THECONVERT Prayingtowhom? Operain2actsonalibrettobyKrystianLada afterthenovel‘Debekeerlinge’byStefanHertmans SettomusicbyWimHenderickx CocommissionbyOperaBalletVlaanderen,OpéradeRouenNormandieand MuziektheaterTransparant. version18112021 1
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CHARACTERSinorderofappearance VIGDIS Soprano DAVID,herlover/SHIPOWNER/EMBRIACHI/COMMANDER Baritone GUDBRANDR,herfather/SWINDLER/RABBITODROS/RAYMOND/ FIRSTARMOUREDMAN Bass CELEBRANT/URBANUS/PRIEST/SECONDARMOUREDMAN Tenor LUTGARDIS,hermother/FAKEMESSIAH/FIRSTDESERTWOMAN/ INNKEEPER Mezzosoprano CHAPERON/AGATHA/SECONDDESERTWOMAN Soprano RABBIOBADIAH Baritone VIGDISINHERDREAMS Dancer MIXEDCHORUS,CHILDREN’SCHORUS&COMMUNITYCHORUS ThreeSolochildren(fromChildren’schoir) Knight1(baritone)andKnight2(tenor),soloistsfrommixedchoir 3
ACTONE SCENE 1 1A THE LATIN CLASS VIGDIS, DAVID, GUDBRANDR, FEMALE CHORUS (offstage) Abarestageisdimlylit Twoyoungpeople theSopranosingingtheroleofVIGDISandthe BaritonesingingtheroleofDAVID arrivefromupstageasiffromthedarkness Theylook wornoutandtiredasifafteraverylongjourney AdamandEvebanishedfromParadise Afterabriefmoment,anolderman theBasssoloistsingingtheroleofGUDBRANDR, Vigdis’sfather appearsupstagebehindthem HewritestheopeninglinesoftheLatintext ofMary’sMagnificat(fromtheGospelofLuke)withawhitechalkonabare,blackwallofthe stage "MagnificatanimameaDominum EtexsultavitspiritusmeusinDeosalutarimeo”1 TheSoprano(VIGDIS)singsavocalise TheBaritone(DAVID)joinsher Nowtheysing together Davidleavesthestage TheFEMALECHORUS-voicesoffstage-joinsVIGDISwiththeopeninglinesofthe Magnificat. FEMALECHRISTIANCHORUS(offstage) “MagnificatanimameaDominum EtexsultavitspiritusmeusinDeosalutarimeo” 1 Englishtranslation:MysoulproclaimsthegreatnessoftheLord/andmyspirithasexultedinGodmysaviour. 4
1B THEBAPTISMRITUAL SCENEWITHTHECHORUS TUTTI Thebarestagetransformsintotheinteriorofthecathedralwiththebaptismalfontinthe middle Rouen,1070,Autumn Gradually,thestagefillsupwiththeCHORUS Vigdis’s relatives Vigdis’smotherLUDGARDISherCHAPERONandtheCELEBRANTtoconduct theChristianriteofbaptism TheBasssingingtheroleofGUDBRANDR,putsonhis costumevisiblyonstage TheCELEBRANTconductstheriteofbaptism Heblessesthe waterbytouchingitwithhisrighthand CELEBRANT Adestonobis,Domine,Paterunus, etsanctificacreaturamaquæ CHORUS(inresponse) Exaudinos,Domine CELEBRANT Ut,ineabaptizati, hominesapeccatoabluantur CHORUS(inresponse) Exaudinos,Domine. CELEBRANT Etadvitamtuorumrenascanturadoptionisfiliorum. CHORUS(inresponse) Exaudinos,Domine TheCELEBRANTanointstheSopranoplayingthepartofVIGDISwiththeOilof CatechumensontheheartandbetweentheshouldersintheformofaCross Hecontinues withtheProfessionofFaith TheparentsofVIGDIS,GUDBRANDRandLUTGARDIS, respond CELEBRANT CredisinDeumPatremomnipotentem, creatoremcælietterram? GUDBRANDR&LUTGARDIS Credo CELEBRANT CredisinIesumChristum, Filiumeiusunicum, Dominumnostrum,natum,etpassum? 5
GUDBRANDR&LUTGARDIS Credo CELEBRANT CredisetinSpiritumsanctum, sanctamEcclesiamcatholicam, Sanctorumcommunionem, remissionempeccatorum, carnisresurrectionem, etvitamæternam? GUDBRANDR&LUTGARDIS Credo TheCELEBRANTsupportstheheadoftheSopranosingingtheroleofVIGDISfrombehind withhisrighthand,hislefthandisonherbreast.Shefirmlyholdstohislefthandwithher palms.Sheleansbackandisimmersedunderthewaterinthefont.TheFEMALECHORUS soundsasifunderwater,asiftimestandsstillforamoment Fulloffearandfullofjoyatthe sametime FEMALECHRISTIANCHORUS “MagnificatanimameaDominum EtexsultavitspiritusmeusinDeosalutarimeo” TheCELEBRANTgivesVIGDIS’sparentsalightedcandle.TheCHORUSlightstheir candlesfromtheonethatisheldnowbytheparents.Theentirestagelightsupwithlittle shimmeringflames.AstheSopranointheroleofVIGIDSreappearsfromunderthewater, herChristiannameispronounced. CELEBRANT VigdisAdelaïs,goinpeace andmaytheLordbewithyou. Amen. ALL Amen. FEMALECHRISTIAN CHORUS GlorytotheFather,andtotheSon, andtotheHolySpirit Nowandforever Amen TheCHORUSleavesthestage VIGDISstaysnakedinthebasinofwater,alone Thedrops ofwaterrushdownherbodyandhair ThecathedraltransformsintotheVIGDIS’sroomin Rouen 6
SCENE2A THEARGUMENT RECITATIVE GUDBRANDR, LUTGARDIS Rouen,1087,Spring Asplitscene VIGDIS’sroom:EnterCHAPERON anageingwidow dressedinblack withVIGDIS’sundergarments,anemeralddress,andsharplypointed shoesofreddishbrownleather,openattheheel.CHAPERONhelpsVIGDIStodryoffand putherwhiteundergarmenton.Theemeralddressliesnexttoher.VIGDISlistenstothe conversationofherparentsintheroomnextdoor.VIGDISisnowjustseventeenyearsold andtriestounderstandwhatherPARENTSaretalkingabout Theroomnextdoor aroom withalongtable VIGDIS’sparents GUDBRANDRandLUTGARDIS sitontheopposite sideoftheopulentlydecoratedtablehavingadiscussiononcurrentevents.Thescenestarts abruptly,inthemiddleoftheirconversation. GUDBRANDR Threedays!Hemadehimwaitforthreedays! Inthebittercoldofthemountains InthebittercoldofCanossa LUTGARDIS Godwantedhimexcommunicated GUDBRANDR Butthreedays?! IsthatwhatthePopeshoulddo?! LUTGARDIS Godwanteditthatway GUDBRANDR Bastard! LUTGARDIS(makesacrosssign) DearHeartofMarytheVirgin, youwillbringtheplagueonourhouse. Stopnow!He’saholyman. GUDBRANDR Corruptedbastard! Pope,cardinals,bishops Allarepoliticians! Roughandviolentpeasants! Nothingtodowithreligion! Corruptedbastards! 7
LUTGARDIS(makesadoublecrosssign) DearHeartofMary ! Youareaheretic! GUDBRANDR Aheretic?!Me?! TheylosttheirGodalongtimeago! Theyfuelthehateagainstourbrothers TheystuckontheJews Thebloodthatrinsesthetownstreetsatnight isontheirhands Bloodisontheirhands! LUTGARDIS ThePopewantstoprotectusfromthekillersofourSaviour! TheynailedJesustothecross TheyallowedtheplunderoftheHolygraveofourLord TheyleftJerusalemtotheSaracenhands TheJewsaretoblame! GUDBRANDR Jews,Muslims,Christians Whycan’twelivenexttoeachotherinpeace? LUTGARDIS Andhowmuchbloodisonthehandsofyourunclesandcousins?! HowmuchbloodonthehandsoftheVikings?! GUDBRANDR(tryingtocalmherdown) Wejustwanttoliveinpeace. AstheJewsdo. Inpeace,forourchildren. Forourdaughter… LUTGARDIS(withevengreateranger) Yourdaughter? Likefather,likedaughter! Shesnuckoutthroughthekitchenwindowlastnight. Likeathief. Again. (withbitterirony)OurdaughterwascourtedbyaJewbehindtheyeshiva Peoplearetalking “Ourdaughterisacurseintheface ofthebelovedMotherofGod!” (makesasignofthecrossandburstsintotears) 8
2B THE LULLABY RECITATIVE WITH LULLABYandARIOZO CHAPERON, VIGDIS InVIGDIS’sroom,theCHAPERONoilsVIGDIS’shairwithbutter Shesingswhilecombing VIGDIS’shairstraight Hersongsoundslikeasimplefolklullaby apropheticone,asifthe CHAPERONwouldbeaMoiraspinningthespanofVIGIDS’slife herallotmentofmisery andsuffering AwarningthatVIGDIScannotunderstandasshe’syettooyoung CHAPERON [THELULLABY] Onceuponadream Therewasaprincessunseen TherewasaLoveunspoken ButGodstoodinbetween Onceuponatime Thefirstkisswasacrime, Adeadlycurse,thesecond ButLovewasinitsprime Onceuponanight Themoonwasshiningbright Hiseyesshoneevenbrighter TheirFatewasinfullflight Onceuponalife Herdaysturnedintostrife Godpunishedherdesires Andnobodysurvived VIGDIS I’lldiesoon Imustbesick Ifeelsomethinginmybody burnandtearandpound Ithurts nothearinghisvoice whenhereadsmehisprayers thatIhardlyunderstand butthenI’msure Iknowhimfrombefore Beforeweweretaught allthosewordsthatstandbetweenus Ifeelsickofnotseeing hiseyes sobright Hisgaze sosoft hissmileisso 9
CHAPERON(interruptingVIGDIS) Jewish HissmileisJewish HiseyesareJewish HeisaJew VIGDIS Formehe’sjustaboy Icravetoseeagain CHAPERON(continues) ToloveaJewis VIGDIS(interruptingtheCHAPERON) …forbidden. Mothertoldmeso. CHAPERON No. LovingaJewisunthinkable. ToloveaJewistoliveonadifferentplanet. ToloveaJewistofollowadifferentcalendar. ToloveaJewistodreamunderadifferentmoon… VIGDIS(interruptsher) Buttheremustbesomethingmore thanthestonesinthewalls betweenourtemples. Morethanthesand fromtheurnsofourancestors. Morethanthecoldfloorofthecathedral andthebooksfulloflanguage thatnobodyspeaks. HewillteachmeHebrewoneday, hepromised. Wewillswimnaked inthewarmseaoftheSouth. Withhim,Iwillgetdrunkonmylife! CHAPERON FindaChristianman. Escapethisdestiny. Fleewhatyoumostdesire. Fleewhileyoustillcan! 10
2C THEDAUGHTEROFHERFATHER RECITATIVE VIGDIS,GUDBRANDR GUDBRANDR(offstage,arrivingfromoutsidetoVIGDIS’sroom) Vigdis!VigdisAdelaïs! EntranceFATHER. GUDBRANDR(toCHAPERON) Leavenow ExitCHAPERON.GUDBRANDRgrabsVIGDIS’semeralddressandthrowsitintoherlap. GUDBRANDR(toVIGDIS) Putiton! VIGDISremainssilentandmotionless Shelooksaway GUDBRANDR Putthatdresson!Now! VIGDIS(notlookingathim,veryquietly) No GUDBRANDR Whatdidyousay? VIGDIS(liftinguphereyesandlookingintohisface) No! GUDBRANDR Wherehaveyoubeenlastnight?! VIGDIS(lookingpiercinglyintohiseyes) Inthechurch,Father GUDBRANDRslapsherfacewithhishandandimmediatelygetsscaredbywhathejustdid Helooksawayfromher GUDBRANDR Whydidyoulietome… Why…?! Peoplesawyoubehindtheyeshiva, readingtheTorahwiththatJewishboy. You’llstayhere 11
untilyoucomebacktoyoursenses,, oruntilwefindyouasuitablehusband VIGDIS I’llbecomeanunifyouforcemetostayhere! GUDRBANDR Nonsense! YouareadaughteroftheVikings Youwilldoasyourfatherorders GUDBRANDRleavestheroomandlocksthedoorsbehindhim.Heissurprisedandterrified bywhathehasjustdone.Asplitscene:GUDBRANDRslidesdownwithhisbackagainstthe closeddoors,outsideofVIGDIS’sroom.Hesitsonthefloor,kneesunderhischin,hisface coveredwithhispalms. 12
2D THEPRAYER VIGDIS,DAVID VIGDISisaloneinherroom Shefeelssorryforlyingtoherfather Indespair,sheputson theemeralddressthatherfatherbroughtherandisabouttowalktothedoorofherroomto askherfatherforforgivenesswhenastoneisthrownfromoutsidethroughtheopenwindow andfallsonthefloor Thestoneiswrappedinapieceofpaper VIGDISpicksitup,unwraps itandreadsthemessage DAVID’SVOICE(offstage) “MyJewishbride, letmeleadyoutothealtar asMosesledourancestorsoutofEgypt” VIGDISwrapsthestoneagainintheletter,throwsitoutthroughthewidowfromwhenceit cameandclosestheshutters She’spantinginherroomthatisshroudedindusk Sheis hopeless Sheshedsherclothesandthrowsherselfonthefloor Withherhairindisarray, herfacedowntothefloor Herarmsareoutstretchedtothesidesandmakeherbodylook likeacross VIGDIS [PRAYER] WhenIfeelImustrun WhenIknowIshouldstay Givemestrength,FatherofmyFathers Towipehimfrommymemory Tofollowhimintodeath Givemestrength,FatherofmyFathers TobelieveinwhatIcouldbe ToletgoofwhatI’mnot Givemestrength,FatherofmyFathers ExitGUDBRANDR. 13
[2E] THEFLIGHT RECITATIVE VIGDIS,DAVID VIGDIShearsanoisebehindthewindow Theshuttersopen DAVIDclimbsinthroughthe window HestandsbeforeVIGDIS,thenheholdsherinhisarmsforamoment,withouta word Hehasbroughtherclothes plainblackgarmentsandasimplehatunlikeanything herparentsevergaveher VIGDIS But DAVID Thereisnotime…Come. VIGDIS Wherenow? DAVID Home We’regoinghome VIGDIS Buthereismy DAVID Myhometown Myparentswilltakecareofus Hurryifyoutrustme VIGDIS Hownow? DAVID Youtrustme? VIGIDS Ido…Ithink… IthinkIdo. DAVID(handinghertheblackclothesthathebrought) Thatwilldo thatmustdo fornow Iguess Come! 14
VIGDIS(puttingontheblackclothes) Wait IfIamChristian AndyouareaJew Whatdoesthatmakemeinto? DAVID Aconvert Maybe VIGDIS(toDAVID) AndwilltheJewishGodallowthat? DAVID Andwillyoupraytohim? VIGDIS Butcanheunderstandme? DAVID Idon’tknow VIGDIS(toherself) Father,forgiveme, forIhavenochoice DAVID(impatient) Comenow! 15
SCENE 3 3A THE PARADE OF FOOLS SCENE WITHTHE CHORUS VIGDIS, DAVID, SWINDLER, CHORUS ThescenetransformsintoacrossroadssomewherebetweenRouenandNarbonne,1087, Summer Anafternoon VIGDISandDAVIDareontheirwaytotheSouth Onamuddyroad,VIGDIS tiredfrom theirlongjourney fallsdown Shetriestostandupbutshecan’t She’sdrippingwithmud VIGDIS(toDAVID) David,wait! Myankle DAVID(helpinghertostandupandtryingtowalkwithherfurther) Wemustkeepgoing. Hurry! Theydon’theartheSWINDLERapproachingbehindthem. SWINDLER Goddidnotcreatehurry. (toVIGDIS,staringintoherfacewithpiercingeyes) Wheredoyoucomefrom? VIGDIS FromtheNorth SWINDLER Itmusthavetakenyouatleastamonthandahalftogethere Whereareyouheading? DAVID TotheSouth SWINDLER(ignoringDAVID’sanswer,toVIGDIS) What’syourfather’sname? VIGDIS I…don’t…know… SWINDLER Howcanyounotknowthenameofyourfather? VIGDIS(putsherhoodfaroverherface) 16
I don’t remember SWINDLER Youdon’trememberthenameofyourfather ? DAVID Go,goodman. Leaveusinpeace SWINDLER Theforestsarefullofdanger. Bearsandwolves. Wizardsandperverts. Murderersandliars. Peoplearetalkingaboutacouplewhotookflight. Theymustbestillintheseparts. AgirlfromtheNorth. AndaboyfromtheSouth Herfather’sknightshavealreadypassedthiswaytoday Theythreatenedtoburndownthehouses ofanyonewhohelpsthatcouple Theypromisedgoldforhelpingtofindthem ButIknowasaferefugeupinthehills DAVID Whatdoyouwant? SWINDLER Orderyourgirltobegeneroustometonight andI’llbegeneroustoyoutoo. DAVID Go,goodman. Wedon’tneedyourhelp. (…) Leaveus! SWINDLER Peoplearetalking Theknightscan’tbefarfromhere (tryingtopullbackVIGDIS’shoodtouncoverherface) Letmelendmyhelpinghandtoyou Come,begeneroustoyoursaviour… 17
EnterCHORUS acolourfulandloudparadeofzealotspassesandsweepsVIGDISand DAVIDalongwiththem It’saprocessionofstrangewouldbesaintswithwhoopsand whistles Attheheadofthiscolourfulprocession,aFAKEMESSIAHrecitessomefragment oftheApocalypseofSaintJohn Thecrowddancesaroundhim Theydrinkhomebrewand getintofistfights TheparadeoffoolssweepstheSWINDLERawaywiththem CHORUSOFFOOLS Ifanyonehasanear,lethimhear! FeartheLord,andgivehimglory forthehourofhisjudgmenthascome! FAKEMESSIAH(describinghisvision) AndIheardthefifthangelblowhistrumpet AndIsawastarthathadfallentotheearth Theangelopenedtheabyss andIsawlocustscomeoutontotheearth toharmandkill onlythosewhodonothavethename ofourFatherontheirforeheads Smogascendedoutoftheshaft Andthesunwasdarkened, SWINDLER(toDAVIDandVIGDIS) Youngbloodmustboil Don’tburnyourself SWINDLERleaves,laughingandsingingalongwiththeCHORUSwhilewalkingaway. CHORUSOFFOOLS Ifanyonehasanear,lethimhear! FeartheLord,andgivehimglory forthehourofhisjudgmenthascome! Rejoice,heavens,andyouwhodwellinthem. Woetotheearthandtothesea thedevilhascomedowntoyou andheisfilledwithrage. Thedayofwrathwilldissolvetheworldinashes! 18
3B THEFIRSTTIME RECITATIVEWITHTHEDUET VIGDIS,DAVID Eveningthatsameday VIGDISandDAVIDalone,lyingnexttoeachotherbutnottouching Silence VIGDIS(toDAVID) Thedevilisafterus Hecamefromhelltopunishus DAVID(amused) Wedon’tbelieveinhell Hellwasinventedbyyourcardinals Justacceptthat Nowwearefree,atlast VIGDIS(angry) Freeandindeadlydanger allatthesametime ! Freetowhat?! DAVID Tochoose. Tolive. Tolove. DAVIDthrowshisarmaroundVIGDIS.Hetriestokissher. VIGDIS(tryingtostophim) Someonemightseeus DAVID Inthemiddleofnowhere? OnlyGodcanseeusnow VIGDISshrugshimoff DAVID You’veneversleptwithaJewishboy? VIGDIS I have never withanyone DAVID(teasingher) OnewouldexpectmorefromthedaughterofVikings! 19
VIGDISturnsherfaceaway Tearsinhereyes VIGDIS Iamnobody’sdaughternow… I’veneverfeltsoalone… VIGDISburstsintotears.DAVIDputshisarmaroundVIGDISandsqueezeshertighter. DAVIDkissesthetearsfromhercheeksandchinaway. DAVID Sssh (tryingtocalmherdown) Yourtearstastelikeeveningdew. VIGDISgivesinandcalmsdown Somewhatabruptlyandclumsily,DAVIDpressesher downintothewetgrassandslowlystartstakingherclothesoff VIGDIS Wait Closeyoureyes Don’tlookatme [DUET] VIGDIS Drippingwithsweat,wetwithdew mybody glowingunderthenakedsky andconfused. I’mburning I’mmelting I’m so GoodGod Whatishappeningtome?! Somethingrunsdownmylegs Iamawaterfallofpainnow I musthavefever! Itfeelslikedying! DAVID Endlessoceanisinyourmoving. Long,steadywaves Idiveintotheheatofyourtrustinghips Youclawatmythroat mybloodissizzlingunderyournails Greedilylickingacrossyourneck, 20
drunkwiththesaltytasteofyourdesire, Idissolveinyou dropbydrop, drowninganddrowned, yetfloatingbacktoyourmouth forthelastbreath VIGDIS&DAVID Ourbreathsmingletogether Anditbeginsagain Withweeping, biting,licking Rubbingandrocking Trustingeachother Ourbodieshummingapaganrhythm Forhours VIGDIS ‘TillIhearthebeatingofwhitewings Thevoicesays: “Behold!” Angelsswirl “Letitbetome Accordingtohisword” Andthennothingbutthewindblownsilence They’vefinished Nowrestingnexttoeachother,watchingthenightsky Silence VIGDIS(touchinghernakedbody) Ismelllikeyou AmIyourwifenow? DAVID YouaremyHamoutal. TheWarmthoftheDew. InHebrew,that’sagirl’sname. Yournewnameafterthetevilah. DAVIDtriestoembraceVIGIDS.Shetwistsoutofhisarmswitharawsob.Shestandsup andsilentlystaresatthestarsforamoment. VIGDIS(toherself) Ha-mou-tal… 21
AsuddenwaveofwarmthovercomesVIGDIS’sbody She’sabouttofaint DAVIDcatches herandsupportshertositdown VIGDIS It’ssohot Hottereveryday Ijustdon’tfeelmyselfanymore DAVID(calmer) TheheatoftheSouth that’showmyhomewelcomesus Youwillgetusedtoit Soon VIGDIS Whatdoesitlooklikethere? DAVID Likeacloudofbutterflies againstthehotbluesky. Itsmellsofthymeandrosemary. Itsoundslikecicadasinthenoon. Thepinetreesrustle youtosleepatnight. VIGDIS(withoutlookingatDAVID) David, Willyourparentsacceptme…? AdaughterofaChristianfather…? WillyourmotherprayformetothatnewGod? AndwillIeverseemyparentsagain? Evergobackhome…? David…? VIGIDSrealisesthatDAVIDhasalreadyfallenasleepandcan’thearher.Sheliesdownnext tohim. 22
DREAMI VIGDIS’SDREAM MUSICALINTERLUDE Eachdreamsequencehasasimilarform:thesingerperformingtheroleofVIGDISwatches atableauperformedbyadanceronstageaccompaniedbyvideoprojections.That’show VIGDISseesherselfinherdreams. AmanwithalongbeardthrowsVIGDISastaff.Shegrabsit,anditturnsintoa snake.Shethrowsthesnakeinthewater.Itbecomesastaffagain.Thewaterparts.The manisyoungnowandlookslikeDAVID.Heiswavingtoherfromtheshoreontheother side.VIGDISstartswalkinginhisdirection.Thestagetransformsintothenextscene an openspacewithastonebathinthemiddle.EnterRABBITODROS.Hewritesthefollowing blessingwithawhitechalkontheblackwall: “Bruchahaba'ahb'shemAdonai”2 2 Englishtranslation:WelcomeinthenameoftheCreator. 23
SCENE4 THEJEWISHCEREMONIES 4A TEVILAH SCENEWITHTHECHORUS RABBITODROS,VIGDIS,DAVID,JEWISHCHORUS, AGATHA Narbonne,1087,Autumn.Anopenspacewithamikveh astonebath filledwiththe‘living water’.TheritualofconversiontoJudaism.DAVID’sfamilyandtheJewishcommunityof Narbonnearegatheredaroundthebath. AsVIGDISisapproachingthebath,shetripsoverthehemofherrobeandalmostfalls down.RABBITODROS DAVID’sfather takesVIGDISgentlybyherelbow,bearingher weightforamoment.Herheartpounds.Hegivesherafatherlysmile. RABBITODROS Noneedtohurry. Haveyoudecidedyet? VIGDIS Yes Sarah MynameisSarahHamoutal 'Tilltheendofmydays. RABBITODROS Sarah themotherofourmothers RABBITODROSbringsVIGDIStotheedgeofthemikveh MALEJEWISHCHORUS [BLESSING] “Baruchataadonaieloheinumelech haolamasherkidshanubitevilahb’mayyimhayyim”3 AGATHA-anelegantwomanfromAlexandriawithlargegoldringsonherfingersinthe shapeoftinysnakes helpsVIGDISremoveheroutergarments.VIGDISkeepsherlight underclotheson.Shesitsdownonthestoneseat. Slowly,shestepsintothebathandsinksfullyintotheicecoldwater.DAVID,RABBIS, RABBITODROSandAGATHAstayaroundthebathandlookatVIGDISvanishingunderthe water.Herblondhairfansoutoverthesurfaceofthedarkbath.Afewairbubblesrise throughthewater. It’sasifawombhasswallowedher,atimelesswombthathasborneheroutoftheworld andintoalightlesseternity.Inaflash,sheseessomeepisodesfromhershortlifepassingin frontofhereyes.VIGDISsobsandemotionallybreathesinwater. 3 Englishtranslation:BlessedareYou,God,MajesticSpiritoftheUniverse,/Whomakesusholybyembracing usinlivingwaters. 24
CHILDREN’SCHORUS “Onceuponadream Therewasaprincessunseen Therewasaloveunspoken ButGodstoodinbetween” FEMALECHRISTIANCHORUS “MagnificatanimameaDominum ” VIGDIShearssomeflashbacksinhermemories(prerecordedvoicesintheelectronics) SWINDLER Youngbloodmustboil. Don’tburnyourself. Thedayofwrathwilldissolvetheworldinashes! CELEBRANT “CredisinDeumPatremomnipotentem, creatoremcælietterram?” GUDBRANDR&LUTGARDIS Credo. LUTGARDIS DearHeartofMary ! Youareaheretic! DAVID “Letmeleadyoutothealtar, myJewishbride ” GUDBRANDR Nonsense! YouareadaughteroftheVikings Youalwaysdoasyourfatherorders CHAPERON Findadifferentman! Fleewhileyoustillcan! VIGDISstartstocoughandhiccupasifdrowning.Shewakesupfromhermemories.She surfacesandwipesthewethairoutofhereyes.Shelooksaroundatthefacesstaringather. 25
AGATHAreachesout,pullsVIGDISup,helpsherbackonthestoneseat Shewraps VIGDISinatowellikeachild ThepregnantbellyofVIGDISisclearlyvisiblenow asifa fewmonthshavepassedwhileshewasunderthewater AGATHA(toVIGDIS,whispering,staringintentlyintohereyes) Thisisthemoment Nowyoucanstilldecide VIGDIS(asifshecouldn’tunderstandAGATHA’swords) “Sh’maYisraelAdonai EloheinuAdonaiEchad”4 TheLordourGodisone. RABBITODROS David,myson, Sarah,mydaughter, thegatesofheavensareopenforyourprayers. AGATHAhelpsVIGDIStoputherweddingdresson anambergown.Thestagetransforms intotheweddingofVIGDISandDAVID.AGATHAleavesthestagewiththedressthat VIGDIShadonbeforetheimmersioninthebath. 4 Englishtranslation:HearOIsrael,TheLordourGod,/TheLordisOne! 26
4B YICHUDROOM RECITATIVE VIGDIS,DAVID,(AGATHA) Narbonne,1091,Spring VIGDISandDAVIDinaprivate"yichudroom" leftaloneforafew minutesaccordingtotheJewishweddingtradition Thesemomentsofseclusionsignifytheir newstatusoflivingtogetherashusbandandwife VIGDIS I’mdifferent Sodifferent Willtheyacceptme? DAVID Nowyouareoneofus Allofus (toVIGDIS’sbellyasiftalkingtotheirchild) Yaakov?! Hereispapa VIGDIS(visiblyamusedbyDAVID’sbehaviour) AndwhatifYaakovisagirl? DAVID(teasingher) Thenhopefullyshewillworrylessthanhermother. Twomoremonthsandwewillknow. (toVIGDIS’sbelly) Littleheavenlycreature, tomorrowwewillgototheseaside. Theseaissodifferenthere deeppurpleandwild OtherthanintheNorth Thesunismerciless Butthewindismildandtastesofsalt Tomorrowwewillswimnakedinthewhitecappedwaves 27
4C AGATHA’SWARNING TWOMONOLOGUES AGATHA,RABBITODROS,VIGDIS,DAVID AGATHArunsintotheroominpanicandinterruptsDAVID RABBITODROSfollowsher AGATHA Threemenonhorseback atthemarket Isawthreewhiteriders askingaboutablondwoman fromtheNorth Theypromisedthreesilverpieces towhoeverwouldhelpthem tofindandcapture“theblondJewess” Threesilverpiecesforyou! Peopleweretalking “ThatblondJewess isintheTodroshouse!” Peopleweretalking ButIlied… Itoldthem thatyouleftthismorning. ThatyoufledtoSpain. Alone. Theybelievedme…. Theygallopedoffafteryou. Buttheywillbebacksoon… Fleewhileyoustillcan! AGATHAleaveswithDAVIDandVIGDIS 28
4D THEBLESSINGOFRABBITODROS ARIA RABBITODROS RABBITODROSaloneonthestage RABBITODROS [ARIA] DearGodofAbraham, Blesstheeveningtheywillpacktheirbagsinsecrecy Blessthemorningtheywillleavethecity BlesstheletterI’llwritetomyoldfriendRabbiJoshuahObadiah askinghimtotakecareofthem BlesstheremotevillageMoniouwheretheywillfindrefuge Blessthemulethatwilltakethemthere BlessthemountainwoodsthatwillprotectthemfromtheNormanhorsemen Blesstheirchildrenthatwillbebornthere DearGodofAbraham, protectyourpeople,blessedwithyourlove 29
DREAMII SARAH’SDREAM:CHILDANDSTAR MUSICALINTERLUDE VIGDISdreamsthatachildisborntoherinastableunderthesignofanuncannystar.She wakeslikeashot,feelingguiltyforherblasphemousdream.DAVIDsleepsnexttoher. 30
SCENE5 5A THEMORNINGPRAYER ARIA VIGDIS AstableatthecrossroadsbetweenNarbonneandMoniou,1091,Winter.VIGDISwakesup. DAVIDsleepsnexttoher.Veryearlyandcoldmorning. VIGDIS(toherself) WhydoesGodkeepsendingsigns thatnobodyunderstands? Likethiscometsomenightsago. Peoplepreachandpray, thereturnofthestarofBethlehem, thecomingoftheAntichrist… VIGDISquietlypullsoutarosaryfromthepockethiddendeepinsideherjacket Shetriesto moveaslittleaspossiblesoasnottowakeupDAVID Shepressestherosaryinherhands againstherbreastandstartsasilentprayerthatshelearnedinherchildhood VIGDIS FatherofmyFathers, hallowedbeyourname Yourkingdomcome Yourwillbedone, onearthasitisinheaven Forgiveusoursins Anddonotbringustothetimeoftrial AsVIGDISispraying,DAVIDwakesup Hepullstherosaryoutofherhandsandthrowsitto theside DAVID(angry) Youpromisednevertopraytohimagain! That’sforthegoyim! Ifyoueverreturn theywillburnyouasaheretic Thereisnowayback! VIGDIS ButwhowilljudgemeontheDayoftheLord? 31
5B THEFOOLURBANUS MONOLOGUE URBANUS,CHILDREN’SCHORUS,CHORUS,THEMANFROMTHE CROWD(CHORUSSOLO),VIGDIS TheprevioussceneisabruptlyinterruptedbyURBANUS avillagefool Heentersonthe prosceniumandaddressesthespectatorsintheauditorium URBANUSskilfullyjuggles threeballsthroughouthisspeech VIGDISandDAVIDleavethestage URBANUS [UNIVERSALHATESPEECH] Mybelovedbrothers, tonight,Iamspeakingtoyoubecause agrowingdangerlurksatourdoors AforeignvirusisconsumingtheholybodyofourSaviour! AgroupofCHILDRENenterstheproscenium visiblyattractedbythejugglingballs YAAKOVandJUSTA childrenofVIGDISandDAVID areamongthem Theystareatthe ballsasifhypnotisedandgiggle URBANUSiscontentwithhisnewaudience URBANUS FromJerusalemandConstantinople ahorribletalehasgoneforth TheTurksandArabs, thosebarbarians, haveattackedandconqueredourbrothers CHILD1 MymamasaidthatthoseArabshavebig,bighands CHILD2 Andwiththeirbig,bighands theykidnapchildren intothedark,darkwoods, mypapasaid. CHILD3 Andinthesedark,darkwoodsthey… URBANUS drinkthered,redbloodoftheChristianchildren! TheCHILDRENscreamandrunoff Afteraverybriefmomenttheycomebackonstagewith theirparents theCHORUSfillstheproscenium NowtheyalllistentoURBANUSwho continueswithhisjugglingandhisspeech 32
URBANUS Theyperforatetheirnavelsand draggingforththeextremityoftheintestines bindittoastake andsmearChristianblooduponthealtars Imagineifthatwasyourchild, yourhusband, oryourwife HowmuchmoreChristianbloodmustbeshed?! HowmuchmorebloodofChristmustbeshed?! Mybelovedbrothers, Avengetheirharm! MakehastetotheHolyLand. Destroythatuncleanracewhoworshipsdemons. FirewithFire, AshestoAshes, DeathforDeath! Inthenameofthecross Makethemgobacktotheirshitholevillages! Leteverybodynowobtain theeverlastinggloryofeternallife! Andletthepossessionsoftheenemybeyours. Youareworthit! ThisIgrantyou throughthepowerofouromnipotentGod! TheCHORUSislaughing,notconvincedbyURBANUS.Thelaughterisinterruptedbythe entranceofVIGDIS.Sherunsinwithherbabyclaspedtoherchest.YAAKOVandJUSTA runtoher. VIGDIS(panting) Anenormoussilverserpent… Isawahumansnake… It’smovinganditmustbeverylarge… Hundredsofmeterslong, shinningandglittering inthebrightsunlight… Isaw… Anarmyonthemove… AnarmyfromtheNorth… Marchingstraighttoourvalley… Hundredsofhorses, countlessriders, aseaofsoldiers… Isawblackcrossesontheircapes… 33
SCENE6 6A RAYMONDOFTOULOUSE SCENEWITHTHECHORUS RAYMONDOFTOULOUSE,THEPRIEST,OBADIAH, DAVID,(TWOARMOUREDMEN),(VIGDIS),(CHORUS),(CHILDREN’SCHORUS) RAYMONDOFTOULOUSEfollowedbytheTWOARMOUREDMENentersthroughthe crowd.OneofRAYMOND’Seyesiscovered helostitduringoneofhisvisitstoJerusalem. TheCHORUSandCHILDREN’SCHORUSsteptothesidesandrevealsDAVID,OBADIAH andthePRIESTstandingbehind.Moniou,1096,Autumn.Weareonthemainsquareofthe villagenow.VIGDISisholdingherthreechildrenclosetoher. RAYMONDOFTOULOUSE Whatadump! Thisvillagesmellsofpoverty. PRIEST Veryunfortunateindeed, MyMercifulLordship RAYMONDOFTOULOUSE (pointstothefront) What’sthat? ArethereHebrewdogsamongtheserats? Wherearetheyhiding? Theymusthaveluxuriousbedsforus, thoseusurers,right? PRIEST Certainly,MyMercifulLordship ThehospitalityofourJewishbrothers willbeatyourservice OBADIAH It’soursynagogue RAYMONDOFTOULOUSEmakesanironicbow,thenspitsonthepavingstones. RAYMONDOFTOULOUSE(toOBADIAH) Shutyourmouth,youpig. Ihaven’tfinishedyet. Youhaveonehour toremoveyourcrapfromthere. Christianknightswillnotsleepunderyourheretictrash. 34
OBADIAH (straightenshisback) Impossible It’sourtemple Wewon’tdesecrateit Wecan’tdothat OurGod RAYMONDOFTOULOUSE(laughingironically) “Yourgod ”?! ThereisonlyonetrueSaviour! AndwearetheknightsofthatonlyGod! Doyouunderstandthat,pig?! RAYMONDOFTOULOUSEstrikesOBADIAH’sfacewithhisirongauntlet OBADIAH staggers bloodflowsfromhislips DAVIDholdshimup DAVID(toRAYMONDOFTOULOUSE) HowveryChristianofyou! Itisnotbyswordorspear thattheLordsaves ForthebattleistheLord’s, andhewilldeliverallofyou intoourhands oneday RAYMONDOFTOULOUSE(drawshissword) Soyouchoosetoprovokeus, Jewboy? Onemorewordandyouwilldiehere OBADIAH(tryingtocalmRAYMONDdown) Forgivehisyouthfulpride. Hehasbutasmallrockinhispocket toprotecthimself. Lethimgo. RAYMONDOFTOULOUSE Youhaveuntilthesunpassesbehindthecliff tocleanupyourtemple. Otherwise: “Withoutthesheddingofblood therewillbenoforgivenessofsins,” astheBiblesays. Don’tdisappointGod’sholyarmy. 35
Godwillsit! (leaving,tohimself) Packofidiots ExitRAYMONDOFTOULOUSEandtheTWOARMOUREDMEN 36
6B THEDECISION RECITATIVO ThePRIEST,OBADIAH,DAVID,(CHORUS),(CHILDREN’SCHORUS) Thevillagersareterrified PRIEST(tothecrowd) Slitthethroatsofyoursheep! Buildfires! Prepareyourbedrooms! Wehavenotime DAVID(tothecrowd) Keepyourknivesforthethroatsofthosebarbarians! PRIEST Haveyoulostyourmind?! Wehavenochoice. TheyaretheknightsofGod ontheirwaytotheHolyLand It’soursacreddutytoservethem! Withallthatwehave OBADIAH ButnotwithourSynagogue. PRIEST AreyouinahurrytostandinfrontofyourGod? Asfarastheeyecansee, tentswithfiresaround. Theydrinkandgrowl. Theysing,yell,shout. Thevillageisnowoverrun. Wefeedtheirbellies, wekeepthemsatisfied, andtheywillleaveusinpeaceearlyinthemorning. DAVID No,theywantourblood. Andbloodthirstwillbecomelust. Andlustbecomesecstasy. Theywillslaughterallthelivestock Theywillplunderbarns, shedsandcellars. Notasinglegrainwillbeleft. Theywillventtheirfury 37
rapingandtorching plunderingthevillage OBADIAH(tothecrowd) Letthemsleepinyourhouses Andwewillsleepinourtempletonight Hurry,takeyourfamiliesandgatherinthesynagogue (tohimself) DearGod,yousaid: “SprinkleyoursoulwiththebloodoftheLamb, AndIwillpass,willpassoveryou” Passoverusnow AstheCHORUSsings,thestagetransformsintotheinteriorofthesynagogueinMoniou Thesameday,afewhourslater JEWS(CHORUS),DAVID,VIGDIS,OBADIAH Goandbringtheflocks grazingonthedewyfields Soontheairwillbefilledwithwails andthesmellofblood Theredandyellowfires burnunderthesilverylightofthemoon 38
6C THEPOGROM SCENEWITHCHORUS CHORUS,RAYMONDOFTOULOUSE,DAVID,OBADIAH, ARMOUREDMAN1&2 TheCHORUSisgatheredinthesynagogue,beddingdownontheplanks,sheetsandrags Somevoicesandnoisesareheardoutside theChristianknightsbarricadingthesynagogue fromtheoutsideandsettingthefire RAYMONDOFTOULOUSE(offstage) Youwillpayaheavypriceforthat,Jewdogs! DAVID Theyarebarricadingthedoorsfromtheoutside! OBADIAH Fire! Weareinatrap! WehavetosavetheTalmud! DAVID Thesmellofbloodisunbearable! JEWS(CHORUS), DAVID, VIGDIS, OBADIAH “SprinkleyoursoulwiththebloodoftheLamb, AndIwillpass,willpassoveryou” RAYMONDOFTOULOUSE(offstage) TheykilledourSaviour Nowburnthemalive! ItisGod'swill! Asgeneralpanicbreaksoutinthesynagogue,thehazefillsthestage Peoplearetryingto leavethespacebutit’simpossible Onebyone,theCHORUSfalldeadonthestage Until VIGDISandherchildrenarethelastonesstillalive EnterTWOARMOUREDMEN ARMOUREDMAN1 Lookatthat! AblondbitchcrawlingoutoftheJewtrap. ARMOUREDMAN2 Mustbeoneofthem. ARMOUREDMAN1 Whatareyoudoinghere? YoulooklikeaChristianwoman 39
ARMOUREDMAN2(pointingtothechildren) ThesetwostinklikeJewishdogs Ablondwomanwithtwodarkbastards VIGDISpressesherinfanttoherchest,standsinfrontofherothertwochildren. VIGDIS Letusgo. WeareChristians. ARMOUREDMAN2 Proveit! VIGDISholdoutsherhands,palmtopalmandstartsrecitingaChristianprayer VIGDIS “Paternosterquiesincaelissanctificeturnomentuum…”5 ARMOUREDMAN2(interruptsher) Getoutofmysight. ButthetwoJewishwhelpsstayhere. ARMOUREDMAN1 (liftsupVIGDIS’sskirtwithhisswordtolookatherlegs) What’syourname,darling? VIGDIS (silent) ARMOUREDMAN2 Enough Lethergo She’soneofus ARMOUREDMAN1 What’swrong? We’rejusttalking (toVIGDIS) Iaskedyouaquestion! VIGDIS Adelaïs. VigdisAdelaïsGudbrandr. 5 Englishtranslation:OurFatherinheaven,hallowedbeyourname. 40
ARMOUREDMAN1 Oho,Adelaïs DaughteroftheVikings Andwhereisyourhusband,mylady? VIGDIS Backthere somewhere ARMOUREDMAN1 InthetrapfortheJewdogs? ArethosedarkHebrewsyours? VIGDIS (silent) ARMOUREDMAN1 Givemetheirnames,bitch! VIGDIS (silent) ARMOUREDMAN2grabsYAAKOVandJUSTA Thechildrenarecryingtheirheartsout VIGDISclaspsherinfanttoherchest VIGDIS Yaakov!Justa! Mamawon’tleaveyou! Iwon’tleaveyoualone!Ipromise ARMOUREDMAN1grabsherharshlyfrombehind.Herubshispelvisagainstherrear. ARMOUREDMAN2wrapsthechildreninhissniggeringgripandforcesthemtowatch ARMOUREDMAN2(tothechildren) Watchhowyourmotherslut willpayforhersins! ARMOUREDMAN1(pantingheavily) Thiswillteachyou nottofuckwiththeJewdogs! EnterDAVID. DAVID Hamoutal! 41
ARMOUREDMAN1turnstoDAVID,drawshisknifeandstabshiminhischest,laughing DAVIDfallsdeadtotheground COMMUNITYCHORUS(offstage,fromafar,repeatedinalldifferentlanguages) ItisGod'swill! ItisGod'swill! Deuslovolt! Deuslovolt! Blackout AlongcryofVIGDIScutsthroughthedarkness Itsoundslikeananimalhowl TheendofACTI 42
ACTTWO SCENE7 7A PRAYERTONATURE ARIAWITHTHECOMMUNITYCHORUS VIGDIS,COMMUNITYCHORUS Morning Thesoundofthechurchbellsfillsthespace VIGDISwithherbabyinashawlon herchest AloneinasmallchapelsomewherebetweenL’EstaqueandMarseilles Shecan’t stoprockingbackandforth Tocalmherselfdown,shestartspraying VIGDIS [ARIA] Thesilenceisendless Thereisnotime,onlyspace Thenightsarebitterlycold Highinthesky,crowsgather ThroughthesilenceIhearmychildrencry Myheartistunedtotheirvoices Maytheraincomedownandwashmypainaway IkeepbreathingsoIdon’tdie. LostinalifestoryIhardlyunderstand. Atthemercyofchanceandstrangers, Istumblethroughthedays Beggingforfoodlikeawildcreature ItakeadeepbreathbutIfeelnorelief. Onlythatsaltyseaaironmychappedlips thatyouusedtokiss,Davidmylove… God,howmuchlongermustlifegoon? Comeontomypathwayonemoretime yourfootprintsarealreadyfadinginthedust. VOICESOFNATURE(repeating) Dust,sea,air… VIGDIS God…anyoneofyoutwo… Comedownandgivemeasign… COMMUNITYCHORUSenterstheauditorium. 43
VIGDIS(continues) Iamthebeggaroftheworld Igowheremyfatetakesme Inexile,weneverstopdying AndIneverstopasking towhomshallIprayformydeath? 44
7B THELETTER SPRECHGESANGOVERTHEHUMMINGOFTHECOMMUNITYCHORUS OBADIAH, SHIPOWNER,VIGDIS,COMMUNITYCHORUS TheSHIPOWNERappearsbehindVIGDISduringheraria Sherealisesthathehasbeen standingthereforawhilealready Sheturnstohim,silentlypullsouttheletterfrom OBADIAHandhandsitovertohim TheSHIPOWNERopenstheletterofrecommendation andreadsit Marseilles WeareinthebackroominthehouseofawealthyJewish SHIPOWNER OBADIAH [LETTER] Toourpeople, thenoblesofournation, thesonsofIsrael Beholdthiswidowconvert amemberofthenoblefamilyofRabbiTodros Shecameheresixyearsago withherhusband,RabbiDavid, runningawayfromthehouseofherfather, fromgreatwealthandadistantland, totakearefugeunderthewingsofourLord. UntilourHolyOnedecreedthispersecutionuponus: VOICESOFNATURE(repeating) Fire,stone,storm OBADIAH(cont) Herhusbandwasslaininthesynagogue Twoofherchildrenwentmissing Alltheyownedwasplundered Shewasleftinthirstandnakedness (singing) “Youshalllovethestranger, foryouwerestrangersinthelandofEgypt” (concluding) Acceptherandtreatherwell asyoushallmeritforyourselvesintheworldtocome Amen,Selah Joshuab Obadiah Peacebewithyou 45
7C INMARSEILLES DUET VIGDIS,SHIPOWNER TheSHIPOWNERfoldstheletterbackupandhandsitovertoVIGDIS Shehidesitdeep underherdress VIGDIS Theyarealive! Ifeelit Iknowit TheknightsdraggedthemofftoJerusalem Mychildrenarestillthere! SHIPOWNER Thechancesaresmall Butifyouwereevertofindthem youmustsearchthere Indeed VIGDIS Igotaplaceonthecargogalley boundforTunistomorrow Fromthere,IwillheadtoAlexandria andlatertoJerusalem SHIPOWNER Womenareabusedbythescumonthoseboats. Orsoldasslaves Stayhere Regainyourstrength Learntoforgetthem Startanew (pointingtowardsthenewbornclaspedtoVIGDIS’schest) Youstillhaveyourbaby VIGDIS Theonlyconstantinmylife Thissmall,familiarbreathonmychest SHIPOWNER Theoldworldhasbeenthrownoutofjoint. Travelisnothingforawomanalone. VIGDIS IlostmorethanIfound. 46
IlostmorethanIeverhad Nothingcouldbeworse thanwhatIfeelnow SHIPOWNER Notevenrape? Slavery? Notevendeath? VIGDIS Idon’tcareabouttheflamesofhell Inmydreams Ikeepseeingmyhusband hisheadlesstorso hisbloodstainedheadontheground Apartofmediedthatnightofthepogrom Ihearourchildren’svoiceseverynight Iseetheirfacesinthecrowd Icannotgiveuponthem Iamtheirmother Imustcarryon! SHIPOWNER “CallandtheLordwillanswer,” thebooksays “BeseechandHewill ” VIGDIS Hewillsay‘HereamI’” SHIPOWNER Alright. OneofmyshipswillsetsailforGenoatonight. YoucanswitchtoPalermothere,thenheadontoCairo. ThereisacloseddeckforJewishtravellers. Nocrusadersthere. NotevenanyNormans. Youwillbesafe VIGDISbendsherkneeandreachesforhishandtokiss. SHIPOWNER Youowemenothing,goodwoman. Travelinpeace. Farewell. 47
DREAMIII SARAH’SDREAM:CHILDANDSNAKE MUSICALINTERLUDE VIGDISdreams.Inherdream,VIGDISseestheDANCERgivingbirthtoYAAKOV.Shesees asnakelyingbetweenherlegsandcreepingcloser.Thechildissoakedwithblood.The DANCERtriestopullthenewbornbetweenherlegsawaytosafety.ButYAAKOVseemsto beattachedtothegroundwithdeepwhiteroots.Andthesnakecomescloserasifhewants tocreepinsideher.Shesqueezesherlegsshut.VIGDISwakesup. 48
SCENE8 8A THERITUALINTHEDESERT SCENE VIGDIS,DESERTWOMAN1&2,(DANCER) VIGDISremainsinahybridsleepwakestate,betweensleepinganddying Shecontinuesto observethescenewiththeDANCERandcommentsonitasifshewerehavingan outofbodyexperience(seeingherselffromtheoutside) TWODESERTWOMENenterthe stageandstarttoperformaritualoverthebodyoftheDANCER WeareinAlexandria,in thedesert.WOMAN1takestheCHILDfromVIGDIS’sarmsandwalksawaycradlingit. WOMAN2pullstheDANCER’sclothesoffandrubsherwithabittersmellingblendof wormwood,hempandfishoil.Theymakeherdrinksomethingthat’shardforhertoswallow. Duringthisscene,BOTHWOMENvocalisesomeancientArabicincantations. VIGDIS (observingtheDANCER) Myhandssmelloffish Mylips splitandencrustedwithsalt Sandandsweatstingmyeyesandskin Theheatofthedesert seemslikeapermanenthallucination. (totheWOMEN) WhereamI? WOMAN1 (continuingtocarryouttheritualabovetheDANCER) Youarenowherenow Inaplacebetween WOMAN2 Withoutabodyofyourown Withoutweight VIGDIS WhatisthatglowIfeel thatpoolofflame thatburnsandsoothesmymind? Whatisit? WOMAN2 Youaredrifting overthebottomlessabyss VIGDIS(confused) Ican’tdie! 49
Ihavemychildrentotakecareof Imustgonow (lookingaround) Yaakov!Justa! Cometomommy ! (totheWOMEN) Whereismybaby?! WOMAN1 Yoursonisglidinggentlyintothedarkness. VIGDISshootsuprighttoWOMAN1thatisholdingherCHILD.WOMAN1pushesherback downwithalaugh,andwalkstothesidewiththechild.WOMAN2placesabowlofwaterin themiddleofthestage.Shesprinklesthechildandlaughsagain.Theyperfumetheboy’s body,wraphiminlightcottonandgivehimtotheDANCER.TheDANCERsitsupandholds theCHILDinherarms. BOTHWOMENstartcombingtheDANCER’shairstraightandoilit.VIGDISkeepswatching thissceneasanoutofbodyexperience.SheseestheDANCERcradlingtheCHILD. VIGDIS(immersedinhermemory) “Onceuponadream Therewasaprincessunseen TherewasaLoveunspoken ButGodstoodinbetween Onceuponalife Herdaysturnedintostrife Godpunishedherdesires Andnobodysurvived” 50
8B THESLAVEMARKET SCENE DESERTWOMAN1&2,VIGDIS,(DANCER),MALECHORUS,EMBRIACHI WOMAN2addressestheaudienceinthetheatre asifshewouldbeaddressingthetraders attheslavemarket Asshecontinues,theMALECHORUSentersthestage,gathering aroundtheDANCERandlookingather Theygrabthebroadclothoftheircrotchesand makefaceslikedogsinheat Theymakesomeperverseandinarticulatesoundswiththeir lips,tonguesandmouthsinthedirectionoftheDANCER VIGDISkeepsobservingthis sceneasifinanightmare WOMAN2(totheaudience,pointingtotheDANCER) LookatthisbeautyfromtheNorth! Herblondhair,onceawildmassofcurls Theskinofhercheeks scalyandpalenow Thedulledabyssofheroncebrighteyes TheMALECHORUSreplieswithsomeperverseandinarticulatesoundswiththeirlips, tonguesandmouths WOMAN1(totheaudience) Hersoulisdrainedanddisoriented Hermemory bloodstained Butforafewsilvercoins herbodycanbeyours! BOTHWOMENlaugh. EnterEMBRIACHI.HemakeshiswaythroughtheMALECHORUSandpushesBOTH WOMENawayfromtheDANCERholdingtheCHILD EMBRIACHI (toBOTHWOMEN) Getout! WOMAN1 Doesshebelongtoyou? WOMAN1laughs EMBRIACHIspitsinherface EMBRIACHI Youbitches ! Gotohell! TheMALECHORUSandBOTHWOMENleave,laughing 51
8C ABARGEUPTHENILE SCENE VIGDIS,(DANCER),EMBRIACHI TheDANCERpullsherscarfoverherheadandcurlsintoafoetalposition EMBRIACHI takestheCHILDfromtheDANCER’sarmsandcarefullylaysitdownontheside The CHILDstartscrying EMBRIACHIkneelsbesidetheDANCERandtriestoliftherup VIGDIS watchesthesceneandshakesherhead‘no’ VIGDIS Ican’tgoanyfurther Iamsotired EMBRIACHI(totheDANCER) Youcanrestnow AbargetoFustatwillarrivetomorrow Iknowthecaptain Showhimthatletteryouhave andyoucantravelwithusupstream I’lltakecareofyou Youwillbesafe Amomentofstillness EMBRIACHIobservestheDANCER’sbodyathisfeet Slowly,helies downontopofherandliftsupherskirt Shedoesn’tmove VIGDISkeepsobservingthe scene TheCHILDkeepscrying VIGDIS(cold) [SPOKENRECITATIVE] Heappearsfromnowhere I’veseenthatfacebefore: fromoneoftheboats orporttowns, orthecaravansinthedesert Howdidhegethere? Heleadsmetohissmallcabin. Iliedownandfallintooblivioussleepagain. WhenIwakeupafewhourslater, Ifeelhimmovingontopofme Hehasliftedmyskirt, heisalreadyinsideme Idon’teventrytopushhimaway (singing) Adefeatedwarmthspreadsthroughmybody adesolateglow,somethingIcan’tcontrol. 52
(TheCHILDstopscrying) Atthefirstglimmerofdawn, theshipslowlystartstomove. Silentandwithmyeyesshut, Icatchmyselfstrokinghisshoulder… clingingtohimlikeahomelessdog Thesmellofmudfillstheairofthecabin AndthenIfeel howthissuddensilencehurtsmyears. Thelastbreathbetweenyouandme,David, ourlastbreathtogether, ourlittleboyhasgone onhistinyangelwings straighttoHeaven. VIGDISfallsasleep 53
SCENE9 THEFUNERALOFTHENEWBORN SCENE VIGDIS,EMBRIACHI,THREEMEN,DESERTWOMAN1&2 EntertheDRUMMERS.Afiercedrumbeatcutsthesilence.Weareonthedeckoftheboat sailinguptheNiletoCairo.THREEMEN(CHORUS)comeonstage,grabVIGDIS’sarms andholdherback.EMBRIACHIstandsnexttoher.TheDANCERleavesthestage.The TWODESERTWOMENcomeonstageandpickupthedeadchild. VIGDIS(continues,cold,overtherhythmicaldrumming) Aftertwodays, mychildisbroughtup. Hissmallbodyrubbedwithoil. Theboatkeepssailing. Thelittlemummyisthrownoverboard. Thebundlesweepsawayinthebrowneddies. Iseethecurveofacrocodile’sback justbelowthesurface. Forabriefmoment, avagueredcloud risesinthebrownwater. Thennothingmore. Itrytojumpoverboard. Onemanleapsforward andholdsmeinanirongrip. Heslapsme. Hepushesmedownontoabench. Mycheekisbleeding. Thatnightthesightofthemeneatingrawfishmademesick. Thedrummingstops.TheTWOWOMENletoutshrillcriesanddropthebundleintothe river.VIGDISfreesherselffromthegripofTHREEMENandscreams. VIGDIS Nooooooo!!! VIGDIStriestojumpoverboard OneoftheTHREEMENcatchesherinanirongrip,smacks herandpushesdownontoabench Hercheekisbleeding 54
DREAMIV HAMOUTAL’SDREAM:THEFIRSTSIGHT MUSICALINTERLUDE VIGDISseesherselfinherdreamastheDANCER.SheseesherselfmeetingDAVIDforthe firsttimeatthegateoftheJewishschoolinRouen ThensheseesthembentoveraTorah scroll DAVIDisteachinghertheHebrewalphabet Theirhandsbrush,theirfacesturn towardseachother Thescrollfallstothetiledfloor DAVIDpicksupthescrollandisobliged tokissitrightaway,becauseittouchedtheground ButVIGDISapproacheshimwithher eyesclosedandpressesherlipsagainsthis Theykiss 55
RABBITODROS,OBADIAH,VIGDIS Anevening,twoyearslater.Najèra.RabbisTODROSandOBADIAHsitinfrontofaninnat thecrossroads.Theinnispackedwithtravellers,knightsandvillagers.Thescenestartsin themidstoftheirconversation.
OBADIAH
OBADIAH
RABBITODROS
RABBITODROS
…andthensheunderstood: ThatplaceintheEast wasnotanoasisforher buttheendofherjourney. Thereshemetanotherman. Shehadtherighttoremarry. HewasagoodJew,anobleman. Soweblessedher. Shechoselifeoverendlessmourning. Thatwashernewhome. AndthensheheardthenewsfromtheNorth YaakovandJustaarealive. Theyarewithherparents. Fromthatmomenton,sheknewnopeace. HerJewishchildrenwithherChristianparents. Didyouknowaboutthat? RABBITODROS No. Untilshesentusword. Thenweaskedhertocomeback. Shelefteverythingbehind. Fleeingisheronlyresponse Andwhathappenedwithherthirdchild?
OBADIAH
Itwasstolen,shesaid Takenbyawitchinthedesert “Awitchwithafaceofaserpent,”shesaid Sheislosinghermind
56
SCENE10 10A THEINN DUET
RABBITODROS Letherrestfortwodaysinthisinn Thenwe’llcontinuetotheNorth OBADIAH Letusturnback. Terrorandgriefwhereverwego waryfarmers, homelesschildren, fleeingMuslims TheseChristianfanaticsareasmercilesstoJews TheyburnedthesynagoguesintheNorth RABBITODROS Theworldisoutofjoint. Butitisourdutytoescortherbackhome. MysonDavidwouldwantthat Youcannottakechildrenawayfromtheirmother 57
10B THEPYRE SCENEWITHTHECHORUS RABBITODROS,OBADIAH,VIGDIS,TWOKNIGHTS, PRIEST,COMMANDER,INNKEEPER,CHORUS Someagitatedvoicesfromtheinsideoftheinnareheard VIGDIS(offstage) Leavemealone! TWOKNIGHTS(chorusroles)appearoutsidetheinn,draggingVIGDIS,holdingherfirmly bythearms TheyarefollowedbythecrowdoftheVILLAGERS(CHORUS),PRIEST, COMMANDERandINNKEEPER KNIGHT1 Maythedeviltakeme ifthat’snottherunawaydaughterofoldGundbrandr! KNIGHT2 She’sbeenmissingforyears. Itcan’tbeher. KNIGHT1 Shelookslikeherbrothers. Thesamepaleeyes. KNIGHT2 Herfatherpromisedareward OnemustbringherbacktotheNorth, aliveandwell RABBITODROSandOBADIAHrushovertostopthembutareshovedaway RABBITODROS Lethergo! KNIGHT1(toTODROS) Jewishdogs! Onemoremoveandyou’redead. VIGDISspits,kicksandtriestopullherselfloose. KNIGHT2 Shekicksandbiteslikeamaddog! 58
PRIEST Becareful! Thedevilmightbeinher COMMANDER(totheKNIGHTS) Tieherup! TheKNIGHTStieVIGDISupwithbrutalforce VIGDISkeepskicking KNIGHT1punches VIGDISintheface VIGDISdropstothegroundwithabloodynose KNIGHT1 Thereyougo,witch. Wewilldrivethedeviloutofyou! RABBITODROS Lethergo! She’saJewishwoman. COMMANDER SheisnoJewess SheisaChristianwoman VigdisAdelaïs Iknowherfather. Youdirtydogshavenobusinesshere. Runofforyouwillpaywithyourlives! VIGDIStriestostandup KNIGHT2kicksherinthestomach Shefallsdownagain KNIGHT2 Devil’swhore! COMMANDER(totheKNIGHTS) Let’stakehertotheNorth Ourrewardiswaiting PRIEST StopinthenameoftheLord! Ifsheispossessed thedevilwillsinktheship. INNKEEPER Witch!Tothestakewithher! COMMANDER(toVIGDIS) AreyouVigdisAdelaïs? 59
ThedaughterofGudbrandrtheNorman? Speak! VIGDIS IamHamoutal Daughterofthedevil! Stayawayfromme withyourdirtyChristianpaws! PRIEST(makingthesignofthecross) “VaderetroSatana!” Sheispossessed! COMMANDER(tothePRIEST) SheisthedaughterofanoblemanfromtheNorth. HerbrothersarefightingtheSaracensintheHolyLand. Herfatherwillrewardusgenerously ifwebringherback PRIEST(toVIGDIS) “CredisinDeumPatremomnipotentem, creatoremcælietterram?” VIGDISspitsathim. VIGDIS IamSarahHamoutalTodros! IamaJew! Tothedevilwithyou INNKEEPER BurnthatJewishbitch! VILLAGERS Lightupthepyre! Thedevilisinher! Burnthatwitch! Whilechanting,theVILLAGERS(OPERACHORUS)teartheclothesfromVIGDIS’sbody. Someothersbringbundlesofwoodandformapyre.Thereisonethickerlogsharpenedinto astake VIGDIS’shandsandfeetarebeingbound PRIEST(makingthesignofthecross) “Innominepatrisetfiliiatsprititussancti!” 60
VILLAGERS BurnthatJewishwitch! VIGDIS Yaakov!Justa! Wherearemychildren! CHILDREN’SCHORUS “MysoulproclaimsthegreatnessoftheLord, myspiritrejoicesinGodmySaviour” VIGDIS(cont.) Damnyou,God! Forstealingmychildren! Forkillingmylove! Forrapingme! Forforcingmetoobey! Fortakingmyfaithaway! God,whichevergodyouare, whydoyoukeepcomingafterme?! Damnyou,God! PRIEST Thedevilistormentingher! Hurryup,burnthatwitch, orhewillshowhimself! TheVILLAGERSstartsettingthefire.Theflamesrise. VILLAGERS “Innominepatrisetfiliiatsprititussancti!” OBADIAH(triestostopthem) Takeourmoney! IwillgiveallIhave toredeemthiswomanfromthepyre She’snotpossessed! Thiswoman’smindissick withgriefandsuffering Letmeltakeherhome COMMANDER YouslyoldJew! Soyouwanttostealmyreward? Gotothedevil! 61
OBADIAH IamaJew yourdevilhasnoholdonme Keepyourcursedreward Justletmetakeherhome COMMANDER(afteramomentofsilence,totheKNIGHTS) Putoutthefire TheCOMMANDERcarriesVIGDISoffthepyre.Shelooksintohisfaceandconfuseshim withDAVID. VIGDIS David,it’sme, yourJewishbride… Kissme… Wewillswimnaked inthewhitecappedwavestomorrow… COMMANDER(toVIGDIS,cold) Thereisnotomorrowforyou Youareaheretic! Ifnotthesepeoplehere, thenyourfatherwillburnyouatthestake. Jewsarepunishedbydeath inyourfather’shousenow. Timedestroyseverything! TheCOMMANDERputsVIGDISonthegroundandleaves INTERLUDE 62
SCENE11 11A THELASTFAREWELL SCENEWITHARIA OBADIAH,VIGDIS,(DANCER) TheDANCERthatappearedinVIGDIS’sdreams heralterego sitsattheedgeofthe stonebaththatwesawduringthebaptismceremoniesinthepreviousscenes.Asidefrom that,thestageisempty.TheDANCERsitswithherbacktotheaudience.Shelookslike VIGDISbutherhairandclothesareindisarray.WeareinMoniounow,sixmonthsafterthe eventsofthepreviousscene.It’slateMarch1099.Evening.OBADIAHenters. OBADIAH(totheDANCER,withjoy) Sarah? SarahHamoutal? BlessedbeHisname youareback! Iwassodeadlyworried. Letmeembraceyou. OBADIAHwantstoapproachhertothrowhisarmsaroundherinjoybuttheDANCERlifts upherheadandgiveshimablanklookthatstopshiminhistracks. OBADIAH Howdidyougethere? Thatnight, aftertheytriedtoburnyou, youjustvanishedintothinair TheNormanknightsalmostkilledus, angrytolosetheirtrophy Sixlongmonths, I’vebeenlookingforyoueverywhere… Sarah… Yourpaleeyesareterriblycrossed… Whatisthatbitemarkonyourleftfoot? Yourhands scratchedtoblood,coveredindirt… Yousurvivedyourdeath,again. AsOBADIAHcontinuesinteractingwiththeDANCER,VIGDISappearsbehindhimonstage AsifshewouldbethesoulofthebodythatisrepresentedbytheDANCER OBADIAHhears VIGDISbuthedoesn’tseeher HeputshishandgentlyontheshoulderoftheDANCER VIGDIS(toOBADIAH) Forgetme. Iwon’ttalktoanyonethesedays. Thatnight, Iheardthewolvescallinginthesilentdarkness. Tofleewastheonlysolution, 63
IknewwhereIwasgoing Iliketositneartheruinsofthesynagogueofmylife Iclimbdownintotheemptybath Somewhereinsideme WhereIfeelmychildrenbreathing Atnight,Icovermyselfwithleavesandbranches Inthemorning,Ishiverlikeatrappedwolf OBADIAH Comewithme. Letmetakecareofyou. VIGIDS(totheDANCER) Vigdis, mybrightsweetsister. IamblackHamoutal. [ARIA] Thewolvessniffatmybody, myhairgrowsinthegrass, myboneswhiten. Notasouldiscovers whatisleftofme. Turningtodust, becomingone withtheendlessmotion, listeningtotimeslippingpast, tothemurmurofthecypresses, tothecryoftheowl Vigdis, mybrightsweetsister IamblackHamoutal Nograve, notraceofmyexistence Jerusalemwascapturedatlast Theworldspins, butitstandsstill ifyouholdyourbreath 64
11B KADDISH KADDISH OBADIAH,COMMUNITYCHORUS TheCOMMUNITYCHORUSenters,hummingasiftheywouldbetakingthelastbreathof VIGDISin TheDANCERleavesthestage VIGDISliesdowninafoetalposition OBADIAH singsakaddish twofemalesingersaccompanyhimwithavocalise OBADIAH [KADDISH] Dib'atraqadishahadenvedibekholatarv’atar y'helehonul'khonsh'lamarabba hinnav'ḥisdav'raḥameyv'ḥayyearikhe um'zoner'viḥeufurqana minqodamavuhondivishmayyav’ʼarʻa 6 Houmain Amen 6 ThisisAramaictransliteration;Englishtranslation:inthisholyplaceorinanyotherplace,/maytherecome abundantpeace,/grace,lovingkindnessandcompassion,longlife/amplesustenanceandsalvation/fromthe Fatherwhoisinheavenandearth. 65