[7/9/2011] Preview: Giordano's "Andrea Chénier" and the class war that wrote the book on class warfare (continued)

Ettore Bastianini as Gérard

Now we're going to pick up right after the Major-Domo's instruction regarding the positioning of the blue sofa.

GIORDANO: Andrea Chénier: Act I, Gérard, "Compiacente a' colloqui"

The MAJOR-DOMO goes to another part of the château followed by all the servants. GÉRARD, left behind, kneels before the blue sofa, unruffling the fringe, smoothing the satin covering, and arranging the curtains.

GÉRARD: Obliging to the discourse
of the dandy [we'll talk about this word "cicisbeo"]
who offered his hand
to mature ladies here!
Here Red Heels
said sighing to the Beauty-patch:
"Orinthia, or Chloris, or Nike, powdered,
oldish and painted,
I long for you
and, only on this account, perhaps,
I love you!"
Such is the custom of the times.

Ettore Bastianini (b), Gérard; Vienna State Opera Orchestra, Lovro von Matačić, cond. Live performance, June 26, 1960

Gérard's amusement ends abruptly. For this twist in the scene we go back to the end of the preceding excerpt.

GIORDANO: Andrea Chénier: Act I, Gérard, "Son sessant'anni, o vecchio, che tu servi"

An old man comes in from the garden carrying a heavy piece of furniture. GÉRARD throws down the duster he is holding and goes to help him. Weak and shaky, the old man leaves, disappearing through the garden. GÉRARD, much moved, watches him go.

GÉRARD: It's sixty years, old man,
that you've been a servant here!
On your insolent,
arrogant masters
you've lavished fidelity, sweat,
the strength of your nerves,
your soul, your mind . . .
and as if your own life didn't suffice
to carry on
eternally
the horrendous suffering,
you've given the existence
of your children . . .
[With immense disdain he strikes his breast with open hand, murmuring through tears]
You've fathered menials!

Giuseppe Taddei (b), Gérard; RAI Milan Symphony Orchestra, Angelo Questa, cond. Broadcast performance, Oct. 15, 1955

IF YOU GET THE FEELING THAT SOMETHING DRAMATIC
IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE, BOY, ARE YOU RIGHT!

We'll hear that in tomorrow's Sunday Classics post, followed by yet another twist in this ever-so-twisty little scene. For now, let's just put together the scene as far as we've gone.

Oh, and one more thing: Did I mention that Act I of Chénier takes place literally on the even of the French Revolution?

GIORDANO: Andrea Chénier: Act I, Gérard, "Questo azzurro sofà" . . ."Compiacenti a' colloqui" . . . "Son sessant'anni, o vecchio, che tu servi"

Servants, lackeys, valets, all under the command of an officious MAJOR-DOMO, run hither and thither carrying pieces of furniture about and placing it down where he instructs them to. GÉRARD, in full livery, lends a hand in carrying a heavy blue sofa.

MAJOR-DOMO: This blue sofa, let's put it there.

GÉRARD and the lackeys obey his orders. Then the MAJOR-DOMO goes to another part of the château followed by all the servants. GÉRARD, left behind, kneels before the blue sofa, unruffling the fringe, smoothing the satin covering, and arranging the curtains.

GÉRARD: Obliging to the discourse
of the dandy
who offered his hand
to mature ladies here!
Here Red Heels
said sighing to the Beauty-patch:
"Orinthia, or Chloris, or Nike, powdered,
oldish and painted,
I long for you
and, only on this account, perhaps,
I love you!"
Such is the custom of the times.

An old man comes in from the garden carrying a heavy piece of furniture. GÉRARD throws down the duster he is holding and goes to help him. Weak and shaky, the old man leaves, disappearing through the garden. GÉRARD, much moved, watches him go.

GÉRARD: It's sixty years, old man,
that you've been a servant here!
On your insolent,
arrogant masters
you've lavished fidelity, sweat,
the strength of your nerves,
your soul, your mind . . .
and as if your own life didn't suffice
to carry on
eternally
the horrendous suffering,
you've given the existence
of your children . . .
[With immense disdain he strikes his breast with open hand, murmuring through tears]
You've fathered menials!

József Moldvai (bs), Major-Domo; Giorgio Zancanaro (b), Gérard; Hungarian State Orchestra, Giuseppe Patané, cond. Sony/Hungaroton, recorded 1986


IN TOMORROW'S SUNDAY CLASSICS POST

As noted, we hear the full opening scene of Chénier, with a bit of a Chénier bonus.


RETURN TO THE BEGINNING OF THE POST

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