Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868)_ Guillaume Tell

7/27/2019 Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868)_ Guillaume Tell

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OVERTURE

ACT ONEA landscape at Brglen, in the canton of Uri. On theright the chalet of William Tell; on the left the lowercascade of the Schchental torrent, over which

there is a slender bridge. Peasants are decoratingwith leafy boughs three small chalets destined forthree newly-wedded couples; others are busy atdifferent kinds of field labour. Jemmy is practisingwith his bow and arrows; William Tell, deep inthought and leaning on his spade, stands apart.Hedwige, seated by her house, is weaving a basketand glancing alternately at her son and herhusband.

CHORUSWhat a serene day the sky foretells!Let us celebrate it in our concerts;let the echoes from this shore

lift our songs into the air!Let the echoes, etc.Through our labours, let us do homageto the creator of the universe.What a serene day, etc.

FISHERMANCome quickly into my little boat,shy young lass;here is the abodeof the pleasure that calls you.I am leaving the shore;Lisbeth, sail with me;ah, come! The cloudless skypromises us a fine day, etc.

TELL (aside)In his elation he extolshis pleasures,his mistress;he is not tormented bythe weariness of spirit that afflicts me.How burdensome is life!We no longer have a fatherland!He sings, and Helvetiamourns her lost freedom.

COMPACT DISC 1

OUVERTURE

PREMIER ACTELa scne se passe Brglen, canton dUri ; droite se trouve la maison de Guillaume Tell ; gauche dbouche le torrent de Schchental,

sur lequel un pont est jet ; une barque estattache au rivage. Des paysans entourent deverdure des cabanes destines troisnouveaux couples ; dautres se livrent diverstravaux agrestes. Jemmy sessaie tirer larc ; Tell pensif et appuy sur sa bche, estarrt au milieu dun sillon. Hedwige, assiseprs dun chalet, assemble les joncs dunecorbeille et regarde alternativement sonpoux et son fils.

CHURQuel jour serein le ciel prsage !Clbrons-le dans nos concerts ;Que les chos de ce rivage

lvent nos chants dans les airs !Que les chos,etc.Par nos travaux, rendons hommageAu crateur de lunivers.Quel jour serein, etc.

PCHEURAccours dans ma nacelle,Timide jouvencelle ;Du plaisir qui tappelleCest ici le sjour.Je quitte le rivage ;Lisbeth, sois du voyage ;Ah ! viens, le ciel sans nuageNous promet un beau jour, etc.

TELL ( part)Il chante en son ivresse,Ses plaisirs, sa matresse ;De lennui qui moppresse,Il nest pas tourment.Quel fardeau que la vie !Pour nous plus de patrie !Il chante, et lHelvtiePleure, pleure sa libert.

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PCHEURDes fleurs ceignent sa tte ;Leur puissance secrte,Conjurant la tempte,Nous rpond du retour,etc.Et toi, lac solitaire,Tmoin dun doux mystre,Ne dis pas la terre

Le secret de lamour ! etc.

JEMMY, HEDWIGESon imprudent courageAppelle le naufrageEt dfiant lorage,Ne pense quau retour,etc.Vers lcueil quon redoute,Sil suivait sa route,Un chant de mort, sans doute,Suivrait les chants damour ! etc.

TELL ( part)Quel fardeau que la vie !Pour nous plus de patrie !

Il chante et lHelvtiePleure son dernier jour !Il chante et lHelvtie, etc.(On entend les ranz des vaches.)

CHUROn entend des montagnesLe signal du repos ;La fte des campagnesAbrge nos travaux, etc.Cette fte champtre,Quignore lil du matre,Nous fera reconnatreLe doux pays natal.(Le vieux berger Melchthal descend lentementle chemin de la montagne, appuy sur le brasde son fils Arnold et suivi de quelquesSuisses. Tout le village laccueille avecenthousiasme et se presse joyeusementautour de lui.)

JEMMY, HEDWIGE, PCHEUR, TELL, CHURSalut, honneur,hommage au vertueuxMelchthal ! etc.

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FISHERMANFlowers wreathe her head;their secret power,warding off the storm,assures us a safe return, etc.And you, lonely lake,witness of a sweet mystery,do not tell the land

the secret of love! etc.

JEMMY, HEDWIGEHis foolhardy courageinvites shipwreckand, defying the storm,thinks only of his return, etc.If he directed his coursetowards the dreaded reef,a death-song to be sure wouldfollow the songs of love! etc.

TELL (aside)How burdensome is life!We no longer have a fatherland!

He sings, and Helvetialaments its last day!He sings, and Helvetia, etc.(The ranz des vaches is heard in the distance.)

CHORUSFrom the mountains we hearthe signal for rest;the country festivitycuts short our labours, etc.This rustic festival,unbeknown to the masters eye,will let us acknowledgethe sweet land of our birth.(Old Melchthal, leaning on his son Arnold, comesdown the hill followed by his countrymen. All thevillage gather happily and enthusiastically aroundhim.)

JEMMY. HEDWIGE, FISHERMAN. TELL, CHORUSGreetings, honour, homage to the virtuousMelchthal! etc.

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HEDWIGEThe shepherds festival, according to ancient

custom,out of three young lovers makes three happy

husbands.

ARNOLD (aside)Lovers,husbands! Ah, what thoughts beset me!

(Hedwige approaches Melchthal and asks him tobless the union of the young couples.)

HEDWIGEBlessed by you.

MELCHTHALBy me?

HEDWIGEYou will pronounce a blessing on us all.

TELL

It is the sacred privilege of age and the virtues,and a very sweet portent of the favours ofHeaven.

MELCHTHALShepherds, let your voices unite,let the horns resound far and wide!All of you celebrate on this glorious daywork, marriage and love...

CHORUS (Women)With the joyous songs that resoundlet our gentler tones unite!Let us too celebrate, by turns,work, marriage and love!

ARNOLD, FISHERMEN, TELL, MELCHTHAL, JEMMY,HEDWIGE, CHORUSLet us all celebrate on this glorious daywork, marriage and love! etc.

CHORUSBy the roaring torrentslet the horns answer each other!

HEDWIGELa fte des pasteurs, selon lantique usage,

De trois jeunes amants fait trois heureuxpoux.

ARNOLD ( part)Des amants, des poux !...Ah ! quel penser

massige !(Hedwige savance vers Melchthal, pour luidemander de bnir lunion des jeunescouples.)

HEDWIGEBnis par vous.

MELCHTHAL (cdant)Par moi ?

HEDWIGEVous nous bnirez tous.

TELL

De lge et des vertus cest le saintprivilge,Et des bienfaits du ciel un prsage biendoux.

MELCHTHALPasteurs, que vos accents sunissent,Quau loin vos trompes retentissent !Clbrez tous en ce beau jourLe travail, lhymen et lamour...

CHUR (Femmes)Aux chants joyeux qui retentissent,Que nos accents plus doux sunissent !Clbrons aussi tour tourLe travail, lhymen et lamour !

ARNOLD, PCHEUR, TELL, MELCHTHAL,JEMMY, HEDWIGE, CHURClbrons tous en ce beau jour,Le travail, lhymen et lamour ! etc.

CHURPrs des torrents qui grondent,Que les cors se rpondent !

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Et lcho de ces monts,Retenant nos chansonsEn dira les doux sonsAux forts, aux vallons !Oui, lcho de ces monts, etc....Aux bois, aux vallons !Clbrons par nos jeuxEt lhymen et ses nuds, etc.

Prs des torrents qui grondent,Que les cors se rpondent, etc.Clbrons, clbrons par nos jeuxEt lhymen et ses nuds, etc.Prs des torrents qui grondent,Que les cors se rpondent,Par nos chants, par nos jeuxDes pasteurs amoureuxClbrons les doux nuds, etc.Et volons auprs deux !Par nos chants, etc....Et volons auprs deux !(La foule se disperse.)

TELL ( Melchthal)

Contre les feux du jour que mon toit solitaireVous offre un abri tutlaire !Cest l que dans la paix ont vcu mesaeux,Que je fuis les tyrans, que je cache leursyeuxLe bonheur dtre poux, le bonheur dtrepre.

(embrassant son fils)

MELCHTHAL ( Arnold)Le bonheur dtre pre !Tu lentends, mon fils, cest le suprmebien.Veux-tu tromper toujours le vu de mavieillesse ?La fte des pasteurs par un triple lienVa consacrer, dans ce jour dallgresse,Le serment de lhymen, et ce nest pas letien ?(Tous sloignent, sauf Arnold.)

ARNOLDLe mien,dit-il, jamais le mien !Que ne puis-je taire moi-mme

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And the echo from these hills.holding back our songswill repeat their sweet soundsto the forests and valleys!Yes, the echo from these hills, etc.... to the woods and the valleys!Let us celebrate through our gamesmarriage and its bonds, etc.

By the roaring torrentslet the horns answer each other, etc.Let us celebrate through our gamesmarriage and its bonds, etc.By the roaring torrentslet the horns answer each other,through our songs and our gameslet us celebrate the sweet bondsof the loving shepherds, etc.and fly to them!Through our songs, etc.... and fly to them!(The crowd departs.)

TELL (to Melchthal)

Let my lonely roof offer you a protective shelteragainst the heat of the day!It is there that my ancestors lived in peace,that I escape from the tyrants, that I conceal

from their eyesthe happiness of being a husband, the happiness

of being a father.

(He embraces his son.)

MELCHTHAL (to Arnold)The happiness of being a father!You hear him,o my son, it is the supreme

blessing.Will you always disappoint the wish of my old age?The shepherds festival on this glad daythrough a triple bond is going to consecratethe marriage vow, and it is not yours?

(All leave except Arnold.)

ARNOLDMine, he says, never, never mine!Oh that I may keep to myself

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the secret of my disastrous obsession!You, whose brow aspires to the diadem,O Mathilde, I love you!I love you, and I betrayduty and honour, my father and my country!Against the deadly avalanchemy strength served to shield you:I saved you, you, the daughter of Kings,

you whom a perfidious powerdestines to give us laws!Drunk with a mad hope, my insane youthhas wasted its blood for ungrateful masters:to have known under them the glory of battle,that is my shame! But then, my tears have wiped

it out:Let us not restore it through a fatal love.(Hunting horns are heard.)But whats this noise?The horn of the tyrants spewed out by Germanysounds on the mountain.Gessler is there; Mathilde accompanies him;I must see her again, hear her voice again;Let us at the same time be happy and guilty!

(He is about to leave when he comes face to facewith William Tell, who is coming out of his house.)

TELLWhere are you going?Whats troubling you so?The approach of a friend doesnt stop you?

ARNOLDNo,no, no!

TELLWhy are you trembling?

ARNOLD (aside)Shall I have the courage to dissemble?(aloud)Under the burden of slaverywhat great heart is not cast down?

De quel fatal objet tous mes sens sontpris!Toi, dont le front aspire au diadme, Mathilde, je taime !Je taime, et je trahisLe devoir et lhonneur, mon pre et monpays !Contre lavalanche homicide

Ma force te servit dgide :Je te sauvai, toi, la fille des rois,Toi quune puissance perfideDestine nous donner des lois !Ivre dun fol espoir, ma jeunesse insenseA prodigu son sang pour des matresingrats :Avoir connu sous eux la gloire des combats,Voil ma honte ! aussi, mes pleurs lontefface :Par un funeste amour ne la rappelons pas.(sons dune chasse au loin)Mais quel bruit ? Mais quel bruit ?Des tyrans qua vomis lAllemagneLe cor sonne sur la montagne.

Gessler est l ; Mathilde laccompagne ;Il faut la voir encore, entendre encore savoix ;Soyons heureux et coupable la fois !(Arnold va pour sloigner quand il se trouveen face de Guillaume Tell qui sort de samaison.)

TELLO vas-tu ?Quel transport tagite ?Lapproche dun ami narrte point ta fuite ?

ARNOLDNon,non, non !

TELLPourquoi trembles-tu ?

ARNOLD ( part)De feindre aurai-je le courage ?(haut)Sous le fardeau de lesclavageQuel grand cur, quel grand cur nest pasabattu ?

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TELL ( part)Je comprendrais des maux que je partage :Arnold ne ma pas rpondu,Arnold ne ma pas rpondu !

ARNOLD ( part)Suis-je assez malheureux ?

TELL ( part)Malheureux ?Il me cache un mystre.(haut)Pourquoi te taire ?

ARNOLDQuespres-tu ? Quespres-tu ?

TELLRendre ton cur, rendre ton cur laforce et la vertu...Arnold !

ARNOLD ( part)

Ah ! Mathilde, idole de mon me !Il faut donc vaincre ma flamme ?

TELL ( part)Je sais lire dans son cur...

ARNOLD ( part) ma patrie ! mon cur te sacrifieEt mon amour et mon bonheur ! etc.

TELL ( part)Il rougit de son erreur...En servant la tyrannieSil fut tratre sa patrieSon remords du moins expieUn moment de dshonneur.

Jai su lire dans son cur...Il rougit de son erreur,En servant la tyrannie, etc.( Arnold)Pour nous plus de crainte servile ;Soyons hommes, et nous vaincrons !

ARNOLDEt comment venger nos affronts ?

TELL (aside)I should understand woes that I share:Arnold has not answered me,Arnold has not answered me!

ARNOLD (aside)Could I be more out of luck?

TELL (aside)Out of luck?Hes hiding a secret from me.(aloud)Why do you remain silent?

ARNOLDWhat are you hoping for?

TELLTo restore to your heart strength and virtue...

Arnold!

ARNOLD (aside)

Ah, Mathilde, my souls idol,must I then subdue my passion?

TELL (aside)I can read into his heart...

ARNOLD (aside)O my fatherland! To you my heartsacrifices both my love and my happiness! etc,

TELL (aside)He reddens at his error...If by serving tyrannyhe was a traitor to his country,at least his remorse expiatesa moment of dishonour.

I have been able to read into his heart...He reddens at his error,if by serving tyranny, etc.(to Arnold)For us no more servile fear;let us be men, and we shall conquer!

ARNOLDAnd how to avenge our indignities?

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TELLAll unjust power is weak.

ARNOLDAgainst foreign masterswhat are our supports?

TELL

The dangers;for us there is only one,for them there are a thousand.

ARNOLDThink of the blessings you lose!

TELLWhat of it!

ARNOLDWheres the glory in hoping for reverses?

TELLIm none too sure what glory is...

but I do know the weight of fetters,but I do know the weight of fetters.

ARNOLDYour hope

TELLIs in victory:yours too, I need to believe it.

ARNOLDWe should be free?

TELLIt is my vow.

ARNOLDBut where do we fight?

TELLHere.

ARNOLDDefeated, what will be our refuge?

TELLThe grave.

TELLTout pouvoir injuste est fragile.

ARNOLDContre des matres trangersQuels sont nos appuis ?

TELL

Les dangers ;Il nen est quun pour nous,Pour eux il en est mille.

ARNOLDSonge aux biens que tu perds !

TELLQuimporte !

ARNOLDQuelle gloire esprer des revers ?

TELLJe ne sais trop ce que cest que la gloire,

Mais je connais le poids des fers,Mais je connais le poids des fers.

ARNOLDTon esprance

TELLEst la victoire :La tienne aussi, jai besoin de la croire.

ARNOLDNous serions libres ?

TELLCest mon vu.

ARNOLDMais o combattre ?

TELLDans ce lieu.

ARNOLDVaincus, quel sera notre asile ?

TELLLa tombe.

ARNOLDEt notre vengeur, et notre vengeur ?

TELLDieu !

ARNOLD ( part)O Mathilde, idole de mon me !

Il faut donc vaincre ma flamme !O ma patrie ! mon cur te sacrifieEt mon amour et mon bonheur ! etc.

TELL ( part)Je sais lire dans son cur.Il rougit de son erreur ;En servant la tyrannie,Sil fut tratre sa patrie,Son remords du moins expieUn moment de dshonneur ! etc.

ARNOLDDu danger quand sonnera lheure,Ami, je serai prt.

(Arnold va pour partir.)

TELLDemeure !

ARNOLD ( part) contretemps fatal !

TELLMelchthal ! Melchthal !(on entend encore la chasse)Quentends-je ? cest Gessler !Quoi ! tandis quil nous brave,Voudrais-tu, volontaire esclave,Dun regard ddaigneux implorer la faveur ?

ARNOLDQuel svre langage !Pour moi cest un outrage.Je vais sur son passageBraver linsolent oppresseur.

TELLPoint dentreprise tmraire,Songe ton pre ; il faut le protger ; ta patrie, ta patrie : il faut la venger, ilfaut la venger, il faut la venger.

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ARNOLDAnd our avenger, and our avenger?

TELLGod!

ARNOLD (aside)O Mathilde, my souls idol!

So I must subdue my passion!O my fatherland, to you my heart sacrificesboth my love and my happiness! etc.

TELL (aside)I can read into his heart.He reddens at his error;if, by serving tyranny,he was a traitor to his country.at least his remorse expiatesa moment of dishonour! etc.

ARNOLDWhen the hour of danger sounds,friend, I shall be ready.

(Arnold is about to go.)

TELLStay!

ARNOLD (aside)O fatal mischance!

TELLMelchthal! Melchthal!(sound of horns, off)What do I hear? Its Gessler!What! While he still defies uswould you, a willing slave,crave the favour of a scornful glance?

ARNOLDWhat harsh words!For me theyre an insult.I am going to face the insolentoppressor on his way by.

TELLNo rash enterprise,think of your father, he must be protected;think of your country,it must be avenged, it must

be avenged, it must be avenged.

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ARNOLD (aside)My father!

TELL (aside)He wavers...

ARNOLD (aside)My country!

TELL (aside)He turns pale!

ARNOLD (aside)My love!

TELL (aside)What then is...ARNOLD (aside)What must I do?

TELL (aside)... all this secrecy?

ARNOLD (aside)O heaven, you know how dear Mathilde is to me!O heaven, you know how dear Mathilde is to me!But to virtue I yield,but to virtue I yield.Hatred, woe, woe to our tyrants!(The sounds of festivities are heard approaching.)

TELLListen to those wedding-songsin the distance!Lets not cast a gloom over the shepherds

festival:lets not mingle tears with their pleasures,and for one day at leastlet a people escape from its woes.

And for one day at least, etc.

ARNOLDLet me hide my tears from his eyes,I owe no more save to our woes.O Heaven, you know how dear Mathilde is tome, etc.

TELLHe will fight in our ranks,he will fight in our ranks, in our ranks.Hatred and woe to our tyrants!

ARNOLD ( part)Mon pre !

TELL ( part)Il hsite...

ARNOLD ( part)Mon pays !

TELL ( part)Il plit !

ARNOLD ( part)Ma tendresse !

TELL ( part)Quel est donc...ARNOLD ( part)Que faire ?

TELL ( part)...ce mystre ?

ARNOLD ( part) ciel, tu sais si Mathilde mest chre ! ciel, tu sais si Mathilde mest chre !Mais la vertu je me rends,Mais la vertu je me rends.Haine, malheur,malheur nos tyrans !(rumeur joyeuse de la fte qui approche)

TELLEntends au loin, entends au loinCes chants de lhymne !Nattristons pas la fte des pasteurs :

leurs plaisirs ne mlons pas de pleurs,Et que, du moins une journe,Un peuple chappe ses malheurs.

Et que du moins, etc.

ARNOLD ses regards cachons mes pleurs,Je nen dois plus qu nos malheurs. Ciel, tu sais si Mathilde mest chre, etc.

TELLIl combattra dans nos rangs,Il combattra dans nos rangs, dans nosrangs.Haine, malheur,malheur nos tyrans !

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ARNOLDMais la vertu je me rends, etc.Haine et malheur nos tyrans ! etc.(Le cortge des nouveaux maris arrive. Troisvillageois pntrent dans les chalets pour ychercher les jeunes pouses. Hedwige,

Jemmy et Melchthal sortent de la maison deTell.)

HEDWIGESur nos ttes le soleil brilleEt semble sarrter au milieu de son cours,Pour voir la fte de famille.Vnrable Melchthal, honneur des anciens

jours,Cest vous de bnir leurs pudiquesamours.(Les trois couples savancent et sagenouillentdevant le vieux Melchthal, assis sous un arcde feuillage dress par les paysans.)

MELCHTHAL (aux jeunes maris)Quand le Ciel entend votre promesse

Est-ce moi de la consacrer ?

TELLOui, rendre hommage la vieillesse,Mon Dieu, cest encore thonorer.

TOUS (sauf Arnold)Ciel, qui du monde es la parure,Pour eux fais luire un doux augure !Car leur tendresse est aussi pureQue ta lumire en un beau jour ! etc.

ARNOLD ( part)Ils vont sunir. Quelle souffrance !Ils vont sunir. Pour moi plus desprance !Quels maux jendure ! fatal amour !

Car leur tendresse est aussi pureQue ta lumire en un beau jour ! etc.

MELCHTHAL (aux jeunes maris)Des antiques vertus vous nous rendrezlexemple.Songez, jeunes pasteurs,Que la Suisse qui vous contempleDemande votre hymen des appuis, des

vengeurs :

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ARNOLDBut to virtue I yield, etc.Hatred and woe to our tyrants! etc.(The procession for the three bridegrooms arrives.Three men go into the chalets which stand on-stage,to fetch the three brides. Hedwige, Jemmy andMelchthal come out from Tells house.)

HEDWIGEOver our heads the sun shinesand seems to halt in mid-courseto witness the family festival.Venerable Melchthal, honour of bygone days,it is for you to bless their chaste love.

(The three couples come forward and kneel beforeMelchthal who is sitting in a bower of greenerywhich has been prepared for him.)

MELCHTHAL (to the bridal couples)When Heaven hears your promise

is it for me to consecrate it?

TELLYes, to do homage to old ageis still, my God, to honour you.

ALL (except Arnold)O sky, the worlds adornment,cause a sweet augury to shine for them!For their love is as pureas your light on a fine day! etc.

ARNOLD (aside)They are going to be united. How I suffer!They are going to be united. For me no more hope!What pains I endure! fatal love!

For their love is as pureas your light on a fine day! etc.

MELCHTHAL (to the bridal couples)You will give back to us the example of the old

virtues.Bear in mind, young shepherds,that Switzerland, which is watching you,demands from your marriage supporters,

avengers;

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and you out of your children, O faithful helpmates,teach your sons what kind of men their ancestors

werethat they may be great in their turn,that they may be free like them,that they may be the pride of our mountains.(The sound of the hunt draws nearer.)

TELLGessler again! again!

ARNOLD (aside and leaving without being seen)I must run for it!

TELLGessler proscribes these vows. Listen to the

tyrant,listen, he calls out to you that there is no longer

a fatherland,that the source of the courageous bloodthat seethed in our ancestors heartsis forever dried up.

A people without virtues no longer brings forthbrave men!What would you bequeath to your sons?The fetters by which your arms are bruised.Wives, exile your husbands from your beds,there are always enough slaves.

HEDWIGEWhat violent emotions seem to excite you!Has the day come to let them break out freely?

TELLPerhaps!I no longer see Arnold.

JEMMYHes leaving us.

TELLHes running away from me.In vain does he conceal from me the uneasiness

that attends him.(to Hedwige)Im off to question him. You, start the games

going again.

Et vous de vos enfants, fidlescompagnes!Apprenez vos fils quels furent leurs aeuxQuils soient grands leur tour,Quils soient libres comme eux Quils soient lorgueil de nos montagnes.(On entend de nouveau les bruits de lachasse.)

TELLEncore Gessler ! Encore Gessler !

ARNOLD ( part, quittant sans tre vu)Courons !

TELLGessler proscrit ces vux, coutez le tyran,

coutez, il vous crie quil nest plus depatrie,Que pour jamais elle est tarie,La source du sang gnreuxQui bouillonnait au cur de nos aeux.

Un peuple sans vertus nenfante plus debraves !Que lgueriez vous vos fils ?Les fers dont vos bras sont meurtris.Femmes, de votre couche exilez vos maris,Il est toujours assez desclaves.

HEDWIGEQuels transports semblent tagiter !Pour les laisser librement clater le jour est-ilvenu ?

TELLPeut-tre !Je ne vois plus Arnold.

JEMMYIl nous quitte.

TELLIl me fuit.Il me drobe en vain le trouble qui le suit.

( Hedwige)Je cours linterroger, toi, ranime les jeux.

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HEDWIGETu me glaces de crainte et tu parles de fte !

TELLQuelle cache aux tyrans le bruit de latempte !

touffe-la sous vos accents joyeux :Elle ne doit gronder pour euxQuen tombant sur leur tte !(Il sloigne.)

CHUR (dansant)HymneTa journeFortuneLuit pour nous.Ton beau jourLuit pour nous, etc.Des couronnesQue tu donnes,Ces poux

Sont jaloux.Dallgresse,De tendresse,Leur jeunesseSembellit, etc.Sur nos ttesLes temptesSont muettes, etc.Tout nous dit Hymne,Ta journe, etc.Par tes flammesDans nos mesTu proclamesNotre espoir ;Ton ivresse

Joint sans cesseLa tendresseAu devoir, etc.Hymne,Ta journe, etc....ces pouxSont jaloux.

(Les trois maris et leurs compagnes formentun pas de six. ces danses succde le jeu del'arc ; plusieurs tireurs s'essaient sans russir ;

Jemmy, plus heureux atteint le but ds lepremier coup.)

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HEDWIGEYou chill me with fear and you talk of merry-

making!

TELLLet it hide from the tyrants the noise of the

tempest!Drown it beneath your joyful strains:

it must only roar for themas it falls upon their heads!(Exit Tell.)

CHORUS (dancing)Hymen,your happydaydawns for us.Your glorious daydawns for us, etc.Of the crownsthat you givethese happy couplesare envious.

With joyand tendernesstheir youthgrows in beauty, etc.Over our headsthe tempestsare dumb, etc.Everything tells us Hymen,your happy day, etc.Through your flamesin our soulsyou proclaimour hope;your raptureunceasingly joins

tendernessto duty, etc.Hymen,your happy day, etc.... these happy couplesare envious.

(The three bridegrooms and their partners make upa dance-set for six. These dances are followed by anarchery competition; several bowmen try without

succeeding; Jemmy, luckier. hits the bull with hisfirst shot.)

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Glory, honour to Tells son,he gains the prize for skill! etc.

JEMMY (running to his mother)Ah, mother, mother!

HEDWIGEO moment filled with rapture!

CHORUSHe gains the prize for skill:he inherits it from his father.Glory! Glory!For us, children of nature,the simple fustian garbtakes the place of the armourthat protects the warriors.But to the mark that summons itour arrow is true,and with it hoperevives in our homes. etc.etc.

JEMMYPale and trembling, hardly able to support

himself,mother, a herdsman comes hurrying towards us.

FISHERMANIts the worthy Leuthold; what misfortune brings

him to us?(Leuthold appears; breathless, he carries abloodstained axe on which he supports himself.)

LEUTHOLDSave me! Save me!

HEDWIGEWhat do you fear?

LEUTHOLDTheir anger.

HEDWIGELeuthold, what power threatens you?

Gloire, honneur au fils de Tell,Il obtient le prix de ladresse ! etc.

JEMMY (courant sa mre)Ah ! Ma mre ! ma mre !

HEDWIGE moment plein divresse !

CHURIl obtient le prix de ladresse :Cest lhritage paternel.Gloire ! Gloire !Enfants de la nature,Le simple habit de bureNous tient lieu de larmureQui dfend les guerriers.Mais, au but qui lappelleNotre flche est fidle,Et lespoir avec elleRenat dans nos foyers, etc.etc.

COMPACT DISC 2

JEMMYPle et tremblant, se soutenant peine,

Ma mre, un ptre accourt vers nous.

PCHEURCest le brave Leuthold ; quel malheur nous

lamne ?(Leuthold apparat, pantelant, sappuyant surune hache ensanglante.)

LEUTHOLDSauvez-moi ! Sauvez-moi !

HEDWIGEQue crains-tu ?

LEUTHOLDLeur courroux.

HEDWIGELeuthold, quel pouvoir te menace ?

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18 LEUTHOLDLe seul qui na jamais fait grce,Le plus cruel, le plus affreux de tous... mes amis ! sauvez-moi de ses coups !

MELCHTHALQuas-tu fait ?

LEUTHOLDMon devoir. De toute ma familleLe ciel ne me laissa quun enfant, quunefille ;Du Gouverneur un impie soutien,Un soldat lenlevait elle mon dernier bien !Hedwige, je suis pre et jai su la dfendre.Ma hache sur son front ne sest pas faitattendre ;Voyez-vous ce sang ? cest le sien.

MELCHTHALIl eut le courage dun pre,Mais pour lui du tyran redoutons la colre.

LEUTHOLDUn refuge assur mattend sur lautre bord, (se tournant vers le pcheur) conduis-moi.

PCHEURCe torrent, cette rocheDu rivage oppos ne permet pointlapproche.Affronter cet cueil cest courir la mort.

LEUTHOLDAh ! puisses-tu, barbare, ton heuredernire,Trouver Dieu sourd ton remord,Comme tu les ma prire !

TELL (revenant, part)Arnold a disparu, mes pas nont pulatteindre.

CHUR DES SOLDATS (de loin)Leuthold, malheur toi !

LEUTHOLDGrand Dieu !

2

LEUTHOLDThe only one that has never shown mercy,the cruellest, the most dreadful of all...O my friends, save me from its blows!

MELCHTHALWhat have you done?

LEUTHOLDMy duty. Out of all my familyHeaven left me only one child, only one daughter;an impious supporter of the Governor,a soldier, carried her off she my last remaining

blessing!Hedwige, I am a father, and I knew how to defend

her.My axe was not slow to find his forehead;Do you see this blood? It is his.

MELCHTHALHe had a fathers courage,but we must fear the tyrants wrath for him.

LEUTHOLDA sure refuge waits for me on the other bank,(to the Fisherman) take me there.

FISHERMANThis torrent, that rockallow no approach to the opposite bank.To brave this danger is to expose oneself to

death.

LEUTHOLDAh, barbarian, may you in your last hourfind God deaf to your remorse,as you are to my entreaty!

TELL (aside)Arnold has vanished. I have not been able to

catch up with him.

CHORUS OF SOLDIERS (in the distance)Leuthold, woe to you!

LEUTHOLDGreat God!

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CHORUS OF SOLDIERSWoe!

LEUTHOLDI implore your protection!

TELLI hear threats and complaining.

LEUTHOLDWilliam,fate overwhelms me,I am pursued, I am not at all guilty;yet I die if I do not escape at once:there is only one way for my safety.

TELLYour boat is there, fisherman, you hear him.

LEUTHOLDIts useless;he is as pitiless as the Governor.

TELL

He disregards Heavens law,he refuses you! Well then, follow me!

CHORUS OF SOLDIERS (coming nearer)It is blood that the murder requires.Woe to you, Leuthold!

TELL (to Leuthold)Lets make haste, there they are.Farewell.

HEDWIGEYou will perish.

TELL

Ah, never fear, Hedwige:The perils are indeed great;(pointing to the sky)but God will lead him!(Hedwige attempts to hold her husband back;

Jemmy, for his part, seeks to follow his father.Tellentrusts them both to old Melchthal and, guidingLeutholds unsteady steps, succeeds in getting himinto the boat just as the soldiers are about to seizethem both. The boat moves off at once.)

CHUR DES SOLDATSMalheur !

LEUTHOLDJimplore ta faveur !

TELLJentends menacer et se plaindre.

LEUTHOLDGuillaume, le destin maccable,On me poursuit, je ne suis point coupable ;Je meurs pourtant si je ne fuis soudain :Pour mon salut il nest quun seul chemin.

TELLTa barque est l, pcheur, tu lentends.

LEUTHOLDCest en vain ;Comme le Gouverneur il est impitoyable.

TELL

Du ciel il mconnait la loi,Il te refuse ! eh bien ! suis-moi !

CHUR DES SOLDATS (tout prs)Cest du sang que le meurtre exige.Malheur toi, Leuthold !

TELL ( Leuthold)Htons-nous, les voil.Adieu.

HEDWIGETu vas prir.

TELL

Ah ! ne crains rien, Hedwige.Les prils sont bien grands ;(montrant le ciel)mais Dieu le conduira !(Hedwige veut retenir son mari ; Jemmycherche de son ct suivre son pre ; Tellles confie tous deux au vieux Melchthal, et,

guidant les pas mal assurs de Leuthold, ilparvient le faire entrer dans la barque linstant o les soldats vont les saisir tousdeux ; la barque sloigne aussitt.)

CHUR DES VILLAGEOISDieu de bont, Dieu tout-puissant,Des oppresseurs confonds la rage !Daigne drober au naufrageLe dfenseur de linnocent,Daigne protger le courageDu dfenseur de linnocent !

RODOLPHEDe la justice voici lheure !

CHUR DES SOLDATSDe la justice voici lheure !

RODOLPHEMalheur au meurtrier

CHUR DES SOLDATSMalheur au meurtrier

RODOLPHEQuil meure !

CHUR DES SOLDATSQuil meure !

RODOLPHEQuil meure !

CHUR DES SOLDATSQuil meure !

CHUR DES VILLAGEOISDieu de bont, Dieu tout-puissant, etc.

(Ici on voit la barque sapprocher de la riveoppose.)

JEMMY, HEDWIGE

Il est sauv !

RODOLPHEQue vois-je ? rage !

CHUR DES SOLDATSIl a franchi le funeste passage.

HEDWIGEDe Dieu je reconnais louvrage.

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CHORUS OF VILLAGERSGod of goodness, God all-powerful,confound the oppressors rage!Deign to protect from shipwreckthe defender of the innocent,deign to protect the courageof the defender of the innocent!

RODOLPHEThis is the hour of justice!

CHORUS OF SOLDIERSThis is the hour of justice!

RODOLPHEWoe to the murderer

CHORUS OF SOLDIERSWoe to the murderer

RODOLPHELet him die!

CHORUS OF SOLDIERSLet him die!

RODOLPHELet him die!

CHORUS OF SOLDIERSLet him die!

CHORUS OF SWISS PEOPLEGod of goodness, God all-powerful, etc.

(The boat is seen approaching the opposite shore.)

JEMMY, HEDWIGE

He is saved!

RODOLPHEWhat do I see? O fury!

CHORUS OF SOLDIERSHe has made the fatal crossing.

HEDWIGEI recognize Gods handiwork.

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JEMMY, MELCHTHALI recognize Gods handiwork.

RODOLPHETheir joy is a new outrage;slaves, woe to you all!

JEMMY, MELCHTHAL (aside)

What insolence!Why does not my ageserve my anger better?

CHORUS OF VILLAGERSOver our heads the storm rumbles,lets away, lets away!

RODOLPHEStay! There is more than one guilty person.Who lent his help to the murderer?Name the traitor your lives are at stake.

JEMMYTheyre going to talk...

HEDWIGETheyre going to talk...

JEMMY... terror overwhelms them.

HEDWIGE... terror overwhelms them.

RODOLPHE(having the crowd rounded up by the soldiers)Obey,your lives are at stake.

CHORUS OF SOLDIERS

Your lives are at stake.

JEMMY, HEDWIGE. CHORUS OF VILLAGE WOMEN(falling upon their knees)Virgin, whom Christians adore,hear our voices, they implore thee;protect from the evil-doers swordOur/their husbands and our/their children!Virgin, whom Christians, etc.

JEMMY, MELCHTHALDe Dieu je reconnais louvrage.

RODOLPHELeur joie est un nouvel outrage ;Esclaves, malheur vous tous !

JEMMY, MELCHTHAL ( part)

Quelle insolence !Pourquoi lgeNe sert-il pas mieux mon courroux ?

CHUR DES VILLAGEOISSur nos ttes gronde lorage,loignons-nous, loignons-nous !

RODOLPHERestez ! il est plus dun coupable ;Au meurtrier qui prta son secours ?Nommez le tratre, il y va de vos jours.

JEMMYIls vont parl er...

HEDWIGEIls vont parle r...

JEMMY...la terreur les accable.

HEDWIGE...la terreur les accable.

RODOLPHE(faisant cerner la foule par ses soldats)Obissez,Il y va de vos jours.

CHUR DES SOLDATS

Il y va de vos jours.

JEMMY, HEDWIGE, CHUR DESVILLAGEOISES(tombent genoux)Vierge que les chrtiens adorent.Entends nos voix, elles timplorent ;Drobe au glaive des mchantsEt nos/leurs maris et nos/leurs enfants !Vierge que les chrtiens, etc.

4

PCHEURIl y va de vos jours.Ah ! craignons nos tyrans ! etc.

MELCHTHALIl y va de nos jours !Je les vois tous tremblants ! etc.

CHUR DES VILLAGEOISIl y va de nos jours !Ah ! craignons nos tyrans ! etc.

CHUR DES SOLDATSLes vois-tu tous tremblants ?Il y va de vos jours !Les vois-tu tous tremblants ? etc.

RODOLPHEJe les vois tous tremblants.Obissez, obissez,Il y va de vos jours ! etc.

MELCHTHALComme lui nous aurions d faire.Amis, calmez votre frayeur,Il ose agir, osez vous taire !

CHUR DES VILLAGEOISIl ose agir, osons nous taire !

RODOLPHETremblez, tremblez ! nommez le tratre !

MELCHTHALDis au tyran que cette terreNe porte point de dlateur.

RODOLPHEQuon saisisse ce tmraire !

Quon saisisse ce tmraireQui brave ma juste fureur.Que du ravage,Que du pillageSur ce rivagePse lhorreur !Honte et misreSont le salaireQue ma colreLgue au malheur !

5

FISHERMANOur lives are at stake.Ah, let us fear our tyrants, etc.

MELCHTHALOur lives are at stake!I see them all trembling! etc.

CHORUS OF VILLAGE MENOur lives are at stake!Ah, let us fear our tyrants! etc.

CHORUS OF SOLDIERSDo you see them all trembling?Your lives are at stake!Do you see them all trembling? etc.

RODOLPHEI see them all trembling.Obey, obey,Your lives are at stake! etc.

MELCHTHALWe should have done as he did.Friends, calm your terror,he dared to act, do you dare to keep silent!

CHORUS OF VILLAGERSHe dares to act, let us dare to keep silent!

RODOLPHETremble, tremble, name the traitor!

MELCHTHALTell the tyrant that this soilsupports no informers.

RODOLPHESeize this daring fellow!

Seize this daring fellowwho defies my just fury.Let the horror of devastationand pillagelie heavyupon this shore!Shame and miseryare the rewardthat my wrathbequeaths to misfortune!

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JEMMYIf the horror of devastationand pillagelies heavyupon this shore,vile mercenary,my fathers bowcan shield us

from your fury!

JEMMY, HEDWIGE, FISHERMAN, MELCHTHAL,CHORUS OF VILLAGERSIf the horror of devastationand pillagelies heavyupon this shore,vile mercenary,my/his fathers bowcan shield usfrom your fury.We defy your fury! etc.

RODOLPHELet the horror of devastationand pillagelie heavyupon this shore!Ah, fear my rage! Yes! etc.

CHORUS OF SOLDIERSLet the horror of devastationand pillagelie heavyupon this shore!Shame and miseryare the rewardthat my wrathbequeaths to misfortune!

RODOLPHELet the horror, etc.

JEMMYIf the horror, etc.

JEMMY, HEDWIGE, FISHERMAN, MELCHTHAL,CHORUS OF SWISS PEOPLEIf the horror of devastationand pillage, etc....we defy your fury!

JEMMYSi du ravage,Si du pillage,Sur ce rivagePse lhorreur,Vil mercenaire,Larc de mon prePeut nous soustraire

ta fureur !

JEMMY, HEDWIGE, PCHEUR, MELCHTHAL,CHUR DES VILLAGEOISSi du ravage,Si du pillage,Sur ce rivagePse lhorreur,Vil mercenaire,Larc de mon/son prePeut nous soustraire ta fureur.Nous bravons ta fureur ! etc.

RODOLPHEQue du ravage,Que du pillage,Sur ce rivagePse lhorreur !Ah ! craignez ma fureur ! oui ! etc.

CHUR DES SOLDATSQue du ravage,Que du pillage,Sur ce rivagePse lhorreur !Honte et misreSont le salaireQue ma colreLgue au malheur !

RODOLPHEQue du ravage, etc.

JEMMYSi du ravage, etc.

JEMMY, HEDWIGE, PCHEUR, MELCHTHAL,CHUR DES VILLAGEOISSi du ravage,Si du pillage, etc....nous bravons ta fureur !

RODOLPHE, CHUR DES SOLDATSQue du ravage,Que du pillage, etc....ah ! craignez ma/sa fureur !(Les soldats semparent de Melchthal ; lesSuisses cherchent le dlivrer, mais ils sont

sans armes, et lon entrane violemment sousleurs yeux le vieillard quils voudraient suivre,

quand une haie de hallebardes les arrte. Lerideau tombe sur ce tableau.)

DEUXIME ACTELes hauteurs du Rutli, surplombant le Lac desQuatre-Cantons (Lac de Lucerne). On aperoitaux confins de lhorizon la cime desmontagnes de Schwyz ; au bas se trouve levillage de Brunnen.Des sapins touffus qui

slvent des deux cts de la scnecompltent la solitude.(Des piqueurs, portant des flambeaux, ouvrentla marche ; dautres dirigent la meute ;dautres arrivent avec des cerfs, des renardset des loups tus ; des dames et des

seigneurs cheval, ayant le faucon au poing,et suivis de pages traversent le thtre ;enfin, des chasseurs pied font une halte etvident les gourdes dont ils sont munis.)

CHUR DES CHASSEURSQuelle sauvage harmonieAu son des cors se marie !Le cri du chamois mourantSe mle au bruit du torrent ;Lentendre exhaler sa vieEst-il un plaisir plus grand ?Des temptes la furieNa rien de plus enivrant, etc.(On entend le son dune cloche.)

UN CHASSEURQuel est ce bruit ?

CHUR DES BERGERS(dans la montagne)Au sein de londe qui rayonneLe soleil, fuit, le soleil fuit ;Des monts que la neige couronneLclat svanouit, lclat svanouit.Du village la cloche sonne,

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6

RODOLPHE, CHORUS OF SOLDIERSLet the horror of devastationand pillage, etc.... ah! fear my/his rage!(The soldiers seize old Melchthal; the Swiss try tofree him, but they are without arms and the old manis dragged off violently before their eyes.They try tofollow him but a wall of halberds stops them. The

curtain falls upon this scene.)

ACT TWOThe heights of Rtli, overlooking the Lake of theFour Cantons (Lake Lucerne). On the far horizon we

see across the water the summits of the mountainsof Schwyz: down below is the village of Brunnen. Thick fir-trees standing on each side of the stagecomplete the solitude.(Hunt-servants, carrying torches, open the march.Others control the hounds; still others arrive with

slaughtered stags, foxes and wolves. Ladies andgentlemen on horseback, with falcons on theirwrists and followed by pages, cross the stage. Lastly,huntsmen on foot come to a halt and drain thewineskins they carry.)

CHORUS OF HUNTSMENWhat a wild harmonygoes with the sound of the horns!The cry of the dying chamoisblends with the noise of the torrent;to hear him breathe out his life is there a greater pleasure?The fury of the tempestholds nothing more intoxicating; etc.(The sound of a bell is heard.)

A HUNTSMANWhat is that noise?

CHORUS OF SHEPHERDS(at work in the mountains)Into the midst of the shining waterthe sun glides down;from the snow-crowned mountainsthe brightness vanishes.The village bell sounds,

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it is our return it orders.Night is here, night is here.

A HUNTSMANThe monotonous voices of the herdsmenstill follow us;the Governors horn sounds,

(with CHORUS OF HUNTSMEN)it is our return it orders.Night is here, night is here!The horn sounds, the horn sounds,night is here, night is here!(They go off. Enter Mathilde, who seems to havedeliberately become separated from the rest of thehunting-party.)

MATHILDETheyre going away at last; I thought I recognised

him;my heart did not deceive my eyes.He has followed me here, he is somewhere

nearby.I tremble if he were to appear!What is this deep, mysterious feelingwhose warmth I nurture, that maybe I cherish?Arnold, Arnold,is it really you,a simple inhabitant of these fields,the hope, the pride of these mountains,who captivate my thoughts and cause my terror?Ah, that I might at least admit it to myself?Melchthal, it is you whom I love;you saved my lifeand my gratitude excuses my love.

Gloomy forest, sad and wild wilderness,I prefer you to the splendours of palaces;It is on the hills, in the dwelling-place of the

storm,that my heart can be restored to peace;but the echo alone shall learn my secrets, etc.You, soft and shy shepherd star,who come shedding your reflections in my

footsteps,ah, be also my star and my guide!

Cest notre retour quelle ordonne.Voici la nuit, voici la nuit.

UN CHASSEURDes ptres la voix monotoneEncore, encore nous poursuit ;Du Gouverneur le cor rsonne,

(avec CHUR DES CHASSEURS)Cest notre retour quil ordonne.Voici la nuit, voici la nuit !Le cor rsonne, le cor rsonne,Voici la nuit, voici la nuit !(Ils sortent. Mathilde entre, elle semble stre

spare dessein du gros de la chasse.)

MATHILDEIls sloignent enfin ; jai cru le reconnatre ;

Mon cur na point tromp mes yeux.Il a suivi mes pas, il est prs de ces lieux.Je tremble !...sil allait paratre !Quel est ce sentiment profond, mystrieuxDont je nourris lardeur, que je chris peut-tre ?Arnold ! Arnold ! est-ce bien toi,Simple habitant de ces campagnes,Lespoir, lorgueil de ces montagnes,Qui charmes ma pense et causes moneffroi ?Ah ! que je puisse au moins lavouer moi-mme !Melchthal, cest toi que jaime ;Tu mas sauve le jourEt ma reconnaissance excuse mon amour.Sombre fort, dsert triste et sauvage,Je vous prfre aux splendeurs des palais ;Cest sur les monts, au sjour de lorage,

Que mon cur, que mon cur peut renatre la paix ;Mais lcho seulement apprendra messecrets, etc.Toi, du berger astre doux et timide,Qui, sur mes pas, viens semant tes reflets,Ah ! sois aussi mon toile et mon guide !

9

8

Comme lui, tes rayons, tes rayons sontdiscrets,Et lcho seulement redira mes secrets, etc.(Arnold sest montr pendant les derniresmesures de la romance.)

ARNOLDMa prsence pour vous est peut-tre un

outrage ?Mathilde, mes pas indiscretsOnt os jusqu vous se frayer un passage.

MATHILDEOn pardonne aisment les torts que lonpartage,Arnold, je vous attendais.

ARNOLDCe mot o votre me respire,Je le sens trop, la piti vous linspire ;Vous plaignes mon garement ;Je vous offense en vous aimant.Que ma destine est affreuse !

MATHILDELa mienne est-elle plus heureuse ?

ARNOLDIl faut parler, il faut, dans ce momentSi cruel et si doux, si dangereux peut-tre,Que la fille des rois apprenne meconnatre ;Jose le dire avec un noble orgueil,Pour vous le ciel mavait fait natre.Dun prjug fatal jai mesur lcueil ;Il slve entre nous de toute sa puissance ;Je puis le respecter, mais cest en votreabsence.Mathilde, ordonnez-moi de fuir loin de vos

yeux,Dabandonner ma patrie et mon pre,Daller mourir sur la terre trangre,De choisir pour tombeau des bordsinhabits,Prononcez sur mon sort, dites un mot.

MATHILDERestez.Oui, vous larrachez mon meCe secret quont trahi mes yeux,

11

10

Like him your rays are discreet,and the echo alone will repeat my secrets, etc.(Arnold has appeared during the last few bars of theRomance.)

ARNOLDMy presence here perhaps offends you?

Mathilde, my indiscreet footstepshave dared to force a way through to you.

MATHILDEOne easily pardons the wrongs in which one

shares,Arnold, I was waiting for you.

ARNOLDThat answer in which your soul breathes,I feel all too strongly that pity inspires it in you;you pity my error;I offend you by loving you.How hideous is my destiny!

MATHILDEIs mine any the happier?

ARNOLDI must speak, I must, in this momentso cruel and so sweet so dangerous, perhaps that the daughter of kings may learn to know me;I dare to say it with a noble pride,for you Heaven called me into being.I have weighed the danger of a fatal prejudice;it rises up between us in all its power;I can respect it, but only in your absence.Mathilde, order me to flee far away out of your

sightto give up my country and my father,

to go and die on foreign soil,to choose for a tomb uninhabited shores,pronounce on my fate, say a word.

MATHILDEStay.Yes, you wring from my heartthis secret my eyes have betrayed,

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yes, you wring, etc.I cannot stifle my passion,even though it should destroy us both! etc.

ARNOLDSo it has come from her heart,this secret her eyes have betrayed!So it has come, etc.

Her passion responds to mine,even though it should destroy us both! etc.(to Mathilde)But what a distance between us,what obstacles on all sides!

MATHILDEAh, do not lose hope;everything raises you in my eyes.

ARNOLDSweet admission! This tender way you speakmakes my heart drunk with delight!

MATHILDEI can love him, everything foretellsfor me days of happiness near him.I love him dearly, everything foretells for medays of happiness near him.Yes, I love him, and everything foretellsfor me days of happiness near him! etc.

ARNOLDSweet admission! This tender way you speakmakes my heart drunk with delight! etc.Everything here foretells my happiness.What ecstasies for my heart! etc.

MATHILDEReturn to the fields of glory,fly on to new exploits.

Return to the fields, etc.One is ennobled by victory;the world will approve my choice.

ARNOLDLet me deserve on the fields of glorythe prize which awaits me on my return:let me deserve, etc.Can I doubt victorywhen I obey love?

Oui, vous larrachez, etc.Je ne puis touffer ma flamme,Dt-elle nous perdre tous deux ! etc.

ARNOLDIl est donc sorti de son meCe secret quont trahi ses yeux !Il est donc sorti, etc.

Sa flamme rpond ma flamme,Dt-elle nous perdre tous deux ! etc.( Mathilde)Mais entre nous quelle distance,Que dobstacles de toutes parts !

MATHILDEAh ! ne perdez pas lesprance ;Tout vous lve mes regards.

ARNOLDDoux aveu ! ce tendre langageDe plaisir enivre mon cur.

MATHILDEJe puis laimer, tout me prsagePrs de lui des jours de bonheur.Je le chris, tout me prsagePrs de lui des jours de bonheur.Oui, je laime et tout me prsagePrs de lui des jours de bonheur ! etc.

ARNOLDDoux aveu ! ce tendre langageDe plaisir enivre mon cur ! etc.Tout prsage ici mon bonheu r.Quels transports pour mon cur ! etc.

MATHILDERetournez aux champs de la gloire,Volez de nouveaux exploits.

Retournez aux champs, etc.On sennoblit par la victoire ;Le monde approuvera mon choix.

ARNOLDMritons aux champs de la gloireLe prix qui mattend au retour :Mritons aux champs, etc.Puis-je douter de la victoireLorsque jobis lamour ?

12

MATHILDEOn sennoblit par la victoire.

ARNOLDPuis-je douter de la victoireLorsque jobis lamour ? Oui

MATHILDE

Il est digne de mon amour, oui.Dans celle qui taime,Oui, cest lhonneur mmeQui dicte sa loi.Mathilde, constante,Ira sous ta tenteRecevoir ta foi. etc.

ARNOLDDans celle que jaime,Oui, cest lhonneur mmeQui dicte sa loi.Mathilde, constante,Viendra sous ma tenteRecevoir ma foi. etc.Je retourne aux champs de la gloire...

MATHILDERetournez aux champs de la gloire...

ARNOLDJe vole de nouveaux exploits.

MATHILDEVolez de nouveaux exploits ;On sennoblit par la victoire.

ARNOLDPuis-je douter de la victoireLorsque jobis vos lois ? Oui

MATHILDELe monde approuvera mon choix ! Oui Dans celle qui taimeOui, cest lhonneur mme, etc.

ARNOLDDans celle que jaime,Oui, cest lhonneur mme, etc.

MATHILDEOn vient, sparons-nous.14

13

MATHILDEOne is ennobled by victory.

ARNOLDCan I doubt victorywhen I obey love? Yes

MATHILDE

He is worthy of my love, yes.In the one who loves you,yes, it is honour itselfthat rules.Mathilde, ever faithful,will go into your tentto receive your faith. etc.

ARNOLDIn the one I loveyes, it is honour itselfthat rules.Mathilde, ever faithful,will come into my tentto receive my faith. etc.I return to the fields of glory...

MATHILDEReturn to the fields of glory...

ARNOLDI fly on to new exploits.

MATHILDEFly on to new exploits;one is ennobled by victory.

ARNOLDCan I doubt victorywhen I obey your rule? Yes

MATHILDEThe world will approve my choice! Yes in the one who loves you,yes, it is honour itself, etc.

ARNOLDin the one I love,yes, it is honour itself, etc.

MATHILDESomeones coming, we must part.

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ARNOLDShall I see you again?

MATHILDEYes, tomorrow.

ARNOLDO joy!

MATHILDEWhen dawn comes up again,in the old chapel, in Gods presence,I shall hear your last farewell.

ARNOLDO sweet favour!

MATHILDEI leave you, someones coming.

ARNOLDHeaven! Walter and William, yes, flee from their

presence!(Mathilde leaves. Tell and Walter enter.)

TELLYou werent alone here?

ARNOLDWell?

TELLWe fear to disturb such a sweet conversation.

ARNOLDI do not inquire into your intentions.

WALTERPerhapsmore than another you should seek to know them.

TELLNo... What do they matter to Melchthal if he is

deserting our ranks,if he secretly aspires to serve our tyrants?

ARNOLDWho told you so?

ARNOLDVous reverrai-je encore ?

MATHILDEOui, demain.

ARNOLD bonheur !

MATHILDEQuand renatra laurore,Dans lantique chapelle, en prsence deDieu,Jentendrai ton dernier Adieu.

ARNOLD doux bienfait !

MATHILDEJe te quitte, on savance.

ARNOLDCiel ! Walter et Guillaume, oui, fuyez leurprsence !(Mathilde sloigne. Tell et Walter entrent.)

TELLTu ntais pas seul en ces lieux ?

ARNOLDEh bien ?

TELLNous craignons de troubler un si douxentretien.

ARNOLDJe ne minforme pas de vos desseins.

WALTERPeut-trePlus quun autre dois-tu chercher lesconnatre.

TELLNon...quimporte Melchthal sil dsertenos rangs,Sil aspire en secret servir nos tyrans ?

ARNOLDQui te la dit ?

15

TELLTon trouble, et Mathilde et sa fuite.

ARNOLDOn mpie, et cest toi ?

TELLMoi-mme ; ta conduite

Hier jeta le soupon dans ce cur alarm.

ARNOLDMais si jaime...

WALTERGrand Dieu !

ARNOLD...mais si je suis aim ?Tes soupons ?...

TELL...seraient vrais.

ARNOLDMon amour ?

WALTEREst impie.

ARNOLDMathilde ?

TELLElle est notre ennemie.

WALTERParmi nos oppresseurs elle a reu la vie.

TELL

Et Melchthal lchement embrasse sesgenoux !

ARNOLDMais de quel droit votre aveugle furie ?...

TELLNos droits ? un mot te les apprendra tous :Sais-tu bien ce que cest que daimer sapatrie ?

TELLYour agitation, and Mathilde and her flight.

ARNOLDIm being spied on, and its by you?

TELLMyself; your conduct

yesterday cast suspicion into my startled heart.

ARNOLDBut if I love...

WALTERGreat God!

ARNOLD... but if I am loved?Your suspicions?...

TELLwould be correct.

ARNOLDMy love?

WALTERIs impious.

ARNOLDMathilde?

TELLShe is our enemy.

WALTERShe was born among our oppressors.

TELL

And basely Melchthal embraces her knees!

ARNOLDBut what right have you for your blind fury?...

TELLOur rights? A word will tell you them all:do you really know what it is to love ones

fatherland?

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ARNOLDYou speak of fatherland, we no longer have

one.I am leaving this shoreinhabited by discord and hatred and fear,worthy daughters of slavery;I hasten into battles to regain my honour.

TELLWhen Helvetia is a field of tortureswhere they harvest its children,let your arms be Gesslers accomplices,fight and die for our tyrants,fight and die for our tyrants, etc.

ARNOLDThe camps restore my courage;in the camps loyalty reigns,already glory has marked my passage in them,besides, it replaces freedom.Already glory, etc.

WALTEROn account of us Gessler, as a prelude to battles,has cut short an old mans life;this victim awaits his funeral rites,he has claims on your help.Go! run! he has claims on your help! etc.He has cut short an old mans life,he has claims on your help.

ARNOLDAh, what a dreadful mystery!An old man, you say?

WALTER

Whom Switzerland reveres.

ARNOLDHis name?

WALTERI must conceal it.

TELLTo speak is to strike him to the heart.

ARNOLDVous parlez de patrie, il nen est plus pournous.Je quitte ce rivageQuhabitent la discorde et la haine et lapeur,Dignes filles de lesclavage ;Je cours dans les combats reconqurir

lhonneur.

TELLQuand lHelvtie est un champ de supplicesO lon moissonne ses enfants,Que de Gessler tes armes soient complices ;Combats et meurs pour nos tyrans,Combats et meurs, etc.

ARNOLDLes camps rappellent mon courage ;Aux camps rgne la loyaut,Dj la gloire y marqua mon passage,Elle remplace aussi la libert.Dj la gloire, etc.

WALTERPour nous, Gessler prludant aux batailles,Dun vieillard a tranch les jours ;Cette victime attend des funrailles,Elle a des droits tes secours.Va ! cours ! elle a des droits tessecours ! etc.Dun vieillard il a tranch les jours,Il a des droits tes secours.

ARNOLDAh ! quel affreux mystre !Un vieillard, dites-vous ?

WALTER

Que la Suisse rvre.

ARNOLDSon nom ?

WALTERJe dois le taire.

TELLParler, cest le frapper au cur.

16

ARNOLDMon pre !...

WALTEROui, ton pre ! Melchthal, lhonneur de nos

hameaux,Ton pre, assassin par la main desbourreaux !

ARNOLDQuentends-je ! crime ! hlas ! hlas !

jexpire !Ses jours quils ont os proscrire,Je ne les ai pas dfendus !Ses jours, etc.Mon pre, tu mas d maudire !De remords mon cur se dchire ! ciel, ciel ! je ne te verrai plus !

TELLIl frissonne...

WALTERIl chancelle, peine il respire.

TELL peine il respire.

ARNOLDJexpire !

TELL, WALTERIl plit, le remords le dchire,De lamour tous les nuds sont rompus.

ARNOLDJexpire !

TELL, WALTERSon effroi remplace son dlire,Son malheur lui rendra ses vertus.Le remords le dchire,Il smeut au nom de son pre,Son cur est abattu pour jamais.Le malheur jespre lui rendra ses vertus,etc.

17

ARNOLDMy father!...

WALTERYes, your father! Melchthal, the honour of our

hamlets,your father, assassinated by the hand of

executioners!

ARNOLDWhat do I hear! O crime! Alas! Alas! I die.His life that they dared to outlaw I did not protect it!His life. etc.My father, you must have cursed me!My heart is torn by remorse!O heaven, O heaven! I shall see no more!

TELLHe shudders...

WALTERHe reels,he scarcely breathes.

TELLHe scarcely breathes.

ARNOLDI die!

TELL, WALTERHe turns pale, remorse rends him,all the ties of love are broken.

ARNOLDI die!

TELL, WALTERHis terror replaces his frenzy,his unhappiness will restore his virtues to him!Remorse rends him,he is moved at his fathers name,his heart is cast down for ever.His unhappiness I hope will restore his virtues to

him, etc.

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ARNOLDMy father,you must have cursed me!My heart is torn by remorse!O heaven, o heaven! I shall see you no more!. etc.So it is true!

WALTERI witnessed the crime.

ARNOLDYou?

WALTERI saw the victim struggle and fall.

ARNOLDGreat God! What to do?TELLYour duty.

ARNOLDI must die?

TELL

You must live!

ARNOLDWell then, against Gessler assist my despair.Will you follow me into Altdorf?

TELLRestrain the wild passions to which your soul

gives way.

WALTERStay, and avenge at the same time your father

and your country.

ARNOLDGo on!

TELLThe night, favourable to our plans,already surrounds us with a protective darkness.You will see, in these parts that Gessler believes

submissive,courageous friends rise up on all sides:they will understand your tears.Out of ploughshares they beat weapons

ARNOLDMon pre, tu mas d maudire !De remords mon cur se dchire !O ciel, ciel ! je ne te verrai plus ! etc.Il est donc vrai !

WALTERJai vu le crime.

ARNOLDToi ?

WALTERJai vu se dbattre et tomber la victime.

ARNOLDGrand Dieu ! que faire ?TELLTon devoir.

ARNOLDIl faut mourir ?

TELL

Il faut vivre !

ARNOLDEh bien ! contre Gessler servez mondsespoir.Dans Altdorf voulez-vous me suivre ?

TELLModre les transports o ton me se livre.

WALTERReste et venge la fois ton pre et tonpays.

ARNOLDAchve donc !

TELLLa nuit, nos desseins propice,Nous entoure dj dune ombre protectrice.Tu vas voir dans ces lieux, que Gessler croitsoumis,Surgir de tous cts de gnreux amis :Ils comprendront tes larmes.Au soc de la charrue ils empruntent desarmes

18

Pour conqurir un digne sort,Ou lindpendance ou la mort !

TOUS LES TROISOu lindpendance ou la mort !Embrasons-nous dun saint dlire !La libert pour nous conspire ;Des cieux mon/ton pre nous inspire ;

Vengeons-le, ne le pleurons plus. etc.Pour son pays quand il expire,Son beau destin semble nous dire :Ctait aux palmes du martyre couronner tant de vertus !Ctait aux palmes, etc.Des cieux mon/ton pre, etc.Embrasons-nous dun saint dlire, etc....a couronner tant de vertus.

TELLDes profondeurs du bois immenseUn bruit confus semble sortir.coutons !

ARNOLD

coutons !

TELLSilence !

WALTERJentends de pas nombreux la fort retentir.

ARNOLDLe bruit approche...

TELLQui savance ?

HOMMES DUNTERWALDEN (de loin)

Amis de la patrie ! amis de la patrie !

TELL bonheur !

ARNOLD vengeance !

TELL, ARNOLD, WALTERHonneur, honneur leur prsence !

19

to win a worthy destiny:either independence or death!

ALL THREEEither independence or death!Let us fire ourselves with a holy frenzy!Liberty conspires for us;from the heavens my/your father inspires us,

let us avenge him, lets weep for him no more, etc.When he dies for his countryhis glorious destiny seems to tell usthat it was for the palms of martyrdomto crown so many virtues!It was for the palms... etc.From the heavens my/your father, etc.Let us fire ourselves with a holy frenzy, etc....to crown so many virtues.

TELLA confused noise seems to be comingout of the depths of the vast wood.Listen!

ARNOLD

Listen!

TELLSilence!

WALTERI hear the forest ringing with many footsteps.

ARNOLDThe noise draws nearer...

TELLWho comes forward?

MEN OF UNTERWALDEN (in the distance)

Friends of the fatherland! Friends of thefatherland!

TELLO joy!

ARNOLDO vengeance!

TELL, ARNOLD. WALTERHonour, all honour to their presence!

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MEN OF UNTERWALDENWe have known how to face, we have known how

to overcomethe perils, as we have the distance; etc.The torrents, the forests have not been able to

hold us back.Under the escort of prudenceour daring has brought us through to Rtli, etc.

TELLO you courageous sons of the canton of

Unterwalden,this noble alacrity contains nothing to surprise us.

WALTERTheyll know how to imitate it:(a distant horn call)I hear the hornof our brothers of Schwyz sounding;be proud of your children, o my country!(The men of Schwyz enter.)

MEN OF SCHWYZIn these times of distress

a foreign race,spying upon our griefs,condemns us to secrecy.May this lonely woodalone be aware of our tears! etc.

TELL (to Arnold and Walter)The fear of such great misfortunes is pardonable;but believe in my hope,their hearts will respond to ours.Honour to their presence!

TELL, ARNOLD, WALTER, MEN OFUNTERWALDEN

Honour to their presence!

WALTEROf the canton of Uri alone do we regret the

absence.

TELLTo conceal the trace of their footsteps,the better to hide our sacred conspiracies,

HOMMES DUNTERWALDENNous avons su braver, nous avons sufranchirLes prils comme la distance ; etc.Les torrents, les forts nont pu nous retenir.Sous lescorte de la prudenceNotre audace au Rutli nous a fait parvenir,etc.

TELLDu canton dUnterwald, vous gnreux fils,Ce noble empressement na rien qui noustonne.

WALTEROn saura limiter :(lointain appel de cor)de nos frres de SchwyzJentends la trompe qui rsonne :De tes enfants sois fier, mon pays !(entre des hommes de Schwyz)

HOMMES DE SCHWYZEn ces temps de malheurs,

Une race trangrepiant nos douleurs,Nous condamne au mystre.Que ce bois solitaireSeul connaisse nos pleurs ! etc.

TELL ( Arnold et Walter)On pardonne la crainte de si grandsmalheurs ;Mais croyez en mon esprance,Leurs curs rpondront nos curs.Honneur leur prsence !

TELL, ARNOLD, WALTER, HOMMESDUNTERWALDEN

Honneur leur prsence !

WALTERDu seul canton dUri nous regrettonslabsence.

TELLPour drober la trace de leurs pas,Pour mieux cacher nos saintes trames,

21

20

Nos frres, sur les eaux, souvrent avec leursramesUn chemin qui ne trahit pas.

WALTERDe prompts effets la promesse est suivie,Nentends-tu pas ?

TELLQui vient ?

HOMMES DURI (approchant)Amis de la patrie ! Amis de la patrie !

ARNOLD, TELL, WALTER, HOMMESDUNTERWALDEN ET DE SCHWYZHonneur, honneur aux soutiens de nosdroits!

HOMMES DURI, DE SCHWYZ ETDUNTERWALDENGuillaume, tu le vois,Trois peuples ta voix

Sauront, fiers de leurs droits,Braver un joug infme.Parle ! Parle ! et tes fiers accentsJaillissant de ton me,Soudain en traits de flammeEmbraseront nos sens ! etc.Parle ! Parle !

TELL(se plaant au milieu des dputs des TroisCantons)Lavalanche roulant du haut de nosmontagnes,Lanant la mort sur nos campagnes,Renferme dans ses flancs

Des maux moins dvorantsQue nen sme aprs lui chaque pas destyrans.

WALTERCest dsormais nous, cest notrecourage purger ce rivageDe matres dtests.

23

22

our brothers are opening over the waters withtheir oars

a way that does not betray.

WALTERThe promise is followed by swift results,do you not hear?

TELLWho comes?

MEN OF URI (approaching)Friends of the fatherland! Friends of the

fatherland!

ARNOLD. TELL, WALTER, MEN OF UNTERWALDENAND SCHWYZHonour, all honour to the upholders of our rights!

MEN OF URI, SCHWYZ ANDUNTERWALDENWilliam, as you see,three peoples at your call,

proud of their rights, will know howto defy an infamous yoke.Speak! Speak! and your proud tonesspringing from your soulwill suddenly in shafts of flamefire our senses! etc.Speak! Speak!

TELL(placing himself in the midst of the depu ties fromthe three cantons)The avalanche rolling down from our mountain

tops,hurling death upon our fields,encloses within its flanks

evils less ravenousthan each pace of the tyrants sows after it.

WALTERFrom now on its up to us, to our courage,to purge this shoreof detested masters.

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MEN OF SCHWYZThis is the threat of war;in spite of ourselves terror paralyses us.

WALTERWhere then is your ancient daring?For a thousand years our unconquerable

forefathers

defended their ancient liberties;does their race die out in you?

MEN OF SCHWYZIn spite of ourselves terror paralyses us.

TELLBowed under the wrongs you have suffered,if you no longer feel the burden of your chains,think at least of your families;your fathers, your wives,your daughtersno longer have sanctuary in your homes.

WALTERNo longer are there hospitable roofs among us.

TELLFriends, against this infamous yokehumanity protests in vain;our oppressors are triumphant.A slave has no wife,a slave has no children!

DEPUTIES FROM ALL THREE CANTONSA slave has no wife,a slave has no children!This is to suffer too much, what must we do?

ARNOLD(rousing himself suddenly from his despondency)

Avenge the death of my father!

DEPUTIES FROM THE THREE CANTONSMelchthal! What was his crime?

ARNOLDHis crime? He loved his fatherland!

DEPUTIES FROM THE THREE CANTONSAbominable, impious murder!

HOMMES DE SCHWYZDe la guerre cest la menace ;Malgr nous la terreur nous glace.

WALTERO donc est votre antique audace ?Mille ans nos aeux indompts

Ont dfendu leurs vieilles liberts ;Est-ce en vous que steint leur race ?

HOMMES DE SCHWYZMalgr nous la terreur nous glace.

TELLCourbs aux maux que vous avez soufferts,Si vous ne sentez plus le fardeau de vosfers,Songez du moins vos familles ;Vos pres, vos femmes, vos fillesNont plus dasile en vos foyers.

WALTERIl nest plus parmi nous de toits hospitaliers.

TELLAmis, contre ce joug infmeEn vain lhumanit rclame ;Nos oppresseurs sont triomphants.Un esclave na point de femme,Un esclave na point denfants !

DPUTS DES TROIS CANTONSUn esclave na point de femme,Un esclave na point denfants !Cest trop souffrir, que faut-il faire ?

ARNOLD(secouant tout coup son abattement)

Venger le trpas de mon pre !

DPUTS DES TROIS CANTONSMelchthal ! quel crime tait le sien ?

ARNOLDSon crime ? Il aimait sa patrie !

DPUTS DES TROIS CANTONSMeurtre abominable, impie !

TELLSoyons digne enfin du sang dont noussortons.

Dans lombre et le silence,Du glaive et de la lanceArmez les trois cantons.

DPUTS DES TROIS CANTONSDans lombre et le silence,Du glaive et de la lanceArmez les trois cantons.

TELLDemain luira pour nous le jour devengeance,Nous seconderez-vous ?

DPUTS DES TROIS CANTONSNen doutez pas, oui, tous.

TELLPrts vaincre ?

DPUTS DES TROIS CANTONSOui, tous !

TELLPrts mourir ?

DPUTS DES TROIS CANTONSOui, tous !

TELLQue de nos mains les loyales treintesConfirment ces promesses saintes.Jurons, jurons par nos dangers...

TOUS LES AUTRES

Jurons, jurons par nos dangers...

TELL...Par nos malheurs, par nos anctres...

TOUS LES AUTRES...Par nos malheurs, par nos anctres...

TELL...Au Dieu des rois et des bergers...

24

TELLLet us at least be worthy of the blood from which

we spring.In the darkness and in silencewith sword and lancearm the three cantons.

DEPUTIES FROM THE THREE CANTONSIn the darkness and in silencewith sword and lancearm the three cantons.

TELLTomorrow for us will dawn the day of vengeance,will you help us?

DEPUTIES FROM THE THREE CANTONSHave no doubt of it, yes, all of us.

TELLReady to overcome?

DEPUTIES FROM THE THREE CANTONSYes, all of us!

TELLReady to die?

DEPUTIES FROM THE THREE CANTONSYes, all of us!

TELLLet the loyal clasping of our handsconfirm these sacred promises.Let us swear, let us swear by our dangers...

ALL THE OTHERS

Let us swear, let us swear by our dangers...

TELL... by our adversities, by our ancestors,

ALL THE OTHERS... by our adversities, by our ancestors...

TELL... to the God of kings and shepherds...

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ALL THE OTHERS... to the God of kings and shepherds...

TELL... to resist unjust masters.

ALL THE OTHERS... to resist unjust masters.

(with TELL)If among us there are traitors,if among us there are traitors,may the sun refuse to their eyesthe light of his torch,Heaven refuse access to their prayerand the earth a tomb!Let us swear by our dangers, etc.We all of us swear it, we all of us swear it!

ARNOLDDay is here!

WALTERFor us it is a signal of alarms.

TELLOf victory!

WALTERWhat cry must answer it?

ALLTo arms! to arms! to arms!

ACT THREEScene OneThe interior of a ruined chapel, in the grounds ofthe Governors palace at Altdorf

MATHILDEArnold, whats the cause of this despair?Is that the tender farewellI was hoping to hear?You are leaving, but soon we shall be able to see

each other again?

TOUS LES AUTRES...Au Dieu des rois et des bergers...

TELL...De repousser dinjustes matres.

TOUS LES AUTRES...De repousser dinjustes matres.

(avec TELL)Si parmi nous il est des tratres,Si parmi nous il est des tratres,Que le soleil, de son flambeau,Refuse leurs yeux la lumire,Le ciel, laccs leur lumire,Et la terre, un tombeau !Jurons, par nos dangers, etc.Tous nous le jurons, tous nous le jurons !

ARNOLDVoici le jour !

WALTERPour nous cest un signal dalarmes.

TELLDe victoire !

WALTERQuel cri doit y rpondre ?

TOUSAux armes, aux armes, aux armes !

COMPACT DISC 3

TROISIME ACTEPremire ScneLintrieur dune vieille chapelle en ruines,attenante au Palais du Gouverneur Altdorf.

MATHILDEArnold, do nat ce dsespoir ?Est-ce l cet adieu si tendreQue jesprais entendre ?Vous partez, mais bientt nous pourronsnous revoir ?

1

ARNOLDNon, je reste o menchane un terribledevoir ;Je reste pour venger mon pre.

MATHILDEQuesprez-vous ?

ARNOLDCest du sang que jespre.Je renonce aux faveurs du sort,Je renonce tout ce que jaime, la gloire, vous-mme...

MATHILDE moi, Melchthal !

ARNOLDMon pre est mort ;Il est tomb sous lhomicide glaive.

MATHILDEDieu !

ARNOLDSavez-vous qui dirigea le fer ?

MATHILDEAh ! je frmis ! achve !

ARNOLDVotre effroi la nomm : Gessler !

MATHILDEGessler !Pour notre amour plus desprance,Quand ma vie peine commence,Pour notre amour, etc.Pour toujours, pour toujours je perds le

bonheur.Oui, Melchthal, dun barbareLe forfait nous spare,Ma raison, qui sgare,A compris ta douleur.Ma raison, etc.Du sort bravant la servitude,En vain je tai donn ma foi ;Dans mon cour quelle solitude !Tu ne seras plus prs de moi.Enfin, pour comble de misre,Un crime te prive dun pre,

2

ARNOLDNo, I stay where a terrible duty chains me;I stay to avenge my father.

MATHILDEWhat are you hoping for?

ARNOLDIt is blood I hope for.I renounce the favours of fate,I renounce all that I love,glory, you yourself!...

MATHILDEMe, Melchthal!

ARNOLDMy father is dead;he has fallen beneath the murderous sword.

MATHILDEGod!

ARNOLDDo you know who directed the steel?

MATHILDEAh, I shudder! Go on!

ARNOLDYour consternation has named him: Gessler!

MATHILDEGessler!All hope for our love is overwhen my life has scarcely begun,all hope for our love, etc.I lose my happiness for ever, for ever!

Yes, Melchthal, a barbarianscrime separates us,my wandering reasonhas understood your grief.My wandering reason, etc.Braving the servitude of fate,in vain have I given you my faith;what loneliness in my court!You will no longer be near me.Finally, to complete my misery,a crime deprives you of a fatherand I cannot mourn him with you,

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and I cannot mourn him with you!A crime deprives you, etc.Destiny, despite your rage,this sad heartwill always preserve the imageof my l iberator.Destiny, despite your rage, etc.

ARNOLDWhat noise reaches my ear?Singing! Shouts!

MATHILDEGessler rouses himself.

ARNOLDDaylight returns him to his crimes.

MATHILDEAlas, these songs announcethe preparations for a warlike festival.Flee from the Governors palace,flee from the Governors palace,

his joy is always deadly;flee, if ever I was dear to you!

ARNOLDI, flee! I, flee!

MATHILDEIf upon the foreign shoreI cannot offer to your miserymy consoling attentions,my soul follows you completely,it is faithful to your misfortunes.My soul follows you, etc.

ARNOLD

These songs drown your prayer!Their joy insults my griefs!Do you hear them? Do you hear them?

MATHILDEAh, take pity on my tears!Flee, if ever I was dear to you!

ARNOLDI, flee! I,flee!

Et je ne puis le pleurer avec toi,Et je ne puis le pleurer avec toi !Un crime te prive, etc.Destin,malgr ta rage,Toujours ce triste curConservera limageDe mon librateur.Destin,malgr ta rage, etc.

ARNOLDQuel bruit arrive mon oreille ?Des chants ! Des cris !

MATHILDEGessler sveille.

ARNOLDLe jour le rend ses forfaits.

MATHILDEHlas ! dune fte guerrireCes chants annoncent les apprts.Du Gouverneur fuis le palais,Du Gouverneur fuis le palais,

Toujours sa joie est meurtrire ;Fuis, si jamais,si jamais je te fus chre !

ARNOLDMoi, fuir ! Moi, fuir !

MATHILDESur la rive trangreSi je ne puis ta misreOffrir mes soins consolateurs,Mon me te suit tout entire,Elle est fidle tes malheurs.Mon me te suit, etc.

ARNOLD

Ces chants, ces chants touffent ta prire,Leur joie insulte mes douleurs !Les entends-tu ? Les entends-tu ?

MATHILDEAh ! prends piti de mes pleurs !Fuis, si jamais,si jamais je te fus chre !

ARNOLDMoi, fuir ! Moi, fuir !

4

3

MATHILDESur la rive trangre, etc.Et songe

ARNOLDJe songe mon pre !

MATHILDE

En renonant nos amours,Cest lui donner plus que nos jours,Adieu, Melchthal ! Adieu, Melchthal ! Adieu,cest pour toujours !Ah songe

ARNOLDJe songe mon pre !

MATHILDEEn renonant nos amours, etc....cest pour toujours !

ARNOLDEn renonant mes amours, etc....cest pour toujours !

En renonant mes amours,Cest lui donner plus que mes jours,Adieu, Mathilde ! Adieu, cest pour toujours !

Deuxime ScneGrande place dAltdorf, o lon fait desprparatifs de fte. On voit et l despommiers et des tilleuls. Le chteau fort deGessler est au fond. Des ouvriers sontoccups lever une estrade o doit seplacer la Cour ; dautres plantent, vers le fonddu thtre, un trophe compos des armes

du Gouverneur et surmont de son chapeau.

CHUR DES HOMMESGloire au pouvoir suprme !Gloire au pouvoir suprme !Gloire !Crainte Gessler, qui dispense ses lois !Crainte !Oui, oui, cest lEmpereur mmeQui lance lanathmePar sa terrible voix !

5

MATHILDEIf upon the foreign shore, etc.And think

ARNOLDI think of my father!

MATHILDE

By renouncing our lovewe give him more than our lives.Farewell, Melchthal! Farewell, Melchthal!Farewell, it is for ever!Ah, think

ARNOLDI think of my father!

MATHILDEBy renouncing our love, etc....it is for ever!

ARNOLDBy renouncing my love, etc....it is for ever!

By renouncing my loveI give him more than my life.Farewell, Mathilde! Farewell, it is for ever!

Scene TwoThe main square in Altdorf, where preparations arein hand for a festival. Here and there stand appleand lime trees. Gesslers castle is in thebackground. Workmen are busy putting up aplatform where the Court are to take their seats;others are setting up, towards the back of the stage,a trophy composed of the Governors arms and

surmounted by his hat.

CHORUS OF MENGlory to the supreme power!Glory to the supreme power!Glory!Awe to Gessler, who dispenses its laws!Awe!Yes, yes, it is the Emperor himselfwho hurls anathemathrough his terrible voice!

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Yes, yes, it is the Emperor himself, etc.Glory to the supreme power, etc.

CHORUS OF WOMENPeace to the power we love!Let us hope for Mathildes laws!What need is there for a diadem?Love is a supreme power,equal to that of kings.

CHORUSGlory to the supreme power, etc.

GESSLERVainly in their insolencedo the people defy my vengeance,they must submit to my rule,they must submit to my rule.(pointing to the trophy)Before this sign of powerlet everyone bow down in silence,as he bows before me,as he bows before me!

Let everyone, etc.

(During the following the people are made to pass byin groups, and forced to bow before the trophy.)

CHORUS OF MENGlory to the supreme power, etc.

CHORUS OF WOMENPeace to the power we love, etc.

CHORUSGlory to the supreme power, etc.

GESSLER

(standing on the raised platform)Let the German Empire today receive the pledgeof your obedience!For a century now its powerhas deigned to grant a support to your weakness.On that day, our rights, sealed by victory,were extended over your ancestors.Through your songs and your gamescelebrate the memoryof such a glorious day,I will it!

Oui, oui, cest lEmpereur mme, etc.Gloire au pouvoir suprme, etc.

CHUR DES FEMMESPaix au pouvoir quon aime !De Mathilde esprons les lois !Quest-il besoin, quest il besoin dundiadme ?Lamour est un pouvoir suprme,gal celui des rois.

CHURGloire au pouvoir suprme, etc.

GESSLERVainement dans son insolenceLe peuple brave ma vengeance,Il doit se soumettre ma loi,Il doit se soumettre ma loi.(montrant le trophe)Devant ce signe de puissanceQue chacun se courbe en silence,Comme il sincline devant moi,Comme il sincline devant moi !

Que chacun, etc.

(On fait passer les habitants par groupe, et onles force sincliner devant le trophe.)

CHUR DES HOMMESGloire au pouvoir suprme, etc.

CHUR DES FEMMESPaix au pouvoir quon aime, etc.

CHURGloire au pouvoir suprme, etc.

GESSLER

(plac sur lestrade)Que lempire germain de votre obissanceReoive le gage aujourdhui !Depuis un sicle, sa puissanceDaigne votre faiblesse accorder un appui. pareil jour, nos droits, scells par lavictoire,Stendirent sur vos aeux.Dun jour si glorieuxPar vos chants, par vos jeuxClbrez la mmoire,Je le veux !

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(Ici commence la fte. Un des lieutenants deGessler fait entrer par la force des Tyroliens etdes Tyroliennes qui dansent au son des voix

seulement.)

TYROLIENNESToi que loiseau ne suivrait pas,Sur nos accords rgle tes pas !Dans nos campagnesLes fils des montagnes leurs compagnesApprendront tes pas.Toi que loiseau ne suivrait pas,Sur nos accords rgle tes pas !Toi qui nes pasDe ces climats,Vers nos frimasTu reviendras.Dans nos campagnesLes fils des montagnes leurs compagnesApprendront tes pas.

TYROLIENS

nos chants viens mler tes pas !trangreSi lgre,Veux-tu plaire ?Ah ! ne fuis pas.Fleur nouvelleEst moins belleQuand prs delleVont tes pas.Dans nos campagnesLes fils des montagnes leurs compagnesApprendront tes pas.Fleur nouvelleEst prs delle

Ple et sans appas. nos chants viens mler tes pas !trangreSi lgre, etc.(Ils dansent.)

TYROLIENNESToi que loiseau, etc.

TYROLIENS nos chants, etc.

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(Here the festivities begin. One of Gesslerslieutenants has had brought in forcibly someTyrolean men and girls who dance to the sound ofvoices only.)

GIRLSYou whom the bird would not follow,fit your steps to our tunes!In our fieldsthe sons of the mountainsto their partnerswill teach your steps.You whom the bird would not follow,fit your steps to our tunes!You who are notof these climes,to our frostsyou will return.In our fieldsthe sons of the mountainsto their partnerswill teach your steps.

MEN

Come blend your steps with our songs!Strangerso fleet,do you wish to please?Ah, do not run away!The fresh floweris less beautifulwhen your stepsgo near it.In our fieldsthe sons of the mountainsto their partnerswill teach your steps.The fresh flowercompared with her

is pale and without attractions.Come blend your steps with our songs!Strangerso fleet, etc.(They dance.)

GIRLSYou whom the bird, etc.

MENCome blend your songs, etc.

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(Gesslers soldiers force the Swiss women to dancewith them: the people show by their gestures theirindignation at this violence.A t the conclusion of thedance they all prostrate themselves before thetrophy. Some soldiers drag forward Tell and his son,whom they have noticed still standing in the middleof the scene.)

RODOLPHEInsolent fellow, bow!

TELLTaking your strength from their weaknessyou can degrade this people, but I,I do not recognise the lawthat prescribes for me a base action.

RODOLPHEVillain!

CHORUS OF SWISS MENO moment of terror!For him we have everything to fear!

RODOLPHEGovernor, your law is being defied.

GESSLERWhat rash fellow dares to infringe it?

RODOLPHEHe is standing before you.

TELLStanding, I honour powerwhen it frees us from a shameful slavery,but the independence of my browbends before God alone.

GESSLERTraitor, obey or tremble!My voice and the perils threaten you together;see these arms, see these soldiers.

TELLI listen, I look, and I do not understand you.

(Les soldats de Gessler contraignent desfemmes suisses danser avec eux, leshabitants tmoignent par leurs gestes de leurindignation ; la fin de la danse tout lemonde se prosterne devant le trophe. Des

soldats entranent sur lavant-scne Tell et sonfils, quils ont remarqus debout au milieu dela scne.)

RODOLPHEAudacieux, incline-toi !

TELLTu peux, tarmant de sa faiblesse,Avilir ce peuple, mais moi,Je reconnais point la loiQui me prescrit une bassesse.

RODOLPHEMisrable !

CHUR DES HOMMES SUISSES moment deffroi !Pour lui nous avons tout craindre !

RODOLPHEGouverneur, on brave ta loi.

GESSLERQuel tmraire ose lenfreindre ?

RODOLPHEIl est debout devant toi.

TELLDebout, jhonore la puissance,Quand dun honteux servage elle nousaffranchit,Mais de mon front lindpendance

Devant Dieu seul flchit.

GESSLERTratre, obis ou tremble !Ma voix et les prils te menacent ensemble ;Vois ces armes, vois ces soldats.

TELLJcoute, je regarde et ne te comprends pas.

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11 GESSLERLesclave rebelle son matreNe frmit pas en prvoyant son sort ?

TELLSerais-je devant toi, si je craignais la mort ?

RODOLPHETant daudace, Seigneur, me le faitreconnatre ;Cest Guillaume Tell, cest ce tratreQui ravit nos coups Leuthold le meurtrier.

GESSLERSaisissez-le, saisissez-le !

SOLDATS (hsitant)Cest l cet archer redoutable,Cest l cet intrpide nautonier.

GESSLERPoint de piti coupable ;Cest l mon prisonnier.

TELLPuisse-t-il tre le dernier !Puisse-t-il tre le dernier !

GESSLERTant dorgueil me lasse,La foudre samasse,Sur toi quelle passeEt tu flchiras !

RODOLPHEQuel excs daudace !Il brave,il menace,Allons, point de grce,Dsarmons son bras.

GESSLERQuel excs daudace !Tant dorgueil me lasse,Non, point de grce,Dsarmons son bras.

TELLMortelle disgrce !(bas, son fils)Espoir de ma race,

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GESSLERThe slave in revolt against his masterdoes not tremble as he foresees his fate?

TELLShould I be before you, if I feared death?

RODOLPHESuch audacity, my lord, makes me recognise him;this is William Tell, this is that traitorwho rescued the murderer Leuthold from our

blows.

GESSLERSeize him, seize him!

SOLDIERS (hesitating)Thats that redoubtable archer,thats that intrepid boatman.

GESSLERNo criminal pity;that is my prisoner.

TELLMay he be the last!May he be the last!

GESSLERSuch arrogance wearies me,The thunder gathers,let it pass over youand you will submit!

RODOLPHEWhat excess of audacity!He defies, he threatens,come, no mercy,lets disarm him.

GESSLERWhat excess of audacity!Such arrogance wearies me.No, no mercy,lets disarm him.

TELLMortal disgrace!(quietly to his son)Hope of my line,

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o you whom I embrace,away with you, far away from here!Hope of my line, etc.

GESSLERSee, fear strikes him,see, fear strikes him,hes afraid of death,hes afraid of death, etc.Yes! Yes!

JEMMYLet your fear vanish,my place is here,for mercys sake let medie in your arms!Ah, let me, etc.

RODOLPHENo mercy for him,he goes quickly to his death,yes,yes!

GESSLER

Such arrogance wearies me,the thunder gathers, etc.

TELLO you whom I embrace,away with you from here!

RODOLPHEWhat excess of audacity!He defies, he threatens,lets disarm him,come, lets disarm him, etc.

JEMMYLet your fear vanish,

my place is here, etc.SOLDIERSWhat excess of audacity!Lets disarm him, etc.(Tells crossbow and quiver are taken from him.)

toi que jembrasse,Porte au loin,porte au loin tes pas !Espoir de ma race, etc.

GESSLERVois, la peur le glace,Vois, la peur le glace,Il craint le trpas,Il craint le trpas, etc.Oui ! oui !

JEMMYQue ta peur sefface,Cest ici ma place,Laisse-moi par grceMourir dans tes bras !Ah ! laisse-moi, etc.

RODOLPHEPour lui point de grce,Il court au trpas,Oui ! Oui !

GESSLER

Tant dorgueil me lasse,La foudre samasse, etc.

TELL toi que jembrasse,Porte au loin tes pas !, etc.

RODOLPHEQuel excs daudace !Il brave, il menace,Dsarmons son bras,Allons, dsarmons son bras, etc.

JEMMYQue ta peur, que ta peur sefface,

Cest ici, cest ici ma place, etc.SOLDATSQuel excs daudace !Dsarmons son bras, etc.(On retire des mains de Tell son arbalte et

son carquois.)

TELL (bas, Jemmy)Rejoins ta mre, je lordonne,Quaux sommets de nos monts la flammebrille et donneAux trois cantons le signal des combats !

GESSLER (retenant lenfant)Arrte, ( part)leur tendresse claire ma vengeance ( Tell)Rponds, toi qui moses braver,Cest ton enfant ?

TELLLe seul.

GESSLERTu voudrais le sauver ?

TELLLe saveur ? lui ? quel est son crime ?

GESSLER

Sa naissance,Tes discours, tes projets, ta coupableinsolence.

TELLMoi seul je tai brav, cest moi quil fautpunir.

GESSLERSa grce est dans tes mains, et tu peuxlobtenir.Pour un habile archer partout on terenomme.( Rodolphe, en dtachant une pomme dunarbre voisin)

Sur la tte du fils quon place cette pomme.( Tell)Tu vas dun trait certain lenlever mesyeux ;Ou vous prirez tous les deux.

TELLQue dis-tu ?

GESSLERJe le veux.

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TELL (in a low voice, to Jemmy)Rejoin your mother, I order it,let the fire blaze out on our hill-tops and give

the three cantons the signal for battle!

GESSLER (holding the boy back)Stop! (aside)their tenderness gives a lead to my vengeance (to Tell)answer, you who dare to defy me,is this your child?

TELLThe only one.

GESSLERYou want to save him?

TELLTo save him? Him? What is his crime?

GESSLER

His parentage,your speeches, your schemings, your culpable

insolence.

TELLI alone have defied you, it is I who must be

punished.

GESSLERHis pardon is in your hands, and you can

Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868)_ Guillaume Tell

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Transcript of Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868)_ Guillaume Tell