“La clemenza di Tito” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart libretto (English)

Contents: Cast; First Act; Second Act

Libretto: Caterino Tommaso Mazzolà (after Pietro Metastasio).
Premiere: 6 September 1791, Prague (Gräflich Nostitzches Nationaltheater).

FIRST ACT

Vitellia's apartments

Overture

FIRST SCENE
Vitellia, Sextus

Recitative

VITELLIA
What then, will you forever come
to tell me the same thing, Sextus? I know
that you have won over Lentulus, that his followers
are ready, that setting the Capitol on fire
will create a tumult. All this
I have already heard a thousand times;
but I never see my revenge. Are we perhaps waiting
for Titus, mad with love, before my very eyes
to offer Berenice my throne
that he has usurped, and his hand in marriage?
Speak then, what are we waiting for?

SEXTUS
O heavens!

VITELLIA
You sigh?

SEXTUS
Think further on it, my dear;
reflect on it. Ah, let us not in Titus
take from the world its delight, from Rome its father,
from us a friend.

VITELLIA
Have you then come to praise
my enemy to my face? And do you not remember
that this merciful hero usurps a throne
snatched by his father from mine?
That he deceived me and (this is his greatest sin)
tempted me almost into loving him?
And then he faithlessly recalls Berenice
once more to the Tiber!
He could at least have chosen a rival
worthy of me from among the beauties of Rome.
But to prefer a barbarian, an exile,
Sextus, to me, a queen!
SEXTUS
Ah, princess,

you are jealous.

VITELLIA
I!

SEXTUS
Yes.

VITELLIA
Am I jealous
if I do not suffer disdain?

SEXTUS
And yet...

VITELLIA
And yet you have not the spirit to win me.

SEXTUS
I am ...

VITELLIA
You are released from all your promises. I can find
someone more worthy to carry out my hatred.

SEXTUS
Hear me!

VITELLIA
I have heard enough.

SEXTUS
Wait!

VITELLIA
Farewell.

SEXTUS
Ah, Vitellia, my goddess,
do not leave me! Where are you going?
Forgive me; I believe you; I was wrong.

No. 1 - Duet

SEXTUS
Command me as you will;
order my every move.
You are my destiny;
I will do anything for you.

VITELLIA
Before the sun sets
I want the wretch dead.
You know he usurps a kingdom
that heaven allotted to me.

SEXTUS
Your fury already sets me aflame.

VITELLIA
Well, what more are you waiting for?

SEXTUS
Let one sweet look at least
be the reward for my devotion!

VITELLIA and SEXTUS
A thousand emotions wage
pitiless war together within me.
There is no soul
more tormented than mine.

SECOND SCENE
Annius and the same

Recitative

ANNIUS
Come quickly, friend;
Caesar summons you to him.

VITELLIA
Ah, do not waste
these brief moments that Titus
has stolen from Berenice.

ANNIUS
You insult our hero unjustly,
Vitellia. Titus is master
of the world and of himself. At his command
Berenice has already gone.

SEXTUS
What?

VITELLIA
What are you saying?

ANNIUS
You are right to be surprised. Rome weeps at it
in astonishment and pleasure. I myself
can hardly believe it; and I
was present, Vitellia, at their solemn parting.

VITELLIA
(My hopes revive!)
Sextus, defer
carrying out my orders: the time
is not yet ripe for the blow.

SEXTUS
And you do not want me to see ...
or to complain, cruel one!

VITELLIA
Now what did you see?
Of what can you complain?

SEXTUS
Nothing. (O heaven!
Who ever suffered torments like mine!)

No. 2 - Aria

VITELLIA
Ah, if you wish to please me,
cast aside your suspicions;
do not weary me
with these irksome doubts.

He who blindly believes
obliges one to keep faith;
he who always expects
to be betrayed invites betrayal.

Exit

THIRD SCENE
Annius, Sextus

Recitative

ANNIUS
My friend, this is the moment
to make me happy. You promised me
Servilia's hand. Nothing is wanting
but the Emperor's consent.
Now you can ask it of him.

SEXTUS
Your every wish,
Annius, is law to me. I too, Annius,
impatiently desire this new bond.

No. 3 - Duettino

ANNIUS and SEXTUS
Ah, let me embrace you dearly,
my faithful friend,
and may heaven ever keep
your friendship constant for me.

Exeunt.

FOURTH SCENE
Chorus, Publius, Annius, Titus, Sextus

Part of the Roman Forum, splendidly adorned with arches, obelisks and trophies: in the foreground the exterior of the Capitol and a magnificent street leading up to it.

Publius, Roman senators and envoys from the subject Provinces, present to pay the Senate their annual tribute. Titus, preceded by lictors, followed by the Praetorian Guard and surrounded by a large crowd, comes down from the Capitol.

No. 4 - March

No. 5 - Chorus

CHORUS
O gods who guard
the fate of Rome,
preserve in Titus the just, the strong,
the glory of our age.

At the end of the chorus Annius and Sextus enter from opposite sides.

Recitative

PUBLIUS
to Titus
Today the Senate hails you
as father of our country; and never were
its decrees more just, O invincible Emperor.

ANNIUS
The Senate has decreed a lofty temple to you,
and there it is desired
that Rome shall also, among the divine honours,
worship Titus as a god.

PUBLIUS
We devote to this task the annual tributes
of the subject provinces. Do not, Titus, disdain
these public tokens of our love.

TITUS
Romans,
hear me: Vesuvius has spewed forth
from its throat, more violently than ever,
rivers of fire;
it has shaken the rocks
and filled the fields around
and the neighbouring cities with ruins.
The wretched people
are fleeing:
but poverty oppresses
those spared by the fire. Let that gold serve
to repair the havoc of all those victims.

This, O Romans, is to build me a temple.

ANNIUS
O true hero!

PUBLIUS
How inadequate for you
are all rewards and all praises!

TITUS
Enough, enough, my loyal subjects.
Let Sextus approach; Annius, do not go.
All others may withdraw.

All leave the atrium: there remain only Titus, Sextus and Annius.

(No. 4 - March)

(No. 5 - Chorus)

CHOIR
O gods who guard, etc.

Recitative

ANNIUS
(Now, Sextus,
speak for me.)

SEXTUS
How, my lord, could you send
your fair queen away?

TITUS
Ah, Sextus, my friend,
how terrible a moment! I did not think ...
Enough: I conquered; she is gone. Let Rome now
free itself from all suspicions
of seeing her my wife. It wishes
to see one of its own daughters on my throne,
and I must satisfy it. Since love
vainly chose my bonds, I wish at least
for friendship to forge them.
Let the Imperial blood be united to yours, Sextus.
Your sister shall be my bride this day.

SEXTUS
Servilia!

TITUS
Exactly.

ANNIUS
(O woe is me!)

SEXTUS
(O heavens,
Annius is lost.)

TITUS
Did you hear?
What do you say? Have you no answer?

SEXTUS
Titus ...

ANNIUS
Caesar, I know
Sextus's heart.
But you should not heed his counsel.
How could you select
a bride more worthy
of the empire and of you? Virtue, beauty –
Servilia has them all. I could see in her face
that she was born to rule.
This is fulfilment of my presentiments.

SEXTUS
(Annius saying this? Am I dreaming or awake?)

TITUS
Then, Annius, you bear her the tidings.
And you, dear Sextus, follow me
and put aside your doubts.
You shall have such a share
in the throne, and I will so elevate you
that very little will remain
of that vast gap
which the gods set between Sextus and Titus.

SEXTUS
This is too much, my lord. At least,
Caesar, if you do not wish us
to be ungrateful, limit your generosity.

TITUS
How then? (If you deny me
my generosity, what do you leave me?)

No. 6 - Aria

TITUS
This is the sole fruit
of the most splendid of thrones:
all the rest is torment,
all else is servitude.

What should I have, were I also
to lose the only happy hours I have
in helping those in distress,
in raising up my friends,
in awarding riches
to merit and to valour?

This is the sole fruit, etc.

Exit with Sextus

FIFTH SCENE
Annius, Servilia

Recitative

ANNIUS
I must not regret it. This was the duty
of a generous lover. My heart, put aside
your former tenderness: she who was your idol
is your sovereign. Love must change to respect.
Here she is. O heaven!
She has never seemed so lovely to my eyes.

SERVILIA
My dearest ...

ANNIUS
Hush, Servilia. Now it is forbidden
to call me so.

SERVILIA
Why?

ANNIUS
Caesar has chosen you
(what martyrdom!) to be his bride.
He enjoined me (I feel close to death!)
to bring you the tidings (O agony!), and I ...
I was ... (I cannot speak). My Empress, farewell!

SERVILIA
What! Wait! I Caesar's bride?
But why?

ANNIUS
Because he could not find
beauty and virtue
more worthy of an Empire ... O heavens!
What shall I say? Permit me, my Empress,
to take my leave.

SERVILIA
Will you leave me in such confusion?
Explain: tell me,
how did it happen? In what way?

ANNIUS
I am lost unless I go, beloved.

No. 7- Duet

ANNIUS
Ah, forgive, my former love,
that thoughtless word;
it was the fault of lips
accustomed always to call you so.

SERVILIA
Ah, you were the first person
whom I ever truly loved;
and you will be the last
to be sheltered in my heart.

ANNIUS
Dear words of my beloved!

SERVILIA
O my sweet, dear hope!

SERVILIA and ANNIUS
The more I hear your words,
the greater grows my passion.
When one soul unites with another,
what joy a heart feels!
Ah, eliminate from life
all that is not love!

Exeunt

SIXTH SCENE
A pleasant apartment in the imperial palace on the Palatine
Titus, Servilia

Recitative

TITUS
Servilia! My Empress!

SERVILIA
Ah, my lord, do not yet
confer on me so great a title. Hear me first.
I must reveal a secret to you.

TITUS
Speak ...

SERVILIA
My heart,
my lord, is no longer mine.
Annius stole it from me long ago. I have not
sufficient courage to forget him.
Even were I Empress, despite myself,
my thoughts would follow the same path.
I know that to oppose an Emperor's will
is a crime; but at least let all
be made known to my sovereign;
then, if he wants me for his bride, here is my hand.

TITUS
I thank you, O gods in heaven, that one has been found
who will dare to speak an unwelcome truth.
For your greatness Annius sets aside
his own peace! You refuse a throne
to be faithful to him! And I was to upset
such tender love! Ah, Titus's heart
cannot harbour wicked sentiments.
Cast aside all fears. I will
tie so noble a knot. If only our state
had more citizens like you!

No. 8 - Aria

TITUS
Ah, if about a throne
every heart were so sincere,
a vast empire would be
not a torment but bliss.
Rulers should not have
to suffer such deep anxiety
to distinguish hidden truth
from deception.

Ah, if about a throne, etc.

Exit

SEVENTH SCENE
Servilia, then Vitellia

Recitative

SERVILIA
How happy I am!

VITELLIA
May I offer my sovereign
the first tokens of my respect?
May I adore that face for which
Titus's heart, wounded by love,
has lost its rest?

SERVILIA
Do not be angry with me;
perhaps the imperial hand is destined for you.

Exit

EIGHTH SCENE
Vitellia, then Sextus

Recitative

VITELLIA
Does she still mock me?
Must I still suffer
shameful scorn? Ah, how ostentatiously
she leaves me here. Cruel Titus,
was it not enough to choose Berenice before me? I am
then the last of the living. Ah, ingrate, tremble,
tremble at having offended me! Today your blood ...

SEXTUS
Beloved...

VITELLIA
Well, what news do you bring?
Is the Capitol on fire? Is it in ashes?
Where is Lentulus? Is Titus punished?

SEXTUS
Nothing has yet been undertaken.

VITELLIA
Nothing! And you return so coolly before me?

SEXTUS
It was your command
to defer the blow.

VITELLIA
And did you not hear
the new affronts to me?
Do you need further spurs?
Know then that I loved Titus,
that he prevents you
from winning my heart; that if he remains alive
I may relent; that I could perhaps love him again
(I do not trust myself).
Now go: if you are unmoved
by desire for glory, ambition, love,
if you can tolerate a rival
who stole my affections, now opposes them
and could steal them from you,
I will say you are the most despicable of men.

SEXTUS
You assail me from every side!Enough, enough, no more: your fury,
Vitellia, has already inspired me.
You soon shall see the Capitol aflame
and this dagger in Titus's breast ...

VITELLIA
And what are you thinking now?
Then hurry: what are you doing? Why do you not go?

No. 9 - Aria

SEXTUS
I go, but, my dearest,
make peace again with me.
I will be what you would most
have me be, do whatever you wish.

Look at me, and I will forget all
and fly to avenge you;
I will think only
of that glance at me.
Ah, ye gods, what power
you have given beauty!

Exit

NINTH SCENE
Vitellia, then Publius and Annius

Recitative

VITELLIA
You will see, Titus, that this face
is not so unworthy after all. At least it suffices
to seduce your friends from you,
even if it fails to attract you. You will be sorry...

PUBLIUS
You here, Vitellia? Ah hurry,
Titus is on his way to your apartments.

ANNIUS
Vitellia, do not delay:
the Emperor is looking for you.

VITELLIA
The Emperor!

PUBLIUS
Do you not yet know?
He has chosen you as his consort.

ANNIUS
You are our Empress; and we are the first
to pay you homage.

PUBLIUS
Come, princess: the Emperor is waiting.

No. 10 - Trio

VITELLIA
I am coming ... Wait ... Sextus! ...
Alas! ... Sextus! ... Has he left? ...
O my fatal indignation!
O my insane fury!
What anguish, what torment!
Oh god, I freeze with horror!

PUBLIUS and ANNIUS
O how great happiness
can confuse a heart!

Exeunt

TENTH SCENE
Sextus alone, then Annius, Servilia, Publius, Vitellia

The Capitol, as above

No. 11 - Accompanied Recitative

SEXTUS
O heavens, what frenzy this is,
what a torment within my heart! I quake, freeze,
set out, draw back; every breath, every shadow
alarms me. I never thought it
so hard to undertake villainy.
But I must fulfil my task. At least let me go
to my death with courage. Courage? And how
can a traitor show that? Unhappy Sextus!
You a traitor! How shameful a name! And yet
you hasten to earn it. And whom are you betraying?
The greatest, the most just, the most merciful
prince of earth, to whom you owe
everything you possess, everything you are. Handsome
reward you make him, in truth. He raised you up to
make you his killer. Let the ground swallow me up
before I become such. Ah, Vitellia, I have no heart
to further your wrath.
I would die before striking him this blow.

A fire breaks out in the Capitol, gradually increasing.

It must be stopped ... but how?
The Capitol is already ablaze.
I hear a great din
of arms and soldiers: alas, repentance is too late.

No. 12 - Quintet with Chorus

SEXTUS
O ye gods, preserve
the glory of Rome,
or at least also
cut short my days with his.

ANNIUS
Friend, where are you going?

SEXTUS
I am going ... O heavens,
you will know by my shame.
He hurriedly enters the Capitol.

ELEVENTH SCENE

ANNIUS
I do not understand Sextus ...
But here comes Servilia.

SERVILIA
Ah, what a dreadful uproar!

ANNIUS
Fly from here, my dearest.

SERVILIA
It is feared that the fire
may not have started by accident,
but was purposely raised
with evil intent.

CHORUS
in the distance
Ah!

PUBLIUS
There is a conspiracy in Rome;
alas, I fear for Titus;
who could be the author
of this treachery?

CHORUS
Ah!

SERVILIA, ANNIUS, PUBLIUS
The cries I hear, alas ...

CHORUS
Ah!

SERVILIA, ANNIUS, PUBLIUS
... make me freeze with horror.

Enter Vitellia

CHORUS
Ah!

TWELFTH SCENE

VITELLIA
O heaven! For pity's sake,
who can tell me where Sextus is?
(I hate myself, and am
in terror of myself.)

SERVILIA, ANNIUS, PUBLIUS
Who could be the author
of this treachery?

CHORUS
Ah! Ah!

VITELLIA, SERVILIA, ANNIUS, PUBLIUS
The cries I hear, alas,
make me freeze with horror.

CORO
Ah! Ah!

Sextus comes from the Capitol

THIRTEENTH SCENE

SEXTUS
(Ah, where can I hide?
Earth, open up and swallow me,
and enclose a traitor
in your deep bosom.)

VITELLlA
Sextus!

SEXTUS
What do you want of me?

VITELLIA
Why do you look around so wildly?

SEXTUS
The daylight terrifies me.

VITELLIA
Titus?

SEXTUS
His pierced breast yielded up
his noble soul.

SERVILIA, ANNIUS, PUBLIUS
What wicked hand could
have stained itself with such a crime?

SEXTUS
It was the most villainous of men,
the horror of nature;
it was ...

VITELLIA
Be silent, madman;
do not give yourself away.

VITELLIA, SERVILIA, SEXTUS, ANNIUS, PUBLIUS
Ah, then extinguished is the star,
the bearer of peace.

TUTTI, CHORUS
O black betrayal!
O day of sorrow!

Contents: Cast; First Act; Second Act