Act I

Tender leaves of my beloved tree…

… may fate be kind to you.

Thunder, lightning, tempests … may they never disturb your peace ...

… nor rough wind profane you.

Never was the shade …

… of any plant …

… so sweet or so beloved.

Never was the shade of any plantso sweet or so beloved.

We have arrived, Elviro… at the house of my beloved

Oh, if only I could be so fortunate…

Yes, yes, sure…

Where are you going?

To lie down before I fall down.

Come here now!

I hear sweet music.

Let’s get closer then.

So this is where Romilda lives?

Yes. Let me listen!

- I think I’ll go find a bed.- Quiet!

- But I am sleepy.- You’ll stay right here!

“Oh, you who suffer…”

That’s her, Romilda.

“Oh, you who suffer…”

Romilda? Really?

Yes. Be quiet!

I wasn’t talking.

“Oh, you who suffer…”

… from beauty’s cruelty…”

- Take Xerxes…- She sings my name?

Look at Xerxes, aflame with passion …

… for a tree trunk!

Only the murmuring leaves answer his love song.

- Arsamene, did you hear?- Yes, Sire.

Do you know who that is?

Me? No, sire.

- Well, I think I do.- (How jealousy stings!)

- What?- How joyously she sings!

“… Charming and beautiful, the brook delights in its freedom.”

“… It rushes merrilythrough the grasses to the sea.”

Her song fills my soul with love.

I must have her for my mistress.

(Oh Gods, what do I hear?) But Romilda is a princess.

It doesn’t seem right …

You said you didn’t know her… or do you?

I know her only by name.

And by voice, it seems.

If she cannot be my mistress, then she will be my wife.

Do you approve?

Sir, a king cannot raise to the throne a woman of non-royal blood.

She can’t be my mistress,she can’t be my wife…

You turn down every suggestion.

I’ll make her my royal companion. Tell her that I love her. That is my wish.

Me? I wouldn’t know how to speak to her.

Then find a way.

- But if I can’t…- Why not?

Well, modesty… and…

Very well. I’ll tell her myself, since I am clearly better at it.

I’ll tell her that I love her.I’m not afraid.

I want her, and I know how to get her.

You may tell her that you love her, but she won’t listen.

The beauty that you desire shall be mine alone.

Arsamene…

Oh, Romilda! I’m afraid that you’ll forget the love you’ve sworn me.

Why are you talking like this?

- The king…- Xerxes?

What does he want from me?

To test your fidelity.

(If only he could conquer her heart! It would make me very happy.)

Your beauty set everyone on fire!

- I’m not afraid. - I am terrified.

(And I’m aflame!)

Tell me, Arsamene, do you think my sister could betray you?

Even mighty oaksfall in an earthquake.

But I will remain strong!

(If only she’d fall!)

My soul will never part with yours.

- What delight!- (What pain!) Listen…

Yes, yes, my love, I live and die for you alone.

I love the man who wounds me, and there is no comfort for my sorrow

…That’s what Romilda says, night and day: “For you I die.”

- Quick, my lord. Xerxes is coming.- I’m going to hide.

So, Princess, what are you doing here?

Perhaps Arsamene asked you to meet him?

No, he didn’t.

- But he spoke to you?- Sire…

Enough! Listen …

Romilda! Today, Fate lifts you to the throne.

Love crowns you with jewels.

I do not aspire to such heights.I am not worthy.

I know why you’re saying that.

Arsamene is the reason, and it offends me, but …

Heaven forbid that I should offend you, my lord!

He didn’t know…

Silence!And you, leave this court at once!

I will go.But I am innocent.

If you promise to give up Romilda…

(Master, do what he says!)

- Then I could show mercy.- No, never!

I hope that my departure will extinguish your jealousy.

I go to my death and leave you to your freedom.

I hope that my departure will extinguish your jealousy.

Beautiful Romilda…don’t cry!

Listen, Romilda: I am in love.

You remain silent? Say yes… say no… tell me to drop dead…

You mock me with your silence

Oh cruel woman, who taught you to behave this way.

Drop your beauty,oh, you lovely eyes.

Cease wounding me,and I will cease my pursuit.

You mock me with your silence

Oh cruel woman, who taught you to behave this way.

I am deaf to your words of love.

Infidelity will never taint my heart.

And should my beloved come to harm

Let him blame love, not jealousy

I may change my clothes, but I will never change my heart.

In love, I remain the same.

How bravely we have fought, and how sweet is our victory.

Xerxes’ glory swells by the hour!

Hear the trumpet,which summoned the ranks to arms.

Soften its tone with mellow strains,victory resounding in our ears.

Ariodate, you’ve triumphed again!

The glory is all yours.

As a reward, I promise you: your daughter Romilda shall have a royal husband

a man of Xerxes’ lineage, equal to Xerxes himself.

I would never dare to dream such a thing!

You have my word.

I would never ask the stars to do my bidding!

But if the heavens offer, I will accept.

These victories, I am certain, are but a foretaste of my triumph in love.

(He’s talking about me.He has already won my heart.)

I can’t wait to hold her in my arms.

(I’m dying of happiness!)

But what will Amastre, and her outraged father, say about …

… my new-found love?

(What? Is he rejecting me? The traitor!)

I can’t stop thinking about Romilda!

The more I think of the flame in my heart...

… the more I burn with passion.

Here is the letter, Elviro. Deliver it to Romilda.

- Are you sure?- Yes. Go!

- How do I deliver it without getting caught?- It’s up to you.

What a circus!

My lord, leave it to me. I’ve got a plan.

I’ll run, I’ll fly, I’ve packed my sack,and in a flash you’ll see me back.

My lord, leave it to me. I’ve got a plan.

He dares to betray me, his promised bride?

And he thinks the world will call him noble?

No, for justice and mercyare the greatest qualities of a king.

I will avenge this offense my heart has endured.

The man who ignited my anger will feel the weight of my fury.

I will avenge this offense my heart has endured.

So you can finally marry your Xerxes.

He is not “my Xerxes”

Arsamene isn’t yours, either.

Yes, he is. I love him.

No, he’s not. He’s been exiled.

You’d give up a king for a lover you’ve lost anyway?

- Lost? How?- He loves someone else.

- Who?- You ought to know.

So I should hate Arsamene and give my affection to the king, is that it?

That would be prudent.

And I’d marry Arsamene.

- You love him?- No, but I could.

You can fall in love,just like that?

- I could try!- Now I get it!

You want to steal him from me.

Think again. You don’t stand a chance.

You will never untie the bonds that tether us together.

You want to steal him from me.

Think again. You don’t stand a chance.

If love is not enough to seize the treasurethat fills you with joy and me with longing

… then I’ll resort to deceit!

A graceful little gesture, a coquettish little smile, a twinkle in the eye

…that’s how you make a man fall in love!

Flattery, tears and guile work as well. I will try them all!

A graceful little gesture, a coquettish little smile, a twinkle in the eye

…that’s how you make a man fall in love!

Intermission15 minutes

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Act II

Stay a little longer, my hopes. Do not leave me yet!

Who will buy flowers from my beautiful garden?

Hyacinths! Tulips! Jasmine!

Who would ever guess that I’m Elviro?

But what if the king finds out about this letter?

What’s that about the king?

Arsamene is casting his sighs to the wind…

In the end, the king will get his beloved for his wife...

The king? …For his wife?What do I hear?

Xerxes should marry a lady of royal blood, not Romilda….

This lady does not do him honor.

Then I have really been rejected. The traitor!

- My friend… - Oh no, I’ve been caught!

Stop. There is no need to run away.

What do you want? Flowers?Here…

No. You said that Xerxes is getting married. To whom?

Who are you? And why do you ask?

A curious traveler who is fond of the king.

You seem like a good fellow, so I’ll tell you.

- But keep it to yourself. Not a word!- You can trust me.

Ariodate, a general of the king’s army…

…has a daughter named Romilda.

The king wants to marry her, but all she says is:

“If he marries me, I’ll die.”

She doesn’t love the king?

No, she loves his brother, a fellow named Arsamene.

And this fellow has, perhaps, written to her of his grief?

Oh God! You must be a fortune teller.

Who will buy flowers from my pretty garden?

- Tell me!- That’s all I know... Tulips! Jasmine!

- This is the final strike. I’m crushed.- Flowers? …

My hopes, you have been betrayed. You may go, yes, you may leave me!

That fool is gone.What a blabbermouth!

At least I wasn’t crazy enough to let him in on my secret.

Here comes lady Atalanta. Oh, good, good.

Love has destined me to eternal tears.

Who will buy flowers from my beautiful garden? Hyacinths? Jasmine?

You! Come here! I will adorn my grief with flowers.

- Don’t you know me?- No.

- Look closer.- You? Poor man! Be careful.

What’s this?

A letter from Arsamene to his beloved Romilda.

- Give it to me!- Will you give it to her?

- Yes.- Where is she?

In her room, writing to the king.

To the king? What is she writing?

That all her hopes lie with him.

And Arsamene?

She barely remembers him.

Oh, unfaithful tigress, vicious viper!

Go now, the king is coming.

Who wants flowers from my beautiful garden?

(I can use this letter to get what I want.)

Will you share, Atalanta, the secrets you are reading? Are they about love?

- Yes, but they’re strange.- Now I’m even more curious.

- But…- But what?

- I fear… Will you forgive me?- Yes.

Then … read it. (Help me out, Cupid!)

- Arsamene wrote this?- Yes.

To whom?

To me.

- To you?- Are you angry?

I’m bewildered. Doesn’t he love Romilda?

No, sire. She loves him.He pretends to love her …

… so she doesn’t find out about us.

What a strange affair! And what a joy to my heart!

Oh king, with your consent,let me marry Arsamene.

He will be either your husband or victim to my wrath.

He will say that he doesn’t love me. But don’t believe him. He’s pretending.

Leave me the letter as proof.

(A fine trick … if it works!)

You may go.

- Just remember…- What?

He’ll say that he doesn’t love me …But don’t believe it … he is pretending.

You’ve been deceived, Romilda.

Read this and tell meif Arsamene deserves your love.

- Are you not angry?- To whom is he writing?

To his beloved Atalanta. You know I’m telling the truth.

(This is killing me.)

- What will you do now?- I will weep for the rest of my days.

- You will love him?- I will love him.

- Even though he betrayed you?- Cruel fate decrees it.

- And if he rejects you?- I will still love him.

- You will love him?- I will love him.

If you love a man who despises you …

… then I should despise you!

But I don’t know how.

Your cruelty shows me the way, but my heart will not respond.

If you love a man who despises you …

… then I should despise you!

But I don’t know how.

If sorrow won’t kill me, I’ll do it with this gun.

What are you doing?

Take my advice: live, if only for the sake of tasty food and good wine.

I have made up my mind. Before I die, I want to find this cruel man and tell him…

Before you stands a betrayed woman.Kill me! I forgive you.

Kill me! I forgive you.

- He’s out of his mind!- Elviro?

- My lord! Let’s go!- What did Romilda say?

I gave the letter to Atalanta.

And she told me that Romilda … loves the king.

The monstrous betrayal!

But you must have misunderstood…

She loves the king, she’s writing to him now.

- Perhaps she was joking?- Oh no, she was telling the truth.

Oh, her cruel, savage heart!

The woman who loved me, who pined for me …

… is no longer mine, I’ve lost her heart.

Arsamene, where are you going?

To drink the waters of Lethe and forget that you are my brother.

- Enough of this …- And enough of your tyranny.

- I want you to marry the woman you love.- Do you mock me still?

I know whom you love. I have read your letter. Don’t deny it.

(Oh God, has Romilda shown him my letter?)

Why should I confess it when you know it already?

You will marry her.

Let me embrace you!

- Do you love her?- More than life.

Why didn’t you say so before? We shall both find happiness on the same day:

- I as Romilda’s husband…- And I…?

As Atalanta’s.

What are you saying?

- I know you love Atalanta.- I love Romilda!

- Oh, enough pretending!- So you won’t give me Romilda?

I know you don’t want her.

I want her, and I will have her!

And if heavens don’t smile on me, I will invoke the vile monsters of hell!

I want her, and I will have her!

I bow to you, great king.

Arsamene denies that he is in love with you. He wants only Romilda.

He clearly does not love you. You’ll feel much better if you stop loving him.

You tell me not to love him, but you can’t tell me how.

His eyes are far too lovely.The ties that bind me are far too strong.

You tell me not to love him, but you can’t tell me how.

How much less painful would life be, if one could fall in and out of love at will.

Poor me! I’ve lost my master!

And it’s my own fault, what an idiot I am.

Well, actually….he’s lost me.

Is he across the bridge? No, not there.

But how dark the sky is!

Look at these ominous clouds. The wavesare crashing and the wind howling.

I’d better get out of here before the bridge collapses.

You see, I’m just not the water type.

I’d rather live in Bacchus’potable kingdom.

Water makes a person queasy, but wine sends you soaring to the stars.

- Jealousy is torture.- My heart knows it well.

-I am spurned for another man.-I am betrayed for another woman.

- My trust betrayed ...- My feelings mocked ...

Jealousy is torture.

- Bitter fate!- Wicked stars!

- Cruel Romilda!- Vile Xerxes!

- Who’s there?- An unfortunate man.

Who are you?

One who served you in war, and was wounded.

- Will you serve again?- I’ll think about it.

- What?- I won’t serve without a reward.

- What? You found me ungrateful?- I found myself deceived.

(Here comes my love.) Go away, we’ll talk later.

I have important business to deal with now. But you should come back soon.

(I’ll be back, and you’ll be sorry, you traitor!)

Romilda, will you make me weep forever?

Answer me!

The lover who gives up when fate is cruel, doesn’t know the meaning of love.

Act III

- Your lies are in vain!- You wrote to Atalanta!

- Elviro will tell you…- Atalanta will tell you…

(What bitter torment!)

Here she is!

(Oh, no! I’m caught. What shall I do?)

What cruel trick is this? I have a fever, and my voice …

Come, my lady, please tell them what you told me.

I said that Romilda loves the king.

What more do you want?

So you lied?

Calm down. I only said it to get rid of the servant.

Go on, we’re listening.

The king surprised me and took the letter.

So to help you, I lied and said that the letter was addressed to me.

- What do you say to that, Romilda?- What about you, Arsamene?

- That I adore you.- That you are my love.

Do what you will, Atalanta,you will never take Arsamene from me!

Oh no, your contempt won’t kill me.

I will find myself another lover.

Take this as a sign of my fidelity.

- Xerxes is coming!- Oh, woe is me!

I’ll be waiting for you outside.

- Hide yourself.- Oh, cruel fate.

Romilda, my kingdom and my heart are yours.You are my queen.

My lord, to aspire to such heights would be my ruin.

- Deny me no longer!- I will deny you forever.

I always get my way. Do you understand, Romilda?

I won’t leave here until … enough! What do you say?

- You will need my father’s consent.- He’ll give it. And then?

I will obey my king.

I’ll ask him. I’m filled with joy!

(And I am drowning in my tears.)

“I will obey my king?”What pure love! What constancy!

I’m dying!

- Romilda!- Stop!

Leave me. My only hope is that Xerxes will kill me.

- You hate me that much?- I love you that much!

- Farewell. I’m leaving you!- I’m going.

- Where will you go?- Wherever cruel fate takes me. And you?

To my death.

- No, to the throne you’ve been promised.- Fine. Good bye! You will never see me again.

Love, you tyrant, how pitiless you are. It is too cruel to let me suffer like this.

No heart can endure this pain. Grant me some relief, give me back my freedom.

Love, you tyrant, how pitiless you are. It is too cruel to let me suffer like this.

As we agreed, with your consent, a man of my lineage will be Romilda’s husband.

- What an honor!- So you consent?

I desire only to obey you.

Then listen: a person of my rank and of my blood will shortly arrive here

Be sure that your daughter accepts him as her husband.

A man of your own blood?And I know him?

As well as you know me.

(It has to be Arsamene!)

Who could have wished for such happy outcome? It was sent from heaven.

Which star up abovehas shined its light upon me?

Who could have wished for such happy outcome? It was sent from heaven.

I will refuse his crown!I will tell Xerxes that I belong to another.

- Stop, my bride and my queen!- Do not call me that!

- Why?- Because… it tarnishes your royal honor.

- Listen: Arsamene loved me…- (A bad way to start!)

- At first he was modest …- Enough!

- … and shy.- You’re killing me!

- But then, growing bolder…- What?

I dare not say it, my lord!I’m blushing. Let me write you a letter.

Oh no, just go on.

- How he dared… I don’t know …- I can’t bear it!

His lips drew near…

Where?

To mine …And … and … and …

And he kissed you? Say it!

Exactly.

You are lying to avoid marrying me.

But true or not, this deed must be punished. I will kill Arsamene!

You will first become the widow of that kiss, and then my bride!

My king - my husband! Such bitter pain! Let my Arsamene live!

- So, the faithless Romilda still thinks of me?- She adores you and thinks of you always!

You’re only telling me of Xerxes’ threat to hasten my departure, not to save me.

- You insult my loyalty, ungrateful man.- You deceive my trust, ungrateful woman.

- Merciless soul!- Ungrateful heart!

- My heart is filled with compassion.- I don’t want your pity!

- You insult my loyalty, ungrateful man.- You deceive my trust, ungrateful woman.

There is the bridegroom, just as I thought!

- Merciless soul!- Ungrateful heart!

My lord, you overwhelm me with honor!

- Father!- Romilda, do not go!

What did you say?

That I am giving you my daughter, to be your humble bride…

… as the king himself has commanded me.

- Xerxes commanded you?- He did, personally!

(Wait, what?)

Aren’t you here to take her as your wife?

- I desire nothing else.- What bliss!

- Romilda, do you accept?- Yes, father.

Join your hands.

We join our hearts.

Great lord, I bow before you.

- The husband of whom I spoke…- It is such a great honor!

- Is Romilda happy?- Ecstatic.

- But why isn’t she here?- She’s with her husband.

- What?- Her husband, my lord.

What husband?

- The one you gave her.- I did what?

Equal to you and of your lineage, who came to me …

- And they are married?- Indeed.

- Treacherous, worthless traitor!- My king?

You have betrayed me, get out!

You savage Furies from Hell – pour forth your venom!

Destroy the earth…

Darken the sun ….

To match the anger in my breast.

You savage Furies from Hell – pour forth your venom!

Traitors!How dare you show your faces?

- What fury!- We are humbly asking you…

- You mock me!- How so, my lord?

- You stole Romilda!- By your own command.

- It’s true.- I vouch for it.

When? A bald-faced lie!

Send a bullet through that lying heart!

Kill my own wife? I’d sooner kill you.

- Give that to me.- Who are you, you relentless pest?

Someone who seeks rightful revenge.

Do you want me to pierce the heart that has repaid true love with treachery?

- Yes!- And blow it to pieces?

- Yes!- Then die, traitor!

Behold Amastre … betrayed, yet ever loyal. And still you show her scorn.

- Then kill me!- I would rather kill myself.

Stop! ….I repent.

- Will you love me once again?- Yes, but I am unworthy of your mercy.

Love me, my dearest. I forgive you.

- I’m trembling.- A happy ending!

- I can breathe again!- What a relief!

I’m going to find another lover.

Friends, forgive my anger and rejoice in your love!

You are dear to my soul and sweet to my heart.

Let us celebrate the triumph of true love together!

Let us celebrate the triumph of true love together!

The End