yale university the school of music
robert blocker dean
Eric Barry tenor February 22, 2010 at 8 pm
Morse Recital Hall in Sprague Memorial Hall
charles-françois gounod (1818-1893)
Biodina Da qualche tempo Biondina bella Sotto un cappello rosa Le labbra ella compose E stati alquanto Ho messo nuove corde Se come io son poeta Siam iti l’altro giorno E le campane hanno suonato Ell’ è malata Ier fu mandata L’ho accompagnata kyle swann piano Intermission
william walton (1902-1983)
Anon in Love I. Fain, would I change that note II. O stay, sweet love III. Lady, when I behold the roses IV. My Love in her attire V. I gave her cakes and I gave her ale VI. To couple is a custom robert sharpe guitar
fernando obradors (1897-1945)
Canciones Clásicas Españolas La mi sola, Laureola... Al Amor ¿Corazón, porqué pasáis? Del cabello más sutil Chiquitita la novia kyle swann piano
This performance is in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Music degree.
Prologo: Da qualche tempo
Prologue: For some time now
Da qualche tempo in faccia a casa mia, fa dimoranza una biondina bella. È senza damo, e credo che la sia un’ orfanella.
For some time now, opposite my house, A fair-‐haired girl has lived. She has no lover, and she is, I think, a little orphan.
Seduta alla finestra tutto il giorno lavora d’ago, e canta sì graziosa, che ne son preso, e che le vo dattorno senza mai posa.
Seated at her window all day long she plies her needle, and sings with such grace that I am bewitched and follow her unceasingly.
E come suole amor che dà dell’estro, m’ha suggerita questa letterina; e glie la porsi quando n’ebbi il destro l’altra mattina.
And as is love’s way with inspiration, it has prompted me to write this little letter, which I gave her when the occasion arose the other morning.
Biondina bella
Fair Biondina
Biondina bella, se tu fossi mia, ti vestirei di bianco tutta quanta. Sì che paressi la Vergin Maria, o qualche santa.
Fair Biondina, if you were mine I would clothe you all in white, that you might resemble the Virgin Mary or some other saint.
Ti condurrei così nella chiesetta, Là dove m’han portato a battezzare, e là ti vorrei fatta una nicchietta sopra l’altare.
And then I’d take you to the little church where I was carried to be baptized, and have built for you a little niche above the altar.
E bramerei che l’organo suonato da qualche serafin del paradiso mi facesse morire inebbriato sul tuo bel viso.
And I would have the organ played by some seraph from paradise, that I might die intoxicated by the beauty of your face.
Sotto un cappello rosa
Beneath a pink hat
Ier l’ho scontrata in abito de festa, che la parea venir dal Paradiso; Un cappellino rosa aveva in testa, un bianco vel sul viso.
I met her yesterday in her Sunday clothes, looking as if she’s come from Paradise. She wore a little pink hat on her head and a white veil on her face.
In bianco vel, sotto un cappello rosa non vidi al mondo mai più bella cosa.
In a white veil beneath a pink hat, I never saw such a pretty thing.
Ella sembrava quasi la Madonna che sta dipinta in chiesa a la mia pieve; era vestita d’una bianca gonna fulgida come neve.
She looked just like the Madonna painted in my parish church; and she wore a white skirt, Sparkling like snow.
In cappellino, in velo ed in gonnella, non vidi al mondo cosa mai più bella.
In her hat, and veil, and skirt I never saw such a pretty thing on earth.
Le labbra ella compose
She formed her lips
Le labbra ella compose ad un sorriso che avrebbe quasi affascinato il sole, poi, nel guardarmi, la si fece in viso color delle viole…
She formed her lips into a smile that would have charmed the sun; then, on seeing me, her face turned the color of violets…
Ond’io (vedete dove il timor si mette!) rimasi imbarazzato nel saluto… e le volendo dir mille cosette stetti le labbra muto…
Whereupon I, (just see how fear can take you!) embarrassed, I hesitated as I greeted her… and, wishing to tell her a thousand little things, my lips refused to move…
Timido fatto, ed ella ognor modesta, ci guardavamo senza nulla dire… ma nel toccarle un lembo della vesta io mi sentii morire…
I became timid, and she was modest as always; we looked at each other with nothing to say… but as I touched the hem of her dress, I felt myself die…
E stati alquanto
Having been lost
E stati alquanto come bimbi persi; noi ritrovammo entrambi la favella ed io così m’apersi a Biondinella.
And having behaved somewhat like lost children, we both found our speech again, and in this manner I opened my heart to Biondinella.
Son ito a navigar molta marina e n’ho vedute, delle belle, assai; ma come te, Biondina, oh no! Giammai.
“I have sailed many oceans and have seen quite a few beauties; but none like you, Biondina, oh no! Never!”
Se fui cortese a niuna in altri lidi d’un sorrisetto, d’un sospir, d’un fiore, a te, quando ti vidi, ho dato il core.
“If on other shores I favored none with a passing smile, or sigh, or flower, when first I set my eyes on you I gave you my heart.”
Ho messo nuove corde
I have restrung my mandolin
Ho messo nuove corde al mandolino perchè le volgio farle serenate, e gliene voglio far sera e mattino e verno e state.
I have restrung my mandolin because I wish to serenade her; and wish to serenade her morning and evening and winter and summer.
E farò si che per le mie canzone vada costei famosa e disiata, come la bella donna d’Avignone un tempo è state.
And through my songs she will become renowned and pursued, like the beautiful lady of Avignon once was.
E si dirà: “Qual è cotesta stella ond’ il mondo ragiona? Oh come ha’l viso?”
And people shall say: “What kind of star is this they are all talking about? Describe her face!”
Ed io: “Non se ne trova una sì bella in paradiso.”
And I shall say: “A fairer one cannot be found in paradise.”
Se come io son poeta
Just as I am a poet
Se come io son poeta e so cantare fossi guerriero e maneggiassi il brando, vorrei, Biondina, tutto soggettare al tuo commando.
If, just as I am a poet and can sing, I were a warrior and could handle a sword, I’d want to make everything subject, Biondina, to your command.
Vorrei del sol farti una bianca vesta onde fossi la bella delle belle, vorrei posarti una corona in testa fatta di stelle.
I would make for you a white dress from the sun, that you might be the fairest of the fair, and on your head I would set a crown made from the stars.
Poscia vorrei che un giorno a’primi albori fossimo desti in una via fiorita, sparsa di pecorelle, e là pastori finir la vita.
And then one day at first light I would wish to wake up with you on a flower-‐strewn path, dotted with sheep, and there as shepherds we would end our lives.
Siam iti l’altro giorno
The other day we visited the priest
Siam iti l’altro giorno dal curato con un regalo, secondo l’usanza, E là m’apersi, e’n sua presenza ho dato l’anello di fidanza.
The other day we visited the parish priest, with a present as is the custom. There I opened my heart and in his presence gave her the engagement ring.
Egli era all’orto, dove ogni mattina suol coglier fiori da parar lo altare, tolse il più bello ed alla mia Biondina lo volle proprio dare.
He was in his garden where each morning he gathers flowers to adorn the altar; He took the loveliest which he insisted on giving to my Biondina.
E come fu del rito il dì fissato, c’incamminammo entrambi sì festosi, che per la strada tutto il vicinato dicea: “Viva gli sposi!”
And when the wedding day had been fixed, we went on our way with such glad hearts that all the neighbors cried out along the way: “Long live the bride and groom!”
E le campane hanno suonato
And the wedding bells rang out
E le campane hanno suonato a festa, e rimbombato ha l’aria da’ mortai; Ah! Che una cerimonia come questa non s’è veduta mai.
And the wedding bells rang out, and fireworks sounded in the air. Ah! Such a ceremony as this was never seen.
Biondina ed io a tutti per le vie gettavamo confetti a canestrate; abbiam ballato e fatte assai follie come v’immaginate.
Biondina and I, as we passed along, threw basketfuls of sweets to all the crowd; we danced and reveled for all our worth, as you can well imagine.
Poichè fu guinta di quel dì la fine, Ah! Con quai note ve lo posso dire? Ebbro di gioia, fra le sue manine io mi credea morire!!!
The day then drew to a close -‐ Ah, how can I possibly describe it? Drunk with joy in her sweet arms, I felt that I was dying!!!
Ell’ è malata
She has fallen sick
Ell’ è malata…ella s’è messa in letto La povera Biondina…e son d’avviso che Dio la voglia fare un angioletto del paradiso.
She has fallen sick and taken to her bed -‐ poor Biondina…and I believe that God wants to make her into a little angel of paradise.
Oh! Madonnina! Il ciel n’ha pur già tante anime elette!...Lasciami costei!... E se non lice, fammi sull’istante morir con lei.
Ah, Blessed Virgin! Heaven already has too many chosen souls. Leave me hers!... And if this cannot be, let me at once die with her.
Come colombe al tuo santo appello noi volerem chiamati dal desio… La tomba è forse il talamo più bello dato da Dio!
Like doves answering your holy call we shall fly, summoned by desire… The tomb is perhaps the most beautiful bed God can give!
Ier fu mandata
Yesterday was sent…
Ier fu mandata una persona pia che la vestì di bianco tutta quanta… Poi son venuti…e l’han portata via in pompa santa.
Yesterday a pious woman was came who dressed her all in white… Then they came…and took her away in holy pomp.
L’ho vista proprio là nella chiesetta Là dove m’han portato a battezzare… Stava la bara della poveretta presso l’altare…
I saw her there in the little church where I was carried to be baptized… The poor girl’s coffin near the altar…
Mi venne allor sul viso uno smortore che somiglava il bacio della morte, e freddo per letargico sudore, caddi alle porte…
My face then turned ashen pale, as though it had been kissed by death, and, covered with a cold sweat, I fell by the door…
L’ho accompagnata
I went with her
L’ho compagnata fina al campo-‐santo dove la terra fu per lei rimossa, e là mi sono stemperato in pianto vicino alla sua fossa.
I accompanied her to the cemetery where the grave had been dug for her, and there I dissolved in tears next to her grave.
Poscia ho piantato della croce al piede due fiorellini d’opposto colore:
Afterwards, I planted at the foot of the cross two little flowers of opposing color:
Uno era scura, ed e per chi lo vede symbol del mio dolore.
One was dark, a symbol, for him who sees it, of my pain.
L’altro era bianco siccome la Fede, e gliel ho posto proprio sul core, E gliel ho posto, ed è per chi lo crede simbol del suo candore.
The other was white like faith, and I placed it right over her heart. There I placed it, for him who believes it, as a symbol of her innocence.
Fain, would I change that note Fain would I change that note to which fond love hath charm'd me Long, long to sing by rote, fancying that that harm'd me: Yet when this thought doth come: “Love is the perfect sum of all delight!” I have no other choice either for pen or voice to sing or write. O Love! They wrong thee much that say thy fruit is bitter, When thy rich fruit is such as nothing can be sweeter. Fair house of joy and bliss, where truest pleasure is, I do adore thee: I know thee what thou art. I serve thee with my heart and fall before thee. O stay, sweet love O stay, sweet love; see here the place of sporting; These gentle flowers smile sweetly to invite us, And chirping birds are hitherward resorting, Warbling sweet notes only to delight us. Then stay dear love for, tho' thou run from me, Run ne'er so fast, run ne'er so fast, yet I will follow thee. I thought, my love, that I should overtake you; Sweetheart, sit down under this shadow'd tree, And I, I will promise never, never, to forsake you, So you will grant to me a lover's fee. Whereat she smiled, and kindly to me said… “I never meant, I never meant, I never meant, I never meant to live and die a maid. I never meant to live and die a maid.” Lady, when I behold the roses Lady, when I behold the roses sprouting, Which clad in damask mantles deck the arbours, And then behold your lips where sweet love harbours, My eyes present me with a double doubting; For, viewing both alike, hardly my mind supposes Whether the roses be your lips or your lips the roses.
My Love in her attire My Love in her attire doth show her wit, It doth so well become her: For every season she hath dressings fit: For winter, spring, and summer. No beauty she doth miss when all her robes are on, But beauty's self, beauty's self she is when all her robes are gone. I gave her cakes and I gave her ale I gave her cakes and I gave her ale, I gave her sack and sherry; I kissed her once and I kissed her twice, And we were wondrous merry. I gave her beads and bracelets fine, I gave her gold down derry. I thought she was afear'd till she stroaked my beard, And we were wondrous merry. Merry my hearts, merry my cocks, Merry, merry, merry my sprites. Merry, merry, merry my hey down derry. I kissed her once and I kissed her twice, And we were wondrous merry. To couple is a custom To couple is a custom: All things thereto agree. Why should not I then love, since love to all is free? But I'll have one that's pretty, her cheeks of scarlet dye, For to breed my delight when that I lig her by. Tho' virtue be a dowry, yet I'll choose money store: If my love prove untrue, with that I can get more. The fair is oft unconstant, the black is often proud, I'll choose a lovely brown: Come fiddler scrape thy crowd. For Peggy the brown is; She must be my bride; God guide that Peggy and I agree.
La mi sola, Laureola…
My only Laureola…
La mi sola, Laureola. La mi sola, sola, sola.
My only Laureola… My only, only, only one.
Yo el cautivo Leriano aunque mucho estoy ufano herido de aquella mano que en el mundo es una sola. La mi sola, Laureola… La mi sola, sola, sola.
I, the captive Leriano, even though I am terribly proud, I am wounded by the hand that is the only one in the world. My only Laureola… My only, only, only one.
Al amor
To the beloved
Dame, amor, besos sin cuento asido de mis cabellos y mil y ciento tras ellos y tras ellos mil y ciento y después…. de muchos millares, tres!
Give me, my love, countless kisses, as many as there are hairs on my head, and a thousand and a hundred after that, and a hundred and a thousand after that and after those…. many thousands, and even three more!
Y porque nadie lo sienta desbaratemos la cuenta y….contemos al revés.
And so that no one feels bad, let’s tear up the tally sheet and….begin counting backwards!
¿Corazón, porqué pasáis?
My heart, why do you keep awake?
¿Corazón, porqué pasáis? Las noches de amor despierto si vuestro dueño descansa en los brazos de otro dueño?
My heart, why do you keep awake during the nights of love if your master rests in the arms of another master?
Del cabello más sutil
Of the softest hair
Del cabello más sutil que tienes en tu trenzada he de hacer una cadena para traerte a mi lado.
Of the softest hair which you have in your braid I would like to make a chain so that I may pull you to my side.
Una alcarraza en tu casa, chiquilla, quisiera ser,. para besarte en la boca, cuando fueras a beber.
I would like to be a pitcher in your house, my little one, so I could kiss you on your mouth each time you take a drink.
Chiquitita la novia
Tiny is the bride
Chiquitita la novia, chiquitita o el novio, chiquitita la sala y er dormitorio.
Tiny is the bride, tiny is the groom, tiny is the living room, and the bedroom.
Por eso yo quiero chiquitita la cama y er mosquitero.
And that’s why I want a tiny bed and a mosquito net.