“Le Villi” – Act 1

FIRST ACT

A clearing in the forest. To the right stands Guglielmo’s modest house; to the left a path climbs a rocky slope and disappears into the thick woods. A small bridge spans the gap between two crags. It is spring. Garlands of flowers hang everywhere. The scene is prepared for a festival. Guglielmo, Anna and Roberto are seated at the head of the table.

MOUNTAINEERS Long live! Long live! Long live! Long live the betrothed pair! (Anna and Roberto walk away arm in arm.) MOUNTAINEERS The old woman of Mainz Has made Roberto her heir! The treasures she hoarded Are many indeed! So Roberto tonight Will leave a poor man, And return wealthy To marry his beloved!

MOUNTAINEERS Long live! Long live! Long live! Long live the betrothed pair! Turn! Turn! Turn! Leap! Turn! Leap! The music throbs and grows ecstatic, The dance drives and urges us on! Oh, how swiftly the hours fly When dancing feet are light! The dance is love’s rival: It truly makes the heart beat fast! Turn! Turn! Turn! Leap! Turn! Leap! (to Guglielmo) Hey there, Father Guglielmo! Come and dance with us too! GUGLIELMO Well then, why not? By heaven! I’m old, but I can still keep on my feet! (He takes a young woman and gallantly invites her to dance.) MOUNTAINEERS Turn! Turn! Turn! Leap! Turn! Leap! (Amid applause and laughter, Guglielmo dances away with his partner. Gradually everyone follows. The stage remains empty for a moment, then Anna re-enters alone carrying a small bouquet of forget-me-nots.) ANNA If only I were as small as you, O lovely flowers, Then I could always remain Close beside my beloved.

ANNA Then I should say to him: ‘I think always of you!’ Then I could repeat: ‘Forget me not!’ You, happier than I, Will follow him, dear flowers; Through valleys and over hills You will follow my beloved. Ah, if the name you bear Is not a lie, Then say to my love: ‘Forget me not!’ (She places the bouquet in Roberto’s travelling case.) ROBERTO (seeing what Anna is doing and approaching with a smile) Ah, I’ve caught you! ANNA You! ROBERTO (taking the bouquet from the case, kissing it, and replacing it) Thank you, my dear Anna. But I should like An even sweeter keepsake. ANNA What kind? ROBERTO A smile. (Anna sadly shakes her head.) Do not be so sorrowful, My dear Anna. A few days will pass, And I shall return.

ANNA In vain I try to hold back my tears; A sadness overcomes me That I cannot conquer. Dark forebodings trouble my mind. It seems to me That I shall never see you again. ROBERTO Anna! ANNA Last night I dreamed That I was dying While waiting for you. ROBERTO Come now! What thoughts are these? Think instead of the happy days That destiny promises us, Favouring our love! ANNA But do you truly love me? ROBERTO My little angel, Why do you still doubt my love? You shared The joys and caresses of my childhood; From you, gentle and pure, I learned life’s sweetness. I was poor, yet you chose To value my love above that of any rich man. Ah! Doubt God Himself, But never doubt my love! I love you!

ANNA Sweet and gentle words, Engrave yourselves upon my sorrowing heart, And in the dark hours of waiting Bring comfort to my grief! Sweet and gentle words, Oh, how often my lips Will murmur them: Ah! Doubt God Himself, But never doubt my love! I love you! (The mountaineers return with Guglielmo.) MOUNTAINEERS Quickly now! Quickly, to the road! The hour of departure has come! Before the sun’s joyful rays Fade from the sky, we must be off! ROBERTO Anna, take heart! ANNA I feel I shall die! MOUNTAINEERS (to Roberto) We shall accompany you As far as the edge of the forest. ROBERTO (to Guglielmo) Father, give us your blessing! GUGLIELMO Gather around me, All of you.

GUGLIELMO Gather around me, All of you. (Anna and Roberto kneel at Guglielmo’s feet; everyone follows their example.) Angel of God, Who turnest thy wings heavenward this night, Carry this prayer To the throne of the Lord! ANNA, ROBERTO AND GUGLIELMO May the journey be blessed For every pilgrim! May no dream of love Know disappointment! Carry this prayer To the throne of the Lord! (Guglielmo embraces Roberto; Roberto embraces Anna and then bids farewell to the mountaineers.)

ROBERTO Father, Anna, farewell! ANNA, GUGLIELMO AND MOUNTAINEERS Farewell, Roberto, farewell! (Roberto departs with several friends.)

INTERMEZZO

Part One: The Abandonment NARRATOR In those days, in Mainz, there lived a siren Who bewitched both old and young. She lured Roberto into shameful revelry, And there he forgot his love for Anna. NARRATOR Meanwhile, tormented by unspeakable sorrow, The betrayed maiden waited for him. But she waited in vain; and when winter came, She closed her eyes in eternal sleep. (Behind a veil, Anna’s funeral procession emerges from Guglielmo’s house and crosses the stage.) WOMAN Like a lily cut down, She lies within her coffin. Moonlight itself is the pallor of her face. O pure maiden, rest in peace!

Part Two: The Witches’ Sabbath NARRATOR In the Black Forest there is a legend, The legend of the Wilis, A terrible warning to faithless lovers. If a young maiden dies of love, Each night the Wilis gather in the forest To dance while awaiting the betrayer. Then, should they find him, They dance and laugh with him Until, exhausted by the frenzy of the dance, He dies. Now a day of doom had come for Roberto. Abandoned by the siren and reduced to rags, He resolved to return to the forest, And this very night he has returned. Already he advances through the forest: All around him the Wilis whirl In the frozen air. Trembling with cold and fear, He has entered the heart of the dark forest. (During Part Two the same landscape as in Act One becomes visible, but now it is winter. Night. The trees, stripped bare and lifeless, are heavy with snow. The sky is clear and filled with stars; the moon illuminates the bleak landscape. The Wilis come to dance, preceded by will-o’-the-wisps that dart about from every side and pass across the stage.)

libretto by Dmitrii Murashev