...here??? This place is too awful! And I don’t want to meet him here, but I must…

I CAN SEE WHAT I’VE DONE CARVED INTO EVERY GRAVESTONE AND THE WIND SOUNDS LIKE A VOICE CONDEMNING ME

*She wanders through the cemetery before stopping at one of the graves.*

My mother’s grave! She was so pure and good...and I...MOTHER PLEASE HELP ME

Please, I’m begging you, take just a moment, look down on me from Heaven...and bring my tears to God, and add yours to them if blessed souls can still weep in paradise...because you are so good, for your sake God will not deny me His forgiveness! And that’s about the last hope I have.

*Raffaele enters.*

Raffaele: HI LINA

Lina: shhhhhhhhhhhh what are you doing besides I know my father is nearby and also my husband is suspicious and he’s probably guessed most if not all of it--

Raffaele: He suspects only Federico because your father destroyed that note.

Lina: Do you have any sense of remorse whatsoever? Because I’ll probably have it for all eternity.

Raffaele: I’m acting in service of love; why should I be afraid of it?

Lina: I was caught unaware then; besides, you do realize that I do not love you and that I have never loved you, right?

Raffaele: BUT I LOVE YOU

Lina: If that’s true, then prove it. Give me back my wedding ring and my letters, leave at once, and never come within my sight again.

Raffaele: NO I’M NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP NEVER GONNA LET YOU DOWN--

Lina: THAT’S NOT EVEN A GOOD SONG

Raffaele: I’M GONNA STAY HERE AND DEFEND YOU

Lina: LEAVE

Raffaele: NO I’M STAYING HERE WITH YOU

Lina: ONCE AGAIN, LEAVE

Raffaele: ONCE AGAIN, NO I’M STAYING HERE WITH YOU

Lina: OH SO YOU WANT TO DESTROY ME EVEN MORE AFTER I’VE BEEN HURT AND BETRAYED BECAUSE IF YOU STAY HERE THEN MY LIFE WILL JUST BE ME WEEPING UNTIL I DIE BUT EVEN THOUGH I WAS ONCE HAPPY AND YOU RUINED THAT I WILL BLESS YOU IF YOU LEAVE

You’re still standing there, so I’m just going to say that all again in case you didn’t get the hint the first time.

OH SO YOU WANT TO DESTROY ME EVEN MORE AFTER I’VE BEEN HURT AND BETRAYED BECAUSE IF YOU STAY HERE THEN MY LIFE WILL JUST BE ME WEEPING UNTIL I DIE BUT EVEN THOUGH I WAS ONCE HAPPY AND YOU RUINED THAT I WILL BLESS YOU IF YOU LEAVE

Raffaele: NOPE I’M STAYING HERE

Lina: FINE THEN I’M GONNA TELL STIFFELIO EVERYTHING

*Unexpectedly, Stankar appears at the cemetery gate, holding two swords.*

Stankar: NO YOU’RE NOT

Lina: DAD--

Stankar: LEAVE

Lina: Dad, I can see in your eyes that--

Stankar: Obey.

*Lina leaves. Stankar throws off his cloak and presents the two swords.*

Choose one!

Raffaele: ...Are we having a duel?

Stankar: WE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT THIS THE ANSWER IS YES AND IT’S TO THE DEATH

Raffaele: I hate to say it (actually I don’t), but this ain’t a fair fight.

Stankar: You refuse a duel challenge? Fine, I’ll insult you in front of everyone and God.

Raffaele: Well, I’m not afraid of your empty threats. Besides, I’ll win some respect for saving a man as old as you from meeting death in a duel.

Stankar: YOU ARE A COWARD AND A HORRIBLE HORRIBLE PERSON

...You’re still not angry and offended enough to fight? Do you have any sense of honor whatsoever?

Raffaele: I am merely patient, sir. Perhaps you should take a tip.

Stankar: I AM SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW AND YOU ARE GOING TO LISTEN TO ME

Raffaele: Enough of this nonsense.

Stankar: Very well, I have only one more thing to say to you. 

If no insult of mine, not even calling you a coward, affects you in the slightest, then I still have one thing up my sleeve: I will make sure that everyone knows who you really are.

Raffaele: Enough of this, Stankar!

Stankar: You are an adventurer who seeks to hide the truth about yourself. You claim you are a Count, that you are of noble lineage...but I know that you are not a nobleman; you are nothing but a foundling!

Raffaele: THAT’S IT GIVE ME A SWORD NOW

*He takes a sword.*

Stankar: AT LAST

Raffaele: EN GARDE

Stankar: TO THE DEATH

Stankar and Raffaele: TO THE DEATH THEN

*They get ready to fight.*

THERE IS NO DEMON OR GOD THAT CAN SAVE YOU FROM ME BECAUSE YOUR BLOOD AND MY ANGER ALONE CAN END THIS SHAME YOU HAVE INFLICTED UPON ME

*They start fighting, when all of a sudden, from the doors of the church:*

Stiffelio: WHAT’S THAT NOISE

*He rushes down the stairs into the cemetery.*

A DUEL?!?!?!?!?! PUT DOWN YOUR SWORDS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stankar and Raffaele: STIFFELIO WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE

*They put down their swords.*

Stiffelio: Seriously, you two?

You are profaning sacred ground with your duel! You’re trampling on hallowed graves with your feet and you’re even daring to fight with the cross standing above your heads!

Stankar: Fine. We’ll go finish this elsewhere.

Stiffelio: You know who else is going to be there, no matter where you go?

Stankar: ...I certainly hope not you.

Stiffelio: Wrong answer. I meant God.

Stankar and Raffaele: LEAVE US ALONE ONE OF US NEEDS TO DIE

Stiffelio: And as for your earlier comment, I too will know how to be wherever you may go in order to prevent further fighting.

Stankar: Have you forgotten to whom you are speaking? I am a nobleman and a decorated veteran and your father-in-law--

Stiffelio: And I am speaking in the name of God, so you’d best both stop protesting and listen to me. Drop your weapons.

Whatever the reason for this duel may be, let it be forgotten; we must forgive each other…

Stankar: NEVER

Stiffelio: Let’s shake hands and forget and forgive all this. Raffaele, you are younger, so give me your hand…

*He disarms Raffaele, who reluctantly holds out his hand so Stiffelio can take it.*

Stankar: WHAT AN UNPRECEDENTED INSULT RAFFAELE HOW DARE YOU TAKE THE HAND OF THE MAN YOU BETRAYED

Stiffelio: wait WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Stankar: OH FUCK DID I ACTUALLY JUST SAY THAT

Stiffelio: TELL ME WHAT YOU MEAN 

Stankar: NO LEAVE ME ALONE AND FORGET THE LAST THIRTY SECONDS EVER HAPPENED

Stiffelio: I WANT TO KNOW TELL ME EVERYTHING

*And in spectacularly bad timing, Lina returns at that exact moment.*

Lina: I HEARD WEAPONS WHAT’S GOING ON HERE

Stiffelio: THIS MYSTERY NEEDS TO BE SOLVED

Lina: OH GOD 

Stankar and Raffaele: LINA WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE

Stiffelio: I WILL HAVE THE TRUTH AT LAST

Lina: FORGIVE ME RODOLFO

Stiffelio: ...Forgive you? Why?

*And then he looks at Raffaele and starts to put it all together.*

So it was that man who…

Stankar: Müller…

Stiffelio: SO IT WAS TRUE???

No...it can’t be...Lina, please, at least tell me it’s a lie...say even one word and tell me it isn’t true...for mercy’s sake, exonerate yourself, all you have to do is say a single word…

*Lina, in despair and unable to exonerate herself for obvious reasons, remains silent.*

But you remain silent...you remain silent...OH GOD YOU ACTUALLY HAD AN AFFAIR WITH HIM AND I CAN’T BELIEVE OTHERWISE ANYMORE AND NOW I WANT TO KILL YOU

Lina: I knew this would happen...it was waiting to burst over my head at any second...now the storm has come…

Stankar: RAFFAELE GOD HAS WRITTEN YOUR FATE WITH MY DAUGHTER’S TEARS

Raffaele: Well, I’m ready to take whatever fate has in store for me.

Lina: THE REST OF MY LIFE IS JUST GOING TO BE A SLOW AND PAINFUL DEATH

Stankar: YOU ARE GUILTY OF SOMETHING HORRIBLE AND IT WILL NOT GO UNPUNISHED ANY LONGER

Raffaele: So what are you waiting for?

Lina: GOD YOU ARE THE FATHER OF ALL WRETCHED SOULS PLEASE DO NOT DENY ME YOUR MERCY

Stiffelio: I’M STILL HOLDING OUT ON THE TINIEST SCRAP OF HOPE LINA PLEASE TELL ME IT’S A LIE

Raffaele: STANKAR YOU’RE GOING TO LEARN THAT I’M NOT A COWARD

Stankar: YOU’RE VERY LUCKY THAT ALL THIS SAVED ME FROM KILLING YOU FOR THE MOMENT BUT MY WRATH IS ONLY GOING TO COME DOWN ON YOU EVEN STRONGER FOR IT

Stiffelio: OH GOD YOU ACTUALLY HAD AN AFFAIR WITH HIM AND I CAN’T BELIEVE OTHERWISE ANYMORE AND NOW I WANT TO KILL YOU

Lina: DEAR GOD PLEASE DO NOT DENY ME YOUR MERCY

Stankar: You need to understand that Lina is not the one you need to punish here.

Stiffelio: OH I KNOW WHO’S THE GUILTY ONE HERE AND I SEE THAT YOU WERE JUST TRYING TO AVENGE MY HONOR

*He grabs Stankar’s sword.*

ENOUGH OF THIS RAFFAELE TAKE YOUR SWORD

Raffaele: Against YOU????? I DON’T WANT TO

Stiffelio: DEFEND YOURSELF

Raffaele: I DON’T WANNA

Stiffelio: DO YOU NOT HEAR THE DEAD CRYING OUT AT YOU??? TREMBLE YOU TRAITOR BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO BE PUNISHED FOR WHAT YOU’VE DONE AND YOUR TIME HAS COME

*He makes to stab Raffaele but the congregation starts singing from within the church. At that moment, Jorg steps out from the church.*

Congregation Members: O LORD DO NOT PUNISH ME IN YOUR ANGER OR ELSE I WILL BE DONE FOR…

Jorg: Stiffelio?

*Stiffelio lets the sword fall from his hands.*

Stiffelio: What’s that sound?

Jorg: *coming over to him* That’s your congregation.

Congregation Members: ...HAVE MERCY ON ME AND I WILL SING YOUR PRAISES FOREVER

Stiffelio: ...What do they want?

Jorg: They’re asking for comfort.

Stiffelio: Comfort?

Jorg: Come back to your senses.

Stiffelio: *almost delirious* I’M IN DESPAIR AND I’M BURNING WITH A FURY THAT CAN ONLY COME FROM HELL QUICK SOMEONE PUT A CALM AND COLD HAND ON ME BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE THAT’S THE ONLY THING THAT CAN STOP IT SO MAKE MY VEINS WITHER AND MY BLOOD TURN COLD AND ONLY THEN CAN MY STRENGTH OVERCOME IT ALL BUT ALSO I’LL PROBABLY BE DEAD BY THAT POINT SO EVERYONE JUST LEAVE ME BECAUSE MY HEART HAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED

Congregation Members: *still singing inside the church* Dear Lord, do not punish me in Your anger…

Jorg: Do you not hear them?

Congregation Members: ...or I shall melt away as mists before the sun…

Stiffelio, Lina, and Stankar: This is all too horrible…

Congregation Members: ...have mercy on me, Lord...

Jorg: Lift up your thoughts to God and remember who you are!

Congregation Members: ...and I will sing Your praises forever!

*They continue singing these lines for the remainder of the act.*

Stiffelio: ...I am a minister!

*He kneels.*

Dear God, I don’t know what I’m going to say to them anymore, inspire me, tell me what I should speak about tomorrow…

Lina, Stankar, Raffaele, and Jorg: About peace and forgiveness…

Stiffelio: *rising* About FORGIVENESS??? NEVER!!! LET THE ADULTERESS BE DAMNED

Lina, Stankar, and Raffaele: OH GOD

*Lina collapses at Stiffelio’s feet as Jorg climbs up the central steps.*

Jorg: Stiffelio, remember, by this cross Christ forgave all humanity.

*Stiffelio staggers towards the cross.*

Stiffelio: The cross...my blood is turning cold...I’m dying…

*He faints.*

Lina, Stankar, Raffaele, and Jorg: Poor soul!

Act III:

Scene 1:

The next morning. An antechamber with doors to several other rooms. There is a table, on which are placed two pistols and writing utensils. Stankar enters while reading a letter.

Stankar: He’s FLED?! And as if THAT weren’t enough, HE WROTE LINA THIS LETTER TO TRY TO GET HER TO FOLLOW HIM AND NOW HE’S ESCAPED MY REVENGE

*He picks up his sword.*

You were at my side for so many years and you won me glory in all my battles, but GET AWAY FROM ME BECAUSE I AM NO LONGER WORTHY OF YOU

*He throws it to the ground.*

I’M NO LONGER WORTHY OF YOU BECAUSE I AM DISHONORED 

...And what is life without honor? It’s a DISGRACE SO LET ME TAKE MY OWN LIFE AND LET IT ALL BE OVER IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE

*He picks up one of the pistols to shoot himself, but stops.*

But to leave everything and everyone behind...Stiffelio...my daughter...my guilty daughter! 

*He starts crying.*

A tear? In MY eyes? The eyes of a SOLDIER??? The fact that I’m even crying...that’s all you need to know about how great my sorrow is…

Lina, I thought that when you were born, Heaven had sent me an angel, a ray of sunshine, the purest kind of love to comfort me in my old age...but it was all a dream, a foolish dream! And now all the joy I once had in my life is gone! 

When I lie dying someday, the righteous won’t weep for me... all that will follow my coffin is dishonor! Now let me end it all!

*He sits down and starts to write a suicide note.*

Farewell, Stiffelio! Farewell forever…

*He finishes the note and picks up the pistol once again. Jorg enters.*

Jorg: TIME FOR ANOTHER VIBE CHECK

Stankar: CAN’T YOU SEE I’M IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMETHING

*He puts the pistol down.*

Jorg: ...That does not pass the vibe check. Anyway, I was just stopping by to ask you where Stiffelio is.

Stankar: He’s in his room and he doesn’t want to see anyone.

Jorg: Well, he will when I tell him that I found Raffaele--

Stankar: wait WHAT

Jorg: --and he’ll be here shortly.

*He goes into Stiffelio’s room.*

Stankar: He’ll be here shortly??? HE’LL BE HERE SHORTLY??? HE’LL BE COMING HERE!!! Well then, one of us will die here today!!!

I FEEL SO MUCH JOY THAT I CANNOT EXPRESS AND MY HEART IS BEATING TOO QUICKLY AND I FEEL SO ECSTATIC THAT I MIGHT BE LOSING MY MIND AND I CAN BARELY BREATHE BUT OH WHAT JOY BECAUSE REVENGE IS SO CLOSE I CAN FEEL IT AND I WILL BE REBORN

*He leaves. Stiffelio enters from his room with Jorg close behind.*

Stiffelio: Tell everyone I will be at church shortly. Now leave, please.

Jorg: He’s here.

*He leaves. Raffaele enters.*

Raffaele: Well, this is awkward...you wanted to see me?

Stiffelio: Yes.

Raffele: Go ahead, I know you’re going to read me the riot act--

Stiffelio: Not a word.

Raffaele: Uh, well, then, if you want revenge, then I guess go ahead and take it.

Stiffelio: I have only brought you here to ask you a single question.

Raffaele: Uh...what is it?

Stiffelio: My question is: what would you do if Lina were free to marry?

Raffaele: What are you saying?!

Stiffelio: I asked you a question. Answer it.

Raffaele: Um...isn’t that kinda impossible??? **

Stiffelio: Fritz!

*Fritz the loveable non-singing servant makes his only onstage appearance.*

Please tell Lina that I am waiting here and would like to see her.

*Fritz leaves and thus disappears from the opera.*

Raffaele: What are you trying to find out here?

Stiffelio: Oh, just whether your libertine lifestyle or the future of the woman you have ruined is more important to you, that’s all.

*pointing to one of the doors* Go into that room and you will hear everything you need to know.

Raffaele: (oh shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.)

*He complies. Lina enters.*

Stiffelio: Given that we’re parting ways, we need to have this conversation.

Lina: You’re leaving?

Stiffelio: Tonight. 

Lina: But why?

Stiffelio: Listen.

From this point forward, we must go our separate ways. I have resigned myself to my way: I will go down my path and live only for God. Your way must be to marry the man you have chosen and save yourself from dishonor.

Lina: What are you saying?

Stiffelio: When we were married, I was being persecuted everywhere, so I signed the marital contract under an assumed name. Under the law, this means that our marriage can be dissolved. And here is what will do it. ***

*He presents her with a bill of divorce.*

Lina: OH MY GOD WE’RE GETTING A DIVORCE?!?!?!?!?!

Stiffelio: I’ve already signed it. Sign your name next to mine.

Lina: RODOLFO I KNEW THAT I WAS GOING TO GET A FATAL BLOW HERE BUT I THOUGHT THAT I WAS AT BARE MINIMUM WORTHY OF REPROACH BUT INSTEAD ALL I GET FROM YOU IS HORRIBLE BITTER CONTEMPT SO GO AHEAD AND KILL ME BECAUSE I WOULD DIE FOR YOUR LOVE

*She starts sobbing.*

Stiffelio: Oh, I see. You hoped that by crying, you would make me less upset. You really thought that it could make everyone forget what you’ve done? You really thought that it would make me not care about the dishonor you have brought upon us and welcome you back? Well, YOU’RE WRONG BECAUSE OFFENSES TO HONOR LAST AS LONG AS OUR VERY SOULS

Lina: FINE GIVE ME THAT PAPER

*She takes the bill of divorce from him and sits down at the table.*

Stiffelio: You’re signing it?

Lina: Yes.

Stiffelio: After all that...ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!?!

*Lina signs the bill and hands it to him.*

Lina: You thought my tears were insincere. Here is the proof that they are not: I would rather divorce you and convince you of my sincerity than not divorce you and you live the rest of your life not knowing the truth. We are both free now and there is nothing between us anymore. Now I can tell you…

*Stiffelio turns to leave.*

No, listen!

Stiffelio: NO MORE OF THIS

Lina: I WANT YOU TO LISTEN TO ME

*She holds him back from leaving.*

Now I turn to you, not as my husband, but as a minister, because even sinners and criminals can be welcomed into heaven...and I beg you to listen to me, not as your wife, but as a sinner.

Stiffelio: PLEASE JUST GO

Lina: NO LET ME CONFESS EVERYTHING

*She throws herself at his feet.*

Stiffelio: What? You? What am I going to hear?

Lina: What my husband did not want to hear.

My husband offered an agreement to make me the wife of another man...as if I could ever find any peace in this world after losing him...as if I would be fine with paying that price just to regain my honor...AS IF I COULD LIVE KNOWING THAT HE DESPISES ME…

Stiffelio: Enough of this, please…

Lina: To be the wife of another man! So you don’t understand how much I love you--

Stiffelio: LOVE??? What do you MEAN, “LOVE”???

Lina: I have always loved you--

Stiffelio: What are you saying???

Lina: I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED YOU--

Stiffelio: WHAT ARE YOU EVEN SAYING???

Lina: --AND I STILL LOVE YOU!!! And I call upon God as my witness.

Stiffelio: BUT WHAT ABOUT RAFFAELE

Lina: HE BETRAYED ME

Stiffelio: HE BETRAYED YOU???

Lina: YES

Stiffelio: WELL LET HIM DIE THEN AND I HAVE THE RIGHT TO KILL HIM--

Lina: OH MY GOD

Stiffelio: HE’S IN THERE--

*He goes towards the room where Raffaele was, but at that moment, Stankar emerges from the room, holding a sword covered in blood.*

Stankar: He is no more.

Lina: wait WHAT

*Jorg enters from another door.*

Jorg: DID YOU MURDER HIM

Stiffelio: WERE YOU TWO DUELING AGAIN

Stankar: I made him atone for what he’s done. Besides, he could have revealed everything to everyone else and now he can’t do that because he’s dead.

*He leaves.*

Jorg: Come with me to the church; you’ll find strength there…

Stiffelio: YES LET’S GO THERE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE ALL THIS PLACE HAS ARE SIN AND DEATH LET IT STAND AS AN EXAMPLE TO ALL SEDUCERS ABOUT HOW THEIR ACTIONS CAN RUIN LIVES BECAUSE GOD HAS CURSED THIS PLACE AND STRUCK IT WITH DISGRACE

Lina: NO ONE ON EARTH CAN EASE MY SORROW AND I WILL NEVER BE FORGIVEN FOR THIS PLEASE MERCIFUL GOD GIVE ME YOUR FORGIVENESS I’M BEGGING YOU FROM MY HEART WHICH NEVER SINNED BECAUSE I DIDN’T WANT ANY OF THIS

Stiffelio: GOD HAS CURSED THIS PLACE AND STRUCK IT WITH DISGRACE

Lina: I WILL NEVER BE FORGIVEN FOR THIS EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT SIN OF MY OWN FREE WILL

*Stiffelio is led out by Jorg; Lina goes into one of the rooms.*

WARNING:

If you have not seen this opera, I strongly recommend that you stop here and click on “Scene 2″ right below this, which will take you to a video of the final scene, and then watch it. DO NOT READ AHEAD. If you do before watching the scene, do not pass go, do not collect $200, go straight to Monopoly Jail.

But seriously, if you’re unfamiliar with this opera, do NOT read the final scene before you watch it. You will thank me later.

Scene 2:

Later that morning. The interior of the castle church, in the Gothic style. A pulpit stands at center with a staircase leading up to it. The congregation enters little by little as an organ plays. Federico and Dorotea enter. Then Lina, covered by a veil, enters at right; Stankar enters at left. Everyone kneels and begins to sing.

Federico, Dorotea, and Congregation Members: Dear Lord, do not punish me in Your anger…

Lina: Dear God, I place my trust in You; have mercy on me...

Stankar: I have killed the man who dishonored me…

Federico, Dorotea, and Congregation Members: ...or I shall melt away as mists before the sun…

Lina: ...do not deny me Your goodness...

Stankar: ...in order to save the honor You gave me...

Federico, Dorotea, and Congregation Members:  ...have mercy on me, Lord...

Lina: ...God have mercy on me...

Stankar: ...God forgive me...

Federico, Dorotea, and Congregation Members: ...and I will sing Your praises forever!

Lina: ...do not deny me Your goodness!

Stankar: ...as You once forgave the repentant David!

Lina, Stankar, Federico, Dorotea, and Congregation Members: Do not punish us! Have mercy on us, O Lord!

*Stiffelio and Jorg enter the church from the right, wearing their black ministerial attire. Stiffelio is carrying the Bible. *

Jorg: You there, Stiffelio?

Stiffelio: I’m here.

Lina: (I’ll hear him speak again!)

Federico, Dorotea, and Congregation Members: Have mercy…

Stiffelio: *passing by Lina and not recognizing her* Who’s that woman?

Lina: (He didn’t recognize me!)

Stiffelio: Jorg, please, stay here.

Federico, Dorotea, and Congregation Members: Have mercy…

Jorg: Take heart. Everyone here is placing their hopes in you.

Federico, Dorotea, and Congregation Members: Have mercy…

*Lina lifts her veil.*

Stiffelio: (Oh God!)

Jorg: What is it?

Stiffelio: She’s here…

Jorg: Remember where you are. Have courage.

Stiffelio: Alright…

Federico, Dorotea, and Congregation Members: Have mercy…

Stiffelio: ...But everything is just all mixed up in my head and my thoughts escape me...

Federico, Dorotea, and Congregation Members: Have mercy…

Jorg: Go up there, open the Bible to a random page, and just talk about whatever you open it up to. God will inspire you.

Stiffelio: Alright, that’s a good idea.

Jorg: Take heart.

Federico, Dorotea, and Congregation Members: Have mercy…

*Stiffelio climbs the staircase and takes his place at the pulpit, doing as Jorg told him. Once he has opened the Bible, he begins to read in a trembling voice.*

Stiffelio: “Then Jesus turned to the assembled people and pointed to the adulteress who was at His feet, and spoke thus:...” ****

Lina: (Oh God!)

Stiffelio: “‘Let him among you who has never sinned cast the first stone…’”

Jorg: What are you saying?

Lina: (Is he going to finish?)

Stiffelio: “And the woman...the woman...arose, forgiven.”

Jorg: Stiffelio, what are you doing?

Lina: OH GOD

*She collapses in front of the pulpit and Stiffelio places his hand on the Bible.*

Stiffelio: Forgiven...forgiven...GOD HAS SPOKEN SHE IS FORGIVEN

Stiffelio, Stankar, Jorg, Federico, Dorotea, and Congregation Members: GOD HIMSELF HAS PRONOUNCED IT SHE IS FORGIVEN

*Lina stands up and lifts her hands.*

Lina: THANKS BE TO GOD

*General thanksgiving.*

Notes

THE END

Up Next: I was supposed to make my grand return with Faust, but this opera has been on my mind virtually nonstop recently, so this is my attempt to get it out of my head (success: debatable). However, unless I have this problem again, Faust will be up next. :)