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SUOR ANGELICA Page 1
OPERA JOURNEYS
LIBRETTO SERIES
___________________________________________________________________________
GIACOMO PUCCINI
SUOR ANGELICA
COMPLETE LIBRETTO
with Music Highlight examples
OPERA JOURNEYS LIBRETTO SERIES Page 2
Burton D. Fisher, editor,
Opera Journeys Libretto Series
Burton D. Fisher is a former opera conductor, author-editor-publisher
of the Opera Classics Library Series, the Opera Journeys Mini
Guide Series, and the Opera Journeys Libretto Series, principal
lecturer for the Opera Journeys Lecture Series at Florida
International University, a commissioned author for Season Opera
guides and Program Notes for regional opera companies, and a
frequent opera commentator on National Public Radio.
___________________________
OPERA CLASSICS LIBRARY "! SERIES
OPERA JOURNEYS MINI GUIDE"! SERIES
OPERA JOURNEYS LIBRETTO SERIES
" Aida " Andrea Ch�nier " The Barber of Seville
" La BohŁme " Boris Godunov " Carmen
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" Der Rosenkavalier " Die Fledermaus " Don Carlo
" Don Giovanni " Don Pasquale " The Elixir of Love
" Elektra " Eugene Onegin " Exploring Wagner s Ring
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" Julius Caesar " Lohengrin " Lucia di Lammermoor
" Macbeth " Madama Butterfly " The Magic Flute
" Manon " Manon Lescaut " The Marriage of Figaro
" A Masked Ball " The Mikado " Norma " Otello
" I Pagliacci " Porgy and Bess " The Rhinegold
" Rigoletto " The Ring of the Nibelung
" Der Rosenkavalier " Salome " Samson and Delilah
" Siegfried " The Tales of Hoffmann " Tannh�user
" Tosca " La Traviata " Il Trovatore " Turandot
" Twilight of the Gods " The Valkyrie " Werther
Copyright � 2002 by Opera Journeys Publishing
All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or
by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission
from Opera Journeys Publishing.
All musical notations contained herein are original transciptions by Opera Journeys Publishing.
SUOR ANGELICA Page 3
OPERA JOURNEYS LIBRETTO SERIES
Puccini s
SUOR ANGELICA
TRANSLATED FROM ITALIAN
and including music highlight transcriptions
Edited by Burton D. Fisher
Principal lecturer, Opera Journeys Lecture Series
___________________________________________
Opera Journeys Publishing"! / Coral Gables, Florida
OPERA JOURNEYS LIBRETTO SERIES Page 4
SUOR ANGELICA Page 5
A convent in Italy during the latter part of the seventeenth century.
There is a small church, a cloister, a shrine, a cemetery,
a garden with grass and flowers, and cypress trees.
There is a fountain that sprouts into an earthen pile.
As the curtain rises, it is a clear spring sunset. The sisters are heard praying inside the church.
Coro di Suore: Chorus of Sisters:
Ave Maria, piena di grazia, il Signore Ł teco, Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee,
Tu sei benedetta fra le donne, Blessed art thou among women and blessed is
benedetto il frutto del ventre tuo, Gesł. the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Two sisters appear, late for chapel prayers. Before entering the chapel, they pause an instant
to listen to the birds singing in the cypress trees.
Sister Angelica, also late, opens the chapel door, but first gestures a sign of penance for late
comers; she kneels, kisses the threshold and then enters the chapel.
Coro di Suore: Chorus of Sisters:
Santa Maria, prega per noi peccatori, ora e Holy Mary, pray for us sinners, pray for us.
nell ora della nostra morte. E cos� sia. And therefore may it be.
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica: (from inside the Chapel)
Prega per noi peccatori, ora e nell ora della Pray for those of us who are sinners, in the hour
nostra morte. E cos� sia. of our death.
The sisters emerge from the chapel in pairs. The Abbess stops in front of the shrine, and the sisters
bow to her reverently as they pass. The Abbess blesses them, and then withdraws.
The sisters form small groups. The Monitor enters.
La Suora Zelatrice: The Monitor: (to two Lay-Sisters)
Sorelle in umiltą, Sisters in humility,
mancaste alla quind�na, you are both late for chapel service,
ed anche Suor Angelica, and so was Sister Angelica,
che per� fece contrizione piena. but she has done penance.
Invece voi, sorelle, But you, sisters,
peccaste in distrazione have sinned foolishly
e avete perso un giorno di quindŁna! and lost a day of the celebration!
Una Conversa: A Lay-Sister:
M accuso della colpa e invoco una gran pena, I have sinned and ask for severe punishment.
e pił grave sarą, pił grazie vi dir�, The more severe the punishment, the more I shall
sorella in umiltą. give thanks.
OPERA JOURNEYS LIBRETTO SERIES Page 6
La Maestra Delle Novizie: Mistress of the Novices:
Chi arriva tardi in coro, si prostri e baci terra. Those coming late for chapel prayers, must kneel
and kiss the ground.
La Suora Zelatrice: The Monitor: (to the Lay-Sisters)
Farete venti volte la preghiera mentale You shall say a prayer twenty times for the
per gli afflitti, gli schiavi e per quelli che stanno oppressed and afflicted, and for those who live in
in peccato mortale. mortal sin.
Una Conversa: A Lay-Sister:
Con gioia e con fervore! I obey you with fervent joy!
Le Due Converse: The Two Lay-Sister: (with enthusiasm)]
Christo Signore, Sposo d Amore, Blessed Christ, Beloved Bridegroom, I wish only
io voglio sol piacerti, Sposo d Amor, to please Thee, now and in the hour of my dying!
ora e nell ora della mia morte! Amen! Amen!
The Lay-Sisters retire in contrition. The Monitor reprimands Sister Lucilla, who takes down a
spinning wheel from under the arch, and prepares to spin.
La Suora Zelatrice: The Monitor:
Suor Lucilla, il lavoro. Ritiratevi And now Sister Lucilla, get to work. Retire and
e osservate il silenzio. observe silence.
La Maestra Delle Novizie: Mistress of the Novices: (to the two novices)
Perch� stasera in coro ha riso e fatto ridere. It s because this evening she laughed, and made
others in the choir laugh.
La Suora Zelatrice: The Monitor: (to Sister Osmina)
Voi, Suor Osmina, in chiesa You, Sister Osmina, please tell me why I caught
tenavate nascoste nelle maniche you in chapel concealing two scarlet roses in
due rose scarlattine. your sleeves.
Suor Osmina: Sister Osmina: (restive)
Non Ł vero! It is not true!
La Suora Zelatrice: Sister Zelatrice: (severely)
Sorella, entrate in cella. Sister, go into your cell.
Non tardate! La Vergine vi guarda! Hurry up! The Blessed Virgin is watching!
Sister Osmina shrugs her shoulders, enters her cell and slams the door.
Sei Suore: Six Sisters:
Regina Virginum, ora pro ea. Sovereign Lady pray for her.
La Suora Zelatrice: The Monitor:
Ed or, sorelle in gioia, poichŁ piace al Signore And now, sisters in joy, please the Lord, and
e per tornare pił allegramente a faticare per because of your love of Him, before returning
amor Suo, ricreatevi! happily to work, you may have some recreation!
Le suore: The Sisters:
Amen! Amen!
As sisters scatter through the cloister. Sister Angelica is busy watering flowers.
SUOR ANGELICA Page 7
Suor Genovieffa: Sister Genevieve: (gaily)
Oh, sorelle, sorelle, io voglio rivelarvi che una Sisters, I want to show you that a sunbeam has
spera di soleŁ entrata in clausura! entered the cloister!
Guardate dove batte, lą, lą fra la verzura! Look on the grass where it falls.
Il sole Ł sull acoro! Comincian le tre sere della The three-evening celebration of the golden
fontana d oro! fountain is beginning!
Alcune Suore: Some Sisters:
� vero, fra un istante vedrem l acqua dorata! It is true, soon we ll see the golden water!
Una Suora: One Sister:
E per due sere ancora! And it will appear for two more evenings!
Alcune Suore: Some Sisters:
� maggio! � il bel sorriso di Nostra Signora che It is May, and the lovely smile of Our Lady
viene con quel raggio. comes with that ray.
Regina di Clemenza, grazie! Queen of Mercy, we thank Thee!
Una Novizia: One Novice: (timidly)
Maestra, vi domando licenza di parlare? Sister, may I have permission to speak?
La Maestra Delle Novizie: The Mistress of the Novices:
Sempre per laudare le cose sante e belle. Speak if it is about matters holy and beautiful.
La Novizia: The Novice:
Qual grazia della Vergina rallegra le sorelle? What act of Our Lady s grace makes the sister s
happy?
La Maestra Delle Novizie: The Mistress of the Novices:
Un segno risplendente della bontą di Dio! A shining sign of God s goodness!
Per tre sere dell anno solamente, all uscire dal On three evenings a year when we come out of
coro, Dio ci concede di vedere chapel, God allows us to see the sun falling on
il sole che batte sulla fonte e la fa d oro. the fountain that He turns to gold.
La Novizia: The Novice:
E le altre sere? And the other evenings?
La Maestra Delle Novizie: The Mistress of the Novices:
O usciamo troppo presto e il sole Ł alto, o We come out either too early when the sun is
troppo tardi e il sole Ł tramontato. high, or perhaps too late when the sun has set.
Alcune suore: Some Sisters: (sadly)
Un altr anno Ł passato! Another year has passed!
� passato un altr anno! E una sorella manca. And we ve lost a sister!
The sisters become absorbed in thought,
seemingly making an effort to bring back the image of their dead sister.
Suor Genovieffa: Sister Genevieve:
O sorella in pio lavoro, quando il getto s Ł Sisters, when the fountain begins to glow and
infiorato, quando il getto s Ł indorato, non turn golden, shall we take a pail of golden water
sarebbe ben portato un secchiello d acqua d oro to the grave of Sister Bianca Rosa?
sulla tomba a Bianca Rosa?
Le suore: The Sisters:
S�, la suora che riposa lo desidera di certo. Yes, our sister resting there would like that.
OPERA JOURNEYS LIBRETTO SERIES Page 8
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica:
I desideri sono i fiori dei vivi, non fioriscon nel Desires are the flowers of the living that do not
regno delle morte, flower in the land of the dead,
perch� la madre Vergine soccorre, because the Blessed Virgin helps us, and
e in Sua benignitą liberamente al desiar precorre. controls our desire.
Prima che un desiderio sia fiorito la Madre delle Before a desire can flower the Mother of mothers
Madri l ha esaudito. has granted it.
O sorella, la morte Ł vita bella! Sisters, death is a beautiful life!
La Suora Zelatrice: The Monitor:
Noi non possiamo nemmen da vive avere We must never have desires that are vain and
desider�. worldly.
Suor Genovieffa: Sister Genevieve:
Se son leggeri e candidi, perch�? But if they are pure, why not?
Voi non avete un desiderio? Have you ever had a desire?
La Sorella Zelatrice: The Monitor:
Io no! I have not!
Un altra: An other:
Ed io nemmeno! And not even I!
Un altra: An other:
Io no! Not I!
Una novizia: A Novice:
Io no! Not I!
Suor Genovieffa: Sister Genevieve:
Io s�, lo confesso. I have, and I confess it.
Soave signor mio, tu sai che prima d ora nel My gentle Lord, You know that I was a
mondo ero pastora. shepherdess.
Da cinqu anno non vedo un agnellino. I have not seen a lamb in five years.
Signore, ti rincresco se dico che desidero vederne Lord, does it anger You if I say that I desire to
uno piccino, poterlo carezzare, tocargli il muso see a little one, and nurse it, touch its cold nose,
fresco e sentirlo belare? and hear it bleat?
Se Ł colpa, t offerisco il Miserere mei. If it is a sin I shall offer the Miserere.
Perdonami, Signore, Tu che sei l Agnus Dei. Forgive me, Lord, Thou art the Lamb of God.
Suor Dolcina: Sister Dolcina:
Ho un desiderio anch io! I have a desire also!
Le suore: The Sisters:
Sorella, li sappiamo i vostri desider�. Qualche Sister, we already know your desires. A tasty
boccone buono!Della frutta gustosa! mouthful of juicy fruit!
La gola Ł colpa grave! Gluttony is a deadly sin.
� golosa! She s so jealous!
SUOR ANGELICA Page 9
Sister Genevieve and other sisters approach Sister Angelica.
Suor Genoveva: Sister Genevieve:
Suor Angelica, e voi avete desideri? Sister Angelica, do you have any desires?
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica:
Io? No, sorella mia. I? No, my sister.
Sister Angelica turns toward the flowers. The sisters whisper about her.
Le suore: The Sisters:
Che Gesł la perdoni, ha detto una bugia! May Jesus forgive her, she s told a lie!
Una novizia: One Novice:
Perch�? But why?
Alcune suore: Some Sisters:
Noi lo sappiamo, ha un grande desiderio! We know she has a great desire!
Vorrebbe aver notizie della famiglia sua! She wants to hear news of her family!
Sono pił di sett anni, da quando Ł in monasterio, She s been in the convent for at least seven years
non ha avuto pił nuove. but has heard nothing.
E sembra rassegnata, ma Ł tanto tormentata! She seems resigned, but she s tormented!
Nel mondo era ricchissima, lo disse la Badessa. Our Mother Abbess said she comes from a
Era nobile! Nobile? Principessa! La vollero far wealthy family! She was a noble! Noble? Yes, a
monaca, sembra per punizione! Perch�? Chi sa! Princess who was made to take the veil as
Mah!? punishment! But why? Who knows!
La sorella infermiera: Nursing Sister: (arriving anxiously)
Suor Angelica, sentite! Sister Angelica, help me!
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica:
O sorella infermiera, che cosa accadde, dite! Sister nurse, tell me, what is the matter?
La sorella infermiera: The Sister Nurse:
Suora Chiara, lą nell orto, assettava la spalliera Sister Clara was out there in the garden trimming
delle rose. the rose tree,
All improviso tante vespe sono uscite, l han and she happened on a wasp s nest and they ve
pinzata qui nel viso. stung her in the face.
Ora Ł in cella e si lamenta. Ah, calmatele, Now she s lying in her cell in pain and anguish.
sorella, il dolor che la tormenta. What pain she is having.
Alcune suore: Some Sisters:
Poveretta! Poor girl!
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica:
Aspettate, ho un erba e un fiore. Wait, I have herbs and flowers.
La sorella infermiera: The Sister Nurse:
Suor Angelica ha sempre una ricetta buona, fatta Sister Angelica has a wondrous potion made
coi fiori, sa trovar sempre un erba benedetta per from herbs and flowers. She knows how to mix
calmare i dolori. them and they seem to cure every ailment.
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica: (handing her herbs and flowers)
Ecco, questa Ł calenzola: col latticcio che ne cola Here, this will surely help her. You must dip the
le bagnate l enfiagione. herbs in milk and it will reduce the inflammation.
OPERA JOURNEYS LIBRETTO SERIES Page 10
E con questa una pozione. Dite a sorella Chiara And with these you make a potion. Better tell
che sarą molto amara Sister Clara that it s nasty and bitter, but it will
ma che la farą bene. E le direte ancora che ease the pain. And you must tell your patient
punture di vespe sono piccole pene, that a wasp s sting is not very serious. She really
e che non si lamenti, ch� a lamentarsi crescono i must remember that fretting and crying only
tormenti. makes things more difficult.
La sorella infermiera: The Sister Nurse:
Le sapr� riferire. Grazie, sorella, grazie. I will do as you tell me! Thank you sister.
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica:
Sono qui per servire. I am here to help you.
Two Mendicants arrive, leading a well-loaded donkey.
Le cercatrici: The Mendicants:
Laudata Maria! Praise Mary!
Tutte: All:
E sempre sia! For evermore!
The sisters crowd around the donkey.
They unload their gifts and hand them to the housekeeper, Sister Procurator, and the sisters.
Le cercatrici: The Mendicants:
Buona cerca stasera, sorella dispensiera! A good collection this evening, sister housekeeper!
Una cercatrice: One Mendicant:
Un otre d olio. A skin of oil.
Suor Dolcina: Sister Dolcina:
Uh, buono! Oh, splendid!
L altra cercatrice: The other Mendicant:
Nocci�le, sei collane. Some hazelnuts.
Una cercatrice: One Mendicant:
Un panierin di noci. A basket of walnuts.
Suor Dolcina: Sister Dolcina:
Buone con sale e pane! So good with salt and bread!
La Suora Zelatrice: The Monitor:
Sorella! Sister!
Una Cercatrice: One Mendicant:
Qui farina, e qui una caciottella che suda ancora Flour, and a cheese that still drips milk  as
latte, buona come una pasta, delicious as a pasta,
e un sacchetto di lenti, dell uova, burro e basta. a bag of lentils, some eggs, butter, and that s all.
Alcune suore: Some Sisters:
Buona cerca stasera, sorella dispensiera! A good collection this evening, sister housekeeper!
L altra cercatrice: The other Mendicant:
Per voi, sorella ghiotta. For you, greedy sister.
SUOR ANGELICA Page 11
Suor Dolcina: Sister Dolcina:
Un tralcetto di ribes! Degnatene, sorelle! A stem of raspberries. Help yourselves, sisters!
Alcune suore: Some Sisters:
Grazie! Grazie! Thank you! Thank you!
Una suora: One Sister:
Uh, se ne prendo un chicco la martorio! Oh, I m afraid to take one.
Suor Dolcina: Sister Dolcina:
No, prendete! No, do take one!
Alcune suore: Some Sisters:
Grazie! Thank you!
La cercatrice: The Mendicant:
Chi Ł venuto stasera in parlatorio? Who has come to visit us this evening?
Alcune suore: Some Sisters:
Nessuno. PerchŁ? No one. Why?
La cercatrice: The Mendicant:
Fuor del portone c Ł fermata una ricca berlina. A splendid carriage has stopped outside.
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica: (turning to sudden fear)
Come, sorella? Come avete detto? Una berlina Ł What, sister? What did you say? Is there really a
fuori? Ricca? luxurious carriage outside?
La cercatrice: The Mendicant:
Da gran signori. Certo aspetta qualcuno che Ł It belongs to the nobility and must be waiting for
entrato nel convento e forse fra un momento someone who is visiting the convent.
suonerą la campana a parlatorio. Perhaps the parlor bell will ring soon.
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica: (with growing anxiety)
Ah, ditemi, sorella, com era la berlina? Tell me about the carriage. Did it have a coat-of-
Non aveva uno stemma? Uno stemma d avorio? arms in ivory?
E dentro tappezzata d una seta turchina ricamata Was it upholstered inside, with blue silk and
in argento? silver embroidery?
La cercatrice: The Mendicant:
Io non lo so, sorella. Ho veduto soltanto una I don t know. All I saw was a splendid coach.
berlina bella.
Le suore: The Sisters: (watching Angelica curiously)
� diventata bianca. Ora Ł tutta vermiglia! How pale she s become.
Poverina! � commossa! She s upset.
Spera che sien persone di famiglia! She hopes it s someone from her family!
Vien gente in parlatorio! Una visita viene! There s a visitor in the parlor!
Per chi? Per chi sarą? Fosse per me! Per me! Who is it for? If only it was for me!
Fosse mia madre che ci porta le tortorine Perhaps my mother is bringing white doves!
bianche! Fosse la mia cugina di campagna che Perhaps my cousin from the country brings me
porta il seme di lavanda buono! some lavender seeds!
A bell sounds. Some of the sisters rush away.
OPERA JOURNEYS LIBRETTO SERIES Page 12
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica:
(O Madre eletta, leggimi nel cuore, volgi per me (Blessed Mother, read my heart and smile at the
un sorriso al Salvatore.) Savior for me.)
Suor Genovieffa: Sister Genevieve:
O sorella in amore, noi preghiam la Stella delle Beloved sister, we pray to the Star in Heaven that
Stelle, che la visita, adesso, sia per voi. the visitor is for you.
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica:
Buona sorella, grazie! Good sister, thank you!
The Abbess enters to make an announcement. Everyone is expectant. But their attitutes give the
impression that they would like to sacrifice themselves for their afflicted sister.
Sister Angelica, with eyes uplifted, remains motionless and in suspense.
La Badessa: The Abbess:
Suor Angelica! Sister Angelica!
Le Suore: The Sister:
Ah! Ah!
The Abbess makes a gesture, ordering the other sisters to withdraw. The spout of the fountain is now
the color of the purest gold. The sisters fill their watering cans with the golden water
and disappear in the direction of the cemetery.
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica:
Madre, Madre, parlate! Chi Ł? Mother, Mother, tell me! Who is it?
Son sett anni che aspetto una parola, una nuova, I ve waited seven years for a word, for news, for
uno scritto. a letter.
Tutto ho offerto alla Vergine in piena espiazione. I ve offered all in atonement to our Lady.
The Abbess:
La badessa:
Offritele anche l ansia che adesso vi scompone! Then also offer Her the anxiety that now disturbs
you!
Voci delle suore: Voices of the Sisters:
Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux Lord, give her eternal rest, may eternal light
perpetua luceat ei Requiescat in pace. Amen! shine upon Her and may She rest in peace. Amen!
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica:
Madre, sono serena e sottomessa. Mother, I am calm and obedient.
La Badessa: The Abbess:
� venuta a trovarvi vostra zia Principessa. Your Aunt, the Princess, has come to see you.
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica: (sighing)
Ah! Ah!
La Badessa: The Abbess:
In parlatorio si dica quanto vuole ubbidienza, In the parlor. Say what obedience and necessity
necessitą. require.
Ogni parola Ł udita dalla Vergine Pia. Every word is heard by the Virgin.
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica:
La Vergine m ascolti e cos� sia. The Virgin shall hear me.
SUOR ANGELICA Page 13
The Abbess leaves. Sister Angelica looks anxiously toward the door.
There is the noise of keys in the lock. The door is opened by Sister Portress.
The Abbess appears, the sisters standing on each side of the door, bending deferentially.
A dark figure appears, with a deportment of aristocratic dignity.
She walks slowly with the aid of an ebony cane.
It is the Princess, Sister Angelica s Aunt. She stops and throws a glance at her niece, coldly, and
without a trace of emotion. At the sight of her Aunt, Sister Angelica is moved,
but controls herself because of the presence of the Abbess and Sister Portress.
The door is closed. Sister Angelica, full of emotion, moves towerd her Aunt, but the old lady merely
stretches out her left hand as if to indicate that she will only consent to Sister Angelica kissing it.
Sister Angelica seizes the Aunt s outstretched hand, raising it to her lips.
While the Aunt sits down, Sister Angelica falls to her knees, unable to utter a word. Tears stream
down Angelica s cheeks. Imploringly, she stares at her Aunt s face,
but the old lady remains, staring fixedly straight ahead.
La zia Principessa: The Aunt Princess:
Il Principe Gualtiero vostro padre, la Principessa Prince Gualtiero, your father, and Princess Clara,
Clara vostra madre, quando venti anni or sono your mother, when they died twenty years ago,
vennero a morte mi affidarono i figli e tutto il God rest their souls, made me the guardian of
patrimonio di famiglia. their children and the entire family estate.
Io dovevo dividerlo quando ci� ritenessi I had to divide it as I thought fit, and with full
conveniente, e con giustizia piena. justice.
� quanto ho fatto. Ecco la pergamena. Voi potete I have done this. Here is the document. Read it,
osservarla, discuterla, firmarla. examine it, and sign it.
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica:
Dopo sett anni son davanti a voi. I stand before you after seven years.
Ispiratevi a questo luogo santo. Let this holy place inspire you.
� luogo di clemenza. � luogo di pietą! It is a place of forgiveness, of compassion!
La zia Principessa: The Aunt Princess:
Di penitenza. Io debbo rivelarvi la ragione And repentance. I must tell you the reason why I
perch� addivenni a questa divisione: arrived at this division.
Vostra sorella Anna Viola andrą sposa. Your sister, Anna Viola, is to be married.
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica: (painfully)
Sposa?! Sposa la piccola Anna Viola, la Married?! My little Anna Viola, my little sister,
sorellina, la piccina? the dear little one?
Ah! Son sett anni! Son passati sett anni! Seven years have passed.
O sorellina bionda che vai sposa, o sorellina My little blond sister is to be married. Little
mia, tu sia felice! sister may you be happy!
E chi la ingemma? Who is she marrying?
La zia Principessa: The Aunt Princess:
Chi per amore condon� la colpa di cui One whose love overcame the disgrace that you
macchiaste il nostro bianca stemma. brought to our good name.
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica:
Sorella di mia madre, voi siete inesorabile! Sister of my mother, you are inexorable!
La zia Principessa: The Aunt Princess:
Che dite? E che pensate? Inesorabile? How dare you? What do you mean inexorable?
Vostra madre invocate quasi contro di me? Dare you invoke your mother s name against me?
Di frequente, la sera, lą, nel nostro oratorio, io Often, in the evening, I go to our chapel,
mi raccolgo. kneeling in prayer.
OPERA JOURNEYS LIBRETTO SERIES Page 14
Nel silenzio di quei raccoglimenti, il mio spirito In the silence of my prayers, my spirit seems to
par che s allontani leave me.
e s incontri con quel di vostra madre in colloqui and join your mother s spirit, in mysterious
eterei, arcani! communication!
Come Ł penoso udire i morti dolorare e How painful it is to hear the dead mourn and
piangere! weep!
Quando l estasi mistica scompare per voi serbata When the mystical ecstasy passes I have but only
ho una parola sola: one word for you:
Espiare! Offritela alla Vergine la mia giustizia! Atone! Offer my justice to the Virgin!
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica:
Tutto ho offerto alla Vergine, s�, tutto! I have offered everything to the Virgin!
Ma v Ł un offerta che non posso fare! But there is something I cannot offer to the gentle
Alla Madre soave delle Madri non posso offrire Mother of all mothers; I cannot promise to
di scordar mio figlio! forget my son!
Il mio figlio! My beloved son!
La creatura che mi fu strappata! Figlio mio che The baby was torn away from me! My son who I
ho veduto e baciato una sol volta! saw and kissed only once!
Creatura mia! Creatura mia lontana! My darling baby! My baby so far away!
� questa la parola che imploro da sett anni! This is the word for which I prayed for seven years!
Parlatemi di lui! Tell me about him!
Com Ł, com Ł mio figlio? How is my son?
Com Ł dolce il suo volto? What does he look like?
Come sono i suoi occhi? What color are his eyes?
Parlatemi di lui, di mio figlio! Tell me about him, about my son!
Perch� pacete? Why are you silent?
Un altro istante di questo silenzio e vi dannate Another moment of this silence and you ll be
per l eternitą! damned for eternity!
La Vergine vi ascolta e Lei vi giudica. The Virgin hears us and will judge you.
La zia Principessa: The Aunt Princess:
Or son due anni venne colpito da fiero morbo. Two years ago he became fatally ill.
Tutto fu fatto per salvarlo. Everything was done to save him.
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica:
� morto? He s dead?
Ah! Ah!
The Aunt silently bends her head. Sister Angelica, with a heartbreaking cry, falls to the ground.
Her Aunt rises to aid her, thinking she has fainted. But she hears Angelica s sobs and controls her
movement of pity. The Princess rises and turns toward a sacred image on the wall. She leans with
both hands on her ebony cane, and with bent head, prays in silence.
Angelica s sobs continue, stifled and heartrending.
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Darkness begins to fall. Sister Angelica remains kneeling, both hands covering her face.
The Portress enters. The Princess whispers something to her. The Portress leaves, but immediately
returns with the Abbess, who carries a tablet, inkwell and a quill. Sister Angelica hears the sisters
approaching and intuitively understands. Silently, she moves to the table,
and with trembling hand affixes her signature to the parchment.
Then she moves away and covers her face with both hands.
After the two sisters leave, the Princess takes the parchment, and then moves toward her niece.
But as she draws nearer to her, Sister Angelica shrinks away.
The Princess proceeds toward the door, striking it with her cane. The Portress opens the door and
shows the Princess the way out. But she hesitates a moment at the threshold,
glances back at her niece, and then departs.
Night has fallen. In the cemetery, the sisters are lighting lanterns on the tombstones.
Sister Angelica remains sobbing in deperation.
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica:
Senza mamma, o bimbo, tu sei morto! Without your mother, my child, you died!
Le tue labbra, senza i baci miei, scoloriron Without my kisses, your lips grew pale and cold!
fredde, fredde! And you closed your beautiful eyes, unable to
E chiudesti, o bimbo, gli occhi belli! touch me!
Non potendo carezzarmi, le manine componesti You could not caress me, your hands folded in a
in croce! cross!
E tu sei morto senza sapere quanto t amava And you died without knowing how much your
questa tua mamma! mother loved you!
Ora che sei un angelo del cielo, ora tu puoi Now that you are an angel in Heaven, you can
vederla la tua mamma. save your mother.
Tu puoi scendere gił pel firmamento You can come down from the sky and flutter
ed aleggiare intorno a me, around me,
ti sento, sei qui, mi baci, m accarezzi. I feel you here, kissing me, caressing me.
Ah, dimmi quando in cielo potr� vederti? Tell me when I shall be able to see you?
Quando potr� baciarti! When I shall be able to kiss you!
Oh, dolce fine di ogni mio dolore. Sweet end to all my sorrows,
Quando in cielo con te potr� salire? when shall I meet you in Heaven?
Quando potr� morire? When can I die?
Dillo alla mamma, creatura bella, con un leggero Pretty child, speak to your mother like a
scintillar di stella. twinkling star.
Parlami, amore! Speak to me, my loved one!
The lanterns are now lit in the cemetery.; the cloister is almost in complete darkness. The sisters
emerge from the cemetery in pairs, nearing Sister Angelica, who is absorbed in ecstasy.
In the semi-darkness, it seems as if the white-clad figures of the sisters barely touch the ground as
they walk along.
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Le suore: The Sisters:
Sorella, o buona sorella, la Vergine ha accolto la Sister, good sister, the Virgin has heard your
prece. prayer.,
Sarete contenta, sorella, la Vergine ha fatto la You will be content, sister, for the Virgin has
grazia. given you Her grace.
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica: (with mystical exaltation)
La grazia Ł discesa dal cielo, gią tutta Her grace has descended from Heaven and shines
m accende, risplende! all around me!
Gią vedo, sorella, la meta! I see my course clearly before me!
Sorelle, son lieta! Sisters, I am happy!
Cantiamo! Gią in cielo si canta! They are singing in Heaven already!
Lodiamo la Vergine Santa! Let us praise the Holy Virgin!
Bells are heard. The other sisters disappear.
Tutte: All:
Lodiamo la Vergine santa! Let us praise the Holy Virgin!
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica:
La grazia Ł discesa dal cielo! Her grace descends from Heaven!
It is now quite dark. Upon the chapel, the cupola is illumated by shining stars;
the moon rises above the cypress trees.
Sister Angelica appears, carrying an earthenware jar, which she puts down at the foot of the cypress
tree; she takes a bundle of twigs and branches, heaps up a few stones and places the twigs and
branches upon them. She goes to the fountain and fills the jar with water.
Then she lights the fire with a piece of flint and puts the jar on the fire.
Suor Angelica ha sempre una ricetta buona fatta Sister Angelica was always good at making
coi fiori. things from flowers.
Amici fiori che nel piccol seno racchiudete le These friendly flowers hide drops of poison in
stille del veleno. their hearts.
Ah, quanto cure v ho prodigate. I took so much care with them, and now they
Ora mi compensate. will repay me.
Per voi, miei fior, io morir�! Through you, flowers, I shall die!
Addio, buone sorelle, addio! Farewell, dear sisters, farewell!
Io vi lascio per sempre. I leave you for ever.
M ha chiamata mio figlio! My son has called me!
Dentro un raggio di stelle m Ł apparso il suo In a ray of starlight, I saw his smile, and he said
sorriso, m ha detto: to me:
 Mamma, vieni in paradiso!  Mother, come to Paradise!
Addio! Addio! Addio, chiesetta! Farewell, little chapel, where I have prayed so
In te quanto ho pregato! often!
Buona accoglievi preghieri e pianti. You received kindly my prayers and my tears.
� discesa la grazia benedetta! The grace of our Blessed Lady has descended!
Muoio per lui e in ciel lo rivedr�! I die for him and I ll see him again in Heaven!
SUOR ANGELICA Page 17
In an impulse of exaltation, Sister Angelica kisses the cross at the shrine. Quickly, she picks up the
jar, turns towards the chapel with her eyes fixed on the heavens, and drinks the poison.
She leans against the cypress tree, pressing her chest with her left hand,
and slowly drops her right arm, letting the jar fall to the ground.
Her act of suicide seems to free her from her exaltation, bringing her back to reality. Her face, so
serene and smiling before, transforms into intense anguish,
as if a terrible revelation has overcome her.
Ah! Son dannata! Ah! I am damned!
Mi son data la morte! I have taken my own life!
Io muoio in peccato mortale! I die in mortal sin!
Madonna, salvami! Per amor di mio figlio ho Madonna, save my soul! It was for the love of
smarrita la ragione! my son that I lost my reason!
Non mi fare morire in dannazione! Don t let me die in damnation!
Dammi un segno di grazia, Madonna! Give me a sign of Your grace, Madonna!
Madonna! Salvami! Salvami! Madonna! Save me! Save me!
O Madonna, salvami! Una madre ti prega, una Oh Madonna, save me! A mother implores you,
madre t implora! O Madonna, salvami! Madonna! Madonna, save me!
Sister Angelica seems to hear the voices of angels interceding for her to the Blessed Virgin.
Gli angeli: Angels:
O gloriosa virginum, sublimis inter sidera, O gloriosa virginum, sublimis inter sidera,
qui te creavit, parvulum lactente nutris ubere. qui te creavit, parvulum lactente nutris ubere.
Quod Heva tristis abstulit tu reddis almo Quod Heva tristis abstulit tu reddis almo
germine: germine:
Intrent ut astra flebiles, coeli recludis cardines. Intrent ut astra flebiles, coeli recludis cardines.
Suor Angelica: Sister Angelica:
Ah! Ah!
The chapel becomes resplendent with mystic light. The gates of the church open. At the door, the
Blessed Virgin appears, and in front of her, a fair child, all in white.
The Virgin makes a gesture and pushes the child towards the dying mother.
Engrossed in the magnetic spell of the vision, Sister Angelica raises her arms towards the child.
As the child makes steps towards her, Angelica falls to the ground and dies.
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