LE PROPHETE Opera in five acts ‘Music by Giacomo Meyerbeer Libretto by Eugtne Scribe First performed at the Paris Opéra on April 16, 1849 CHARACTERS Jean de Leyde (John of Leyden! the Prophet): tenor Fides, his mother: mezzo-soprano Berthe, his bride: soprano Count Oberthal: bass Three Anabaptists* Jonas: tenor Mathisen: bass Zacharie: bass ‘Chorus parts: (Coryphies) 2 children: soprano and mezzo-soprano First Peasant: bass Second Peasant: tenor A Soldier: tenor First and Second Burghers: tenors 2 Officers: tenor, bass Nobles, peasants, children, Anabaptist citizens, prisoners, church officials The action takes place in Dordrecht and Leyden in Holland, and Miinster in Westphalia, The time is 1534-35 ‘THE PLOT ACTI At the foot of Count Oberthal's castle near Dordrecht, peasants and mill hands are assembled. Berthe and Fidés draw near. Fidés is bringing to Berthe a betrothal ring from her son Jean, who is to marry Berthe on the following morning. Permission must first be obtained from Count Oberthal as lord of the domain: the women are here to seek it. " Tohn of Leyden's real name was Jan Heukelszoon, bom in 1509. In business he was a successful tailor, a small merchant, and an innkeeper. After he had himself crowned in Milnster, the city became scene of orgy and crucity. It was captured by the Imperial forces on June 24, 1535. The following January the "prophet" was pat to death by torture * "The time of the action ofthis opera revolves around the events of the Peasant Revolution. Feeling betrayed by the Catholic and Protestant hierarchy alike, the populace tumed toward the radical fringe ‘The most extreme among the new sects were the Anabaptists, who advocated renewed baptism ("bor again” Christians) and observed utmost severity in morals and manners. Some of them advocated anarchy as well, along with polygamy and communal living. Originally an offshoot of Zwingli's brand of Protestantism, the movement started in Switzerland, but the Anabsptists' militancy soon led to their expulsion.” (From George Jellinek’s "HISTORY THROUGH THE OPERA GLASS’, pro/Am Music resources, Ine, White Plains, NY — used with kind permission, )4 Three somber-looking men arrive. They try to rouse the people egainst tyranny. ‘They are the Anabaptists: Jonas, Mathisen and Zacharie. Count Oberthal comes out of his castle with his followers and recognizes Jonas, a wine steward who had been discharged from his employment. He orders his soldiers to beat the three men with the flat of their swords. Berthe and Fidés make their plea to Oberthal, telling him that Jean and Berthe have been in love ever since he rescued her from drowning in the river Meuse. Oberthal refuses to give permission for her to marry Jean and instead orders her seized and taken to his castle for his ‘own diversion. The people are greatly agitated and run to the Anabaptists, throwing themselves at their fect and making threatening gestures towards the castle, ACT IE In Jean's inn in Leyden are the three Anabeptists and a throng of merrymaking peasants. Full of longing for Berthe, Jean is thinking of his wedding day on the morrow. The ‘Anabaptists notice that he bears a remarkable resemblance to the picture of King David in the Miinster cathedral. They believe this resemblance can be made 10 serve their plans. Jean tells them of a strange dream he has had, in which he found himself standing in front of the dome of a temple with people prostrate before him. They interpret the dream for him as evidence that he will mount a throne and urge him to follow them. For him, however, there is but one throne: the kingdom of love with Berthe, Berthe rushes in and begs him to hide her. She has escaped from Oberthal, who is in pursuit. Oberthal and his soldiers enter. The Count threatens that if Jean docs not deliver Berthe to him, his mother, whom the soldiers have captured on the way to the ina, shall die. She is brought in and forced to her knees. A soldier with a battle-ax stands over her. After a brief struggle of conscience, Jean's love for his mother conquers. He hands Berthe over to Oberthal. She is led away. Fides is released. ‘The three Anabaptists retum. Now Jean is ready to join them, if only to wreak vengeance on Oberthal. They insist that he come at once, without even saying farewell to his mother, who ‘must be kept in ignorance of their plans. Jean consents and hurries off with them, ACT IL ‘The winter camp of the Anabaptists in a forest in Westphalia, near Minster. A frozen lake is in the background. The people have risen against their oppressors. Jean has been proclaimed a prophet of God. As the head of the Anabaptists, he is laying siege to the city of Minster. ‘The act develops in three scenes. The first reveals the psychological medley of fanaticism and sensuality of the Anabaptists and their followers. In the second, in the Anabaptists' tent, ‘Oberthal enters disguised as a recruit. Before his identity is discovered, he learns of the ‘Anabeptists's plot to kill him and his father. Just before Oberthal is to be executed he tells Jean that he is worthy of death because when Berthe threw herself into the sca to take her ‘own life, God saved her. She is alive and in Minster. The three Anabaptist leaders wish to put the Count to death. Jean, saying that Berthe shall be his judge, puts off the execution, much to the disgust of the three fanaties, who find Jean assuming too much authority. The third scene is again the camp of the Anabaptists. The leaders, fearing Jean's usurpation of ‘power, have themselves headed an attack by their followers on Munster and met with defeat. ‘The rabble they lead is furious and turns against Jean, By sheer force of personality, he rallies the crowd to his standard and leads it to vietory. ACTIV ‘A public place in Master. The city has been seized by the Anabaptists. Jean, once a simple inkeeper, has been swept along on the high tide of success and has decided to have himself proclaimed Emperor. Meanwhile Fidés has been reduced to beggery. The Anabaptists, in order to make her believe that Jean is dead ~ so as to reduce the chances of her suspecting that the new Prophet and her son are one and the same - have left in the inn a bundle of Jean's clothes stained with blood, together with a script stating that he had been murdered by the Prophet end his followers. ‘The poor woman has come to Minster to beg. ‘There she5 meets Berthe, who, when Fides tells her that Jean has been murdered, vows vengeance on the Prophet. Fides follows the crowd into the cathedral for the coronation of the Prophet. When Jean announces that he is the elect of God, the poor woman staris at the sound of his voice and cries out: "My son!" Jean’s cause is suddenly threatened and his life is at stake because he bas claimed divine origin. If the woman claims to be his mother, the people, whom he rules with an iron hand, will denounce and kill him. With quick wit he meets the emergency and even makes use of it to enhance his authority. He bids his followers draw their swords and thrust them into his breast if the beggar woman again affirms that he is her son. Seeing the ready swords, Fides, in order to save him, now declares that he is not her son — that her eyes, dimmed by age, have deccived her. ACT V ‘The three Anabaptists had intended to use Jean only as an instrument to attain power for themselves. The German Emperor, who is moving on Minster with a large force, has promised them pardon if they will betray the Prophet and deliver the usurper into his hands. They have agreed and are ready to betray him on his coronation day. At Jean's sceret command Fidés has been brought to the palace, Mother and son meet. He, whom she has seen in the hour of his triumph and who is still all-powerful, implores her pardon in vain. Finally in the belief that he has been impelled to his usurpation of power and bloody deeds only by thirst for vengeance for Berthe's wrongs, she forgives him on condition that he return to Leyden. This he promises in full repentance. They are joined by Berthe. She has promised to kill the Prophet, whom she blames for the supposed murder of her lover. To accomplish her purpose, she has set a slow fire to the palace. While the Prophet and his henchmen are at banquet in the great hall of the palace, the fire will reach the powder magazine and blow up the edifice. She recognizes her lover. Her joy, however, is short lived, for at that moment a captain comes to Jean with the announcement that he has been betrayed and that the Emperor's forces are at the palace gates. Thus Berthe realizes that her lover and the bloodstained Prophetare one. Horrified, she plunges a dagger into her heart Jean determines to die a victim of the impending catastrophe which Berthe has planned. He joins the revelers at their orgy. Suddenly smoke rises from the floor and flames shoot up Fides calmly joins her son to die with him. ‘The powder magazine explodes with a fearful crash and the edifice collapses, killing all inside.Le Prophéte, Aet I 7 ACTI (The stage depicts the countryside of Holland near Dordrecht. The river Meuse can be glimpsed in the rear. To one side is a castle with drawbridges and towers, with farms and ‘ills surrounding it. In the foreground are rustic sacks of wheat, tables, benches, and farm implements. When the curtain opens the stage ts empty. A shepherd arrives and with his reed pipe sounds the waking signal. Another shepherd answers him from afar. The farm and cottage doors open and the millers and country folk fill the stage.) PASTORAL CHORUS la bri ge myetoe le ue sete La rise “est muette, le jour “est serein! The breeze is still, the day is calm! deke, ZA gecko sone la Klo'etce Diéchos en &chos sonne la clochette Fromecho to echo sounds the bell dos no ge —tr'po de nos gais troupeamx! of our merry flocks! ONE SOLO PEASANT WOMAN AND PEASANTS tro sv To'ragoe triste no keer Trop souvent Vorage attriste nos eceurs, Too often the storm saddens our hearts, PEASANTS de sur sa nyagoe guts le duiscer @'an jour sans nuages gofitons Jes douceurs. ofa day without clouds letussavor the sweetness. CHORUS La brise est muette, le jour est serein! Joe va ki saretoe aretce le mils Le vent qui s'arréte arréte le moulin ‘Thewind that has stopped, stops. the windmill pur nu salpretee pour not s‘appréte that here for us prepares Joe ree'pa dy matte Te repas du matin! the meal ofthe morning! gute Je duiscer é& gure Goiitons Tes. douceurs. d'un jour _heureux! Letustaste the sweetness ofa day of happiness! ARIA BERTHE md kor se palpitce Mon cceur et palpite, My heart leaps and throbs,8 leepwar Kespoir hope o sel Au ciel In heaven seve je vais 1 will ese waso Légers Light birds, eke et que and let bjeto Bientét Soon dio diront shall tell oiseaux, rapli remplit fills da'vasce d'avance already roevwar revoir see again vale volez fly fa chants songs fa chants songs, 2 Iqi a lai to him Le Prophéte, Act I sce ker farme ce cocour charmé, my charmed heart, satbitoe Shabite, live, bjéneme wi bien-aimé, beloved, docmeeror demeure, dwelling, versa vers sa toward his yi ‘dizer lui disent tell him me mon du doux sweet roefré refrains refrains pamur ‘amour love! mon my Mon cceur s'élance et palpite, ete. ay Du From the fa'veer divinoe faveur divine, divine gift, & —regar un one took ogra Aujourd'hui, Today, wa la vois, Ia see, the loro_ Vheureux the happy (Today, fostering our love, s souls!) moma I moment moment soel seul alone, Josa regard changea changed serva servant fostering ‘merce doe mire de mother of uzakor accord! accord! uu Torfaetinoe oi Torpheline when this orphaned girl reva révant dreaming on syr la sur la the mo mon sor sort! fate! ‘fama: flammes, flames (of love) vie yest pamur ‘amour. of my love. du doux sweet tapersy tlapergut saw you, kollinee colline, hill, I ate vient hiter comes tohasten ee? Your mother is coming to hasten the happy accord of ourLe Propheie, Act I Mon ceeur s'élance, ete. (Berthe sees Fides arriving in the distance. She runs to meet her, takes her arm and leads her gently to the foreground. Fides is weary from her journey and walks with effort. She blesses Berthe and places on her finger an engagement ring from Jean.) BERTHE fides ma "bonoe ‘merce ef 6d wu ywale Fidés, ma bonne mere, enfin done, vous voila! Fidés my good mother, atlast then, here you are! FIpES ty matade Tu — mattendais? You were waiting for me? Depuis l'aurore! Since dawn! FIDES © 30 mS fis. at ply, _zardama, Et n, mon fils, attend plus ardemment And Jean, my son, awaits more ardently sa —_fidiseor ale — ‘bonce ‘merce amecine la sa flaneéet "Allez, bonne mére, amenez-la” his betrothed! "Go, good mother, bring her here” he said tome, © ye yj et je viens! and have come! BERTHE esi mwa povrar Tijee orfeeli_ te 8d bie Ainsi moi, pauvre fille orpheline et. — sans biens, AndsoT, poor girl, an orphan and without, possessions, il madene = fwazir il m'adaigné —_choisir? he has deigned —_to choose me? FIDES (prattling in good humor) de fijoe dee dordreft ber te lay 30ttije Des filles de Dordrecht —_Berthe est la_ plus gentille Ofthe girls from Dordrecht Berhe is the __ prettiest e la ply'sase ee Yay et In plus sage, et_— je. veux. vous uni. end the mostsensible, and 1 want _tounite you (more and more animated)eee 10 Le Prophete, Act T c ~ Ww de dovmé Et je veux dis demain And I wish that asof tomorrow koe ‘bertce mee syk'sedoe di mG Hoteloerice que Berthe me succéde dans mon “hétellerie (that) Berthe should take my place in = my tavern cd mobo —ktwar et dans mon_—beau_comptoir; and at = my_— fine counter, lo ply bo vwa ty bjé bert Te plus beau, —_vois-tu bien, Berthe, the finest, mind you well, Berthe, 4 tute a ikce dee aide dans toute Ia ville de Leyde! in allof the city of Leyden! parts at nu Partons, hatons-nous, Letus go, _let us make haste, kar om fis. mu zat pur sce swar car mon fils nousattend pour ce soir! for my son awaitsus _ this evening! BERTHE no pa vrema va'saloe yoo nee py mee marie Non pas, vraiment: —_vassale, je nepuis ‘me marier Not really: asavassal, cannot get married ni kite soe pei, sksdaS(v te suvoe'rence ni quitter ce pays. sans Ia_—_-volonté souyeraine nor leave this village withoutthe will sovercign dy ‘ktoe dobertal sever doe sce domence du Comte d’Oberthal, seigneur = de_— ce_-— domaine, of Count Oberthal, Jord of this domain, cy vuvwaje dist le reno roedute dont ‘vous voyez d'ici Tes créneaux —_redoutés! ofwhom -youcansee fromhere —the battlements feared! (whose feared battlements you can see from here!) Fipks opre do yi Kuro ‘Auprésde Ini courons! To him — letusrun! (Fides wants 10 lead Berthe to the castle. When the two women have reached the steps of the stairway leading to the castle, the three Anabaptist appear at the top of the stairs. They approach and examine them with curiosity. Fides, afraid, comes back down the steps.)Le Prophéte, Act FIDES (to Berihe, ina low voice) kel 50 se tomo filgyrce sinistroe Quels sont ces hommes figures sinistres? Who are those men sinister faces? BERTHE (in a low voice) 6 dike dy treo On dit que du trés haut They say that from the Most High se s de s_—_—ministroe ce sont des saints ministres they are the holy ministers ki doe'pyt ‘kelkoe ta parkuree no kat qui depuis quelque temps parcourent nos _—_ cantons, who for some time have traveled our districts, repada parmi mu loer —‘daktee_ perez répandant parmi nous leurs doctes raisons! spreading among us their learned prayers! (The three Anabaptists on the hill extend their arms over the people as if to bless them) JONAS ad nos Ad nos! ZACHARIE Ad nos! ALL THREE ad nos ad salutatem ‘undam ‘terum venite ‘mize'i Ad nos ad salutatem undam iterum venite miseri! (Come to us and seek salvation, you poor people!) (The three Anabaptists come down to the peasanis,) CHORUS ekuts lee sjel ki Je_ zéspiroe Ecoutons —_leciel_ qui _ les inspire! Let us listen to heaven, which inspires them! ZACHARIE (mounting a milestone to address the people) dee se fa fekode ces champs fecondés these fields fertilized tora par vo sycer longtemps —_par vos sueurs, foralong time through your sweat,ee 12 wile wu eat: Te voulez-vous Etre enfin les do you wish tobe atlast_ the (Do you wish to finally be the lords and masters of these fields that because of your sweat and hard work?) Ico vule vu Le voulez-vous? Do you wish it? ‘THE THREE Ad nos, ad salutarem, ete. Le Prophéte, Act I ‘metre re seeer maitres et selgneurs? masters and lords? have long been fertile JONAS (leaning down to another group of peasants) voty koe se fato ° tureloe_ wzattjerce Veux-tu que ces chiiteaux aux tourelles —_altléres Do youwish that those castles with their towers haughty desidoe to nivo de ply. 'z0Bbloe Jomjerce descendent au niveau des plus hhumbles_——chaumiléres? should come down tothe level ofthe most humble cottages? lee vo ty Le veux-tu? Do you wish it? THE THREE Ad nos, et MATHISEN esklavoe, _7e-—-vaso to tL va 3eenu Escaves et_—~—svassaux, = trop longtemps = genoux, Slaves and vassals, too long. ‘on yourknees, se ki fy, _tabese se'levor leeve vit ce qui fut abaissé s'éleve. Levez-vous! that which was lowered isrising! Rise! ALL THREE Levez-vous! (The peasants are moved and confer among themselves. They choose one of their number 10 Speak to the preachers. At first the peasant is unvilling, but his companions forward.) FIRST PEASANT (timidly) si se bo Ainsi ces beaux ‘Then those handsome JONAS (with fire) i vu zapartjedro Ils vous appartiendront! They will belong to you! thrust him fato chateaux? castles?Le Prophete, Act I 13 SECOND PEASANT (timidly) la dims, e = la._——skor'vewe La Dime et —la_—corvée? The tithes and the forced labor? JONAS, ZACHARIE ‘ele disparetro Elles disparaitront! They will disappear! FIRST PEASANT © mse ze vaso Et nous, serfs et —_-vassaux? And we, serfs and vassals? JONAS, then ZACHARIE, MATHISEN bree, 26 see segur Libres en ce_— séjour! Free in this abode! SECOND PEASANT emo _zasje sepoer Et n0s_—_anciens seigneurs? ‘And our former lords! ‘THE THREE esklavee, za eer_— tur Esclaves deur tour! Slaves in their. tum! SOME MEN (conferring among themselves) iL re'nb ekute Ie Tisont raison écoutez-lest They are right; Listen to them! SOME WOMEN il die wre dip par, Jest Is disent vrai; Dieu parle ainsit They tell the truth; God speaks like that! SOME MEN nu le suyivi Nous les suivrons! We will follow them! "The American ten cent coin is called a “dime”, the tenth part of a Dollar ~ ergo, atthe, But the tithes they are referring to are probably not money but one's output, crops, herds, etc.4 Le Prophite, Act I OTHER MEN em, Uzi Et nous aussit And we too! SOME MEN pwe doe reetar Point de retard! No delaying! OTHER MEN pwé doe mersi Point de mercit No mercy! SOME WOMEN (to the peasants) vu, izetce for pyisd WL yzetee gtd Vous es forts, puissants, yous ites grands! You are strong, powerful, you are _—_ great! ‘THE MEN voene alo Venez, allons! Come let us go! ‘THREE ANABAPTISTS Ad nos, ete. CHORUS se, _zopte'scor_ se vil, titd—kryel_se'poer ces ils tyrans, cruels seigneurst those vile tyrants, cruel lords! Ces oppresseurs Those oppressors @ yG36 nu syr no itil ‘meetee tus ‘Ah! vengeons-nous sur nos tyrans, qu'il meurent tous! ‘Ah! Letusavenge ourselves on our tyrants, etthem all’ diel locvs nu malice ca kin katte Levons-nous! Malheur A qui_—_ nous combattrait, Letusarise! Woe to him who would fight us, sO sypli we ot pre son supplice ——est’_— tout —prét, his punishment is allready, dig ‘since tare Dieu signe arrét! God signs the decree! (The peasants run to their pitehforks and scythes. Brandishing them, they line up and march in military fashion, leading the three Anabaptists in triumph.)Le Prophote, Act I 1s MATHISEN, ZACHARIE (with enchusiam) 9 mwa do sip se ta viktwarce 6 roi des —cieux, c'est ta victoire, Oh king of | heaven itis Thy victory, dip de kOba ‘vejoe syr nu Dieu des combats, —veille. sur nous! God of battles, watch over us! JONAS Sur nous! , ZACHARIE vers ta ‘glware verront ta gloire, The nations shall see Thy glory, ta Sétoe wa Iyira pur tus ta sainte lol Iuira Pour tous! Thy holy law shallshine forall! JONAS Pour tous! MATHISEN, ZACHARIE suive ny gai dj@— ceva se ke gr gr suivez-nous, “amis, Dieu le veut! Crest le grand jour! Follow us, friends,God wants it! tis the great day! kee laliberte = sa no__tra‘mur Que laliberté soit notre amour, Let liberty be our love, © dy mate dja lee vo et du_—_monde entier, Diew le veut! and ofthe world whole, as God so wishes, (and of the whole world,) 5 drapo focra lee tur Son drapean fera le tour! His banner will make the rounds! THE THREE Dieu le veut! syive mu fer k6papo Suivez-nous, ehers compagnons! Follow us, dear comrades! cHorus O roi des cieux, ete. © zarmoe liberte a vie mu scekurir Aux irmes! Liberté, ah! viens nous secourir, To arms! Liberty, th come aidus,16 Le Prophite, Act 1 nu teva pur tsk 1, Nous t'inyoquons, pour ton saint mom, We invoke Thee, in Thy holy name, vee _kru muir vaincre ou mourir! to vanquish or —_—todie! ‘THE THREE ‘Aux armes! Ad nos, suivez-nous, ete. (All the peasants, armed with their pitchforks, clubs and other implements, fling themselves dt the stairway leading io the casile. The doors of the castle open. Count Oberthal comes ‘out, He is surrounded by lords, his friends, with whom he converses, laughing. At the sight of ‘him, the peasants stop. Those who had almost reached the top of the stairs come down in fright, hiding their weapons. Oberthal advances calmly amid the peasants, who greet him.) BERTHE Joe ‘k@tee dobertal oe sepoer Jotcee Le Comte d'Oberthal, le seigneur—chiitelain! ‘Count Oberthal, the lord ofthe castle! OBERTHAL doe kel kris moenasd. se vizagor ‘ristoe De quels cris menagants ces_—_visages tristes With what shouts threatening these faces sad ‘ruble til dds myr_—sdla_—ge'te, dy festé o troublent-ils dans nos murs In gaité du —_festin? Ant threaten within our walls the —_gaiety of our feasting? Ah! (What threatening shouts and sad faces disturb the gay festivity within our walls, ab!) sola nee sO til pa doe se_ tanabatistoe Couxa ne sont-ils pas de ces Anabaptistes, Those (men) there, aren't they the Anabaptists, se flge pyrita se, Lennyije prefer ces fougueux puritans, ces. enmuyeux —_précheurs, those fiery puritans, those annoying _ preachers, soema party dito Teer ‘dogmee, ——_78postoer semant partout, dit-on, leurs dogmes imposteurs? sowing everywhere, so they say, their dogmas false? (their false dogmas?) ‘THE THREE ANABAPTISTS maleer ‘nobler se;ncer a selyi dO Ie_ zip Matheur, noble seigneur, & ~— celui dont _ les yeux Woe, noble lord, to him whose eyes noe ‘suvree ka leer ne s‘ouvrent —qu'a_ erreur! don't open ‘but to error!Le Prophete, Act I v OBERTHAL © me vreima gee krwa_ oe roskonetrce Eh,mais vraiment, je_—erois-_le reconnaitre, Ah, why truly, 1 think recognize him, wise gonas oui c'est Jonas, yes, its Jonas, mo__nasjé il mevole ma mon ancien il mevolait_ = mon__vin, my old he used tosteal my wine, ©. til soe dize ‘metrce dont il sedisait maitre ofwhich he called himself the master! (io his soldiers) kee le fro dy ‘sabre Que Ie — fourrean = du_— sabre Tet the —scabbard ofthe _ saber © da_—_tee fate solda ko lee ‘fasce aide “A —lechatier! —_Soldats, qu'on Te chasse! help to punish him! —_ Soldiers, hayehim driven out! elwaipe sa filgy._réfernaloe éloignez sa figure infernale! drive away his face infernal! (The soldiers lead the three Anabaptists away. Oberthal notices Berthe.) a 'seloe si Ah! celle Ah, — that one koe vety que —veux-tu, what do you want, Avance et Approach and BERTHE (aside) ma ‘merce elas Ma mere, hélast My mother, alas, vo mio vaut micux! ismuch better! ma my parle 30. fre'joer parle sans frayeur! speak without fear! se oer j'ai bien peur! Tam quite afraid! FIDES (reassuring Berthe) Swa sO rete, seesqi la wi pur tee dome dy keer Scit sans crainte, _—jesuis 1A oui_—spour tedonner du eceur! Tam here, yes to give you —_courage! Be without fear,18 Le Prophete, Act I ROMANCE FOR TWO VOICES BERTHE (sweetly) & sr dai fe flo due ta moze Un jour dans es flots. de Ia Meuse One day in the ~— waves of —_the Meuse (river) salle perir 34 mee Sova jfallais périr, ‘Jean me sauva! Iwas about to die (and) Jean saved me! FIDES (bowing to the lord) Jean Ia sauva! Jean saved her! BERTHE rfoeli_ ne bE malérozce © doepyi soe ur Orpheline &~—bien_malheureuse, depuis ce jour Orphaned and very unhappy, since that day 38 mee prote'sa Jean me protégea! Jean protected me! Kips Jean la protégea! Jean protected her! BERTHE 3e kone ‘votroe drwa _sy'premee Je connais votre droit supréme, 1 amaware of your right supreme, me 3 "memoc do tu 83 keer mais Jean m'aime de tout son coeur! but Jean lovesme with all~—his-_—_—heart! a md du sefpoer perme'te mwa ‘detroe sa famoe ‘Ah! mon doux seigneur, _—permettez-moi d'étre sa femme. Ab, omy — kind lord, allowme tobe his wife. FIDES me 38 ‘lemoe de om ker Vaime de tout son cceurt lovesher with all_—his.—_heart! permete Iyi ‘detror sa famoe Permettez-Ini d'étre sa femme! allowher tobe his wife! BERTHE mwa vasa 10 ‘votre domence Mol, vassale en votre domaine, 1, vassal in your domain,Le Prophete, Act I ze silos or nie je suis, hélas, or ni ien, Tam, alas, without gold nor possessions, tus Icesave: je tous lesavent _ien! everyone ——_knowsiit well! FIDES Tous Ie savent bie © 34 kee sO, _natmur Strence v9 mepuzer Et Jean, que son amour entraine, veut __m’épouser, And Jean, whom his love carries away, wants tomarry me, (by his love carried away,) mva ki one re moi qui n'ai_rient 1 who have nothing! FIDES ele ki ona rje Elle qui n'a__rient She, who has nothing! BERTHE vwatsi sa mere ki re'klamoe Voici sa mere qui—_réclame Here is his mother, who implores pur 30 fis mas mB | em keer Pour son fils ma main et mon cceur: for her sons my hand and = my heart soe temo: ta Je aime tant! I love him so much! Ah! mon seigneurt etc. FIDES sa mE e@ sé keer'elce ‘teow a Sa main et som cceur; elle I'sime tant! Her hand and her heart; she loveshim ——_somuch! Ab! mon seigneur, ete. OBERTHAL (looking ai Berthe amorously) ekwa 10 doe Kaldoer datre © dinosasce ‘Tant de candeur, —di'attraits et ~—_d'innocence So much candor, charms and innocence20 Le Prophete, Act I soere perdy pur mu kitoere se lie seraient perdus pour nous et quitteraient ces xt wouldbe lost «to. © us. = and_~—wouldleave these _ places! (What! A fair maiden showing such charm, candor and innocence would then leave these places [and thus be unavailable to me]?) nd ye roefyzoe Non, je refuse! No 1 refuse! BERTHE, FIDES, CHORUS Abt BERTHE kel aller Quel malheur! ‘What misfortune! FIDES ‘A! quel malheur! BERTHE, FIDES, CHORUS o — mivelce efamice © mortel 1 allarmee nouvelle infarnie! 6 ——mortelles. —_alarmes! Oh —(whai)new infamy! oh mortal alarms! fo til elas sce sume, tra. sce ‘Septroe dere faut-il hélast sesoumettre i ce _sceptre @airain? must we, alas, submit to this scepter of bronze? (Fides, in the midst of the peasants, shames them for their cowardice and begs them to defend Berthe and to demand justice for her. Aroused by these reproaches, the peasants ‘advance with a resolute and threatening aititude toward Oberthal, who chats blithely with the other lords. At their approach, Oberthal turns; the vassals stop, aghast and trembling.) OBERTHAL se le di soe. dee wo mwa sener fotorle Je [ai dit, Je le veux, moi, seigneur _—_chiitelain! 1 have saidit, f ——wishit, lord of the castle! sede tw so deir dy sener fatocle Cédez tous au désirs du seigneur—chaitelain! Give in, allofyou, tothe wishes of the lord of the castle! solda soldats! soldiers! Fuyons! Let us flee! (During Oberihat's last verses, some guards of his entourage have surrounded Berthe and Fidés, whom they drag into the castle. Oberthal and his friends follow and the doors closeLe Prophéte, Act I 21 behind them. The peasanis are cowed and withdraw. The psalm of the Anabaptists is heard in the distance.) ‘THREE ANABAPTISTS (offstage) Ad nos, ad salutatem, ete. (The populace, hearing the chant of the Anabaptists, run toward them. The three Anabaptists reappear and extend their hands over the kneeling peasants, while gesturing menacingly toward the castle of Oberthal.) END OF ACTI— rl —er Oe tt—~™ 2 Le Prophéte, Act acti (Anside the inn of Jean and his mother on the outskirts of Leyden. A casement window opens to the countryside beyond. From outside a waltz tune can be heard. After setting a table with pitchers of ale, Jean goes to open the rear door. He sees some peasants, men and ‘women, enjoying themselves waltzing. Still dancing, the peasants enter the inn. Several sit at tables and sing, while the others continue outside.) CHORUS vats tvgur wi la val. sas mel Uza'mur Nae, tales, fod te vl a et smears) Letus waltz always, yes, the waltz to my —_love; vals Jato fer zamie vive 3a valsons, chantons —chers- amis, et vive Jeant Ietus waltz, letussing, dear friends, and longlive Jean! A SOLDIER a6 pur le dsccr aporte doe la ‘bjerce Allons, pour les danseurs —apportez_ © de_—labiieret Come now, for the dancers bring some beer! ver, _sami 30 "Versor Verse, ami Jean, verse! Pour,” friend Jean, pour! JONAS (ina low voice, to the other tvo Anabaptists) silsoe Silence! Silence! A SOLDIER isi lo vik ‘dusce Ici la vie est’ = duce Here (the) life is easy pur le sefpeer e le soda tala Pour les Selgneurs et_—iles_—_soldats, tra ia for the lords and the soldiers, «= tral Verse, ami Jean! CHORUS wi isi | je dO dee la. “bjerce Jean, ici, viens, donc, dela biére! Jean, here, come, then, some beer! isi lo tavernje 302 krwa Kil mu aatblice Tei letavernier, je —crois qu'il nous oublie! Here, inkeeper! think he has forgotten us! JEAN (aside) le sures © ma_—_meree ‘bjt soe'ra dee roetur Le jour _aisse et ma_—m’re__ientOt sera de retour The day —_ is dying and my mother soon willbe backaivek ma fidisece avec ma fiancée, with my betrothed, JONAS (looking at Jean) 9 siel 0 ciel! Oh heavens! ZACHARIE ka ty do Qu’as-tu done? What is wrong with you? JONAS (in a low voice) reegardee sce 30, Regarde ce_—‘jeune Look at that young ZACHARIE (in a low voice) a __nefe En effet... In effect MATHISEN (likewise) wi se tre Oui, ces traits. Yes, those features ZACHARIE la reesbla, sel La ressembiance est The resemblance is JONAS © devo mwa vivo Etdevant moi, vivant, And before me, alive, david lo wa david David, le roi_—David David, the king David MATHISEN se tablo ko Ce tableau qwon That painting thatis PASH fe et qui fait and which performs JONAS Silence! Le Prophéte, Act It 2B ma bertoe m0__na'mur ma Berthe,mon amour. my —Berthe, my love! _nomee iomme! 2) seer lgtee et cet and that manner! ~tinutice inoute! unheard off 3e kry wa ra sO _ner Paicra voir i son air, Thelieve Ise by his. manner ko nado mynster quion adore Miinster. who is worshipped in Minster. wnadmir = ‘natroe.westfalice admire en notre Westphalie admired in our Westphalia tule sur de mirakloe tous lesjours des miracles! every day miracles!24 Le Prophete, Act II CHORUS als ‘verse viB_ Uist Allons, verse, views ici! Come now, pour, come here! ASOLDIER Jean! A PEASANT Jean! JONAS (to a peasant) ami ke, le se, tome Ami, quel est cet homme? Friend, who is that man? A PEASANT sa toe metre dy i Jean, Ie maitre du logis! Jean, the owner of this. inn! so kes ye, teksto wD son coeur est excellent et som his heart is excellent © and _—his JONAS te tardatce Té&te ardente? Head ardent? (ishe bold?) A PEASANT wi remo Oui, vraiment! Yes, truly! JONAS i le ‘braver Ts est_—_brave? He is courageous? A PEASANT © il separ keer ‘tutes Et : il salt’ par eceur toute And devout:he knows by heart allof ZACHARIE (aside, to his companions) Jer zai ne soe pala la'potra kil Chers amis, n°est-ce pas la Papétre qwil Dear friends, isn’t that the apostle that MATHISEN soelyi ka muzede —atpelee bra | © teribloe bras est terrible! am is awesome! la ‘bibloe la Bible! the Bible! nu fo nous faut? we need? le treoI EIEOSCS'SSSS Le Prophéie, Act II Celui qu’a nous sider —_appelle Je Tres haut! The man who to help us summons the Most High (The man whom the Most High summons to help us?) Kuve laters € = deemepo | edu couvrela terre et le repos est doux; covers the earth and rest is sweet; sat ber, te oma ‘mere ale ami reetive wu Pattends —Berthe et © ma_—mére, alllez, amis, retirez-vous! Lawait Berthe and my —mother,go, friends, retire! CHORUS partd sy Sasa tbelce Partons, il songe sa belle, Letus go, he’s thinking of his sweetheart parte le sje Je nwar dO swar Partons, le ciel est’ noir! Bon solr! Tetusgo, the sky is, Black! Good evening! (The peasants leave, still waltzing. After their deparnire the three Anabaptists remain on stage, while Jean sits dreamily at a table.) ZACHARIE (to Jean, tapping him on his shoulder) ami kel nya.