gs-0513

Griselda Steiner

perspectives
writings: dialogue

May 2013

Lyric Duet from the Musical HYPATIA

Violetta, in the opera "La Traviata" by Guiseppe Verdi, is a beautiful but sickly Parisian courtesan, who has fallen in love with Alfredo.  She  leaves him when his bourgeoisie father claims that her reputation might destroy his daughter's chance for  marriage. It is not until she  is on her deathbed that Alfredo forgives her .

In my musical HYPATIA, great opera heroines are released from their tragic deaths in the Old Diva's Dream. Hypatia, Crown Priestess of Destiny, takes them on a journey in which they must confront their composers and ask that their greatest wishes come true.

When Violetta confronts Verdi at his Italian villa, she wants him to create a day of love with Alfredo outside her opera. He agrees if she will give him an evening's embrace.  Violetta argues that she is no longer a courtesan, but satisfies him so that her wish can come true.

SCENE:  The backdrop of a lush forest  is lit by rays of a Spring dawn.  Mist rises from the forest floor giving the set a dreamlike quality.   Alfredo rests pensively on a rock overlooking a stream. Far off in the distance we hear Violetta's voice.

VIOLETTA

                        Alfredo!  Alfredo!

Alfredo jumps up startled. Violetta runs like a deer, her feet barely touching the ground.  She and Alfredo embrace and kiss passionately.

ALFREDO

                        My love - how could I have lived without you?

VIOLETTA

                        Did you think that I would ever return?

ALFREDO

                        I waited and waited, but I never gave up hope.

VIOLETTA

                        I am yours Alfredo!  Verdi has given us this one    

                        day together, forever.

ALFREDO

                        Then we will spend our whole lives in this one day.   Forever.

As they sing, Alfredo releases doves from a cage that fly to the sky.

VIOLETTA AND ALFREDO (Sing Duet)

                        I trust your hands

                        I trust your kiss

                        In your touch I remember

                        The youth that passed us by

                        The opera in which our love was bond

                        Tore us apart, destroyed our happiness

                        Both betrayed by social codes

                        Your death was the final blow

                        When light flickers and dies in the night

                        In my caress you searched for a dream

                        By blue waters cooled by the moon

                        Our hearts will be transformed

                        Bound by our roles and ancient mores

                        We have this one moment

                        I trust your hands

                        I trust your kiss

                        In your touch I remember

                        The youth that passed us by

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©2013 Griselda Steiner
©2013 Publication Scene4 Magazine

Griselda Steiner is a poet, dramatist and free-lance writer living in New York City. A member of the Playwrights and Directors Unit of the Actors Studio from 2007 through 2009, she has written the play MARY M and the MAD PROPHET, the musical HYPATIA and screenplay THE GODDESS IN EXILE.
For more of her writing and articles, check the Archives

 

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