La Ópera del Columpio (2008)

Ancla 1

SYNOPSIS

Gilbert, Baron de Grasse, has a very young mistress, Veilleuse, whom he showers with gifts and pampering. Their encounters take place in a labyrinthine garden where the lover likes to swing in front of a statue of Cupid and wants someone to recite love verses claiming Gilbert for his clumsiness for poetry. Gilbert announces that he must leave on a short trip to Vienna. Meanwhile, Jean Antoine, a young poet, will court Baroness Adela during the Baron's absence, but she is jealous because she considers Veilleuse younger, prettier and overflowing with charms; so she asks her poet to seduce her into forgetting her husband.

SYNOPSIS

Gilbert, Grasse's Baron, has a young lover, Veilleuse, who constantly spoils with gifts and affections. Their meetings take place in a labyrinthine garden where the lover likes to swing in front of a Cupid statue and whishes that someone recites her love verses claiming Gilbert for his poetry clumsiness. Gilbert announces he must leave in a short trip to Vienna. Meanwhile Jean Antoine, a young poet, will court the Baroness Adela during the Baron's absence but she is jealous because she considers Veilleuse younger, prettier and with overflowing of charms, so that he asks his poet to seduce her so she forgets about her husband.

THE SWING OPERA

Inspired by "The happy chances of the swing", painting by Jean Honoré Fragónard.

Libretto: Gustavo Palacios Pilo
Music: Juan Gerardo Candiotti

CHARACTERS

Gilbert (Baron de Grasse)

Adele (Baroness de Grasse)

Jean-Antoine (a gallant young man)

Veilleuse (the Baron's Mistress)

Cupid (Swing Garden Stone Statue)

THE SWING´S OPERA

Inspired in Jean Honoré Fregónard´s painting “The Happy Accidents of the Swing”.

Scripts: Gustavo Palacios Pilo
Music: Juan Gerardo Candioti

CHARACTERS

Gilbert (Grasse's Baron)

Adela (Grasse's Baroness)

Jean Antoine (galant young man)

Veilleuse (The Baron lover)

Cupid (stone statue in the swing garden)

Ancla 2

SHORT INSTRUMENTAL OVERTURE

SCENE 1
Swing garden. Veilleuse swings half-heartedly as the Baron helps her by pushing her, lining the path of the swing with rose petals.

Watch:
Just one thing I want to know.
If you love me as it should be.

Gilbert:
How can I not make my cocoon soft?
You are a butterfly in this garden and with your swing.
You fly to the edge

Veilleuse (with affected tenderness):
I never hear those words from your mouth.
Those that in the poet sound like waterfalls.

Gilbert:
It's just that I'm very clumsy, but I love you, beautiful.
And I will entertain you while the world is.

Veilleuse (anxiously capricious):
Bring me poems, bring me words, bring me a voice.
That shakes my soul.

Gilbert:
Is that all you ask for? Do you ask for a poem?

Veilleuse (subtly challenging):
Just so I know that your love is not a pipe dream.

> Brief silence.

Veilleuse / Gilbert (with splendor):
May it be a divine choir that unites us both.
In the sweet reverie of the loving moon.

SCENE 2
Baroness room. Jean Antoine woos her by serving her tea with pompous and effeminate gestures.

Jean-Antoine:
Baroness!
Your husband is not going to Vienna yet.
And I already court you in such pleasant evenings.
But, I notice you worried
as if nothing mattered to you.

Adela, The Baroness:
My husband has that girl for a lover.
And he showers her with gifts as it was with me before.

Jean-Antoine:
But, Madame, it is customary for a nobleman to do so.
Do you not have someone to accompany you when you please?

Adela, The Baroness (dramatic):
But I suspect something else is going on between those two.
A love that is growing and that has me poisoned.

Jean Antoine (theatrically shocked):
Seven swords, Baroness, cross your heart!

Adela, La Baroness (sensually imperative):
I charge you, poet, to make use of your voice.
If you catch that girl, I'll have the Baron back.

Jean Antoine (with cheerful cynicism):
It is my trade, fair lady, and I will do it if you ask.
It will not be difficult at all if you are light of customs.
And easy to seduce.

Jean Antoine / The Baroness (wickedly funny):
And even if it wasn't, we can do it.
That it finally breaks and we can see it.
The cards will be put into play soon.
And we will be two who will enjoy.

BRIEF INSTRUMENTAL OVERTURE

FIRST-SCENE
Swing garden. Veilleuse swings with no enthusiasm while the Baron helps her by pushing her and surrounding the swing path with roses petals.

Watch:
Only one thing I want to know.
If you love me the way you suppose.

Gilbert:
My soft cocoon how wouldn´t I?
In this garden with your swing you are a butterfly.
To confinement you fly.

Veilleuse ((with affected tenderness):
Is that I never hear you say those words.
The ones that in a poet sound like waterfalls.

Gilbert:
It's because I'm clumsy but I love you beautiful.
And I´ll give you spoils until the world exists.

Veilleuse (anxious capricious):
Bring me poems, bring me words, bring me a voice.
Which shake my soul.

Gilbert:
Is that all you ask? You ask for a poem?

Veilleuse (subtly defiant):
Just so I can know your love is not a chimera.

>Brief silence.

Veilleuse / Gilbert (splendidly):
May it be a divine chorus that unites us both.
In the sweet dream of the loving moon.

SECOND SCENE
Baroness living room. Jean Antoine courts her by serving tea with bombastic and mannered gests.

Jean-Antoine:
Baroness!
To Vienna your husband still hasn´t left.
And here I am courting you in this enjoyable evening.
Still I feel you are worried.
As if nothing mattered.

Baroness Adele:
My husband has that child for a lover.
And spoils her with presents like me when I was younger.

Jean-Antoine:
But madam is usual that a noble do so.
Haven't you got someone to accompany you?

Baroness Adela (dramatically):
But I suspect that there is something else between those two.
A love that grows and poisons me too.

Jean Antoine (theatrically shocked):
Seven swords Baroness crossing your heart!

Baroness Adela (sensually imperative):
I charge you poet to make use of your voice.
I´ll have the Baron back if you snatch that girl.

Jean Antoine (with joyous cynicism):
It´s my trade beautiful lady and I´ll do it if you command.
It´ll not be hard if she´s light of customs.
And easy to seduce.

Jean Antoine / The Baroness (Malevolently amused):
And even if she wasn´t we´ll can.
That it breaks up and we can see.
Soon we´ll deal all our cards.
And we will both be the ones who will enjoy.