The Pipe of Desire

U.S. Opera
(U.S. Opera Home Page)

Composer: Frederick Converse
Libretto by George Edward Barton

Libretto

(Scene: A glade in the mountains. Spring.)
(FOREGROUND, open and brilliant with sun and suggestion of early flowers; forest dark and mysterious.)
(REAR, a mass of great rocks and trees with C entrance, as from valley.)
(LEFT REAR, a large flat rock (runway and entrance leading up L and thence to C with a view into valley.)
(LEFT CENTRE, FROMT, a mossy bank used as a seat and couch.)
(As the curtain rises, the Elves are discovered at work and assembling from all sides.)
CHORUS OF ELVES
The fallow field lies in the sun,
The waters are rising thro' the woods,
And the bright morning which yesterday smiled upon the white coverlet of sleeping nature
Now gives with each breath new life to the little folk of earth and air.
The fawn sees with wonder
The dry twigs become green
The old bear uprearing
Now yawns with yearning,
Even the stones, freed by the flying frost,
Roll joyfully into the valley.
(Enter 1st UNDINE, C from R.)
1st UNDINE
An old bullfrog down by the rock,
Had terrified the little brook and filled her with dismay;
I caught him by his trailing leg,
And for her pardon made him beg,
And taught her how, in play,
To toss him in a waterfall,
To imitate his sombre call
And laughing glide away.
(The elves all laugh. Enter 1st GNOME, on rock.)
1st GNOME
I found the great oak still a-sleeping,
But from his side a Dryad peeping,
'Ere she to his dull heart had returned,
My kiss on her ripe lips had burned.
She vanished at my hot embrace,
But left her spirit in her place
And ev'ry glad branch straight did fling
Its first buds out to welcome Spring.
(Enter 1st SYLPH and 1st SALAMANDER.)
CHORUS OF ELVES
Ev'ry year our work completed,
Nearer brings the peace of God.
(Iolan is heard singing in the distance.)
IOLAN (behind the scenes)
If a knight were I with a sword of steel--
1st GNOME
A man!
1st SALAMANDER
singing!
1st GNOME
so soon?
1st UNDINE
With hope and victory--
1st GNOME
While yet the snow lies in the pass?
1st UNDINE
'Tis Iolan, he who lives below,
Throughout the winter he has toiled to earn a home for his betrothed.
1st GNOME
When he comes let us roll great stones upon him!
1st UNDINE
Nay! Iolan ever has been kind to us.
1st GNOME (lifts sod to throw)
Pelt him then with these soft clods of earth.
1st UNDINE
Poor payment that for all the food and fire he has so often set for us!
1st GNOME
'Tis but in play to tease him.
1st SYLPH
Better a gift for him and Naoia.
1st GNOME (shows jewel)
This jewel then!
1st SALAMANDER
Who has the purchase of his home,
Who feels the might of his strong arm,
Who hath the love of the loved one,
Him doth a jewel hinder.
CHORUS OF ELVES
Let us sing as he goes by,
To cheer him on his way,
Or call or dance him in a fairy ring,
To prove our friendship.
What? show ourselves?
What harm can be in that?
(Elves listen.)
IOLAN (below)
If a knight were I with a sword of steel,
I would fight for a golden crown,
1st SYLPH, 1st UNDINE, 1st SALAMANDER, 1st GNOME
Iolan!
CHORUS OF ELVES
Nay! nay! call not!
It is forbidden!
IOLAN (coming nearer)
Who calls?
1st SYLPH, 1st UNDINE, 1st SALAMANDER, 1st GNOME
Ho Iolan!
(The Old One enters, C entrance, and comes slowly down C. the Elves all bow in reverence.)
THE OLD ONE
What is this madness?
Ye know well it is forbidden
To show ourselves to man.
IOLAN
Hello, above there, who calls?
THE OLD ONE
It is forbidden.
1st SALAMANDER
Not on this first day of Spring,
Our day,
We call but to requite his kindness.
THE OLD ONE
It is not wise to violate an ancient law.
(The Elves scatter and hide behind trees. Ioland rushes in over the boulder L, and comes down C.)
IOLAN
My ears so ring with my own joy,
I fancy all the trees call me by name,
I dream!
1st SYLPH (slowly coming from behind a tree to meet Iolan)
If that be so, sleep peacefully, Iolan,
For we be good dreams meant only for more perfect rest.
(All the Elves come out gradually from the forest, and Iolan gazes from one to another in bewilderment.)
Iolan (with surprise)
It is the wood-folk!
1st GNOME (approaching Iolan)
Of whom your friendliness hath made good friends.
IOLAN (quietly)
Ah friends who ever have been dear to me e'en th' unseen,
How much more now that you deign to show yourselves.
(The elves sing and dance around Iolan.)
CHORUS OF ELVES
We'll keep the frost from off your vine,
The tempest to the hills we'll send,
Our willing hands will provide
For loving hearts which confide,
And governing all,
To the confident call,
We will of Flame, Flood, Earth, Air, grant joy
To all men who can trust in our good will.
(Iolan bursts forth from the circle of Elves, who all run off into the forest except the Old One and the four Solo Elves. These gather round Iolan.)
IOLAN (showing purse)
See! here is the money I've earned to buy my farm;
Tomorrow Naioa I shall wed, and to the feast you all are bidden.
THE OLD ONE
Even my old head must wonder at the laws I have to keep.
IOLAN
Have years so killed all your joy?
Are you alone no friend to me?
THE OLD ONE
A friend regrets the recklessness of friends.
It is forbidden us to show ourselves to man.
Alas! Of it no good can come.
IOLAN
No harm can come of it, believe one who has travelled far.
I'll not report whate'er you do and will in secret prove my faith.
THE OLD ONE
It is not given me to see the harm.
Alas! Of it no good can come.
(The four Solo Elves come forward.)
IOLAN
Who is this, gloomy on the gladdest day of Spring?
1st SYLPH
The mightiest of all.
1st GNOME
The Old One.
IOLAN
Your king! Oh! oh! you mock me.
1st UNDINE
Nay, nay! we mock not.
1st GNOME
He is the Old One.
IOLAN
Where are his crown and sceptre then?
Where is his purse of gold?
THE OLD ONE
Ten thousand years of life my crown
The earth my purse of gold;
The Old One shows the Pipe to Iolan
This Pipe which hangs about my neck the sceptre of the world.
(Iolan looks inquiringly at the Old One and the Pipe. Iolan bursts into contemptuous laughter.)
IOLAN (contemptuously)
My goat-horn could be herad ten times as far;
I'll give it you and so increase your empire.
1st SYLPH (comes forward)
Nay, nay, jest not at our Pipe.
IOLAN
Of what use is it save to make you dance?
1st SALAMANDER (comes forward)
The dance! the dance!
1st GNOME (to Iolan)
On this first day of Spring he plays for us to dance!
1st UNDINE (calling to those in rear)
The dance! the dance!
THE OLD ONE
What task has fate in store for me today?
You're mad!
UNDINES (coming forward; to the Old One)
The dance! the dance!
THE OLD ONE
I will not play while he is here.
1st SALAMANDER
But you must on this first day play when we ask.
SYLPHS (coming forward)
The dance! the dance!
1st GNOME
Else do our spirits bubbling o'er fly to the winds.
SALAMANDERS (coming nearer)
We claim the dance.
THE OLD ONE
Pause! wait till Iolan is gone,
Then will I play so wonderful a tune that all the hills shall join.
CHORUS OF ELVES
The dance! the dance!
We claim the dance!
THE OLD ONE
Oh evil hour! it is your right.
(Undines dance and sing in a dark green light.)
UNDINES
We from the waters gently rise,
Turning the thirsting meadows green.
We from waters rise,
Meadows soothing.
Let me be with him, let me be with him!
Flowing still,
We will bring a gift to thee.
Come flame a-high, come now a-flowing,
We dance, a gift to bring thee!
(The light gradually changes to red, as the Salamanders begin to sing and dance.)
SALAMANDERS
Raise our burning, now swirl and flare in our power,
Write and leap in our glory,
Burning clear,
Come flame a-high, come now a-flowing,
We dance, a gift to bring thee!
(The light brightens gradually, and as the Sylphs sing and dance, it becomes silvery white.)
SYLPHS
Ah! the rapture! ah! all nature comes to join us,
Now assign us each her duty.
Come flame a-high, come now a-flowing,
We dance, a gift to bring thee!
1st SYLPH, 1st UNDINE, 1st SALAMANDER
Far over heav'n all floating we soar.
Glorify the power!
Ah, the rapture!
Ah, the freedom!
Ah! all nature comes to join our pleasure!
(The Gnomes rush boisterously into the dance.)
GNOMES
Up from out the earth we come to join thee.
CHORUS OF ELVES
Up and down and round,
We will dance gaily up and down and round.
We will dance gaily,
Flaming, floating,
In our pleasure,
Gliding, running,
To thy measure,
To the wondrous music
Of the Pipe's great magic.
Wonderful power!
We follow thy call.
Hear it! hear it!
Dancing in our bower!
Ha ha ha! ha ha ha!
Up and down and round,
In our pleasure,
Gliding, running,
To thy measure,
Laughing, singing,
In our glee
Laughing, we go dancing,
Ha! ha! ha!
And round we go, and round we go,
All of Heaven! all of Earth!
All of Nature!
Greeting thee, hailing thee, obeys thee,
Ha! ha! ha!
Dance to Spring.
(The Elves dance off, laughing and shouting madly with joy. All disappear except the Old One, Iolan and the four Solo Elves.)
1st GNOME
Do you believe now in the power of the Pipe?
IOLAN
Another would have serv'd as well for those who wished to dance.
1st GNOME
Aye! but it could even make you dance.
IOLAN
There is no power in Earth or Heaven
To make me dance, or wish to dance, save with my bride.
1st GNOME
He jeers at us!
1st SALAMANDER
Scoffs at our Pipe!
1st GNOME, 1st SALAMANDER
Now make him dance!
THE OLD ONE
I beg of you, my children--
IOLAN
I will allow it is as much a magic pipe
As he who begs is king.
I who have earned my home, what cause have I to fear your power?
Ha! ha! in my own hand lies all that I desire.
THE OLD ONE
Man's power is a fearsome thing,
And you say well
He holds it in his hand.
You've won from a world you understood;
Look lest you lose thro' what you fail to see.
1st SYLPH, 1st UNDINE, 1st SALAMANDER, 1st GNOME
He denies our Pipe, now he must dance.
IOLAN
I'll put my strength and love against your pipe and power.
1st SYLPH, 1st UNDINE, 1st SALAMANDER, 1st GNOME
Dance! Iolan, dance!
IOLAN
I will not!
THE OLD ONE
Ah well! then dance!
(The Old One plays and Iolan vainly endeavors to keep from dancing.)
IOLAN
I feel its charm, it is a magic pipe!
Stop! stop! I say, I will not dance!
1st SYLPH, 1st UNDINE, 1st SALAMANDER, 1st GNOME
Dance! Iolan, dance!
(Iolan begins to dance, and the Elves laugh at him.)
IOLAN (breaks away from the Elves)
False friends, I have forsworn myself.
Stop! stop! I say!
A curse upon your pipe!
Iolan snatches the Pipe from the Old One, breaking the cord; the Elves cry out in terror, then are silent. Iolan runs up on the rock, laughing triumphantly at the Old one.
How now, old King?
Your feet must win your sceptre back.
THE OLD ONE
Pause, Iolan!
When in an evil hour you were called here,
'Twas that my children meant you well.
Do you want power, gold or wine,
We'll give it you,
But blow not on the Pipe:
It is forbidden.
IOLAN
Think you that I then fear this little thing?
THE OLD ONE
Iolan, it is a sacred Pipe:
1st SYLPH, 1st UNDINE, 1st SALAMANDER, 1st GNOME
Listen! listen!
THE OLD ONE
It is the Pipe God gave to Lilith,
And she played to man in Eden,
But its charm was rent by woman.
Now we play its potent music
That those in solitude may hear,
And continue restless, wand'ring, searching ever.
IOLAN
I'll keep the tale to tell to children.
THE OLD ONE
Beware! hear first the curse God laid upon it.
Let thy tune, now sad, now merry,
Wax and wane with ev'ry breath;
Let the joy of love's beginning
Blend into the chant of death.
Let the mortal who dares play thee
Without knowledge of thy mood,
Pale in terror at thy meaning,
And die when he has understood.
IOLAN
Think you the story frightens breath out of a breast like mine?
He blows a harsh discordant note. The Elves rush to the forset, crying out in terror; the scene becomes darker. Iolan blows another harsh note.
A pest upon it! I cannot blow this pipe.
Ah! that I could play teh strain that enters now within my soul.
THE OLD ONE
Ah, misery!
(Iolan plays the pipe. The Old One stands motionless at R, with bowed head. Iolan drops the pipe and his eyes become fixed upon a vision which rises before him.)
IOLAN
It is the strain I heard within my soul.
What glorious vision this before me rising?
The very picture of my utmost wish appears,
Like a curtain the forest round me parts,
And the peaceful valley lies before.
These are the meadows won by my toil;
There even now I see myself tilling them;
Strong horses I drive;
And beyond graze my goats and my kine;
My harvesters sing as they work;
And my soul rejoices in the product of my strength.
I raise my steaming face in thanksgiving to the sun as he sets behind the hills.
Thro' the purple twilight I seek my rest.
There from that clump of verdure rises the smoke from my hearth;
My children play before my door;
My wife, my Naoia, comes to me thro' the roses,
And love folds round me its soft mantle of repose.
Naoia, my Naoia! Why do I linger here?
Naoia, my Naoia, do you not hear me call?
Leave all! leave all! And come to me!
(Full light. The Old One recovers the pipe. Iolan turns to go.)
THE OLD ONE
'Tis done.
Nay, listen! ah, heedless one,
The Pipe but played the note of your desire,
And your desire helps to rule the world.
Listen again, and see what you have done.
(The Old One plays upon the pipe, backing slowly up stage, and finally disappearing through C entrance.)
IOLAN
Again the magic spell is o'er me stealing.
All is dark! my Naoia's cottage! within, see Naoia!
She lies upon her bed,
Her mother in her anguish kneels there in silent prayer.
Is she then dead?
Ah! nay, nay! she smiles,
And they leave her all alone.
She thinks of me, and smiling sweetly, sleeps.
Now she hears my voice
Calling as I just called to her to come to me:
She rises from her bed, she will obey my voice!
Stop, Naoia, stop!
Ah, do not come!
Across the fields she runs,
Her bare feet bleed,
And fever blazes on her cheek,
Return, return, beloved!
She breathes my name,
And now the forest dark receives her--
See! see! she falls!
The cruel stones have cut her head,
Iolan turning, rushes up stage and watches Naoia approach.
Her thin robe by the thorns is torn, she fords the icy stream, she scales the rock,
Ah! Naoia! ah! Naoia.
You are in delirium,
And I, I did not know.
(Enter Naoia, exhausted, bewildered, and trembling. Naoia stands looking about in dazed way. She sees Iolan.)
NAOIA
Across the world I heard you call, beloved;
I have come.
(Iolan goes to Naoia and supports her in his arms. Iolan leads Naoia down C. Iolan leaves her, standing in an attitude of despair.)
IOLAN
Fool that I was, I've brought this suffering
On your sweet body.
Ah! Naoia, how could I who love you so
Thro' heedlessness bring such misfortune!
I did not know.
NAOIA
Over the hilltop at early dawn
The wind like a young man came.
The wind is a friend to those who love, and he sang of your return.
My mother sat by the bedside and read from the holy book,
But, heaven have mercy, I only heard your voice, as you singing journeyed on homeward and thought of me.
Suddenly, as the holy bells
Ring when God draws nigh,
I heard you call to me to come, and so, sweetheart, I came.
IOLAN
Had I but known, beloved,
I would have spared you all this agony.
NAOIA
Save that you shall cease to love me,
There is no pain I fear.
So long have I waited, the pressure of your hand is like the culmination of a dream, that, now fading, will leave another bond, endearing sleep.
Ah! hold me closer, Iolan; you'll leave me never more, say that it is so.
Why do you look at me with tearful eyes?
And yet, so quietly, I oft have wept in thinking of this day
This day, the first of all the endless days to come of our great joy!
Iolan, ah, Iolan! say that it is so!
IOLAN
I'll never leave you more.
NAOIA
See! Iolan,
all the roses have come out to dance upon our wedding day.
Here's one for you.
And ev'ry, ev'ry day you shall have one for just a kiss.
Ah! Iolan, is it too dear?
IOLAN
Naoia!
(They kiss. Iolan leads Naoia to the mound and they sit down.)
NAOIA (dazed and dreamily)
We have not lost a single lamb, and see! how sturdy little Iolan is, your son and mine
Like this on ev'ry evening we will sit within our bower, and watch him as he grows to manhood,
Grows up to honest manhood, husband.
IOLAN
Yea, little wife.
NAOIA
From the world you bring me all you've won.
IOLAN
All that I've won is but your faith reflected.
NAOIA
My faith is but your strength revealed.
IOLAN
My strength would fail without your hope's incentive.
NAOIA
My hope is but the knowledge of your will.
IOLAN
All that is dear in life you are expressing!
NAOIA
Naught to express have I but love of you.
(They sing with increasing ecstasy.)
IOLAN
The by one kiss we cease to be divided.
NAOIA
Then by one kiss we both shall be united.
IOLAN, NAOIA
My life's salvation lies in love of you.
(Naoia falls exhausted, in Iolan's arms. Iolan supports her, leading her to the mound, where he places her in reclining position, and, kneeling behind the mound, supports her head during the following scene.)
NAOIA
And when old age comes trembling on, years, years, years hence, we will hold each other's hand as we do now, and as we used before you went away.
Ah! Iolan, do not go away!
Oh, hold me closer, closer, dear!
Without you it is dark, and I am cold, so cold.
(She dies.)
IOLAN
Naoia! little wife!
See, dearest! I will hold you close!
The fire of my love shall keep you warm,
Ah! dearest, Naoia!
Speak to me! your eyes, Naoia!
Ah, my God, she's dead.
(He lowers her head gently on to the mound, and, weeping buries his head in his hands. Elves from the depths of the forest. The Old One enters slowly from C. opening; advances to R. of C. and stands there.)
CHORUS OF ELVES
See how in agony Iolan bends o'er her,
She who but yesterday wass in full flower,
He who an hour since revelled in power!
THE OLD ONE
I wonder at the laws which I must keep.
IOLAN (kneeling behind mound)
I smooth the hair back from your brow,
So you would have done for me when I was weary.
You were she for whom alone I labored.
It has vanished, all that wondrous realm in which I used to lose myself, as a dream is lost within the depths of sleep.
You who were as music on the waters!
Were there no others who could not love as we have loved, that God should let you die and leave me dead?
You were she who was to bear me children.
Rising and with ever increasing excitement of mental anguish and revolt.
Where is this God?
Where dwelleth He?
For I would take Him in my hands and throttle him.
You God,
If you have heard me on my knees,
Give thanks for ev'ry pittance won by reeking toil,
Takes gold out of purse. Throws gold away.
See, as I hurl the gold you've turned to lead back in your mocking face and hear me curse you!
Laughs mockingly
No, fool--there is no God, and I am all alone.
Stands in attitude of despair.
THE OLD ONE
There is a God whose laws unchanging
No man may hope to disobey.
Upon His Pipe you blew your one desire, forced your own will upon the ordained way.
Man has his will,
Man pays the penalty.
Iolan (turns angrily upon the Old One)
It was I who killed her?
You cursed imp sent by some fiend to mar all my life's happiness!
This unjust punishment is without reason.
Rushes at Old One with staff raised to strike him.
You shall now render my price for vengeance!
(Simultaneously with the sound of the horn the Old One raises a warning hand to Iolan, who hesitates, wuth staff still raised.)
THE OLD ONE
Strike, Iolan, if you think her soul demands revenge.
(Iolan lowers staff, then casts it away.)
IOLAN
She was a beam from heaven,
She would forgiveness show; my staff I throw away.
I'll do what she would do.
(Iolan does to the back of the mound and gazes longingly at Naoia while listening to the Elves' voices.)
CHORUS OF ELVES
Lo! her death purifies,
Gone is his wilfulness,
He becomes more strong.
IOLAN
I saw a flower by the roadside, and rested;
It reminded me of her, so pale and pure it was.
I plucked it and put it in my cap,
And thought of her.
At twilight I went again to rest and think of her.
The stalk was bare,
And in my cap, the flower had faded.
CHORUS OF ELVES
We in our day of spring hoping to bring him joy
Have brought him misery.
THE OLD ONE
Thoughtless ye ever were of human weakness.
1st UNDINE
Play now on this our day the old song of autumn,
That he may see the way all things must wither.
THE OLD ONE
Mindful ye ever are of God's great goodness.
(The Old One plays the song of autumn; the light fades gradually until at the end the stage is dark.)
IOLAN
Now, suddenly the newborn spring trembles with terror, and the cloak of nature in sombre brown appears.
I hear the moaning of the winter wind.
CHORUS OF ELVES
Already the summer wanes,
And yearning autumn feels the chill of age.
IOLAN (with ever increasing vehemence)
Fast and faster, with awful stillness, like a panther the cold creeps on.
The jewels which shone so beautifull in the sunlight, under gray clouds, mock me for believing in their value.
I cried aloud, in my strength will I go, with the might of my arm I will earn my home and return to her!
But the spring is dead, the frozen buds
How can they open without her?
Or the brook sing again if she may not hear?
kneels, with face buries in hands
The forest is deserted, the world with wrinkled face can weep no more.
1st SYLPH, 1st UNDINE
The winter was never yet too cold for the dead to sleep in peace,
1st SALAMANDER, 1st GNOME
The snow was never deep enough to prevent the spring's release.
IOLAN (with feebler accents)
The pipe is soothing me to sleep.
Why should I ever rise?
All that I lived for lying here.
Like an old man whose life is spent,
My hand trembles, but my heart moves not.
1st SYLPH
Such ones who die too soon, spring they up again?
1st UNDINE
Far, they who die for love--
THE OLD ONE
They have accomplished.
1st GNOME
Then all is not amiss?
(During this scene all lights fade except one upon Naoia and Iolan.)
THE OLD ONE
Nothing is wasted.
IOLAN
The leaves fall softly from the trees
Dead, before dropping,
Like my old desires.
struggles to his knees in bewilderment
Not among men I lost--
Springs to his feet. With realization.
'Twas in myself I failed.
He stands behind Naoia looking heavenward as if seeing her there. Intense light.
Naoia! Naoia!
dying
It is not cold.
(He dies, falling upon Naoia's body.)
(The light gradually fades until at the last chord there is absolute darkness, during which the curtain falls.)
CHORUS OF ELVES
Nothing is wasted.