DYNAMIC

CDS 626/1-2 DDD DIGITAL LIVE RECORDING

Antonio Vivaldi (Venice, 1678 - Vienna 1741) Argippo

Dramma per musica, libretto by Domenico Lalli Reconstruction by Ondřej Macek

Argippo Veronika Mráčková Fučíková Zanaida Pavla Štěpničková Osira Jana Bínová - Koucká Silvero Barbora Sojková Tisifaro Zdeněk Kapl

Hofmusici Baroque Ensemble Artistic Director: Ondřej Macek

Recorded at Teatro Goldoni, Venice, on 23rd October, 2008 as part of the Festival "I Luoghi di Baldassare", 2008 edition. ENGLISH LIBRETTO CD1 I have throne, and wealth, and I disdain myself: I lived and reigned: I live no more, nor do I reign. (He leaves.) 1 Sinfonia

ACT ONE Scene III Cabinet of the Grand Mogor, in Indian style. Silvero alone. The Scene is set in the Royal palace of Agra, capital city and place of residence of the Grand Mogor. Hapless Zanaida, You think Argippo is your spouse since I, First Scene with hidden deception, tied the sacred knot with you. Tisifaro, and Zanaida weeping. I was glad then, now I am desperate. Argippo, having married another one, 2 Tisifaro - Daughter, must I live thus arouses a tremendous fury for ever? Must bitter tears for ever in this princess, and I feel wet your cheeks, and their source crushed by remorse, be unknown to me? which painfully scourges my heart, Zanaida - I am unworthy to be called a well-deserved punishment for too bold an error. your daughter: suffice this. 5 Remorse is the punishment of one’s faults! Tisifaro - Daughter… It corrodes, it bleeds you Zanaida - If, as you say, from within, a painful terror. I am your daughter, why tarry? Bare your sword, thrust it in me, and thus alone be just and merciful, The entrance of Tisifaro’s royal palace, with view over part of because I shall be punished; and in an instant the city, bathed by the river Gemini; from a strange vessel are removed from this cruel slow dying. disembarking, with their retinue: Tisifaro - Speak, reveal… Zanaida - Leave me, father, I must go. Tisifaro - Where? Scene IV Zanaida - To my death. Argippo, and Osira, welcomed with pomp by Tisifaro, before Tisifaro - Why? whom they lay down, as a mark of respect, the insignia of Zanaida - My honour… their kingdom as a ratification of vassalage; then, singing the Tisifaro - Ah, go on. following chorus, they all enter the palace, from which a rav- Zanaida - … is what… ing Zanaida runs out, followed by Silvero. Tisifaro - Yes? Zanaida - … makes me… 6 Chorus - The king of Cingone alights Tisifaro - Continue. (Oh, my troubled mind!) on the Indian shores Zanaida - I cannot say more; I am distraught. of the billowy Gemini, 3 If a lightning, however slow, husband and lover does not avenge my insult, of a fair beauty. that wicked man will fall, And before the Grand Mogor victim of my just wrath. unswerving respect and faith (And yet I am your wife, he pledges, return and I shall forgive you. and asks for his friendship. My eyes, may through your tears (All file in.) flow all the anguish 7 Zanaida - They are here? The wicked perjurers? of my betrayed love.) The traitor…? My rival…? Is it true? (She leaves.) And I don’t strike yet? Heart, what are you thinking? Revenge, ah God! But the deep wound in my heart bleeds once again. Scene II Silvero - Princess, curb … Tisifaro, and Silvero. Zanaida - Curb? What? I only yearn for death, slaughter, destruction… Alas, what am I saying! 4 Tisifaro - What confused notions Silvero - (I would tell her that I am the traitor.) of spouse, revenge, Zanaida - How many times have I repented honour and betrayed faith does she rave about? being cruel towards your love! Silvero - Sir… Silvero - Why were you cruel? Tisifaro - Prince: I am increasingly Zanaida - It was my crucial Fate. worried about Zanaida Silvero - (I can still hope.) But if I were to return Silvero - Seeing your trouble to my first love, would you I lose my peace as well. (My error oppresses me.) satisfy it with equal ardour? Tisifaro - And will no human remedy Zanaida - When I could, I did not want to. Ah, for pity’s serve any purpose? Oh woe!

2 sake, Scene VII leave this place. Tisifaro, then Zanaida. If Zanaida should love again, only Silvero would set her heart on fire. 11 Tisifaro - What good is having defeated many enemies if, deprived of rest or comfort, after a thousand dangers, Scena V I shipwreck in the very harbour? Osira with her retinue, and the above. Zanaida - Father. Tisifaro - Daughter. Osira - Royal lady… Zanaida - I have decided… Zanaida - O Gods! Tisifaro - What? help me. So bold are they Zanaida - I shall reveal… that they dare appear before me Tisifaro - Perhaps those monsters from the infernal Cocytus? your inner troubles? My eyes, ah, turn away Zanaida - Precisely… from the horrible sight, or Tisifaro - Speak. be blinded and do not open for ever more. Zanaida - But first promise me… (She leaves in a fury.) Tisifaro - What? Osira - What does this mean? Zanaida - That after hearing Silvero - Bear it, the cause of my grief… do not be surprised. Ever since the day Tisifaro - Tell me! you married, she has been deeply troubled. Zanaida - You will kill me. Argippo - O wicked Destiny! Tisifaro - What are you saying? Osira - Adverse fate. Zanaida - Oh shame! Argippo - But prince, you leave her Tisifaro - Courage, my daughter. alone in her madness? Go, follow her Zanaida - I think... and offer her assistance. Tisifaro - Go on. Silvero - (Remorse is killing me.) Zanaida - That my dreadful sorrow… (He leaves.) Since my lips fail, let this letter speak. 8 Argippo - It often thunders (She gives him a letter and leaves.) when, by his flock, Tisifaro - What terrible image in his wonted dark cave, of fateful misfortunes the fearful shepherd lies. will be contained in this letter? I see Then the storm passes, my fears approach, and I open it and read. dawns returns and the sky is serene; Father: a fierce traitor the shepherd rises, made me his wife with a hidden union, and the sight of a fair day then he left and forsook me; he married chases his fear away. another woman, and it is not enough: (He leaves.) he appears before me with her, and mocks my honour, tainting my life with the bitterest poison. Scene VI The bold man is Argippo. Osira alone. Argippo? Oh God! Oh miserable father! Oh lost honour! 9 The fury of Zanaida Oh unpropitious day! Oh sorrowful event! also stirs within me, and I do not understand Oh daughter! Oh traitor! Oh treachery. the reason for it; 12 There can be no forgiveness, yet in my heart I am no longer a father is a vague feeling of dread. but a monster from Hades 10 No sooner had I seen overwhelmed with fury. a stretch of clear sky What am I to do than a terrible storm torn as I am has come to cloud it over. between honour But against fate and love? death at least will be strong; Gods, take pity on me, for my tender heart comfort me in my grief. seems born to fear.

The royal gardens.

3 13 Sinfonia Osira - Dearest, my courage begins to waver. ACT TWO Argippo - And why Atrium of the royal palace. this sudden sorrow? Osira - I do not know; I feel Scene I my peace threatened, Silvero, Zanaida, then Osira. but cannot tell by what. Argippo - Do not let an unjustified fear 14 Silvero - Zanaida, if a measure of pity disturb your peace. Now I must go for my love still lives in you, to the King, who has asked for me. promise me forgiveness, Osira - My fear is mounting. O God! silence and faith, and hear me out. Argippo - I must go, fear nothing, my treasure. Zanaida - I promise you 17 If anyone criticises your fear, all. he shall see our love, Silvero - And I he shall hear about it, and then he’ll know shall reveal all. whether your heart is weak. Osira - Royal lady. When love springs from Silvero - (Ah, how untimely!) such a beautiful source, Zanaida - O God! even the heroes submit to it, What horrible ghost appears before me? even the Gods are in awe. Ah, I cannot stand the sight. Osira - And why do you bear Scene III such hatred against me? Osira alone. Zanaida - No, no, queen, I hate my own pain in you, not the innocence 18 I fear, but I know not what I fear. of your soul. In your countenance I see Dreams, ghosts, gloomy nocturnal shadows my own harrowed heart, foretell misfortunes, the traitor, the mocked faith, the source wherefore I feel I am dying, of my tears. Ah, allow me my heart stabbed by my unfounded torment. to avert my eyes from you. 19 A certain something Osira - I comply weighs upon my heart, with all your wishes, since I offend you. and though it is no grief Silvero - (She’s raving mad, and I know why.) it plagues me. 15 Zanaida - Of my just pain I am troubled, and know not why, ask no more but only a wicked fear if you don’t want to taint can frighten my soul. your innocent heart. Because of you, it swells in my bosom, Rooms of Tisifaro. but you are not the one who caused it to be born in me: Scene IV it is not your fault Tisifaro, and Silvero. if I am suffering. (She leaves.) 20 Tisifaro - Most wicked stars, what good is it that from the Orient‘s most famous lands, kings come Scene II to lay tributes at my feet, Osira, and Silvero, then Argippo. if I end up being equal in misfortune to my vassals? 16 Osira - What unfair reasons Silvero - And if make her complain and leave? I were able to mend Silvero - You shall not learn your heart’s wound, Sire? the slightest worry from lips Tisifaro - You cannot mend moved by troubled thoughts. a wound that has become infected. Osira - I see that, yet Silvero - And yet… (Must I accuse myself?) I am growing worried. Tisifaro - Ah, touch honour Silvero - Your dear husband with an impure hand but once will comfort you. and the stain can only be washed in blood. Argippo - Prince. Silvero - And blood… Osira - My life! (To Argippo.) (Be strong, my heart!) If I were the one Argippo - Beloved wife. who upon your honour … Silvero - I bow to you, Tisifaro - Argippo Sire, and leave you with your beloved. is approaching; leave me: soon

4 I shall tell you all about Tisifaro - Answer. the illness and its cure. Argippo - I dare not. Silvero - I do as you bid and leave. Tisifaro - I order you. (The more I hide, the more I betray my duty.) Argippo - Then I obey. 21 I would give my blood and my life I would force that traitor, that brute to help you, to slay with his own hand to appease your misery. his wife, then give his hand, If I talk, I will suffer, still dripping with the blood if I keep silent I already feel of his chosen spouse, my heart throb in my breast. to the betrayed woman, who is equally his. (He exits.) Tisifaro - What? Would it not be fairer to slay the man, who is guilty, Scene V than the woman, who is not? Argippo, and Tisifaro. Argippo - No. That way the outrage would be redressed but not the honour. He 22 Argippo - Noble soul, worthy of the vastest empires, would die twice if he had not only of one, I come to you to kill his own wife, and she has no use as your subject. for her innocence, if her very life kills Tisifaro - I am in dire need somebody else’s honour. of your advice, my faithful friend, Tisifaro - There is no other way? in a serious matter. Argippo - This one seems to me the best. (I’ll pretend for the moment with the unworthy traitor.) Tisifaro - Since you choose such a mean, Argippo - I hang from your lips. here, this is the letter: open it and read. Tisifaro - Have a seat. What Argippo - Father: a bold traitor I must reveal to you requires joined with me in secret, making me his wife, your long and faithful silence. then left, forsaking me; he married another Argippo - As you order, I seat myself. woman, and it is not enough: Tisifaro - Do you see, o king, this letter? now he comes before me with her, and mocks Argippo - I see it. my honour; the bitterest poison Tisifaro - It is of my life, from a friendly prince, who asks for the impudent man is Argippo. some drastic remedy Argippo? to his extreme grief. Tisifaro - Indeed. Argippo - What afflicts him? Argippo - She lies. Tisifaro - You should know Tisifaro - You did. You pronounced that Heaven granted him your own sentence: now carry it out, a single daughter, loved and hope for no mercy from my fury. as much as I love Zanaida; Argippo - Gods, what treachery! At least, sir, a young king, summon Zanaida; let her look me in the eye who was visiting, and, if she can, convince me. fell in love with her. Her weakness, Tisifaro - Here she is. the prince’s boldness, and love led them to tie Scene VI a secret union; and thus Zanaida, and the above. the guileless girl (oh, horror!) was deprived of her innocence. Tisifaro - Daugher, Argippo wants to speak to you. Argippo - A deed unworthy of a prince. He says he is innocent. Tisifaro - There is more. Listen: the faithless man Zanaida - You, innocent? forsake her, fell in love with another, Did you not, covered tied another knot. by the darkness of the night… Argippo - Brute, wicked man. (Ah, just Gods! Tisifaro - There is more yet. Why do you not hurl your bolts of lightning?) Argippo - More, whatever else? Did you not join with me? Tisifaro - He went back, Ah, what shame, what distress! with his wife, to the royal palace Did you not say to me, wicked man, where he committed his fault, that upon your return your would have showing no fear, nor shame for his crime. revealed our union to my father? Argippo - This is too much, it goes beyond all limits! And now, bold man, Tisifaro - Now that poor father you come back married to another, and with her? asks my advice. And you say you are innocent? Ah, wicked monster! What would you do? I would tear you to pieces… ah, no; no revenge Argippo - I am not worthy, Sire… could ever redress such an outrage! Oh God!

5 Who can help me? Who can counsel me? CD2 Death. Yes, my death. Only my death, father, can help, and your forgiveness. 1 Sinfonia Argippo - (Yet I am innocent.) Tisifaro - (The traitor is confused.) ACT THREE Zanaida - I want no father, A small garden adjacent to Osira’s apartment. but a judge, and if my error arouses any pity in you, you are unjust. Scene I 23 I am guilty of staining my honour, Osira, then Argippo. you are guilty of trusting me. Death, oh God! I expect from you. 2 Osira - Horrible ghosts Offended father, just king, haunt my heart. Argippo is not vent your fury on me. coming yet, and I still ignore Have no mercy, either on me what serious matter or on him, who spurned me. summoned him to the Mogor. The breeze I shall die for my weakness, that sweetly blows nurtures my hope he will die for his betrayal. to see my beloved returning, but then beguiles me, and my uncertainty is such Scene VII that every instant makes me more worried. Tisifaro, and Argippo. 3 I feel my heart pierced by a ray of hope, 24 Tisifaro - There is enough evidence. And now but doubt returns carry out the punishment you yourself and I have no peace. deemed appropriate, Torn between turmoil and serenity though smaller by far than your excess. this soul is undecided; (He exits.) it is suspicious – trusting, Argippo - I, an adviser? A judge! I, the minister and cannot decide. of the cruel death of an innocent? 4 But here comes Argippo. O dearest, Of my own wife? Of my beloved idol? What did the Mogor want? What did he tell you? I, who am innocent? What did he say? You appear Ah Gods, do you not see, do you not confused: do you not answer? Why does come to our aid? And do you give your handsome face grow pale? Why do you stand so still? your favours to the criminal, your punishment to us? Argippo - And I still live? And I still breathe? O Gods! 25 The simple shepherdess Osira - You say nothing? You sigh? Alas, what is wrong? always moans Keep my misfortune from me no longer, when she sees stormy clouds were it even my own death. gather over the meadow. Argippo - (Cruel man! But you are mistaken. Argippo But, once the storm has passed, will die a thousand times she looks in happiness among the most painful torments on the countryside, on the hills before slaying, or allowing…) bedecked with fair flowers and tender grass. Osira - Tell me, then: is it my death? Argippo - It is. Osira - Gods! And why? Argippo - His daughter accuses me of depriving her of her honour with a fake union; he believes her, and to deliver a punishment equal to the crime, wants me to slay you and marry Zanaida. Osira - Very well. Argippo: may you have a long and happy life, I fear nothing from death if I die for you: bare… why tarry? Bare your sword, and with one stroke obey the Mogor, compensate for the damage of her stained honour; relieve him from his pain, carry out your duty: let your life comfort my dying. Our love will not die with me. Here is my bosom. Go on, run it through, take my heart, but then keep it… Argippo - You shall keep mine…

6 Scene II Were you in love with her? As Argippo is about to stab himself to death, Silvero runs in Silvero - Silvero, to love, has but one heart and stops him. Osira, then Tisifaro with Guards. and it belongs to Zanaida. Zanaida - Live, and hope: Osira - Ah, what are you doing? my fury is already party appeased Silvero - The blow by the death of Osira, and perhaps was deflected. also by that of Argippo. Osira - Take his sword. Live, and hope, and the Gods may Argippo - O God! take pity on your faith, on my suffering. I feel my desperate soul 9 Your doubtful mind escape my breast, and I am fainting. has nothing to fear, (He collapses unconscious.) has nothing to worry about; Osira - Ah my husband! and yet it is troubled, Tisifaro - What do I see! My order and it holds no hope. has not been carried out yet? Ho there: seize Take comfort in me, Osira, and put her in fetters. You, and thus chase restrain Argippo. all fears away from you. Osira - Go on, brute, show (She exits.) all your cruelty. Tisifaro - Go, Silvero, Scene V you take care of it. Silvero alone. Silvero - I go. (Oh, dreadful order.) (Exiting.) 10 Unhappy love of mine, 5 Osira - For you I go to my death if she must take pleasure in someone else’s death; happy and joyful, But it will not be. Let us pretend light of my heart, that Osira is dead to see whether beloved spouse. Zanaida loves me, and then I shall If you could give me, reveal my guilt, and die, my dearest, a single glance, or still hope I would be fully comforted for the King’s forgiveness. in my harsh destiny. 11 A flattering (The Guards lead Osira away, followed by Silvero.) thought tells my heart that one day I will be happy; Scene III but if she does not see the truth, Argippo alone. how, o God, can I go on living?

6 Where am I…? My wife… The altar of the god Kam in the middle of a pleasant grove, lit Ah cruel tyrant! Osira! at night, and all the trappings of a sacrifice. Osira, where are you? Ah, I can already see the blood of my beloved, Scene VI still warm, steaming. Stay, o God! Tisifaro, and Silvero; then Zanaida. barbarians, the blow, for that blood is innocent: I am not guilty. 12 Tisifaro - Is Osira dead? Zanaida is lying… Ah, fate! Silvero - She is dead. Alas, what grief! Ah, death! Tisifaro - Very well. Now In every vein summon Argippo, and Zanaida. 7 my blood runs cold. Silvero - At this instant. The thought of my dead spouse Tisifaro - I feel my pain fills me with terror. and my anger subside. And to my added misery Silvero - Here she is. I cannot find the revenge, Tisifaro - Daughter, shed which, perhaps, no more tears. The man that innocent heart justly awaits. who gave you love, honour decrees that he will be your husband. Scene IV Zanaida - I, of Argippo? But how Zanaida, and Silvero. can I…? O God… Tisifaro - If you were 8 Zanaida - Silvero, what trouble weak enough to sin, now you must clouds your countenance? be strong enough to bear your punishment. Silvero - Osira Zanaida - I’d rather die! must die. Tisifaro - What thought is that? Zanaida - Is that the cause of your distress? Zanaida - Alas!

7 If the Medusa’s head Tisifaro - And you dared? appeared before my eyes Argippo - O gods! I would not feel the chill that freezes me now. Tisifaro - Then Argippo’s death Silvero - Now yes, no more delays. shall be replaced by yours. Ho there… Tisifaro - Prepare yourself, he is coming. Zanaida - Ah, father, and king… Zanaida - Where shall I hide? Tisifaro - No more. The unworthy man must die. Argippo - Noble king, ah grant, Scene VII if I lost my better half, Argippo, and the above. that I too may end my life today. Tisifaro - That is the reason why he must die. Argippo - Wait, Zanaida; you Zanaida - No, father, must know… do not think that you can lower Zanaida - What do you want? that blade over my dear spouse Argippo - Here where the earth before you have run my breast through. is still stained with the blood of… Tisifaro - The blood Zanaida - I flee from you. of Osira… 13 In a solitary wood, in a humble place Last Scene as a simple shepherdess Osira, and the above. I will lead my life. And my modest state Osira - Osira is alive, and lives only shall provoke less anger thanks to Silvero. in cruel Fate, Argippo - O Gods! What do I see? in my wicked Star. My Osira! 14 Tisifaro - Stop, my daughter. Argippo, Osira - Sir, Osira is dead. Your only thought If saving my life now must be to appease with a new vow was Silvero’s crime, punish me. the vow that you betrayed Tisifaro - Stars! What shall I do? Argippo - Argippo 15 Osira - What will you do? You shall forgive shall sooner raise his hand an error caused by Love, and give you, and himself, death. who knows how to weaken every heart. Tisifaro - And shall I suffer And the error he committed, yet this insult? Ho there, ministers, if you will, restrain the traitor with harsh fetters: Hymen and his torch prepare him will change into an honour. for the sacrifice. 16 Zanaida - Great king, noble father: Set fire to the stake, and where love, honour, the Gods’ will, the flames are higher, and hotter, our blood, the kingdom sprinkle them with Dionysus’s sacred liquor. all advise forgiveness Zanaida - Alas! My heart is throbbing. for Silvero, and for me. It was Destiny’s fault Argippo - Brute! Slake more than ours. your fury; I fear nothing, and with courage Argippo - Lofty monarch: await here my death from your hand. if my past sorrow causes you Tisifaro - God, you who love rightful people to see any merit in me, please and punish the wicked ones: hear me. My friend Silvero, as his penance, not my revenge, the noble, royal lady… from the Heavens, where you reign, Tisifaro - Heaven wants it, let it be done. accept this illustrious victim. Zanaida - Dear spouse! (He prepares to strike him with an axe.) Silvero - My life. Silvero - Wait, Sir: if death Osira - My treasure. must befall the man who offended your honour, Argippo - What happiness! I am the one who must die. Silvero - What joy! Tisifaro - What do I hear? Tisifaro - I am relieved. Zanaida - O God! Be happy, noble souls, and if I do not disdain, Silvero - I acted in shadows, in reparation of my offended honour, now I shall make public admission. It was I who, to grant the offender forgiveness, to the discredit of Argippo, my rival, disguised as him, you too grant it to me, and I shall be happy. in profound darkness 17 Chorus - If Love feeds on trickery, tied with your daughter the sacred knot. today let us only find joy in Love. I am the guilty one, lord; If it is born within us under such rules, that king is innocent, I am the traitor. let us forgive all his errors. Zanaida - Is that true?

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