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"Si può?" Prologue to I pagliacci
Ruggero Leoncavallo (1857–1919)
Prior to the start of the opera, the singer who is to portray the character of Tonio addresses the audience directly, having introduced himself as the Prologue. A theatrical drama is about to unfold, he says, but this time it is not a fantasy limited to the stage: the actors are men of flesh and bone, and for this story truth is the inspiration.
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"Stride la vampa" from Act II of Il trovatore
Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901)
Azucena, the daughter of the Gypsy woman burnt on orders of Conte (Count) di Luna, recalls the horrific event and is haunted by her duty to avenge her mother. "The flames roar!" she sings.
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"O Mimì, tu più non torni"
from Act IV of La bohème
Giacomo Puccini (1858–1924)
The poet Rodolfo and the painter Marcello, two young bohemians living in Paris in the 1840's, exchange news about each other's girlfriends, who left them for wealthy lovers. Consumed by longing and nostalgia, they reminisce.
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"Starość" from Piosenki obce na swojski strój
Stanisław Moniuszko (1819–1872)
A humorous song about old age with text translated by the Polish poet Władysław Syrokomla from the original French by Pierre Béranger. A full translation will be provided at the concert.
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"Sì, la stanchezza" from Act IV of Il trovatore
Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901)
Trapped in a dungeon, the troubadour Manrico comforts his gypsy mother Azucena while she dreams of returning to the mountains.
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"Vision fugitive" from Act II of Hérodiade
Jules Massenet (1842–1912)
Having drunk a love potion, the infatuated King Herod dreams of Salome and imagines her in a fleeting vision.
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"Parla… siam soli…" from Act II of Rigoletto
Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901)
Gilda, the daughter of the hunch-backed court jester Rigoletto, has been abducted by his employer, the Duke of Mantua. Rigoletto and Gilda meet in a room in the ducal palace: she describes to him what has happened, and he attempts to console her. He then swears vengeance on the Duke while Gilda pleads for forgiveness for her faithless lover.
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"Je crois entendre encore"
from Act I of The Pearl Fishers
Georges Bizet (1838–1875)
In ancient times in Ceylon, the pearl fisher Nadir, having recognized the voice of his beloved from afar, pours out his undying love for her as evening falls. "In the starlight, I seem to see her once again."
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"Scuoti quella fronda di ciliegio"
from Act II of Madama Butterfly
Giacomo Puccini (1858–1924)
A young Japanese girl, Cio-Cio San, eagerly awaits the return of the American officer Pinkerton, who had married her three years earlier. She prepares for his arrival, which she believes to be imminent: together with her maid Suzuki, they pick all the flowers in the garden and strew them throughout the house - lilies, violets, cherry blossoms.
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Mazurka for Piano Solo
Fryderyk Chopin (1810–1849)
The Polish mazurek, known as "mazurka" abroad, is a musical form that came to prominence in the nineteenth century as a combination of three different national dances: the patriotic mazur, the dreamlike kujawiak, and the lively oberek. All are in triple meter.
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"Au fond du temple saint"
from Act I of The Pearl Fishers
Georges Bizet (1838–1875)
During preparations for fishing season, two pearl fishers, Zurga and Nadir, meet after a long separation. They recall the night in front of the gates of the distant city of Kandi when they saw an unknown, veiled Priestess passing through an adoring crowd. Her beauty captured both their hearts and almost led to their falling out. Instead, the two men swear to renounce her in order to preserve their friendship.
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"Va! laisse couler mes larmes"
from Act III of Werther
Jules Massenet (1842–1912)
After having reread letters from the young Werther on Christmas Eve, Charlotte, who has been forced to marry another, is not to be consoled. "The tears that we do not shed," she sings, "fall into our souls."
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"Abuso forse quel poter"
from Act IV of Il trovatore
Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901)
Conte (Count) di Luna has sentenced the troubadour Manrico - his rival, successful for the love of Leonora - to execution by beheading. She begs mercy for Manrico, at first offering herself in his place. Ultimately, she promises to give herself to the Count in exchange for Manrico's freedom. The Count agrees and rejoices, unaware that she has secretly swallowed poison from her ring in order to die before he can possess her.
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Summerland for Violin & Piano
William Grant Still (1895–1978)
The second movement of a suite entitled Three Visions originally written for solo piano, this piece explores the afterlife and portrays Heaven as an eternal and idyllic "Summerland".
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"Giusto cielo, tu gli arresta": Finale of Act I
from I Capuleti e i Montecchi (Romeo & Juliet)
Vincenzo Bellini (1801–1835)
Romeo appears in the palace of the Capulets and attempts to make peace, but his offer is rejected. He therefore accepts the challenge of war, flanked by his supporters, while Juliet laments.