“The Magic Flute”
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart libretto (English ⇄ French)
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| Characters | Personnages |
| Sarastro (High Priest of Isis and Osiris) — Bass Tamino (an Egyptian prince) — Tenor Speaker — Bass-baritone First Priest — Tenor Second Priest — Bass Third Priest — Spoken role Queen of the Night — Coloratura soprano Pamina (her daughter) — Soprano First Lady (an emissary of the Queen of the Night) — Soprano Second Lady (an emissary of the Queen of the Night) — Soprano Third Lady (an emissary of the Queen of the Night) — Mezzo-soprano First Boy — Soprano Second Boy — Soprano Third Boy — Alto Papageno (a birdcatcher) — Baritone Papagena (Papageno’s intended bride, disguised as an old woman) — Soprano Monostatos (a Moor in Sarastro’s service) — Tenor First Armoured Man — Tenor Second Armoured Man — Bass Three Slaves — Spoken roles Chorus Priests, women, townspeople, slaves and attendants Time and Place Egypt, in a fairy-tale era | Sarastro (grand-prêtre d’Isis et d’Osiris) — basse profonde Tamino (prince égyptien) — ténor L’Orateur — basse Premier Prêtre — ténor Deuxième Prêtre — basse Troisième Prêtre — basse La Reine de la nuit — soprano colorature Pamina (sa fille) — soprano Première Dame (émissaire de la Reine de la nuit) — soprano Deuxième Dame (émissaire de la Reine de la nuit) — soprano Troisième Dame (émissaire de la Reine de la nuit) — mezzo-soprano Premier Garçon — soprano Deuxième Garçon — soprano Troisième Garçon — alto masculin Papageno (oiseleur) — baryton Papagena (promise de Papageno, déguisée en vieille femme) — soprano Monostatos (Maure au service de Sarastro) — ténor Premier Homme en armure — ténor Deuxième Homme en armure — basse Trois Esclaves — rôles parlés Chœur Prêtres, femmes, peuple, esclaves Lieu et époque Égypte, à une époque de conte de fées |
| Overture | Ouverture |
| ACT ONE | PREMIER ACTE |
| The scene is a rocky area, here and there overgrown with trees, on both sides are smallish hills; there is also a round temple. (Tamino descends from a rock to the right, in splendid Japanese hunting-costume, carrying a bow but no arrows; a serpent pursues him.) | La scène est un endroit rocheux parsemé d’arbres ; de chaque côté se dressent des collines aux sentiers franchissables, on aperçoit aussi qu’un temple circulaire. (À droite, Tamino descend d’un rocher, vêtu d’un somptueux habit de chasse japonais ; il porte un arc mais n’a pas de flèches ; un serpent le poursuit.) |
| No. 1: Introduction Tamino Help me! oh, help me! or I am lost, condemned as sacrifice to the cunning serpent – Merciful gods! It’s coming closer! Ah! save me, ah! defend me! (He faints; immediately the door to the temple opens; three veiled ladies come out, each carrying a silver spear.) The Three Ladies Die, monster, by our power! Victory! Victory! Accomplished is the heroic deed! He is free, thanks to our bravery. | N°1 : Introduction Tamino À l’aide, à l’aide, ou je suis perdu ! Malheureuse victime du perfide serpent ! Dieux cléments, voilà qu’il approche ! Ah ! sauvez-moi, protégez-moi ! (Il s’évanouit ; aussitôt, la porte du temple s’ouvre et trois dames voilées s’approchent, tenant chacune une lance d’argent à la main.) Les Trois Dames Meurs, monstre terrible, par notre pouvoir ! Victoire, victoire ! l’exploit est accompli, Tamino est libéré grâce à l’audace de notre bras ! |
| First Lady (observing him) A pleasing youth, gentle and fair! Second Lady The fairest I have ever seen. Third Lady Yes, that’s true, pretty as a picture. All Three If I ever gave my heart away, it could be to none but this youth. Let us hasten to our Queen and report this news to her. Perhaps this handsome man can restore her peace of mind. First Lady You go and tell her, then; meanwhile, I’ll stay here. – Second Lady No, no, you go ahead; I’ll keep watch over him! Third Lady No, no, that may not be; I’ll protect him! First Lady Meanwhile, I’ll stay here... | Première Dame (l’observant) Ah ! charmant jouvenceau, doux et beau... Deuxième Dame Oui, beau comme jamais je n’en vis ! Troisième Dame Oui, oui, beau comme une image ! Toutes les Trois S’il fallait consacrer mon cœur à l’amour, je le ferais pour ce garçon. Hâtons-nous auprès de notre Reine, afin de lui porter cette nouvelle. Peut-être ce beau jouvenceau pourra-t-il lui rendre sa sérénité de jadis. Première Dame Allez donc et dites-le lui, je resterai ici entre temps ! Deuxième Dame Non, non, allez-y vous-mêmes, c’est moi qui veillerai sur lui ! Troisième Dame Non, non, cela ne se peut, moi seule veux le protéger ! Première Dame Je resterai ici entre temps... |
| Second Lady I’ll keep watch over him... Third Lady I’ll protect him myself... First Lady ...I’ll stay... Second Lady ...I’ll keep watch... Third Lady ...I’ll protect him... First Lady ...I! Second Lady ...I! Third Lady ...I! | Deuxième Dame C’est moi qui veillerai sur lui... Troisième Dame Moi seule veux le protéger... Première Dame ... je resterai... Deuxième Dame ... c’est moi qui veillerai... Troisième Dame ... je veux le protéger... Première Dame ... moi ! Deuxième Dame ... moi ! Troisième Dame ... moi ! |
| All Three (each to herself) Then I must go! Aha, very nice! They want to be alone with him. No, no, that’s out of the question! What would I not give to live with this youth! If only I had him to myself! Still no one goes; it is not to be. I had better go. O youth so fair and loveable, O faithful youth, farewell until I see thee again. (All three go off through the temple gate, which opens and closes by itself.) Tamino (wakes and looks around fearfully) Where am I? Am I only imagining that I am still alive? Or has some higher power saved me? (gets up and looks around) What? – The vicious serpent lies dead at my feet? (A shepherd’s pipe is heard in the distance, softly accompanied by the orchestra. Tamino speaks during the ritornello.) What do I hear? Where am I? What a strange place! – Ha, a man is coming down into the valley. (hides behind a tree) (Papageno comes down the footpath. On his back he carries a large birdcage, reaching high above his head, with various birds inside; in both hands he holds a panpipe. He whistles and sings.) | Toutes les Trois (à part) Il faudrait que je parte ! Ah ! la bonne idée ! Elles resteraient volontiers seules auprès de lui. Non, non, cela ne se peut ! Que ne donnerais-je pas pour vivre avec ce garçon, et le garder pour moi seule ! Mais nulle ne part ! cela ne se peut ! Mieux vaut donc que je parte. Ô jouvenceau, aimable et beau, ô fidèle garçon, adieu, jusqu’à ce que nous nous revoyons ! (Les Dames sortent. Tamino revient à lui et voit le serpent mort à ses pieds, mais entendant quelqu’un s’approcher, il se cache. Papageno entre, vêtu d’un manteau de plumes, portant sur son dos une grande cage à oiseaux et tenant une flûte de Pan.) |
| No. 2: Aria Papageno The birdcatcher am I – and always merry, tra la la! As the birdcatcher I am known by old and young throughout the land. I know how to set decoys and whistle just like my prey! So merry and carefree can I be, knowing all the birds belong to me. The birdcatcher am I – and always merry, tra la la! As the birdcatcher I am known by old and young throughout the land. I wish I had a trap for girls – I’d catch them by the dozen then. I’d keep them in a cage at home, and all the girls would be mine alone. If all the girls were mine alone, I’d gladly trade for some sugar; then to the one I liked the best I’d give all the sugar she wanted. And if she then kissed me tenderly, she’d be my wife and I her husband. She would sleep beside me and I would rock her like a child. | N°2 : Air Papageno Oui, je suis l’oiseleur, toujours joyeux, holà hoplala ! Je suis connu des jeunes et vieux dans tout le pays. Je sais poser des pièges, je connais tous les sifflets. Voilà pourquoi je suis joyeux : tous les oiseaux sont à moi ! Oui, je suis l’oiseleur, toujours joyeux, holà hoplala ! Je suis connu des jeunes et vieux dans tout le pays. Si j’avais un filet pour attraper les filles, je les attraperais par douzaines pour moi seul ! Je les enfermerais dans ma maison, et elles seraient toutes à moi. Et lorsque toutes les filles seraient à moi, j’achèterais gentiment des sucreries et à ma préférée je les donnerais toutes. Alors elle m’embrasserait doucement, elle serait ma femme et moi son mari. Elle dormirait à mes côtés et je la bercerais comme une enfant. |
| (Papageno whistles and, after the aria, starts towards the gate.) Tamino (takes him by the hand) Hey there! Papageno What’s that! Tamino Tell me, my merry friend, who are you? Papageno Who am I? (to himself) Silly question! (aloud) A man, like you. – And if I asked you who you are? Tamino Then I would answer that I am of princely blood. Papageno That’s over my head. – You must explain yourself more clearly if I am to understand you! Tamino My father is a ruler who reigns over many lands and peoples; that is why they call me Prince. Papageno Lands? – Peoples? – Prince? Tamino That is why I ask you! Papageno Slowly! Let me ask the questions. – First tell me: are there other lands and people beyond these mountains? Tamino Many thousands! Papageno Then I could do some business there with my birds. Tamino Now tell me what region this is. Papageno What region? (looks around) Between valleys and mountains. Tamino Quite right! But what is this region actually called? Who rules it? Papageno I can no more answer that than I can tell you how I came into the world. Tamino (laughs) What? You don’t know where you were born, or who your parents were? Papageno Not a thing! – I know no more and no less than that I was brought up and fed by an old but very jolly man. Tamino Probably your father? Papageno That I don’t know. Tamino Didn’t you know your mother, then? Papageno I never knew her; a few times I was told that my mother once served the star-flaming Queen of the Night, there in that locked building. – Whether she is still alive, or what became of her, I don’t know. – All I know is that not far from here stands my straw hut, which shelters me from rain and cold. Tamino But how do you live? Papageno On food and drink, like everybody else. Tamino And how do you get it? Papageno By barter. – I catch all sorts of birds for the star-flaming Queen and her maidens; in exchange I get food and drink from her every day. Tamino (to himself) The star-flaming Queen! – What if it were the mighty Queen of the Night herself! – Tell me, good friend, have you ever been lucky enough to see this goddess of the night? Papageno (who has been playing on his pipe from time to time) Your last silly question convinces me that you were born in a foreign land. Tamino Don’t be offended, dear friend! I only thought – Papageno See her? – See the star-flaming Queen? – If you come to me with another silly question like that, then, as sure as my name is Papageno, I’ll lock you up in my birdcage like a bullfinch and sell you, along with my other birds, to the Queen of the Night and her maidens; then for all I care they can boil you or roast you. Tamino (to himself) A strange man! Papageno See her? – See the star-flaming Queen? – What mortal can boast of ever having seen her? – What human eye could see through her veil, woven through with black? Tamino (to himself) Now it is clear: this is the very Queen of the Night my father told me about so often. – But how I lost my way and came here is beyond me. – This man, too, is surely no ordinary human being. – Perhaps one of her attendant spirits. Papageno (to himself) How he stares at me! I’m beginning to be afraid of him. – Why are you looking at me so suspiciously and slyly? Tamino Because – because I doubt whether you are human. Papageno What was that? Tamino Judging by the feathers that cover you, I take you for – (goes towards him) Papageno Not a bird, I hope? – Stay back, I tell you, and don’t trust me; for I have the strength of a giant when I get hold of someone. – If he isn’t frightened off soon, I’ll run away. Tamino The strength of a giant? (looks at the serpent) Then perhaps it was you who saved me by fighting this poisonous serpent? Papageno Serpent! (looks around and, trembling, steps back a few paces) What’s that! Is it dead or alive? Tamino With your modest question you want to refuse my thanks – but I must tell you that I shall be grateful to you forever for so brave a deed. Papageno Let’s not talk about it – let’s be glad that it was successfully overcome. Tamino But in heaven’s name, friend, how did you fight this monster? You have no weapons. Papageno Don’t need any! – With me, one strong squeeze of the hand is worth more than weapons. Tamino So you strangled it? Papageno Strangled it! (to himself) I’ve never been so strong in my life as I am today. (The three Ladies appear.) The Three Ladies (threatening him, calling all together) Papageno! Papageno Aha! That means me. – Look around, my friend! Tamino Who are these ladies? Papageno Who they really are, I don’t know myself. – All I know is that every day they take my birds and bring me wine, sugarloaf and sweet figs in exchange. Tamino I suppose they are very beautiful? Papageno I don’t think so! For if they were beautiful, they wouldn’t cover their faces. The Three Ladies (threatening) Papageno! Papageno Be quiet! They are threatening me already. – You ask whether they are beautiful, and I can only answer that I have never seen anything more charming in all my life. – Now they’ll soon be in a good mood again. The Three Ladies (threatening) Papageno! Papageno What on earth can I have done today to make them so angry with me? – Here, my beauties, I hand over my birds. First Lady (hands him a fine bottle of water) In return, our Queen today, for the first time, sends you pure clear water instead of wine. Second Lady And she ordered me to bring you this stone instead of sugarloaf. – I hope it agrees with you. Papageno What? Am I supposed to eat stones? Third Lady And instead of sweet figs I have the honour of fastening this golden lock on your mouth. (She fastens the lock on his mouth. Papageno shows his pain by gestures.) First Lady No doubt you would like to know why the Queen punishes you so strangely today? (Papageno nods yes.) Second Lady So that in future you will never again lie to strangers. Third Lady And never boast of heroic deeds that others have performed. First Lady Tell us! Did you fight this serpent? (Papageno shakes his head.) Second Lady Who did, then? (Papageno signals that he does not know.) Third Lady It was we, young man, who saved you. – Do not tremble! Joy and delight await you. – Here, the great Queen sends you this picture; it is the portrait of her daughter. – If you find, she said, that these features do not leave you indifferent, then happiness, honour and fame shall be your lot. – Farewell! (She goes.) Second Lady Adieu, Monsieur Papageno! (She goes.) First Lady Mind you don’t drink too fast! (She goes off laughing.) (Papageno has continued his dumb show throughout. From the moment he received the portrait, Tamino has been absorbed in it; his love grows, and he seems deaf to all that is said.) | (Tandis que Papageno pose sa cage à terre, Tamino s’avance et apprend que Papageno est un garçon simple dont la connaissance du monde se borne à sa cabane de chaume et à ses modestes besoins ; il troque les oiseaux qu’il attrape contre la nourriture que lui apportent les trois Dames de la Reine de la Nuit, dont c’est ici le royaume. Tamino, lui, est une prince dont le père gouverne beaucoup de pays et beaucoup de peuples. Papageno, qui est en vérité très effrayé à la vue de la dépouille du serpent, prétend l’avoir lui-même tué, mais les Dames, portant des masques, viennent pour le punir. Elles lui donnent de l’eau au lieu de vin, une pierre à la place d’un pain de sucre et un cadenas pour sa bouche au lieu de figues. Elles donnent à Tamino un portrait de la fille de la Reine de la Nuit et lui promettent qu’il connaîtra le bonheur s’il est capable de l’aimer. Elles sortent, suivies de Papageno, laissant Tamino seul, en contemplation devant le portrait.) |
| No. 3: Aria Tamino This portrait is bewitching, no eye has ever seen its like before. I feel as if this angelic picture were filling my heart with a new emotion. This something I cannot name, but I feel it burning here. Can this sensation be love? Yes, yes! This can only be love. Oh, if only I might find her! If only she stood before me! I would – would warmly – chastely – what would I do? I would, in ecstasy, press her to my ardent heart, and she would be mine forever! (He is about to go.) (The three Ladies return.) First Lady Arm yourself with courage and constancy, handsome youth! – The Queen – Second Lady has commanded me to tell you – Third Lady that the path to your future happiness now lies open. First Lady She has heard every word you spoke; – she has – Second Lady read every feature of your face. – Yes, and more: her mother’s heart – Third Lady has resolved to make you completely happy. – “If this youth,” she said, “has as much courage and bravery as he has tenderness, then my daughter is surely saved.” Tamino Saved? O eternal darkness! What do I hear? – The girl in the portrait? – First Lady Has been snatched from her by a powerful, evil demon. Tamino Snatched away? – O you gods! Tell me, how could that happen? First Lady One fine day in May she was sitting all alone in the cypress grove, where all things flourish, which was always her favourite place. – The villain crept in unnoticed – Second Lady spied on her, and – Third Lady besides his wicked heart, he also has the power to change himself into any shape imaginable; in that way he has also taken Pamina – First Lady That is the name of the royal daughter whom you adore. Tamino O Pamina! Torn away from me – you, in the power of a lustful villain! – Perhaps at this very moment you are – what a terrible thought! The Three Ladies Silence, young man! First Lady Do not slander the virtue of that lovely beauty! – Whatever torments innocence must suffer, she stays true to herself. – Neither force nor flattery can lead her onto the path of vice. Tamino Oh tell me, ladies, tell me where the tyrant lives! Second Lady Very close to our mountains, in a pleasant and charming valley. – His castle is magnificent and carefully guarded. Tamino Come, ladies! Lead me! – Pamina shall be saved! – Let the villain fall by my arm; I swear it by my love, by my heart! (At once a violent, shattering chord is heard in the orchestra.) You gods! What is that? The Three Ladies Be calm! First Lady It announces the arrival of our Queen. (thunder) The Three Ladies She comes! (thunder) She comes! (thunder) She comes! (The mountains part, and the scene changes to a magnificent chamber. The Queen is seated on a throne adorned with transparent stars.) | N°3 : Air Tamino Ce portrait est un ravissement comme nul n’en vit jamais de pareil ! Je le sens, devant cette image divine, mon cœur connaît une émotion nouvelle. Quelle est-elle ? En vérité, je ne sais, mais je la sens ici comme un feu me dévorer. Serait-ce l’amour ? Oui, oui, ce ne peut être que lui. Ah ! si je pouvais trouver l’objet de ce portrait ! si elle se tenait là soudain devant mes yeux, je ferais... je ferais... tendrement, chastement, oui, que ferais-je ? Eh bien ! je la ravirais, je l’étreindrais contre mon cœur brûlant et elle serait mienne alors pour toujours. (Il est sur le point de se retirer lorsque les Dames reviennent, annonçant l’arrivée de leur Reine. Elle a observé les émotions de Tamino et lui ordonne de sauver sa fille de la captivité dans laquelle la tient Sarastro, Grand Prêtre d’Isis et d’Osiris. Il fait nuit ; la Reine paraît, semblant sortir des montagnes, tandis que gronde le tonnerre et luisent les éclairs.) |
| No. 4: Recitative and Aria Queen O tremble not, beloved son, you are guiltless, wise and good – A youth such as you can best console this overburdened maternal heart. – I am condemned to grief, for my daughter has been taken from me. With her, all my happiness was lost; a villain abducted her. I can see her trembling with fearful agitation, shaking with fear, feebly struggling. I saw her taken from me. “Ah, help me!” was all she could say – but her appeals were in vain, for my aid was not strong enough. You shall go to set her free, you shall be my daughter’s saviour. And if you succeed, she shall be yours forever. (She leaves with the three Ladies.) (The scene changes back to what it was before.) Tamino (after a pause) Was what I saw real? Or were my senses deceiving me? – O good gods, do not deceive me! Or else I shall fail your test. – Protect my arm, steel my courage, and Tamino’s heart will beat with eternal gratitude to you. (He is about to go when Papageno steps in his way.) | N°4 : Récitatif et air La Reine Ne tremble pas, mon fils chéri ! Tu es pur, sage et bon. Un jeune homme tel que toi saura consoler ce douloureux cœur de mère. J’ai été condamnée à souffrir quand ma fille me fut ravie. Avec elle tout mon bonheur est perdu. Un scélérat l’a enlevée. Je la vois encore trembler, je vois son agitation apeurée, son anxiété, son effroi et ses timides efforts ! Il a fallu qu’on l’enlève sous mes yeux. « Ah ! aidez-moi !» fut tout ce qu’elle dit, mais ses plaintes étaient vaines, car j’étais impuissante à l’aider. Tu iras la délivrer, tu sauveras ma fille, et si je te vois vainqueur, alors elle sera tienne pour toujours ! (Elle disparaît, suivie de ses Dames, tandis que le tonnerre gronde encore. La scène s’éclaircit à nouveau et Tamino, très étonné, est sur le point de partir lorsque Papageno revient, lui montrant tristement le cadenas qui lui clôt les lèvres.) |
| No. 5: Quintet Papageno (pointing sadly to the padlock on his mouth) Hm! hm! hm! hm! Tamino The poor fellow can well speak of punishment when it has robbed him of the power of speech! Papageno Hm! hm! hm! hm! Tamino I can do nothing but sympathise, for I am powerless to help! First Lady The Queen has had mercy on you, and she sent me to release you. – (She takes the padlock from Papageno’s mouth.) | N°5 : Quintette Papageno (montre tristement le cadenas) Hem ! hem ! hem ! hem ! Tamino Le pauvre diable peut bien parler de punition car le voilà muet ! Papageno Hem ! hem ! hem ! hem ! Tamino Je ne peux rien pour toi, sinon te plaindre, car je ne suis pas de force à t’aider ! Première Dame La Reine a pitié de toi et te fait grâce de ta punition. – (lui retire le cadenas de la bouche) |
| Papageno Now Papageno can chatter again! Second Lady Chatter yes – but never lie again! Papageno I will never tell another lie, no, never! Ladies Let this lock be a warning to you! Papageno Let this lock be a warning to me! All If only every liar had a lock like this upon his mouth: then would hate, calumny and rancour be replaced by love and brotherhood! First Lady O Prince, accept this gift sent to you by our Queen. (gives Tamino a golden flute) This magic flute will protect you even in the gravest misfortune. Ladies This flute will confer great power upon you, to transform the passions of mankind; the mourner will become merry, the bachelor a lover. | Papageno Maintenant Papageno peut de nouveau parler ! Deuxième Dame Parle si tu veux, mais ne mens plus ! Papageno Je ne mentirai plus jamais, non, non ! Les Dames Que ce cadenas te serve de leçon ! Papageno Ce cadenas me servira de leçon ! Tous Si tous les menteurs du monde avaient un tel cadenas sur les lèvres, au lieu de haine, calomnie et rancœur régneraient l’amour et la fraternité. Première Dame Prince, accepte ce présent, notre Reine te l’envoie. (Elle donne à Tamino une flûte d’or.) Cette flûte enchantée te protégera et contre mauvaise fortune te soutiendra. Les Dames Avec cette flûte, tu seras puissant, tu pourras changer les passions humaines ; le mélancolique deviendra joyeux et le vieux garçon connaîtra l’amour. |
| All A flute like this is worth more than gold or crowns, for by its power will human joy and contentment be increased. Papageno Now, fair ladies, will you excuse me? If so, I take my leave. Ladies You may certainly depart, but our lady has chosen you to accompany the prince immediately to Sarastro’s castle. Papageno No! I thank you very much. You yourselves have told me that he is as fierce as a tiger. Sarastro, I’m sure, would not hesitate to have me plucked and roasted and thrown to the dogs. Ladies The Prince will protect you, trust him, so then you will be his servant. Papageno (aside) The Prince can go to the devil. I value my life, and now, by my honour, it’s likely he will steal away from me like a thief. – First Lady (gives him a steel glockenspiel) Here, take this treasure, it is yours. | Tous Ainsi une simple flûte vaut plus qu’or et couronnes, car grâce à elle s’accroissent les joies et les plaisirs humains. Papageno Et maintenant, belles dames, puis-je me retirer ? Alors j’ai bien l’honneur de vous saluer. Les Dames Tu peux, bien sûr, te retirer, mais notre Reine a décidé qu’avec le prince et sans tarder tu devais te hâter au palais de Sarastro. Papageno Non ! je vous remercie bien ! De votre propre aveu, je le sais, Sarastro est pareil au tigre sauvage ; sûrement, sans la moindre pitié, il me ferait plumer, rôtir puis donner aux chiens ! Les Dames Le prince te protègera, aie confiance en lui seul, ainsi tu seras son serviteur. Papageno (à part) Que le diable emporte le prince. Ma vie m’est précieuse ; mais voilà que, pour l’honneur, elle s’enfuit de moi comme un voleur. – Première Dame (donne à Papageno un petit carillon) Tiens, prends ce bijou, il est à toi. |
| Papageno Aha! What can it be? – Ladies There are bells inside it! Papageno And shall I be able to play them? Ladies Oh, certainly! yes, certainly! All Silver bells and magic flute are needed for your/our protection! Farewell! We must leave now! Farewell! – till we meet again. (All turn to go.) Tamino But tell me, fair ladies... Papageno ...how shall we find the citadel? Tamino and Papageno ...how shall we find the citadel? Ladies Three boys, young, fair, gentle and wise, will appear to you on your journey. They will be your guides; follow their counsel and theirs alone. | Papageno Ah ! ah ! mais qu’est-ce donc ? Les Dames Tu peux y entendre sonner des clochettes. Papageno Et pourrai-je les faire jouer aussi ? Les Dames Oh bien sûr ! oui, oui, bien sûr ! Tous Des clochettes d’argent, une flûte enchantée à votre/notre protection sont utiles ! Adieu, nous partons, adieu, jusqu’à ce que nous nous revoyons. (Tous s’apprêtent à sortir.) Tamino Mais, belles Dames, dites-nous... Papageno ... comment trouver ce palais ? – Tamino et Papageno ... comment trouver ce palais ? Les Dames Trois jeunes garçons, beaux, doux et sages, vous apparaîtront au cours de votre voyage. Ils seront vos guides ; suivez leurs conseils et nul autre. |
| Tamino and Papageno Three boys, young, fair, gentle and wise, will appear to us on our journey? – Ladies They will be your guides; follow their counsel and theirs alone. Tamino and Papageno So farewell! we must leave now; farewell, farewell, until we meet again! All So farewell! we must leave now; farewell, farewell, until we meet again! (Change of scene: a splendid chamber in the Egyptian style.) (Two slaves carry in fine cushions and a splendid Turkish table and spread out carpets; then the third slave comes in.) Third Slave Ha, ha, ha! First Slave Psst, psst! Second Slave What’s all the laughing about? Third Slave Our tormentor, that eavesdropping Moor, is sure to be hanged or impaled tomorrow. – Pamina! – Ha, ha, ha! First Slave Well? Third Slave That charming girl! – Ha, ha, ha! Second Slave Well? Third Slave Has run away. First and Second Slaves Run away? First Slave And she got away? Third Slave Without a doubt! – At least, that’s what I truly hope. First Slave Oh, thank you, kind gods! You have heard my prayer. Third Slave Didn’t I always tell you that a day would dawn for us when we would be avenged and black Monostatos would be punished? Second Slave And what does the Moor say to all this? First Slave He does know about it? Third Slave Of course! She ran away before his very eyes. – Some of our brothers who were working in the garden saw and heard it from a distance, and they tell me that the Moor is done for, even if Sarastro’s men bring Pamina back. First and Second Slaves How so? Third Slave You know that lecherous paunch and his ways; but the girl was cleverer than I thought. – Just when he thought he had won, she called out Sarastro’s name: that shook the Moor; he stood there, dumb and motionless – meanwhile Pamina ran to the canal and sailed off by herself in a gondola towards the palm grove. First Slave Oh, how that timid deer will rush in mortal fear to the palace of her loving mother! Monostatos (from within) Hey, slaves! First Slave Monostatos’s voice! Monostatos (from within) Hey, slaves! Bring chains! The Three Slaves Chains? First Slave (runs to the side door) Surely not for Pamina? O you gods! Look, brothers, the girl has been caught. Second and Third Slaves Pamina? – What a terrible sight! First Slave Look how that pitiless devil grabs her by her delicate little hands. – I can’t bear it. (goes off on the other side) Second Slave I even less. (also goes off there) Third Slave Having to watch such a thing is the torture of hell. (goes off) (Monostatos enters, followed by Pamina, who is led in by slaves.) | Tamino et Papageno Trois jeunes garçons, beaux, doux et sages nous apparaîtront au cours de notre voyage. – Les Dames Ils seront vos guides ; suivez leurs conseils et nul autre. Tamino et Papageno Adieu, nous partons, adieu, adieu, jusqu’à ce que nous nous revoyons ! Tous Adieu, nous partons, adieu, adieu, jusqu’à ce que nous nous revoyons ! (Changement de décor : une salle resplendissante de style égyptien.) (Deux esclaves apportent de riches coussins ainsi qu’une table basse et des tapis. Monostatos entre avec Pamina qui est traînée dans la pièce par des esclaves.) |
| No. 6: Terzetto Monostatos My fine little dove, step inside. Pamina Oh, what suffering! What pain! Monostatos You are doomed to die. | N°6 : Trio Monostatos Entre donc, ma gentille colombe ! Pamina Ah quelle torture, quelle souffrance ! Monostatos C’en est fait de ta vie. |
| Pamina Death does not frighten me, I only worry about my mother; she will surely die of grief. Monostatos Hey, slaves, bind her in chains; my hate will be your ruination! (Pamina is put in chains.) Pamina O let me rather die, for nothing will move you, you barbarian. (She falls unconscious on the sofa.) Monostatos Get out, now, get out! Leave me alone with her. (The slaves hurry away. Papageno outside at the window, without at first being seen.) Papageno Where am I? Wherever am I? Aha! someone’s there. Courage! I’ll go in. (He enters.) Pretty maiden, young and fair, whiter than chalk... (Papageno and Monostatos see one another – each frightens the other.) Papageno and Monostatos Oo! – – that must be – the devil himself! Have pity – spare me – Oo – Oo – (Both run off.) Pamina (speaking as if in a dream) Mother – Mother – Mother! (She recovers and looks around.) What? – This heart still beats? – Not yet destroyed? – Awakened to new torments? – Oh, that is hard, very hard! – More bitter to me than death. (Papageno returns.) Papageno Wasn’t I a fool to let myself be frightened? – After all, there are black birds in the world, so why not black people too? – Ah, look! Here’s the pretty young lady still. – You, daughter of the Queen of the Night! Pamina Queen of the Night? – Who are you? Papageno A messenger from the star-flaming Queen. Pamina (joyfully) From my mother? – Oh, joy! – What is your name? Papageno Papageno! Pamina Papageno? – Papageno – I remember hearing that name often, but I have never seen you. Papageno Nor I you. Pamina So you know my good, loving mother? Papageno If you are the daughter of the Queen of the Night – yes! Pamina Oh, I am. Papageno I’ll check that right away. (He looks at the portrait, which the Prince received earlier and which Papageno now wears on a ribbon round his neck.) Eyes black – right, black. – Lips red – right, red. – Blonde hair – blonde hair. – Everything fits, except the hands and feet. – Judging by the picture, you shouldn’t have any hands or feet, because none are shown here. Pamina Let me see – Yes, it is me! – How did it come into your hands? Papageno That would take too long to tell; it passed from hand to hand. Pamina How did it come into yours? Papageno In a wonderful way. – I caught it. Pamina Caught it? Papageno I must tell you in more detail. – This morning I came as usual to your mother’s palace with my delivery. Pamina Delivery? Papageno Yes, for many years now I have been delivering all the beautiful birds to your mother and her maidens at the palace. – Just as I was about to hand over my birds, I saw a man in front of me who calls himself a prince. – This prince so charmed your mother that she gave him your portrait and ordered him to set you free. – His decision was as quick as his love for you. Pamina (joyfully) Love? So he loves me? Oh, tell me that again; I do so love to hear the word love. Papageno I believe you without your having to swear it; you are a young lady, after all. – Where was I? Pamina At love. Papageno Right, at love! – That’s what I call a memory! – In short, this great love for you was the crack of the whip that set our feet running; now we are here to tell you a thousand lovely and pleasant things, to take you in our arms and, if possible, to hurry back to your mother’s palace as quickly as we came here, if not quicker. Pamina That is all very nicely said; but, dear friend, if the unknown youth, or prince, as he calls himself, feels love for me, why is he so slow to free me from my chains? Papageno That’s just the snag. – When we took leave of the maidens, they told us that three gracious boys would be our guides and would teach us how and in what way we should act. Pamina They taught you? Papageno They taught us nothing, because we haven’t seen any of them. – So, to be on the safe side, the Prince was clever enough to send me ahead to announce our arrival to you. Pamina Friend, you have risked a great deal! – If Sarastro should see you here – Papageno Then I’ll be spared the journey home – I can imagine. Pamina Your death would be torture without end. Papageno To avoid that, we’d better leave in good time. Pamina How high might the sun be? Papageno It’s nearly noon. Pamina Then we have not a minute to lose. – At this time Sarastro usually comes back from hunting. Papageno So Sarastro is not at home? – Pah! Then the game is ours! – Come, pretty young lady! You’ll open your eyes wide when you see the handsome youth. Pamina Very well, let us dare it! (They start to go; Pamina turns back.) But what if this were a trap? – What if he were an evil spirit from Sarastro’s retinue? (looks at him doubtfully) Papageno Me, an evil spirit? – What are you thinking of, young lady? – I am the best spirit in the world. Pamina But no; this picture convinces me that I am not deceived; it comes from the hands of my most loving mother. Papageno Pretty young lady, if such a wicked suspicion that I wanted to deceive you should ever rise in you again, just think hard about love, and every evil suspicion will vanish. Pamina Friend, forgive me, forgive me if I offended you! You have a feeling heart; I see it in every one of your features. Papageno Oh, of course I have a feeling heart! – But what good is it all to me? – I often feel like plucking out all my feathers when I think that Papageno still has no Papagena. Pamina Poor man! So you have no wife yet? Papageno Not even a sweetheart, let alone a wife! – Yes, it’s sad! – And even a fellow like me has his merry hours now and then, when he’d like a bit of company. Pamina Patience, friend! Heaven will provide for you too; it will send you a companion before you know it. Papageno If only it would send her soon! | Pamina La mort ne m’effraye pas, je n’ai de peine que pour ma mère, elle en mourra de chagrin assurément. Monostatos Eh ! mes esclaves ! enchaînez-la ; ma haine sera ta perte ! (Ils lui mettent les fers.) Pamina Ah ! laisse-moi plutôt mourir, puisque rien, barbare ne peut te toucher. (Elle tombe évanouie sur le sofa.) Monostatos Et maintenant sortez ! Laissez-moi seul avec elle. (Les esclaves se hâtent de sortir de la pièce. Dehors, près de la fenêtre, Papageno passe inaperçu.) Papageno Où suis-je donc ? Où puis-je bien être ? Ah ! voilà du monde ! Hardi, je rentre. (Il rentre.) Ah ! belle et charmante jeune fille, plus blanche même que la craie... (Monostatos et Papageno s’aperçoivent, et chacun s’effraie de la présence de l’autre..) Papageno et Monostatos Hou – – voici – le diable assurément. Aie pitié ! – épargne-moi – Hou – Hou – (Ils s’enfuient chacun d’un côté. Tandis que Pamina reprend connaissance, Papageno revient sur ses pas et la reconnaît. Il lui dit qu’un beau prince l’aime et que sa mère a envoyé celui-ci pour la délivrer. Pamina est heureuse, mais elle s’apitoie alors sur le sort de l’oiseleur qui n’a pas encore trouvé d’épouse.) |
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