Mozart - La Finta Giardiniera (Castel)

513
LA FINTA GIARDINIERA
(The Pretended Gardener-Maid, or The Fake Lady Gardener Because of Love)
Dramma Giocoso in three acts.
Libretto by Raniero De' Calzabigi, revised by Mario Coltellini

First performed in Munich at the Redoutensaal in the Prannergasse on January 13,1775
CHARACTERS
Marchesa Violante Onesti, in love with Count Belfiore and believed dead, now posing as
Sandrina, a lady gardener in the home of the Podesta: soprano
The Mayor of Lagonero (Podesta): tenor
II Contino Belfiore, formerly in love with Violante but now with Arminda: tenor
Arminda, a lady of Milan, niece of the Podesta, formerly in love with the Cavaliere Don Ramiro
and now betrothed to Count Belfiore: soprano
Don Rarriiro, in love with Arminda, but deserted by her: mezzo-soprano!
Serpetta, maid of the Podesta, and in love with him: soprano
Nardo, (also called Roberto before he changed his name), servant of Sandrina, pretending to be her
cousin, also disguised as a gardener, and in love with Serpetta: bass
The action takes place on the country estate of the Mayor, at Lagonero.
The time is mid-eighteenth century.
THE PLOT
The Marchioness Violante Onesti has been wounded in a struggle by her jealous lover Count Belfiore.
Thinking that he has killed her, he flees. After her complete recovery, the Marchioness sets out on a trip
in search of him, accompanied by her servant Roberto. Arriving at the town of Lagonero, they offer
themselves to the service of the Mayor (The Podesta) of Lagonero, pretending to be gardeners. The
Marchioness Violante Onesti assumes the name of Sandrina, and her servant Roberto pretends to be her
cousin and changes his name to Nardo. The Podesta quickly falls in love with the beautiful new (fake)
gardener, neglecting his housekeeper Serpetta, whose favor Nardo in vain tries to win. Staying with the
Podesta as his guest is the knight Ramiro, the former lover of the Podesta's niece (Arminda).
ACT I
The inhabitants of Lagonero are busy decorating the Podesta's garden for the forthcoming celebration in
honor of his niece Arminda, who has become engaged to Count Belfiore. Ramiro, Arminda's former
lover, is unhappy at having been rejected by her; the Podesta hopes to win the favor of his new beautiful
lady gardener; while his chambermaid Serpetta, whom he had previously courted, sulks in jealousy over
\ her master's sudden change of affections, and pays no attention whatsoever to the advances of Nardo,
'~.
who has fallen in love with her. Sandrina informs Nardo that she is tired of the Podesta's advances and
hints that they may soon have to leave. Ramiro laments the infidelity of women, Sandrina the
faithlessness of men, and Nardo, head over heels in love with Serpetta, is disheartened by her rebuffs.
Arminda arrives and is greeted by Count Belfiore. He and the Podesta praise her tenderness, beauty,
charm and intelligence. Serpetta no longer wishes to remain in the Podesta's service because Arminda
gives her too much to do. When Arminda reveals to Sandrina that she is going to marry Count Belfiore,
Sandrina faints with the shock. Arminda calls on Belfiore to help and leaves the unconscious Sandrina
in his care while she runs off to get smelling salts. On returning she meets her former lover, Ramiro.
The four lovers recognize each other and are greatly confused and embarassed. The Podesta and Serpetta
\
hurry to the scene. When the Podesta demands an explanation, he gets none from the two couples.
(
I
IThe part of Ramiro was originally written for a castrato. Nowadays it is usuall~' sung by a mezzo soprano.
1-
514
Serpetta spitefully tells him that his beloved Sandrina is kissing Belfiore at the other end of the garden.
and he rushes off. Belfiore is not certain that Sandrina is really Violante and she at first refuses to
enlighten him, but later forgets herself and reproaches him for his infidelity. As he falls repentantly at
her feeL Arminda and Ramiro enter, followed by all the others. who hurl accusations at them. Belfiore
. is deeply embarassed and is in a quandary as to whether he should choose Arminda or Sandrina. There
is general confusion and all reveal their individual sentiments.
ACT II
Arminda is in a fury over Belfiore's behavior. Nardo enters, pressing his suit of Serpetta in three
languages; French, Italian and English. Serpetta yields at last. Belfiore begs Violante (Sandrina) to return
to him, but she still cannot forgive him for his violent, jealous attack on her that left her wounded.
The Podesta makes a formal declaration of love to Sandrina but she runs off, confused. Ramiro enters
with a message from Milan commanding the Podesta to arrest Belfiore for the murder of a certain
Marchioness Violante. At this point the Podesta postpones Arminda's wedding to Belfiore until the
matter can be resolved which gives Ramiro new hope. The Podesta interrogates Belfiore who makes
contradictory statements, bringing suspicion upon himself that he is, indeed, the murderer of the
Violante lady. Sandrina emerges in defense of Belfiore revealing that she is the Marchioness Violante
and that she was not killed, but only wounded. No one believes her. When she is alone with Belfiore
he starts to tell her how much he loves her. She replies that she only pretended to be Violante in order
to save him. She departs. Belfiore is confused, loses his senses and begins to rave. Serpetta tells the
Podesta that Sandrina has fled, but when he and Ramiro start off in search of her, she informs Nardo that
Arminda has had her rival taken to a nearby forest, "where she may play the great lady among the
wolves".
It is night, and Sandrina is wandering around a forest alone, exhausted and frightened. In quick
succession Nardo and Belfiore. the Podesta, Arminda and Serpetta enter, all under the impression that
they are addressing Sandrina. Ramiro enters bearing torches. at the light of which all recognize each
other and once again confusion reigns. Sandrina and Belfiore, their minds unhinged, imagine they are
mythical shepherds and sing and dance together to the amazement of all present.
ACT III
In an attempt to humor Belfiore and Sandrina, Nardo sings a mock-mad aria. The Podesta has decided
he would rather have his niece marry Ramiro, but she still prefers Belfiore. Belfiore and Sandrina
emerge from their temporary insanity and are eventually reconciled. Arminda decides that she had better
make do with Ramiro and Serpeta tells the Poidesta that she really wants to marry Nardo whom she has
only been putting to the test. The Podesta good-humoredly accepts the situation and resolves to remain
single. In a final chorus, all sing about the joys of true love.
l
La Finta Giardiniera, Act I 515
ACT I
A lovely garden on the property of the Podesta (Mayor) of Lagonero (
;.'.
Scene. One
(The Podesta, the Cavalier Don Romiro and Serpetta enter from the steps to the garden where
Sandrina with Nardo are occupied in their gardening chores.)
NO.1 OPENING ENSEMBLE

SANDRINA, SERPETTA, RAMIRO, PODESTA, NARDO
'ke 'Ijeto 'd3 0 mo 'ke konten'tet:tsa
Che lieto giorno, che contentezza,
What happy day, what delight,
'kwi dOj1j1in'tomo 'spira al:le'gret:tsa

qui d'ogn'intorno spira allegrezza,
here from all around wafts joy,
a'mor 'kwi 'd3ubila bri'l:land~ 'va

amor qui giubila, brillando va.
love here reJOIces, shining is.
(Here joy is wafting from everywhere and love rejoices and shines on us all.)
RAMIRO
'fra 'lJenl~ a'f:fan:ni sos'piro e 'peno
Fra cento affanni sospiro e peno,
Amid a hundred sorrows I sigh and suffer,
(
'per 'me 'non 'splende 'mai 'di se'reno
per me non splende mai di sereno,
for me doesn't shine ever day serene,
(for me serenity never shines,)
'per 'me 'non 'tr;,vasi felitJi'ta

per me non trovasi felicita.
for me cannot be found happiness.
PODESTA
'il 'k~r 'mi 'baltsa 'per ·'il pja'tJere
II cor mi baIza per il piacere,
My "heart leaps within me from the pleasure,
'tra 'sw;,nie 'kanti d~'vr;,ggo'dere

tra suoni e canti dovrO godere:
amid sounds and songs I must rejoice.
san'drina a'mabile 'pur 'mia sa'ra

Sandrina amabile pur mia sara.
Sandrina sweet yet mine shall be.
:.,
[ ..'
SANDRINA
'sonoiIl)fe'litJe 'son zventu'rata
Sono infelice, son sventurata, !
I am unhappy, I am unfortunate, ~.
516
'rni 'vw:)le :)'p:pres:sa 'la 's:)rte

La Finta Giardiniera, Act I
i!)'grata
T
I
mi vuole opprnssa Ia sorte ingrata,
it wants me oppressed fate ungrateful,
(ungrateful fate wishes that I be oppressed,)
'di 'me 'pju 'rnizera 'n:) 'non 'si 'da

di me piil. misera no non si da.
than more wretched no, there is not.
(there isn't anyone more wretched than 1.)
NARDO (indicating Serpetta)

ne'p:pur 'rni 'gwarda ne'p:pur rnas'kolta
Neppur mi guaroa, neppur m'ascoIta;
Not even will she look at me, not even will she listen to me;
fa'ra kbs'tei 'darmi 'di 'v:)lta

Fara costei darmi di volta,
Will cause she to drive me to distraction.
(that woman will drive me to distraction,)
'ke 'd:)n:na 'barbara 'sentsa pje'ta

che donna barbara senza pieta.
what woman cruel without pity.
SERPETTA (indicating the Podesta)

'ko!) 'kwel:la 'fJimja 'se i!)kan'tat:)
Con quella scimia s'e incantato,
With that monkey he has himself bewitched,
(He has been bewitched by that monkey of a new gardener girl,)
'fa 'il kaska'rn:)rt:) 'b spazi'rnat;,

fa il cascamorto, 10 spasimato,
he plays the love-sick Romeo, the longing one,
'rna 'se 'rni 'stut:isika 'la page'ra
rna se mi stuzzica, la paghera.
but if he provokes me, he will pay for it.
RAMIRO
tIe'lar 'bn]vjen 'la 'pena 'ria
Celar convien la pena ria.
Hide I must my pain cruel.
PODESTA
'via s;,'l:leva.tkv" san'drina 'rnia
Via, solleva. l Sandrina mia.
Corne, get up, Sandrina mine.
SANDRINA
'son 'trop:pe 'grattsje 'trop:pa b;,n'ta
Son troppe grazie, troppa bonta.
It's too kind of you, too good.
(
"
RAMIRO
l ve'dr:)
Vedra
r shall see
ppla'kata
placata
placated
li'nikwa
l'iniqua
'stel:la
stella.
my hostile star.
r:
PODESTA
'non's::> 'laIJarla 'ke 'trop:po 'bel:la
Non so lasciarla ch'a trappo bella.
I can't leave her, for she's too lovely.
SERPETTA
'som 'pjeni ''<w::>mini 'di falsi'ta
Son pieni gl'uomini di falsita.
Are full men of falseness.
(Men are full of falseness.)
SANDRINA, SERPETTA, RAMIRO, PODESTA, NARDO

~~Che lieto, giomo, che contentezza. etc.
o\
,~~~~~:A
Viva, viva
';1
il
'bwoq
buon
'gu,to
gusto
'del:la
della
'mia
mia
vet:tso'zet:ta
vezzosetta
d3ardi'njera
giardiniera.
Long live the good taste of my charming gardener girl.
'ke 'il 'pju gra'dito 'fjor 'di prima'vera

Ch'a il pin gradito fior di primavera.
who is the most welcome flower of spring. [
I~a'miro 'ke 'vi 'pare
! Ramiro,
Ramiro.
che
what
vi pare?
do you think?
RAMIRO
'nofl) 've 'ke 'dir 'mi'sembra 'il d3ar'dino i1)kan'tat::>
Non v'a che dir. Mi sembra il giardino incantato,
,
.
There is nothing to say . It seems to me the garden enchanted.
(
-.-,.-,,~ \ e'p:pur 'n::>m 'basta a 'farmi ral:le'grar
/' \
\ eppur non basta a farmi rallegrar.·
i \J and yet it doesn't suffice to make me cheer up.
L
PODESTA
~;. 'kwesta e pa't:tsia
l\
Questa a p~zia.
:1
'I
This is folly.
l,~
, 'rna 'tu san'drina 'mia per'ke 'mmesta ko'zi
Ma tu, Sandrina mia, percha mesta COS!?
But you, Sandrina mine, why sad so?
(But you, my Sandrina, why so sad?)
\,
SERPETTA
u 'ke'sia male'det:ta
Vh, che sia maledetta.
Ah, may she be cursed.
'dopo
Dopo
'd3unta bs'tei
giunta costei
'nom 'mi 'gwarda
non mi guarda
'pju
pin
'ifl) 'fat:tJa
in faccia
,I
Since arrived she. he doesn't look me any more in my face.
(Since she arrived, he doesn't even look at me anymore.)
I
518 La Finta Giardiniera. Act [
l
j
NARDO (to Serpetta, who pays no attention to him)
ne'p:pure
Neppure
un::>k:kja'ttina
un'occhiattina?
Not even the smallest glance?
PODESTA
'via 'spjegati ka'rina 'ke ta'f:fan:na
Via, spiegati carina, che t'affanna.
Come, explain yourself dearest, what is troubling you?
SERPETTA
pa'tiIJe 'il 'mal 'di'kw::>re
Patisce il mal di cuore.
She is suffering from heartache.
SANDRINA
'io 'nom 'merto si'JlJlore tanta 'v::>stra b::>n'ta
10 non merto, signore, tanta vostra bonta.
I don't deserve, sir, so much your goodness.
(I don't deserve so much goodness from you, sir.)
d::>'vrei go'dere spe'rare d::>'vrei

Dovrei godere, sperare dovrei.
I should rejoice, hope I should.
'ma 'sent::> 'ke 'in 'seno 'UIT) 'fjer::> a'f:fan:n::>

Ma sen to che in seno un flero affanno
But I feel that in my breast a fierce grief
'del 'p::>ver::> 'mb 'br 'si 'fa ti'ran:n::>

del povero mio cor si fa tiranno.
of the poor my heart makes itself tyrant.
(But I feel that a fierce grief has taken possession of my poor heart.)
NARDO (to Serpetta)

'pur do'vresti pen'sare
Pur dovresti pensare ...
Yet you should consider...
SERPETTA
'mi 'sent::> 'dal:la 'rab:bja div::>'rare
Mi sento dalla rabbia divoraro.
I feel by anger devoured.
(I feel as if I a:in devoured by anger.)
PODESTA
'don ra'miro san'drina ai:legra'mente 'kwi a mo'ment::> sa't:tende
Don Ranrlro, Sandrina, allegramente. Qui a momento s'atlende
Don Ramiro. Sandrina, be happy. Here any moment we await
'la 'sp::>za 'mia ni'pote

l
(
la
the
sposa, mia
bride, my
nipote.
niece.
l prepa'rjamotfi
Prepariamoci
'ai
ai
bal)'ket:ti
banchetti,
'ai
ai
fes'tini
festini.
Let us prepare ourselves for the banquets, for the feasts.
l
'i;, 'nJIl) 'VJ!i.l.J ve'dermalil)ko'nia

10 non voglio veder malinconia, /
I
I don't want to see melancholy,
'Jd:d3i 'ke 'sjamo'in 'tempJ dal:le'gria

oggi che siamo in tempo d'allegria.
today that we're at (a) time of happiness.
SANDRINA
a 'ke pro'kuro 'iIl) 'vanJ
Ah, che procuro in vano .. .
Ah, but I try in vain .. .
RAMIRO
'iIl) 'van 'mJstrJ fJl'tet:tsa
In van mostro scioltezza...
In vain I show ease ...
(I try in vain to seem at ease ... )
PODESTA
a'miko 0 'gran li'more
Amico, ho gran fun ore ,
Friend, I have great fear
'ke 'sia 'del 'vJstrJ 'mal ka'd30ne a'more

che sia del vostro mal cagione amore.
that is of your trouble reason love.
(that the reason for your trouble may be love.)
(
RAMIRO
pUr'trJp:pJ e 'ver 'per 'una 'dJn:na iIl)'fida
Purtroppo () ver; per una donna infida
Unfortunately it's true; for a woman faithless
'son ri'dJt:tJ a lal)'gwire

son ridotto a languire ...
I'm red uced to languishing ...
(Unfortunately, it's true; I am reduced to languishing for a faithless woman.)
PODESTA
:) 'ke sprJ'PJzitJ
Oh, che sproposito!
Oh, what nonsense!
a'f:flid:d3ersi ko'zi 'per 'una 'dJn:na

Affliggersi cosi per una donna,
To distress yourself thus for a woman;
'por 'la 'vita 'im pe'riAAo

por Ia vita in periglio?
to place your life in danger?
pren'dele 'il'mio kon'si!i.l.o

Prendete il mio consiglio;
Take my advice;
520 La Finta Giardiniera, Act [
Je'Uete u'naltra 'bel:la 'dateAi 'il'vJstrJ 'kJre

Scegliete un'altra bella, dategli il vostro core,
Choose another beauty, give her your heart,
'ke 'se a'mor 'vi fe'ri 'vi'sani a'more

che se amor vi feri, vi sam amore.
for if love has wounded you, may you be cured by love.
(for if love wounded you, let love cure you.)
RAMIRO
'mi 'gwardi 'il tJel
Mi guanli il ciel,
May it save me heaven
'ke a'p:pena 'daI:le ka'tene 'IIJltJ

che appena dalle catene sciolto
for scarcely from bonds released
tJer'kar 'VOAAa 'nwJvi 'tJep:pi 'per 'me

cercar voglia nuovi ceppi per me . t·:
look for I wish new fetters for myself
(May heaven help me, for I don't want to tie myself down, having just freed myself from the bonds of
another love.)
'noIl) 'fia 'mai 'vero 'ke 'mi 'vel)Qa 'im pen'sjer:>

Non fia mw vera che mi venga in pensiera
It's not true that me come to mind
i'dea 'si 'IIJlta e ma'ttJ enda da'more u'naltra'vJlta

idea si sciolta e m'accenda d'amore un'altra volta.
(an) idea so foolish and (to) enflame myself with love another time.
NO.2 ARIA
RAMIRO
'se laud3e'I:lin 'seIl) 'fud:d3e
Se l'augellin sen fugge
If the little bird escapes
'dal:la pri'd30ne 'un 'd30mo

dalla prigione un giomo,
from its prison one day,
'al kat:tJa'tore. in'tomo

al cacciatore· intomo
to the hunter around
l 'non
non2
no
'pju
piu
longer playing
sker'tsandJ
scherzando
goes.
'va
va.
(If one day the little bird escapes from its prison, it won't be flying playfully around the hunter.)
i (
2In the faster passages in this aria Don piil can be assimilated as ['no!!! 'pju] for easier delivery of text.
La Finta Giardiniera. Act I 521
'liber::> u'IJit::> a'p:pena

/
Libero uscito appena (
Free gotten out just
'da 'un amo'rozo im'pat:tf::>

do. un runoroso intpaccio,
from an amorous bad situation,
(Having just freed myself out of a bad amorous situation,)
li'dea 'dun 'altr::> 'lat:tf::>

l'idea d'un altro lac cia
the idea of another bond
a 'ke tre'mar 'mi 'fa

ah che tremar mi fa.
ah, how tremble me makes.
(ah, how it makes me tremble.)
(He leaves.)
Scene Two
(Podesta. Sandrina, Serpetta and Nardo)
PODESTA
'prest::> 'nard::> ser'pet:ta an'date
Presto, Nardo, SeIpetta, andate,
Quickly, Nardo, Serpetta, go, (
'ke al:la'r:rivo 'de 'spni 'v::> 'ke 'tut:to 'sia 'pronto
che all 'a.xrivo de' sposi va' che tutto sia pronto,
for at the arrival of the bridal pair I want that everything be ready.
'kom 'pompa splendi'det:tsa e pr::>prje'ta

con pompa, splendidezza e proprieta.
with pomp, splendor and correctness.
SERPETTA
'v::> res'tar 'kon san'drina 'in liber'ta
VO' restar can Sandrina in liberla.
I want to stay with Sandrina alone.
NARDO
'via ser'pet:ta 'il pa'drone adub:bi'dir 'si'vada
Via, SeIpetta, il padrone ad ubbidir si vada.
Come, Serpetta, the master to obey we must go.
SERPETTA
'van:ne 'rompiti 'il 'bl:b 'ek:b 'la 'strada
[
V anne, rompiti il colla, ecco 10. strada.
Go away, break your neck, here's the road.
(Nardo leaves and Serpetta remains apart.)
PODESTA (to Sandrina)

'sjam 'pur 'soli 'una 'v::>lta
Siam pur soli una volta,
We're alone for once,
522 La Pinta Giardiniera, Act I
ve'njam:) 'urn 'p:)b a 'nnoi

.' veniruno un poco a noi:
\
Let's talk a little about us:
kara san'drina 'mi'spjego 'in 'due pa'r:)le

Cara Sandrina, mi spiego in due parole,
Dear Sandrina, I'll explain myself in two 3 words,
'ard:) 'm:)r:) 'per 'te

Ardo, mora per te,
I burn, I die for you,
'kwel 'brio 'kwel 'vet:tso 'subito 'mi kol'pi

quel brio, quel vezzo subito mi eolpl.
your liveliness, your charm all at once have struck me.
SANDRINA
si'.J1J1or 'ke 'ddite 'p:)vera vil:la'nel:la
Signor, ehe dite? Povera villanella...
- Sir, what are you saying?
! SERPETTA (coming forward)

!
l'veI)ga
.
san'drma aI)'kel:la
A poor country girl...
J Venga Sandrina, aneh'ella

I Let her come, Sandrina, also she
i
a trava'Uar 'kon 'noi
a travagliar con noi.
to work with us.
(Let Sandrina also come work with us.)
PODESTA (irritated)
san'drina a 'da 'star 'kwi 'parti 'ke 'vw:)i
Sandrina ha da star qui. Parti, ehe vuoi?
Sandrina is to stay here. Go, what do you want?
SERPETTA
ub:bi'disko
Ubbidiseo.
I obey.
(fo Sandrina and leaving immediately, quite piqued.)
stre'gat:tJa
(Stregaecia!)
(Miserable witch!)4
PODESTA
ko'zi kko'mio di'tJevo spe'rantsa 'del 'mb 'br
COS! eom'io dicevo, speranza del mio cor,
Thus as I was saying, hope of my heart,
l 3Due parole (two words) really implies "a few words". Sometimes quattro parole (four words) is used as well for "a few
words".
4The suffix occia connotes a pejorative. The word strega means "witch". Stre8.!!!:El!! adds a measure of disdain to the
epithet.
La Finta Giardiniera, A ct I 523
r 's:) 'kwel 'ke 'diko 's:) 'kwel 'ke 'penso 'basta

\ so quol eho dieo, so quol eho ponso... basta...
) I know what I'm saying, I know what I'm thinking... enough ... !
I
SANDRINA
a pen'sate s i'.JlJ1 or 'al 'v:)str:) 'grad:)
signor, at
r
Ah, ponsato, vostro grado,
Ah, think, sir, of your rank,
'voi 'n:)bile 'io mes'kina
\
\
1 PODESTA
voi
you,
nobilo,
a nobleman,
io
I
mosehina...
poor...
'e 'ke a'more 'no!) kO'noJJe ra'd30ne u'gwaAAa 'tut:to

) )
Eh eho 1lI1l0re non eonosco ragiono, uguaglia tutto.
Ah but love doesn't know reason, it levels everything.
,,
~
SANDRINA
'rna 'una d:)n'dzel:la :)'nesta 1
Ma una dOllZolla onosta
But a girl honest
'n:) permet:ter 'non 'deve 'ke sav:vi'liska

no, pormottor non dovo eho s'avvilisea ...
no, permit shouldn't allow that she be humiliated ...
(No, but an honest girl shouldn't allow herself to be humiliated ... )
SERPETTA (returning, as before) (

si'.JlJ1ore kompa'tiska 'se inte'r:rompo 'nel 'meAA:)
Signore, eompatisea so intoITOmpo nol mogIio.
Sir, excuse me if I interrupt when things are going so well.
(Excuse me, sir, if I interrupt you at the wrong moment.)
PODESTA
'ke diz'det:ta
Cho disdotta!
What ill-luck!
(Oh darn! What ill luck that she arrived at such a bad momentl)
SERPETTA
'dika 'la t::>e'let:ta 'di ma'dama 'la 'spna
Diea la toolotta di madllI1la la sposa
Tell me, the dressing table of madame the bride,
'dove 'pp:)i. 'la des'tina

dovo poi la dostina?
where then do you want it put?
PODESTA
'il) gabi'net:to 'il) 'kamera 'il) kU'tJina
In gabinotto, in ellI1lora, in eucina.
In the closet, in the room, in the kitchen.
SERPETTA
'mi per'doni
Mi pordoni.
Excuse me.
524 La Finta Giardiniera. Act I
•
r (fa Sandrina, as she begins to leave.)
(
sfa't:tJata
[ (Sfacciata!)
(Insolent one!)
PODESTA
'nom 'pju 'kara 'kwel 'volta no'bilita 'Ia 'd3ente
Non piil, cara, quel volto nobilita Ia gente.
No more, dearest, that face ennobles the people,
(Don't say any more, dearest. A face like yours ennobles people,)
'non lav:vi'liIJe an'djarn:J

non l'avvilisce ... andiamo.
it doesn't demean them ... -let us go.
SANDRINA
'ke spe'rate
Che
What
sperate?
do you hope to do?
- --I \
PODESTA
'V:JAh:J 'farti 'rnia 'sp:Jza
Voglio farti mia sposa.
I want to make you my wife. :. I
SERPETTA (halting her exit)

'd3a di'rete 'ke 'son
Giit direle che son .. .
You'll say that I am .. .
PODESTA
'diko 'ke 'sei unar'dita ins:J'\ente terne'rarja irnpor'tuna
Dico che sei un'ardita insolenle lemeraria importuna! ,
I say that you're a daring insolent, bold ill-timed (hussy)! '"
SERPETTA
'rna sen'tite 'una pa'r:Jla 'sola
Ma sentile una parola sola...
But listen to one word only ...
PODESTA
'parti 'va 'via 'di 'kwa 'vii d:Jn:ni't:tJw:Jla
Pam, va _ via- di qua, vii donnicciuola.
Get out! Go away from here, base guttersnipe.
}
SERPETTA
vad:J pa'ttsjenza
I•
Vado, pazienza. ';-,i
I'm going, patience.
(I'm going I must have patience.)
( (fa Sandrina.)
l 'rna
(Ma
'tu
tu
'Ia pagerai
la pagherai,
'brut:ta fras'ket:ta
brutta fraschetta.)
But you will pay for this, (you) ugly shameless hussy!)
La Finta Giardiniera. Act [ 525
SANDRINA
penne't:tete si'J1J1or
Pantlattata, signor...
Allow me, sir... (
(She is about to leave.)
PODESTA
'no 'senti as'pet:ta 'mia 'kara 'nom partir
No, senti, asp etta, mia cara non partir;
No, listen, wait, my dearest, don't leave;
'se 'tu sa'pes:si 'SOIl) 'fwor 'di 'me

Sa tu sapessi. .. (Son fuor di rna)
If you knew ... (I'm beside myself)
'ke 'zmanja 'ke tU'multo 0 'nel 'bre

cha smania, cha tumulto ho nal core,
what a frenzy, what turmoil I have in my heart,
'ne's;) 'se 'sia spe'rantsa o'p:pur ti'more

ne so se sia speranza oppur timore.
I don't know if it be hope or else fear.
NO.3 ARIA
PODESTA
'dentro 'il'mb 'pet:t;) 'i;) 'sent;)
Dentro il mio petto io santo
Inside my breast hear
(
'un 'swon;) 'una dol'tJet:tsa 'di 'flauti e 'di 'ob;)e
un suono, una dolcezza di flauti a di oboe.
a sound, a sweetness of flutes and of oboes.
'ke 'd30ja 'ke kon'tento

Che gioia, che contento.
What joy, what happiness.
'mal)b 'per al:le'gret:tsa 'pju 'bel pja'tJer 'noIl) 've

Manco per allegrozza, pill bel piacer non v'e.
I faint out of happiness, a more beautiful pleasure there isn't.
'rna o'ddio 'ke aI:limpro'v:vizo 'si 'kand3a lanno'nia

Ma oh Dio, che all'improvviso si cangia l'armonia
But oh God, for suddenly changes the harmony
'ke 'il 'br 'fa palpi'tar

che il cor fa paIpitar.
that the heart makes to throb.
(But, oh God, suddenly the harmony that makes my heart throb changes.)
se'nentran 'Ie vi'ole e 'in 'tetra melo'dia

Se n'entran Ie viole e in tetra melodia,
They enter, the violas, and in somber melody
h
....
526 La Finta Giardiniera, Act I
'mi 'veI)Q:)n:) a tur'bar

mi vengono a turbar. ~
come to me to disturb. i
(The violas enter and with their somber melody come to disturb me.)
'poi 'sord3e 'UI) 'graIl) fra'kas:so

Poi sorge un gran fraeasso,
Then there arises a great din,
'Ii 'timpani 'Ie 'trombe fa'got:ti e kontra'b:bas:so

Ii timpani, Ie trombe, fagotti e contrabbasso
the drums, the trumpets, bassoons and bass fiddles
'mi 'fan:no dispe'rar

mi fanno disperar.
make me despair.
(He leaves.)
Scene Three
(Sandrina. then Nardo.)
SANDRINA
'deI:la ne'mika 'sorte 'kwante vi'tJende
Della nemiea sorte quante vieende
From hostile fate how many unhappy events
'mai fi'nor so'f:fersi

msi finor soffersi.!
up to now I've suffered!
tra'fit:ta ab:bando'nata dal:la'mante

Trafitta, abbandonata dall'amante
Wounded, abandoned by my [over
'sot:to 'spoUe men'tite 'in ezer'tJittsj:) a'b:bjet:to

sotto spogIie mentite in esercizio abbietto
under garb assumed, in service [owly
'son kon'tenta pa's:sare 'i 'd30rni 'mjei

son eontenta passare . giorni miei.
I'm happy (to) pass the days mine.
(under an assumed garb I am content to spend my days in lowly service.)
aI'men po'tes:si o'ddei liJ)'grato rive'der

Almen potessi, oh Dei, l'ingrato riveder;
At least if I could, oh gods, the ungrateful man see again;
'rna 'ke 'mi'd30va ko'zi 'strud:d3ermi 'irn 'pjanto

Ma che mi giova COS! struggermi in pianto ...
But what is the use for me thus to consume myself in tears ...
NARDO
( marke'zina
l Marchesina.. .
Marchioness .. .
La Finta Giardiniera. Actl 527
SANDRINA
a 'ttatJi 'per pje:'ta po'treb:be al'kuno 'kwi asbl'tarti
Ah taci per pieHl, potrebbe alcuno qui ascoltarti.
Ah. hush. for pity's sake. could someone here hear you. (
(Ah, hush, for pity's sake. Someone here could hear you.)
NARDO
'sjam 'soli 'ne: 've: 'alkul) 'ke tJi 'senta
Siam soli, ne v'e alcun che ci senta.
We're alone, there. isn't here anyone who can hear us.
SANDRINA
'tu 'sai 'ke 'Ian:no e: 'skorso
Tu sai che l'anno e SCOl'SO
You know that a year has passed
'da kwel:il1)'fausta 'not:te: 'ke 'il kon'tino bdfjore

da quell'infausta notte che il Contino Belfiore
since that wretched night when the Count Belfiore
il1)'vaz:) 'da 'una 'pat:tsa d3elo'zia

invaso da una pazza gelosia
invaded by a crazy jealousy
'mi tra'fis:se: spje:'tat:)

mi trafisse spietato,
stabbed me, pitylessly,
'ed al:lis'tante: kre'de:ndomi 'd3a 'm:)rta

ed all'istante credendomi gia. morta (
and at once thinking me already dead,
'mi la'II:) 'si parti

mi lascio, si partl.
left me, went away.
NARDO
'ke 'brut:t:) 'kazo 'in ripe:n'sarlo 'solo
Che brutto caso! In ripensarlo solo
What ugly business! In thinking about it only
'mi 'skap:pan:) 'Ie: 'lag rime

mi scappano Ie lagrime.
flow from me the tears.
(What an ugly business! Only thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.)
SANDRINA·
a 'kar:) 'se:rv:) 'sai 'pur
Ah cam servo, sai pur
Ah dear servant, you know also
'ke a 'sob :)' d:d3e: t:t:) 'di ritr:)'var la'mante:

che a solo oggetto di ritrovar l'aJIlante,
that as sale aim of finding again my lover,
'il) 'kweste: 'spoUe 'teko min'dus:si an'dar ra'mil)ga

in queste spoglie teco m'indussi andar raminga,
in this garb with you I decided to roam about,
b
e o'J1J1uno 'mio ku'd3ino 'ti 'krede

e ognuno mio cugino ti crede.
and everyone my cousin thinks you are.
(and everyone thinks you are my cousin.)
'rna 'kwivi 'd3unta a'p:pena

Ma quivi giunta appena,
But here arrived barely,
(But having barely arrived here,)
'si pre'param 'per 'me 'nw:)vi di'zastri

si preparan per me nuovi disastri.
are in store for me new disasters.
NARDO
'rna 'kwel:la perd:)'nate 'mi 'pare frene'zia
Ma quella, perdonate, mi pare frenesia:
But that, forgive me, seems to me nonsense.
d3a'k:ke 'lla'sorte 'tJi a 'fatto kapi'tare

Giacche la sorte ci ha fatto capitare
Since fate has made us turn up
'il) 'kwesto 'bel so'd:d30mo

in questo bel soggiorno,
in this lovely resort,
'ove 'ddal p:)des'ta 'voi 'sjete a'mata

ove dal Podesta voi siete amata...
where by the Podesta you are loved ...
SANDRINA
'kwesto mo'tivo a'p:punto 'or 'mi'sprona a par' tire
Questo motivo appunto or mi sprona a partire,
This reason precisely now spurs me to leave,
ve'dermi as'tret:ta 'i sos'piri 'Ie 'zmanje

vedermi astretta i sospiri, Ie smanie,
to see myself constrained the sighs, the longings,
rim'pr:)veri u'dire 'in 'oJ1Jli is'tante

i rimproveri udire in ogni istante
the reproaches listen to at every moment
'dun impor' tun:) a'mante

d'un importuno amante ...
of a bothersome lover...
(seeing myself constrained to listen to the sighing, longing and reproaching of a bothersome lover at
every moment.)
NARDO
e siJ1J1'rina 'ki 'vob:bliga ada'marb
Eh, signorina, chi v'obbliga ad amarlo?
Hey, my lady, who forces you to love him?
segwi'tate '10 'stil de'l:laltre 'd:)n:ne

Seguitate 10 stil dell'altre donne:
Follow the fashion of the other women.
fin'd3ete luziI)'gateb 'fate'{i 'kwat:tr;) 'zm;)rfje

Fingete, lusingatelo, fategll quattro smorfie.
Pretend, flatter him, make him four grimaces. s
(Pretend, flatter him, simper a bit.)
SANDRINA
;) 'nom 'mi 'pjatJe 'kwest;) m:)'derno 'stile
Oh, non mi piace questo modenlO stile:
Oh, I don't like this modern style.
ne'm:men 'per 'd3;)b 'j:) 'arder

'V:),{A:) 'di 'nw:)v:) a'more
NelIll11en per gioco io vogllo arder di nuovo a.more;
Not even in jest wish to burn with a new love;
'il 'kw:)r de'Uw:)mini 'i:) 'd3a ko'nosb ab:bas'tantsa

II cuor degl'uomini io gis. conosco abbastanza;
The hearts of men already know full well;
'v:) 'subit:) par'tire

Vo' sub ito pa.rtire .. .
I want to right now leave .. .
(She is about to leave but Ramiro enters.)
Scene Four
RAMIRO
''{w:)mini 'san da'mar 'non 'da fu'd:d3ire
Gl'uomini s'han d'a.mar, non da fuggire.
Men should be loved, not shunned. (
NARDO
e 'ditJe 'molt;) 'bene
E dice molto bene.
And he says very well.
(He's right.)
RAMIRO
e per'ke 'mmai 'voi ''{w;)mini ab:bo'r:rit'e
~ perche mai voi gl'uomini abbonite?
And why you men abhor?
(And why do you hate men?)
SANDRINA
per'ke 'ffinti e iI)bs'tanti
Perche finti e incostanti...
Because false and fickle ...
RAMIRO
e'p:pur 'vi'sono deUw:)mini fe'deli 'i:) 'tal 'mi'vant:)
Eppur vi sono degl'uomini fed ell; io tal mi vanto.
Yet there are some men faithful; I such boast myself to be.
5Fare quattro smorfie is an idiomatic expression meaning "to put on a face", "to pretend to be upset", "to simper about".
530
a'mai
Amai
'nJbil
nobil
I loved a noble
dJn'dzel:la
donzella
damsel
La Finta Giardiniera, Act I
'ai
{ahi
(alas,
rimem'brantsa
rimembranza!)
the memory of her!)
1
'ed a'l:lor 'kiJ mJ'f:fersi 'ad u'ninni 'kon 'lei
ed allor ch'io m'offersi ad unirmi con lei,
and when offered myself to unite myself with her,
(and when I offered to marry her,)
'lempja 'mi'sprona 'mi tra'diHe 'mi'laHa e mab:ban'dona

l'empia mi sprona, mi tradisce, mi lascia e m'abbandona.
the wicked one spurs me on, betrays me, leaves me and abandons me.
SANDRINA
'ek:b'li 'tut:to 'il 'male 'd3a prJ'vjene 'da 'noi 'pJvere 'dJn:ne
Ecco Ii! Tutto il male gid proviene da noi povers donne,
There you are! All evil already comes from us poor women,
'ke 'fjer des'tinJ e 'il 'nJstrJ

che fier destino e il nostro!
what cruel destiny is ours!
'patJe 'nJll) 've 'per 'noi 'ne konten'tet:tsa

Pace non v'e per noi ne contentezza,
Peace there isn't for us, nor contentment,
'ne 'tIi 'serve 'la 'grattsja e 'la be'l:let:tsa

ne ci serve Ia grazia e la bellezza.
nor is it of any use our grace or beauty.
(There is no peace or contentment for us women, and our grace and beauty are of no use.)
NO.4 ARIA
SANDRINA
'noi 'dJn:ne pJve'rine ta'pine sfortu'nate
Noi donne poverine, tapine, sfortunate,
We women poor, wretched, unfortunate
a'p:pena 'sjamJ 'nate ka'b:bjamJ 'da pe'nar

appena silllllo nate ch'abbilllllo da penar.
no sooner are we born, than we ha ve to suffer.
diz'grattsje 'da bam'bine

Disgrazie da blllllbine,
Misfortunes as little girls,
stra'pat:tsi grandi'tJel:le
strapazzi grandicelle,
drudgery (when) we're growing up,
e del:le'ta 'nel 'fjore

e dell'etd nel fiore,
and of our age in the flower,
(and in the flower of our age,)
( 'sjamo 'brut:te
0 J 'bel:le
l 0
whether
silllllo brutte
we be ugly
0
or
belle
beautiful
l
'il male'det:to a'more 'tIi 'vjene a tonnen'tar

il maladatto amom ci viana a tonnantar.
the accursed love comes us to torment.
(accursed love comes to torment us.)
a 'don:ne pove'rine
Ah, donna povarina.
Ah, women poor.
(Ah, poor women.)
'meAAo sa'ria 'per 'noi 'non 'naJJere o mo'fir

Maglio sma par noi non nascam o morir.
Better it would be for us not to be born or to die.
(She leaves.)
RAMIRO
sa'rei fe'litIe a'p:pjeno
Sarei falica appiano
I'd be happy completely
'se 'pju 'noIl) 'fos:se 'inIl) 'vita ar'minda i!)'grata

sa pin non fossa in vita Anninda ingrata,
if no longer were alive Arminda ungrateful,
(I'd be completely happy if the ungrateful Arminda were no longer alive,)
o 'ke 'al 'mondo 'per 'me 'noIl) 'fos:se 'nata

,I
oh cha al mondo par rna non fossa nata.
oh, if to the world for me she hadn't been born. (
(oh, if only she hadn't been born into this world for me.)
(He leaves.)
Scane Fiva
(Nardo alone.)
NARDO
'io 'per 'me 'no!) ka'pisko
10 per rna non capisco
For my part I don't understand
'ko!) 'ki 'lab:bja kos'tui

con chi l'abbia costui;
with whom he is upset;
'rna 'la pa'drona 'mi'sembra a!)'kor 'ke 'vo/\J.a an'dar 'di 'volta
Ma la padrona mi sembra ancor cha voglia andar di volta.
But my mistress seems to me again that she may be about to throw a fit.
e 'ver 'ke 'na ra'd30ne

E ver che n'ha ragiona
It's true that she has good reason
'per kwel:lin'de]1]1a a'ttsjone 'ke 'Ai 'fetIe 'il kon'tino

per quell'indagna aziona cha gli faca il Contino,
due to that worthless treatment that was done her (by) the Count.
l
(
'ma
Ma
'Forse
forse,
e 'sentsa 'Forse
e senza forse,
'il 'miJ 'kazo
il mio caso
e
9
pe'd:d30r
peggior,
But maybe, (and without question) my case is worse,
'ke 'per ser'pet:ta 'mi 'vado konsu'mando

che per Serpetta mi vado consumando:
because for Serpetta I am becoming consumed:
'el:la 'mi 'sfud:d3e e 'skat:tJa

Ella mi sfugge e scaccia,
She flees from me and repulses (me),
ne'p:pur 'mi 'gwarda 'il1] 'fat:tJa

neppur mi guarda in faccia...
won't even look me in the face ...
'ke fa'ro 'per 'far 'ke 'senta a'more pjand3e'ro

Che £ '?
J.8l'O. Per far che senta amore piangero.
What shall I do? To cause that she feel love I will weep.
a 'ke 'non'd30va 'il 'pjanto

Ah che non giova il pianto
Ah for it's no use to weep
a pje'gar 'del:la 'd::m:na 'il 'br ma'liJ1J1o

a piegar della donna il cor maligno,
to bend of woman the heart malicious,
(Ah, it's no use trying to conquer a woman's malicious heart with weeping.)
'ke 'pju'dduro 'dul1] 'fer:ro 0 'dum ma'tJiJ1J1o

ch'e pill duro d'un ferro 0 d'un macigno.
which is harder than iron or than a rock.
NO.5 ARIA
NARDO
a 'fortsa 'di mar'tel:li
A fona di martelli
By the power of hammers
'il 'fer:ro 'si ri'dutJe

il ferro si riduce,
the iron is subdued,
a 'fortsa 'di skar'pel:li

a fona di scarpelli
by the power of chisels
'il 'marmo 'si la'vora

il Marmo si lavora;
the marble is fashioned;
'di 'don:na 'il 'kwor o'.PJ1ora

I
\ Di donna il cuor ognora

Of woman the heart always
l 'ne 'fer:ro 'ne mar'tel:1o 'ne a'more trista'rel:1o
ne ferro ne martello, ne amore tristarello
nor iron nor hammer, nor love unhappy
'la 'PW;) ri'dur:re a 'sej1j1o 'la 'PW;) kapatJi'tar

la pub ridUlT9 a segno, la pub capacitar.
can subdue her can make her comprehend. (
(Neither hammer nor chisels, nor unhappy love can subdue the heart of a woman nor make it
comprehend.)
'sjam 'pat:tsi 'tutti 'kwanti

Siam pazzi tutti quanti
We're crazy, all of us
'ke an'djam;) a'p:pres:s;) a 'fem:mine

che andiamo appresso a femmine,
who go after women,
'si 'spret:tsino 'si 'skattJino

Si sprezzino, si scaccino,
Let's despise them, let's banish them,
'si 'fug:gino 'si 'pjantino

si fugghino, si piantino,
let's flee them, let's leave them,
'si 'laJJin;) kre'par

si lascino crepar.
let's let them croak.
(He leaves.)
Scene Six (
(A gallery. The Podesta, Arminda and later, Serpetta.)
PODESTA
'mia 'kara nipo'tina rip;)'zatevi 'urn 'p;)b
Mia cara nipotina, riposatevi un poco,
My dear niece, rest yourself a while,
'ke a mo'menti 'b 'SP;)Z;) d3und3e'ra

che a momenti 10 sposo giungera.
for in a momnent your bridegroom will arrive.
ARMINDA
'kwesta tardantsa e 'una 'som:ma iI)kre'antza
Questa tardanza 9 una sonuna increanza;
This delay is a gross discourtesy;
'e,{,(i do'vea preve'nire 'il'mb a'r:rivo

Egli dovea prevenire il mio anivo.
He should have anticipated my arrival.
PODESTA
'forse aI)'kora 'non 'sa
Forse ancora non sa...
Maybe yet he doesn't know ...
534 La Finta Giardiniera, A ct I
ARMINDA
'non 'sa 'kio 'son tes'tina e kapri't:tJoza
Non sa ch'io son testina e capricciosa.
He doesn't know that I am stubborn and capricious.
PODESTA
'via 'kol:le 'bwone 'via
Via, colle buone, via,
Come, gently now, come,
'ke 'di 'kwi a 'pob 'vi passe'ra 'la 'bl:lera

che di qui a poco vi passera Ia collera.
for very soon will pass your anger.
ARMINDA
\
se'djamo 'ei 'kwi 've!]gino 'sedje
Sediamo. Ehi, qui venghino sedie.
Let us sit down. Ho there, bring here some chairs.
\ SERPETTA
'ek:b 'sedje 'no!] gri'date 'kio 'non 'sono 'd3a 's~rda
Ecco sedie, non grid ate, ch'io non sono gilt sorda.
Here are chairs, don't scream, for I am not deaf.
ARMINDA
'ki e bs'tei
Chi 9 costei?
Who is she?
SERPETTA
'io 'son 'la kame'rjera
10 son Ia cameriera...
I am the maid ...
ARMINDA
e 'noIl) ve'nite a 'fare 'il 'vostro 'debito
E non venite a fare il vostro debito,
And you don't come to do your duties,
a i!]ki'narvi os:se'kwianni a ba'tJanni 'la 'mano

a inchlnarvi, ossequianni, a baciarmi Ia mano?
to courtsy, to pay your respects, to kiss my hand?
SERPETTA (goes to kiss her hand but Arminda waves her off)
'or 'volea· 'farb
Or volea farlo ...
Now I wanted to do it...
(I was just going to do it...)
ARMINDA
an'date
Andate.
l (
Leave.
PODESTA
l an'date
Andate.
Leave.
SERPETTA
'vadJ
Vado.
I'm leaving. (
(Serpetta is about to leave but Arminda calls her back.)
ARMINDA
'ei ra'gat:tsa
Ehi, ragazza.
Hey, girl!
SERPETTA
'ke pa'ttsjentsa
I
(Che pazienza!)
(What patience!)
(Give me patience!)
ARMINDA
've 'nwJva 'del 'rnb 'spJzJ
V'e nuova del mio sposo?
Is there news about my bridegroom?
SERPETTA
'nJ sij1j1ora 'rna 'kredo
No, signora, rna credo ...
No, my lady, but I believe ...
ARMINDA
an'date
(
Andate.
Go.
PODESTA
an'date
Andate.
Go.
~
SERPETTA
'kOI) bs'tei 'nOIl) fa'rern 'trJP:PJ 'bene
(Con costei non farern troppo bene.)
(With this one we won't get along too well.)
(She leaves.)
ARMINDA
'diterni si'j1j1or 'ttsio a'vete 'voi no'tittsja
Ditemi, signor zio, avete voi notizia,
Tell me, my uncle, have you knowledge
'se 'il 'rniJ 'spJzJ 'sia 'bel:b rnanje'rozo

se il mio sposo sia bello rnarueroso?
if my bridegroom be well-mannered?
PODESTA
'il) 'kwantJ a 'kwesto
In quanto a questo ...
As for that...
536
SERPETTA (entering in a hurry)

si'J1J1ori 'prest:) e
La Finta Giardiniera. Act I
'd3unto 'Ul) kar:ro't:tsino

1
11
Signori, presto, e giunto un clUTOzzinO ...

Sir, madame. quickly. has arrived a carriage ...
ARMINDA
'kwest:) sa'ra 'il kon'tino
Questo sara il contino.
This will be the Count.
(They both rise.)
PODESTA
'vad:) 'ad il)bn'trarb
Vado ad incontrarlo ...
I'm going to meet him ...
:)'la 'ke o'J1J1uno 'stia 'pront:) al:lu'f:fitJo 'suo

Ola, ch, ognuno stia presto all'ufficio suo .. .
Ho there, let everyone be ready for the task his .. .
(Ho there, let all (servants) be ready to perform their tasks ... )
nipo'tina sen'tite
Nipotina, sentite .. .
My ciear niece. listen .. .
(To Serpetta)
a'v:viza 'tut:ti kame'rjeri sta'f:fjeri

Avvisa tutti ... camerieri, staffieri.. .
Inform everyone ... waiters. footmen .. .
SERPETTA
ek:bb 'kwa
Eccolo qua.
Here he is.
ARMINDA
'or me't:tjamotJi 'urn 'p:)b 'il) gravi'ta
Or rnettiamoci un poco in gravita.
Now let me assume a bit of dignity.
Scene Seven
(The Contino Belfiore enters.)
NO. 6 ARIA
BELFIORE
'ke bel'ta 'ke led:d3a'dria
Che belta, che leggiadria,
What beauty. what charm,
( 'ke splen'dore e'temi 'ddei

che splendore, etemi Dei!
what splendor. eternal gods!
'gwardo 'il 'sole e 'gward::> 'lei

Guaroo il sale e guard a lei,
I look at the sun and I look at her,
(
e kol'pit::> 'da 'kwei 'rai 'parmi o'ddi::> vatJi'I:lar
e colpito da quei rai6 panni, a Dio, vacillar.
and smitten by those rays I seem, oh God, to swoon.
c~ 1~\~V.t: ;
'sp=amm~ "mio 'sole
Sposa, Anninda, mio sale,
Bride, Arminda, my sun,
pretJipitoza'mente 'kome a 'sua printJi'pes:sa e 'sua re'd3ina

Precipitosamente, come a sua principessa e sua regina,
In haste, as to his princess and his queen,
'il kon'tino bel'fjore a 'voi sil)'kina

il Contino Belfiore a voi s'inchina.
the Count Belfiore to you bows.
ARMINDA (distantly)
kon'tino 'vi 'son 'serva
Contino, vi son serva.
Count, I am your servant
e 'vi a't:tJet:to 'nel 'br

e vi accetto nel cor.
and I accept you in my heart. (
'nom 'mi dis'pjatIe
(Non mi dispiace.)
(He doesn't displease me.)
PODESTA
o 'mio si'J1J1or kon'tino e 'kwazi nipo'tino
Oh mio signor Contino, e quasi nipotino,
Oh my dear Count, and almost nephew,
pren'dete
prendete
'Ul)
1Ul
'kar::>
CarD
a'b:brat:tJ::>
ahhraccio
I
//"' receive a warm embrace
/
/ 'kon a'f:fet:to sin'tIer::>
f
.!
I can
with
affetto
affection
sincero
sincere
'n::>bil podes'ta 'di lago'nero

nohil Podesta di Lagonero.
noble Mayor of Lagonero.
(He embraces Belfiore.)
(
/
6There is an obvious comparison between Arminda's flashing eyes and the rays of the sun. In poetic Italian. the organs of
vision are called by many names: mi lumi, pupilJe, ciglia. and of course, occhi.
b
538
BELFIORE (to Arminda, bowing over her hand)

,
. penne't:tete sp:)'zina
Penllettete, sposina,
i
/ Allow me, dear bride,
'ke 'sul:la 'bjaI)ka 'man:) a 'n:) zba'Uai

che sulla bianca mano .. . ah no sbagliai...
that on your white hand .. . ah, no, I was mistaken ...
/(To the Podesta.]

/i.
"}l perd:)'nate si'J1J1or 's:) 'il do'ver 'mio

t Perdonate, signor, so il dover mio.
I Forgive me, sir, I know the duty mine.
t (Forgive me, I should have first asked your permission.)
\\. (Seeing Serpetta. he attempts a proper greeting.]
~'.
\pjen d:)'s:sekw~:) 'koll) 'voi 'bel:la ra'gat:tsa

Pien d'ossequio ... con voi bella ragazza.
Full of respect... with you dear girl.
it~1
,~
n:)
I ~
'ke maI)'kar 'n:)ll] 'v:)U:)
~ol che mancar non voglio.
110, for to breach (etiquette) I do not wish.
ONo, I don't want to commit a breach of etiquette.)
(sp:)za si'J1J1or ra'gat:tsa 'i:) 'd3a mim'br:)U:)

isposa... signor... ragazza... io gia m'imbroglio.
l
am confused .
'~:::::"
girl... already
sir.
,. 'kwanto 'mi 'vjen 'da'ridere 'bel:la karika'tura
l(Quanto mi vien da rider9, bella caricatura.)
i (How I feel like laughing, lovely caricature.)
d
•
PODESTA
'or 'dite 'urn 'p:)b
Or dite un poco
Now tell me something,
darminda 'mia ni'pote 'v:)stra 'spna no'vel:la kon'tino 'ke 'vi 'par
d'Anninda mia nipote, vostra sposa novella, Contino, che vi par?
of Arminda my niece, your bride new, Count, what do you think?
(Contino, what do you think of my niece Arminda, your new bride?)
BELFIORE
su'perba e 'bel:la 'bel:la 'fronte
Superba e bella. Bella fronte,
Haughty and beautiful. Lovely forehead,
l ( be',\A:)k:ki 'bel:le 'gwantJe 'bel 'naz:)
begl'occhi, belle guancie, bel naso,
l lovely eyes, lovely cheeks, lovely nose,
'bel bo'k:kino a 'voi 'sjete 'mia 'kara 'un d3elso'mino

bel bocchino. Ah, voi siete, mia cara, un gelsomino.
t lovely little mouth. Ah. you are. my dear. a jasmine.
ARMINDA
e 'voi sem'brate a'p:punto 'un d3iea'sole
I
E voi sambrata appunto un girasole, /
And you seem like exactly a sunflower, (

! 'ke 'si 'v;,ld3e 'kwa e 'la 'tut:ti i mo'menti
1 cha si volga qua a lit tutti i momanti,
,J who turns here and there at all times,
I
k
"
t
1
'antsi 'una bande'f;,la a 'kwat:tr;, 'venti
! anzi una banderola a quattro venti.
I rather a weathervane in the four winds.
1 BELFIORE
,t
.j per'ke 'mia 'kafa
Perche, mia cara,
Why, my dearest,
J 'mia pleni'lunja 'stel:la 'voi 'mi'dite ko'zi
I mia plenilunia stalla, voi mi dite COS!?
my full moon star, (do) you speak to me thus?
ARMINDA
per'ke 'vi'sbrg;, vo'lubile e le'd:d3ef;'
Perche vi SCOl'gO volubile e leggiero:
Because I perceive you (as) fickle and frivolous.
(To the Podesta.)

(
'ke 'dite 'siJ1J1or 'ttsio
i Che
What
dite,
do you say,
signor zio?
my uncle?
l PODESTA.
la'JJate 'kio b's:servi 'dal:la fiziono'mia 'mi 'par
r
Lasciate ch'io l'osservi; da.lla fisionomia mi par...
Let me observe him; from his looks he seems to me ...
'n;,n 'zbaU;, ni'pote e 'un 'w;,m bs'tante

Non sbaglio ...
I'm not mistaken ...
nipote,
niece,
e
he is
un
a
uom
man
costanta!
steadfast!
l
BELFIORE
;, k;,stan'tis:simo
Oh, costantissimo!
Oh, most steadfast!
PODESTA.
fe'dele
Fedele!
Faithful!
BELFIORE {,
fede'lis:simo ! 'io 'son 'kwal 'due;, 'sbU;,' 'antsi 'kwal 'nave
Fedelissimo! i 10 son qual duro scoglio, anzi qual nave (
, Most faithful! \ I am like a hard reef, rather like a ship
I
\\
I "
.~
L
'ke 'im 'med:dzo 'al 'mare iIl)'fido 'mi 'fraI)go

che in mezzo al maro infido mi frango ...
that amid the sea inconstant breaks up ...
'no 'mi 'spet:tso oi'bo ma'r:resto

no, nri spezzo, oibo, m'arrasto;
no, I go to pieces, oh, I better stop;
'voi minten'dete 'il para'gone e 'kwesto

voi m'intendete, il paragone e questo.
i you understand me, the comparison is that one.
\! (you can understand me; I'm describing myself in simile.)
'tJirka 'il para'gone u'dite 'bene

circa il paragone ... udite bene:
regarding the simile ... listen well:
'sjete unakwi'lone oi'bo 'kwal 'nembo

Vol siete un aquilone, oibo, qual nembo ...
You are a north wind, even better, like a thundercloud ...
'antsi 'kwal 'vento 'no 'kwal mond3i'bel:b

anzi qual vento .. . no, qual mongibello;7
rather like a wind .. . no, like a volcano;
'voi minten'dete e 'il para'gon 'pju 'bel:b

Voi m'intendete e il paragon piiI bello.
you understand me, it's the simile most appropriate.
'ARNI'INf)k-~'~>"-l
'ben 'b ve'dro ! 'rna 'ditemi 'voi 'mi a'mate
Ben 10 vedra, rna ditemi, voi mi amate?
I'll see about that, I
y
but tell me, you love me?
BELFIORE !
'se 'vamo 'al 'primo 'lampo

') ¥ /'v'amo? Al primo lampo
~ __If--11bve you? At the first flash
G.-! 'kwei ve't:tsozi e fulmi'nanti 'rai

\1r/ quei vezzosi e fuhninanti rai ;j
of those charming and sparkling eyes ~
'sot:to 'il 'kolpo res'tai

sotto il colpo restai.
under the blow I fell.
7MongibelJo is the poetic name given to Mount Vesuvius. the well known volcano. It is used in the Mozart libretti quite
often. sometimes applied to a turbulent. roiling personality trait. sometimes to a pair of searing eyes. as in Cosl Fan Tutte. It
has a curious double etymology. from the Latin (mons -mountain) and the Arabic (jebel - mountain), a "mountain-mountain". so
to speak. The Rock of Gibraltar gets its name from the Moorish general Tarik, who in the year 711 crossed from North Africa
onto Spain and upon seeing the famous rocky mountain. called it Jebel-Tarik. A further ancillary comment for people living in
the Colorado Rockies: Outside of Aspen. there is a small town called EI-Jebel. the Arabic for "The mountain".
~ARMINDA
La Finta Giardiniera, Act [ 541
a'dad3:> a'dad3:> sa'pete 'ki 'son 'io

Adagio, adagio, sap eta chi son io?
Gently, gently, do you know who am I?
(
BELFIORE
'voi 'sjete :> 'kkara
Voi siete, oh cara...
You are, oh dearest...
ARMINDA
'io 'son:) kapri't:tJoza tJerve'l:lina ins:>'lente
10 sono capricciosa, cervellina insolente.
I am capricious stubborn insolent (girl).
PODESTA
'tJ:> pja'tJere
C'ho piacel'9.
I'm glad of it.
BELFIORE
me 'ne kon'solo
Me ne consolo.
I'm comforted by it.
ARMINDA
:> 'bw:me 'mani e 'fat:tJa
Ho buona mam a faccia.
I have good hand and face. (
BELFIORE
'viva 'viva
Viva, viva.
Most excellent.
PODESTA
be'nis:simo \
~
Banissimo.
Very good.
ARMINDA
a'd:>pr:) 'aI)ke 'il bas'tone
Adopro anche il bastone.
I can wield also a cudgel.
PODESTA
'meAA:) 'meAA:>
Meglio, maglio.
Even better.
BELFIORE
'brava bra'vis:ima 'ke 'grattsja 'ke p:)I'tent:>
Brava, bravissima. Cha grazia, che portento,
Brava, excellent. What grace, what marvel, (
"
'e Jol'tet:tsa 'io 'mi'sent:> ra'pir

cha scioltazza, io mi sento rapir.
what ease, I feel myself enraptured.
l
ARMINDA
'tJi 'sjamo in'tezi
Ci siamo intesi.
We have understood each other.
'i;) vame'r;) 'rna 'gwai 'se 'vi'sbpro iI)bs'tante

10 v'amern; rna guai sa vi scopro ineostanta;
I will love you; but woe if I discover you (to be) unfaithful;
'aI)ke 'se 'foste 'im 'med:dzo 'del:la 'via
Anehe se foste in mazzo della via
Even if you were in the middle of the street
'io 'vi 'ct;) 'kwat:tr;) 'skjaf:fi 'anima 'mia
io vi do quattro schiaffi, anima mia.
I will give you four slaps in the face. soul of mine.
NO.7 ARIA
ARMINDA
'si pr;)'met:te fatJil'mente daUa'mmanti d;)d:d3i'di
Si promette faeilmenta dagl'amanti d'oggidi;
They promise lightly. the swains of today;
e 'la 'semplitJe ttsi'tel:la 'se '10 'krede p;)ve'rei:la

a la samplice zitella se 10 erode, povarella,
and the simple-minded spinster believes it. poor girl,
e 'si 'fida a 'dir 'di'ssi
0 si fida a dir di sl.
and trusts them (enough) to say "yes".
'i;) pe'r;) 'n;)rI] 'f;) ko'zi
10 porn non fo eos!.
1, however. don't do so.
'patti 'kjari e 'patti 'skjet:ti

Patti chiari 0 patti sehiotti,
Arrangements clear and arrangements straightforward.
'pria 'di'dirvi 'si ;) 'nn;)
pria di dirvi SI 0 no.
before telling you yes or no.
'voi sa'rete 'Iidol. 'mio

Voi sareto l'idol mio,
You will be the idol mine.
'il'mb 'ben 'la'mia spe'rantsa

il mio ben, lamia sp~ranza.
My beloved. my hope.
l( rna
Ma
But
'se
so
if
'mai
mai,
ever.
b'me
com'e
as is
llu'zantsa
lusanza,
usual.
[ 'mi maI)'kaste 'miI)ga'n:naste
mi maneasto, m'ingannasto,
you should fail me. you should deceive me.
'io 'Ie 'mani adopre'ro

io Ie mani adopl'9ro.
1 my hands will use. I
(1 will use my hands (to beat you).) \
(She leaves with Serpetta.j
Scene Eight
(The Count Belfiore and the Podesta.)
PODESTA
'ke
Che
'dite
dite,
si'J1J1or 'konte
signor Conte,
'ke
che
'vi 'pare
vi para
'di
di
'mia
mia
ni'pote
nipote?
1
What do you say, dear Count, what do you think of my niece?
BELFIORE
o 'kwanto min:na'mora e ma't:tende 'si 'kkara bid:dza'r:ria
Oh quanto, m'innamora e m'accende si cara bizzarria;
Oh, how much it enchants me and enflames me such dear eccentricity;
(Oh, how her dear eccentricity enchants and enflames me!)
~h'
'ke fortuna 'ke 'bel:la 'sorte a'miko
7
!
Oh,
che
what
fortuna,
fortune,
che
what
bella sorte,
happy fate,
amico,
my friend,
I ritro'vare 'una 'don:na 'rna 'ke 'diko 'una 'don:na

ritrovara una donna, ma che dico una donna?
(
to find a woman, but what am I saying, a woman? (
,./ 'una
'el:la e 'ddea 'ke 'ill] 'vet:tso 'ke 'im bel'ta
\Ella 9 una dea, che in vezzo, che in belta,
She is a goddess, who in charm, who in beauty,
'ke 'in led:d3a'dria 'noll] 've 'ki a 'lei so'miUa

che in leggiadria non v'a chi a lei somiglia.
in prettiness there isn't who to her compares. t
'pwo 'dirsi lo't:tava mera'viUa
pun dirsi l'ottava meraviglia.
can be called the eighth wonder of the world.
PODESTA
'noll] 'fo 'per 'dir 'ke 'me ni'pote 1
Non fo per dir che m'a nipote,
I need not say'. that she's my niece,
'in 'tut:to 'el:la e partib'lare

in tutto ella a particolara,
in everything she is exceptional,
(
f a
sen'tirla
sentirla
parlare
parlara
e
9
'um
un
pja'tJere
piacel'9,
'uno
uno
'spas:so
spasso,
I to hear her talk she's a pleasure, a delight, (
; \
[ C~
>
544 La Finta Giardiniera, A ct I
1,
..
(
r 'sputa se:n'te:ntse:
e 'par t::>rkwat::> 'tas:s::>
\ sputa sentanze e par Torquato Tasso.
( \\ she moralizes like Torquato Tasso. B
l ~ELFIORE
e: 'd3a 'si 'vede e 'd3a 'la 'k::>za e: 'kjara
Eh gift si vede, e gift la cosa e chiara,
Oh, one can see that, and already the matter is clear,
'ed 'al:la 'fama 'ke 'di 'lei 'd3 a 'kor:re

ed alia fama che di lei giit corra
and by her reputation that about her already races
'per 'tut:te 'Ie ga'd:dzet:te 'mi 'sana in:nam::>'rat::>

par tutle Ie gazzetle mi sono innamorato:
through all the news-sheets I have fallen in love.
(and through her reputation, which already appears in all the news-sheets, I have fallen in love.)
tJen'taltre: ::> riku'zat::> be'l:lis:sime: fan'tJul:le

Cent'altra ho ricusato bellissime fanciulle ...
A hundred others I have refused most lovely girls ...
'nol kre'dete
nol credete?
you don't believe it?
PODESTA
a '10 'kredo purtr::>p:p::>
Oh, 10 credo purtroppo.
Oh, I believe it all too well.
BELFIORE
as:siku'ratevi
Assicuratevi,
'ke
che
do'vuI)kwe
dovunque
'son
son
'stat::>
stato,
I
J
Be assured, that wherever I have been, I
'Ie: 'd::>n:ne: a 'trup:pe a 'Skje:fe: ko'r:revan dispe:'rate
i
Ie donne a truppa, a schiara corravan disparate t
the women in a troop, in legions ran desperately
'il k::>m'pendj::> a mi'rar 'nel 'mio 'bel 'volta
Ii
il compendio a mirar nal mio bel volto
the reunion to behold in my lovely face
'di 'grattsja 'di va'lor in'sjeme a'k:k::>lt::>

di grazia, di valor insiema accolto.
of grace, of valor together gathered.
(Be assured that wherever I have been, women by troops and legions ran desperately to behold in my f
lovely face the reunion of grace and valor.)
I
PODESTA
::> 'bravo 'il'mio kon'tino 'mi 'pjatfe 'il'v::>stro 'brio
1,
Oh bravo il mio Contino, mi piace il vostro brio.
Oh, bravo, my dear Count, I like your verve.
BTorquato Tasso (1544-1595), Italian poet and playright whose most famous work is "Orlando Furioso".
/ La Finta Giardiniera, Act I 545
,/,
)\.
.'
\\ BELFIORE
\J \ i.
'SOI]
Son
kava'ijer
cavalier
'di
di
'spirito
spirito, [
I'm a knight of spirit, (
'son'stato 'i11) 'gwer:ra 'viva
son stato in guerra viva,
I've been in war real,
o espU'jljlato fortet:tse
ho espugnato fortezze,
I've captured fortresses,
e 'p:pur 'dal 'vizo 'del:la 'mia 'kafa arminda

eppur dal viso della mia cara Arminda
and yet by the face of my dear Arminda
'S011) 'fat:to prid30'njer 'kwivi vo'lando 'ven:ni a 'posta ko'r:rente

son fatto prigionier, quivi volanto venni a posta corrente,
lam made prisoner; here flying I carne post-haste;
o la'IJato 'per 'lei 'tut:ti 'mjei 'feudi

ho lasciato per lei tutti i miei feudi,
I've abandoned for her sake all my properties,
'Ie 'karike va's:sal:li 'il markeze 'mb 'padre

Ie cariche, i vassalli, il marchese mio padre,
my responsib iIi ties, my vassals the marquis my father,
'Ia dU'kes:sa 'mia 'non:na (

Ia duchessa mia nonna,
the duchess my grandmother,
1
\ e 'tanti e 'tanti ku'd3ini tito'lari
\\ e tanti tanti cugini titoIm ...
,i and many
e
and many cousins titled ...
\
\ ({he Podesta laughs.)
~
\.
\'voi
\
ri'dete 'kat:tera 'non sa'pete 'ki 'sieno i'mjei pa'fenti
Woi ridete? Cattera non sapata chi siena i miei parenti,
rou
\
\
laugh? By Jove you don't know who are my relatives,
i
tv~ 'morti e na'JIenti u'dite u'dite
"f,Vl, mom e nascenti, udite, udite,
·t
jlive,
da'fO
. darO
:11 give you
dead and being born,
'in abre'IJe
in abresce 9
in brief
'kwalke
qualche
some
listen, listen,
kkon'tet:tsa
contazza
account
\' I
1',1 )
;,1 1" ..,..,..
9This is an italianized form of the French abrege, meaning "abreviated, brief. in short", etc. It is found in its more
l frenchified version in COS! Fan Tuite, as Despina comments on Fiordiligi's curt commands to her in act II: Comanda in abrege
Donna Arroganza
'del:la
"~;lla :a
'mia nobil'ta
nobilta,
nobility,
'di
di
of
'mia
mia
my
gran'dettsa
grandezza.
grandeur.
I
ARIA
ORE to (or PODESTA)
'JIi'rok:b a tramon'tana
cirocco a Tramontana11
e South Pole to the North Pole
levante a 'med:dzo'd30rno
Levante a Mezzogiomo
the Levant to the Occident
'e pa'leze in'torno 'la 'mia an'tika nobil'ta

e palese intomo la mia antica nobilta.
is apparent all around my ancient nobility.
(My ancient noble lineage is well known from ..... )
o 'graIl) 'feudi 'ed o va's:sal:li

Ho gran feudi ed o vassalli,
I have great properties and I have vassals,
'pju 'non:ni mare'JJal:li

ho piiI nonni marescialli,
I have moreover grandfathers marshals,
moreover I have grandfathers who were marshals,)
, ju so'rel:le printJi'pes:se
iiI sorelle principesse,
nd sisters (who were) princesses,
, re re'd3ine 'sei kon'tes:se

regine, sei contesse,
three queens, six countesses,
'djetJi 'konsoli ro'mani 'ed 'printJipi so'vrani

dieci consoli romani ed i principi, i sovr8.lll
ten consuls Roman and the princes, and sovereigns,
'non 'si 'pos:son nume'rar

Non si posson numerar.
cannot be counted.
'rna bS'pet:to 'voi ri'dete

Ma cospetto, voi ridete?
But darn it all, you are laughing?
IOThis aria has on occasion been given over to the Podesta, for the reason (in abresce) that since it is of a somewhat buffo
( character, it may tend to not quite fit the rather insufferable pomposity of Belfiore's personality. The reasoning also has been
that the Podesta., quite bored with Belfiore's endless and pompous description of his many attributes (which cause him to
l laugh), decides to take the wind out of Belfiore's sails and start his own litany of accomplishments and atavistic bragging.
l1Scirocco is a south wind and Tramontana is a north wind. The sense in this phrase connotes "from North to South"
si'JlJlor 'mio 'non 'Ii ve'dete

Signor mia, non li vedete?
My dear sir, don't you see them?
(
'ek:ko 'numa 'ek:b IJi'pjone 'marb au'rElj;) 'mark;) a'grip:pa
Ecco NUDla, ecco Scipione, Marco Aurelio, Marco Agrippa,
\; Here's Numa, here's Scipio, Marcus Aurelius, Marcus Agrippa,
\ 'muttsj;) 'IIev;)la e ka'tone

Muzio Scevola e Catone,
\ Mucius Scaevola and Cato,
e 'kwei 'due 'ke 'van:n::l a'spal:la
I, ~
e
and
quei
those
due
two
che
who
vanna a spalla .
come one behind the other
! I. 'son ti'berjo e kara'kal:la

1/ son Tiberio e Caracalla,
"',f) are
Tiberius and Caracalla,
'jj'ton ris'pett;) salu'tateli

i
! can rispetto salutateli,
with respect greet them,
sprofon'datevi iI]ki'natevi
sprofondatevi, inchinatevi,
prostrate yourself, bow down
a 'tJas'kun 'di 'kwa e 'Ia

... ---a ciascun di qua e lit.
(
l .,
;,"
/,'.. to each one here and there.
e'v:viva 'konsoli r::l'mani Ji'pjone kara'kal:la

Evviva i consoli romani, Scipione, Caracalla:
Long live the . Roman consuls, Scipio, Caracalla,
t ~,
'ha 'Ie 'riza 'nom 'p::ls:S::l trat:te'nere
all, Ie risa non posso trattenere,
';\ Ha ha, the laughter I cannot hold back,
nF \
1
l \.Ikwest;) e 'spas:s::l da'v:ver 'kwest;) e pja'tJere

questo 9 spasso davver, questa 9 piacere.
this is amusing indeed, this is a pleasure.
e Jeaves,j12
Scene Nine
(Serpetta, then Nardo with a basket of fruit.)
(
12It is obvious that if the Podesta sings aria No.8, this last recitative should be cut, as it makes no sense for him to sing it.
After his aria, therefore, both Belfiore and Podesta leave. If. however, Belfiore sings No.8, then the text stands.
SERPETTA
'il] 'kwesta 'kaza 'non 'si 'pwo 'pju 'stare
In questa casa non si pub pin stare:
In this house I can no longer stay.
'dopo 'd3 unta bs'tei al'meno 'tJento 'volte

Dopa giunta costei, ahneno cento volte
Ever since arrived she, at least a hundred times
kjame'ra 'in 'urn mo'mento

chiamera. in un momenta
she has called every minute
(Ever since she (Arminda) arrived, she has called at least a hundred times every minute)
'e 'di skja't:tar 'per 'lei 'nom 'me 'Ia 'sento

e di schiatlar per lei non me la sento.
and to undo myself for her I don't feel like.
(and I don't feel like undoing myself on her account.)
'rna 'nardo 'kwi sa'p:presa

Ma Nardo qui s'appressa.
But Nardo here is approaching.
'da kos'tui 'd3 a mas'pet:to

Da costui gia. m'aspetlo
From him already I expect
'Ia 'muzika ordi'narja 'de sos'piri

la musica ordinaria de' sospiri,
the music usual of the sighs,
find3e'ro 'noI1) ve'derlo

fingero non vederlo,
I will pretend not to see him,
'e 'kwi se'duta 'mi spas:se'ro a kan'tare

e qui seduta mi spassero a cantare
and here sitting I will amuse myself singing
una'rjet:ta no'vel:la
un'arietla novella
a little song new
'kome 'vwole 'il· ma'rito 'una ttsi'tel:la

coma vuole il' marito una zitella.
how wants a husband a girl.
(a new little song about what kind of husband a girl wants.)
NO. 9a CAVATINA
SERPETTA
'urn ma'rito o'd:dio vo'r:rei amo'rozo e 'pjen da'f:fet:to
l (
Un
A
marito,
husband,
oh Dio,
Dh God,
vorrei
I'd like,
amoroso
loving
a
and
pien
full
d'affetlo,
of affection,
" 'rna 'urn rna'rito 'urn 'po ve'kjet:to

ma un marlto un po' vecchiatto
but a husband a bit on in years
'rnarn:rna 'rnia 'noll] 'fa 'per 'me

manuna mia, non fa per me.
mamma mia, won't do for me. (
(but a husband who's already on in years, oh no, won't do for me.)
NARDO
'korne 'il] 'kwesta kan'tsone 'il senti'mento es'prirne
Come in questa canzone il sentimento esprime:
How in this song her feelings she expresses.
al]'kio 'Ai 'vo ris'ponder 'per 'Ie 'rime

Anch'io gli vo' risponder per Ie rime.
Also I want to reply in rhyme. 13
NO. gb CAVATINA
NARDO
'urn rna'rito o'd:dio vo'r:resti arno'rozo e 'pjen da'f:fet:to
Un marito, oh Dio, VOIT9sti, amoroso e pien d'affetto,
A husband, oh God, you'd like, loving and full of affection,
'nla 'urn rna'rito d30vi'net:to 'fiUa'rnia 'noll] 'fa 'per 'te

rna un rnarito giovinetto, figlia mia, non fa per te.
but a husband very young, my dear, won't do for you.
SERPEITA
'bravo si'J1J1or bu'f:fone
Bravo, signor buffone,
Bravo, sir buffoon,
(
'ki 'vi a'dato Ii'tJentsa 'di pene'trar 'fil] 'kwi
chi, vi ha dato licenza di penetrar fin qui?
who gave you permission to come in here?
NARDO
'kara ser'pet:ta perdo'nate lar'dir
Cara Serpetta, perdonate l'ardir,
Dear Serpetta, forgive my daring,
'kwi ritro'vai 'luIIo a'perto 'ed en'trai

qui ritrovai l'uscio aperto ed entrai.
here I found the door open and I came in.
SERPEITA
'se vo'lete 'il pa'drone 'sta 'da kwe'l:altra 'parte an'date
Se volete il padrone sta da quell'altra parte, andate.
If you want the master, he's on the other side, go.
NARDO
ko'zi 'rni diska't:tJate e'p:pur ka'rina
J
COS! mi discacciate?
Thus you dismiss me?
Eppur carina,
Yet, dearest,
13 "Risponder per Ie rime" literally means "to answer in rhymes" meaning to answer energetically, rebutting point by point
the arguments of the opponent. In medieval correspondence among poets it was the custom to correspond in verses and often
he who answered used the same rhyme scheme as his opponent. In this case the expression by Nardo connotes: I'll rhyme my
song with hers."
550 La Pinta Ciardiniera, Act I
'1.:
..
l ~
'io/ skol'pita 'vi 'teI)go 'im 'med:dz;) 'al 'pdtJ
id scolpita vi tengo in mezzo al petta.
engraved have you in the middle of my breast.
ou dismiss me like that? Yet, my dearest, I have you engraved in my heart.)
tJiI)kwe 'volte 'b 'det:to e 'kwesta 'ke 'fan 'sei

Cinque volte l'ho detto, e questa che fan sei,
Five times I've said it, and this makes six,
'no 'non'sono 'per 'voi A:ja'fet:ti 'mjei

no non sana per voi gl'affetti miei.
no, they aren't for you the affections mine.
NARDO
'ma 'tanta tira'n:nia 'dite 0 'kkara
Ma tanta tirannia, dite, oh cara .. :
But such tyranny, tell me, oh dearest...
SERPETTA
'nom 'pju 'parlo sin'tJera 'fat:to 'per 'me 'non'sjete
Non pin, parlo sincera, fatto per me non siete.
No more, I speak sincerely, made for me you are not.
NARDO
'dite al'meno 'il per'ke
Dite almena il perche?
Tell me at least why?
SERPETTA
'nom 'mi ppja'tJete
Non mi piacete.
I don't like you.
NARDO
pa'ttsjentsa e'p:pur 'un 'd30mo a'vrete a rikja'manni
Pazienza, eppur Wl giomo avrete a richiamarmi.
Patience. Yet one day you'll have to call me back.
SERPETTA (1 aughing)
'ha 'ha
Ah, ah!
NARDO
ri'dete
Ridete?
You laugh?
SERPETTA
'rido per'ke kkre'dete 'ke a tro'vare 'um rna'rito
Rido perche cradete che a trovare Wl marito
I laugh because you believe that to find a husband
'tJi'voMa 'una 'gral) 'koza
ci voglia Wla gran cosa.
requires great effort.
La Finla Giardiniera, Act I 551
've 'ne 'son 'tanti e 'tanti

Ve ne son tanti e tanti,
There of them lots and lots, (
'basta 'ki'J 'v'Jlga 'un 'zgward'J 'J 'miI:Ie a'manti
basta ch'io volga un sguardo, ho mille amanti.
it suffices for me (to) cast a glance (and) I've a thousand suitors.
NO. 10 ARIA
SERPETTA
a'p:pena 'mi'vedon 'ki 'kade 'ki 'zvjene
Appena mi vedon chi cade, chi sviene,
As soon as they see me, they fall, they swoon,
'mi 'vel)gon'J a'p:pres:s'J ne's:suno 'Ii 'tjene

mi vengono appresso, nessuno Ii tiene,
they come near me, no one can restrain them,
e 'kome insen'sati storditi st'J'nati [

e come insensati, storoiti, stonati,14
and as if dazed, stunned, out of tune,
ko'si 'val) gri'dand'J zma'njando ko'zi

COS! van gridando, smaniando cosi:
thus they go screaming, crying out thus:
mi'rate 'ke 'J'k:kjet:ti 'ke 'zgwardi da'more

"Mirate che ocehietti, che sguardi d'amore,
"Look at what eyes, what glances of love, (
'ke 'vvita 'ke 'ggarb'J 'ke 'brio 'ke kko'lore
che vita. che garbo, ehe brio, ehe colore,
what vitality, what manners. what zest, what color,
be'l:lina ka'rina 'vi 'vo 'sempre a'mar

bellina, carina, vi vo' sempre amar."
lovely one, dear one, you I want to always love."
'io 'tut:ta m'J'desta a'b:bas:so 'la 'testa

10 tutta modesta abbasso la testa,
I, all modest, lower my head,
ne'p:pur 'Ai ris'pondo 'Ii 'laII'J pa's:sar

neppur gIi rispondo, Ii lascio passaro
not even answer them, I let them go their way.
(serpetta and Nardo leave.)
Scene Ten
(A hanging garden. San drin a, then Arminda.)
14Stonare literally means "to sing out of tune". Un stonoto could refer to a person singing out of tune, but it also means a
"person out of tune with himself'. "a ffilIn behaving strangely", "a person acting in a bizarre fashion".
552 La Finta Giardin i era, Act I
NO. 11 CAVATINA
SANDRINA
\ 'd3eme 'Ia t:)rt:)'reI:la 'lund3i 'dal:la bm'paJIJIa
( Geme la tortorella lungi daUa compagna,
Moans the turtle-dove far away from her companion,
l (The turtle-dove moans when far away from her companion,)
'del 'suo destin 'si 'IaJIJIa

del suo destin si Iagna,
of her fate laments,
(laments her fate,)
e 'par 'ke 'in 'sua fa'vel:la

e par che in sua favella
and it seems that in her language
'v:)Ui des'tar pje'ta

vogli destar pieta.
she wishes to arouse pity.
'son 'Ia t:)rt:)'reI:la 'ke 'mi 'IaJIJI:) 'Iund3i 'dal 'mb te'z:)r:)
I 0 son Ia tortorella che mi Iagno lungi dal mio tesoro,
\ am the turtle-dove who laments far from my treasure,
\' entsa tfJ'var s:)'l:Ijev:) 'al 'mi:) martiro

\s nza trovar sollievo al mio martiro.
\ ithout finding relief from my suffering.
1
'di k:)s'tantsa fa'r:) 'koi 'mjei sos'piri
di costanza faro coi miei sospiri
with constancy I will cause with my sighs
mpjeto'zir 'Ie 'stel:le e 'il 'kar:) a'mante

impietosir Ie stelle e il earn 8.1Ilante
to move to pity the stars and my dear beloved.
fil)'kio 'non tr:)ve'[J t:)rt:)'rdla iI1]fe'litJe o'JIJIor sa'fJ

finch'io non trovero tortorella infelice . ognor sara .
As long as I don't find him, (a) turtle-dove unhappy always I will be.
ARMINDA
'kwesta sa'ra 'Ia 'bdla d3ardi'njera
(Questa sara Ia bella giardiniera.)
(This must be the beautiful gardener-maid.)
e ra'gattsa sen'tite
Eh, ragazza sentite.
Hey, girl, listen.
.;
SANDRINA
'mia si'JIJI ora
Mia signora.
\ My lady?
ARMINDA
ARMINDA
'dim:mi 'pur 'ke b'zai 'ke 'ti 'sent:> la'J1J1ar
Dimmi pur che cos'hai che ti sento lagnar.
Tell me then what is wrong with you, for I hear you complaining.
SANDRINA
'pens:> a 'mjei 'gwai
Penso a' miei guai.
I'm thinking of my misfortunes.
ARMINDA
:> ka'pito 'tu sos'piri 'forse 'pel p:>des'ta
Ho capito, tu sospiri Forse pel Podesta?
I understand, you are sighing maybe for the Podesta?
SANDRINA
'mi mera'vi£\o 'io 'som 'p:>vera e 'ver 'rna 'son:> o'nesta
Mi rneraviglio, io son povera, {) ver, rna sono onesta.
I am astonished. 1 am poor, it's true, but I am honest.
ko'nosko 'il 'grado 'mio

Conosco il grado mio ...
I know the rank mine ...
(1 know my place ... )
ARMINDA
'tatJi fras'ket:ta :>'Ia 'sai 'ki 'son'io
Taci fraschetta, ola, sai chi son io?
Silence, impertinent one, ho there, do you know who I am? (
mi'zura i 'det:ti e 'pensa
Misura i detti e pensa
Measure your words and remember
'ke 'parli 'kon arminda

che parli con Arminda.
that you're speaking with Arminda.
SANDRINA
perd:>'nate 'io 'non sa'pea
Perdonate ... io non sapea...
Forgive me ... I didn't know...
ARMINDA
'ti kompa'tisko 'or 'sap:pi
Ti compatisco, or sappi
I feel sorry for you. Now learn
'kio 'kwel:la 'son 'kod:d3i da'r:> 'Ila 'man:>

ch'io quella son ch'oggi dam la mano
that I am the one who today will give her hand
'al kon'tino bel'fjore

al Contino Belfiore.
to the Count Belfiore.
'tt
SANDRINA (to herself, surprised and agitated)

::li'me 'ke 'ssent;)
(Ohime cha santo!)
(Alas. what do I hear!)
\.
'il kon'tin;) e 'b 'SP;)Z;) e sa'ra 'vvero 0 'nnumi
\ II Contino e 10 sposo? Esara varo? Oh N UIru.'1
The Count is the bridegroom? And can it be true? Oh gods!
ARMINDA
'ei 'd3unse 'p;)b 'fa 'se '10 ve'des:si
Ei giunsa poco fa. Sa 10 vadassi
He arrived a short time ago. If you saw
'kwant;) e 'vago e d3en'til

quanto e vago a gentil.
how he is handsome and courteous.
SANDRINA (bewildered and trembling)

a 'kio 'non 'reg:g;) 'io 'mi'sento mo'rir
(Ah ch'io non reggo, io mi santo morir.)
(Ah, I can't stand it, I feel myself dying.)
ARMINDA
'tu impal:li'diJJi 'ke'mai 'ti'turba
Tu impallidisci? Cha mm ti turba?
You are turning pale? What ever is upsetting you?
SANDRINA
'UIT)'fjero impro'v:vizo do'iore ;) 'ddei ma's:sale
Un flaro improvviso dolore ... o Dei m'assala ...
A wild sudden sorrow ... oh gods assails me ...
stra'p:parmi 'Ianima 'mia

santo strapparmi l' anima mia ...
I feel torn out of me my soul...
'mi'malJ ka 'il 'br 'nel 'sen~

il cor... nal sana ...
my heart... in my bosom ...
'sudo 'd3eb 'non 'reg:g;) 'io 'velJgo 'meno

sudo ... galo... nan regga ... ia vengo mena.
I'm perspiring ... I'm freezing... I can't stand it... I'm fainting.
ARMINDA
'mizera ;)'Ia 'ki 'Ia so'k:kor:re ;) 'ddio
Misara! ... Ola chi la soccarre? OhDio!
Wretched girl!. .. Ho there, who will aid her? Oh God!
'noIT)'ve al'kun 'ke 'mi'senta

Non v'e alcun cha mi santa?
Isn't there anyone who hears me?
Scene Eleven
BELFIORE
'vi 'son 'io
Vi son io.
Here I am.
ARMINDA
'prest::> 'kafO kon'tino as:sis'tete 'urn mo'mento
Presto, earn Contino, assistete un momento
Quickly, dear Count, help (for) a moment
kwestirI)fe'litJe 'd30vane zve'nuta

quest'infelice giovane svenuta,
this unhappy young girl; (who has) fainted,
'ke in'tanto 'j:) 'v ad::> a 'prendefe

che intanto io vado a prendere
and meanwhile will go to get
an'tid::>t::> va'lev::>le a eikja'marla 'irI) 'vita

antidoto valevole a richiamarla in vita.
(an) antidote effective to bring her back to life.
BELFIORE
'ek:b 'idol'mio 'merI) 'yolo a 'darle a'ita
Ecco, idol mio, men vola a darle aita.
Here, my idol, I'm flying to give her aid.
(
NO. 12 FINALE
BELFIORE
'numi 'ke iI)'kant::> E 'kwesto
N UIlll.·f che incanto e questa?
Gods! What sorcery is this?
vj::>'lante
Violante
e
e
'vviva
viva?
oi'mE
Ohime!
l
Violante is alive? Woe is me!
'trEm::> 'da 'kapo a 'pjE

Tremo da capo a pie;
I tremble from head to foot;
'dove 'mmi 'sia 'non 'so

Dove mi sia non so.
Where I might be I don't know.
(He approaches the unconscious Sandrina and remains frightened and surprised.)
SANDRINA (stirring in her swoon, then losing consciousness again)

'de 'vjeni iI)'grato 'beE
Deh viani, ingrato core,
Oh come, ungrateful heart,
'gwardami 'som 'pur 'kwel:la

Guaroami son pur quella.
Look at me, I am indeed she.
BELFIORE
'la 'votJe e 'di vj:J'lante
La voce (} di Violante,
The voice is of Violante,
'il 'tJiUo 'il 'bel sem'bjante

il ciglio, il bel sembiante.
her eyes. her lovely countenance.
(Always in wonderment and astonishment.)
'rna 'kome 'i!] 'kweste 'sp:JAAe

Ma come in queste spoglie?
But how come in these clothes?
sa'ra 'lla fanta'zia 'meAA:J bs:serve'r:J

Sara la fantasia, meglio l'osservero.
It must be my imagination, better I will observe her.
SANDRINA (coming to)

a 'del:la 'pena 'mia pje'ta ssen'tite :J 'ddei
Ah della pena mia pieta sentite, oh Dei!
Ah. of the suffering mine pity feel. oh gods!
(Ah gods, have pity on my suffering!)
BELFIORE (again watching her closely)

e 'llei sen'tsaltr:J e 'llei ko'rad:d30 'pju n:J'n:J
E lei senz'altro, e lei. Coraggio piu non ho.
lt is she. without a doubt, it is she. Courage fails me.
SANDRINA (perceiving Belfiore and remaining dumbfounded)

'il 'konte :J'ddio 'ke 'mmiro
II Conte? Oh Dio! Che mira!
The Count? Oh God! What do I see!
Scene Twelve
(Arminda brings a phial of smelling salts to Belfiore. She meets Ramiro and both remain astonished.)
ARMINDA
'ek:ko 'il li'kwor pren'dete
Ecco il liquor,l~ prendete .. .
Here are the smelling salts, take them .. .
RAMIRO
kon'tino perme't:tete
Contino, permettete .. .
Count, permit me .. .
ARMINDA
ra'miro
Ramiro?
\
l
lSUquor is a contraction of Jjquore, meaning "liquor - spirits". from the Latin liquor meaning "liquid", it is being applied in
l this case to the smelling salts, which obviously come in a small phial and therefore desenring to be regarded as liquid.
RAMIRO
arminda
Amrinda?
(
ARMINDA, RAMIRO
'ke fa'ro
Che £aro.
'?
What shall I do?
BELFIORE (surreptitiously, to Sandrina)

'dim:mi 'ki 'ssei
Dimmi chi sei?
Tell me, who are you?
SANDRINA
'ke 'diko
(Che dico?)
(What do I say?)
RAMIRO (to ArmindaJ

'barbara
Barbara!
Cruel one!
ARMINDA
'ke di'ro
(Che duo?)
(What will I say?)
(
SANDRINA, ARMINDA, RAMIRO, BELFIORE
a 'ke 'gran 'kolpo e 'kwesto
Ah che gran colpo e questo,
Ah, what great blow is this,
'kwal 'fulmine fu'nesto

qual fuhnine funesto
what a tlmnderbolt dire,
(what a dire thunderbolt,)
'mizera 'mizer::> 'mi'd3eb

Misera (miseJ:Q) mi gelo.
wretched me, . wretched me, I freeze.
(wretched me, I am numb.)
BELFIORE·
'son du'b:bjozo zbalordito
(Son dubbioso, sbalordito,
(I am doubtful, astounded,
'io
io
'non 'so
non so,
'se
se
've/i.f..o
veglio
0
0
'dormo
donno,
l
don't know if I'm awake or asleep,
'des:ser 'stupido 'mi 'par
d'esser stupido mi par.).
of being in a daze I seem.)
SANDRINA
'son konJ'fuza 0 'il 'br zma'r:rito
(Son confusa, ho il cor smarrito,
(I'm confused, I've the heart bewildered,
e 'si 'barbara 'il do'iore

e SI barbara il dolore
it's so cruel my grief
'ke 'mi 'fortsa a lakri'mar

che mi forza a lacrimar.)
that it forces me to weep.)
RAMIRO
'ke stu'por 'sana insen'sato
(Che stupor, so no insensato,
(What amazement, I'm senseless,
'resto i'm:mobile 'mi 'perdo

resto immobile, mi perdo,
I remain motionless, I'm lost,
'io 'non 'p 'ke 'mai pen'sar

10 non so che mai pensar.)
don't know what to think.)
ARMINDA
'ke ma'v:ven:ne b'ze'stato
(Che m'avvenne, cos'e stato
(What has befallen me, what has happened.
'no1) kom'prendo 'pju 'me 'stes:sa

non comprendo piu me stossa,
I don't understand any longer myself.
'parmi o'ddio 'di vane'd:d3ar

parmi, oh Dio! di vaneggiar.)
I seem to, oh God, to be raving!)
SANDRINA, ARMINDA, RAMIRO, BELFIORE (each one to himself and remaining motionless)
'sen to 'Ialma 'in 'sen o'p:pres:sa
(Santo l'ahna in sen oppressa,
(I feel my soul in my bosom oppressed,
no'no 'fjato 'da pariar

non ho fiato da parlar.)
I have no breath to speak.)
Scene Thirteen
([he Podesta enters.)

!, PODESTA
'ke si'lentsjo 'fan lu'nari
Che silenzio! Fan lunari.
What silence! They're behaving as if they're moonstruck.
'kwesta 'IJena 'ke 'vw:J1 'dire

Questa scena che vuol dire?
This scene, what does it mean? (
\
'via san'drina rispon'dete 'rnjei si'J1J1ori per'ke tta'tfete

Via Sandrina, rispondete. Miei signori, perche tacete?
Come now, Sandrina, answer. Gentlemen, why do you keep silent?
'su par' late 'bza'tfe

Su parlate, cosa e'e?
Come, speak up, what is it?
SANDRINA
ke ris'pondo
(Che rispondo?)
(What shall 1 answer?)
BELFIORE
'io 'kwi rnirn'br:JU:J
(10 qui rn'imbroglio.)
(1 am quite confused here.)
RAMIRO
's:Jrn perples:s:J
(Son perplesso.)
(1 am perplexed.)
ARMINDA
'non ardisko (
(Non ardisco.)
(1 don't dare.)
PODESTA
'non in'tend:J 'nol) ka'pisko
Non intendo, non capisco,
1 don't understand, 1 don't comprehend,
'rna 'Ia 'kna 'noIl) 'va 'skjet:ta

rna la cosa non va schietta,
but the matter is not s traigh tforward,
n:J'ne 'liIJa 'per 'rnia 'fe

non e liscia per mia . fit!
it isn't simple, by my faith!
RAMIRO (to Arminda), BELFIORE (to Sandrina)

'tu 'sei 'kwel:la
Tu sei quella?
Are you she?
SANDRINA (to Belfiore), ARMINDA (to Ramiro)

tu 'sei 'kwel:lo
Tu sei quello?
Are you he?
(
l
560 La Finta GiardiIliera. Act I
SANDRINA, ARMINDA, RAMIRO, BELFIORE, PODESTA

'a 'ke 'd3ira 'il 'mi:) tIer'vel:b
Ah, che gira il mio c9I"Vello,
Ah, it's reeling, my brain,
'va bal'tsand;, 'kwa e 'la

va baIzando qua e lao
it's leaping here and there.
(Sandrina and Belfiore exit to one side. Arminda and Ramiro exit to another. The Podesta. remains •
alone, making gestures of astonishment.) i
Scene Fourteen
([he Podesta, later Serpetta and Nardo.}
PODEST.A
'ke 'trat:t;, e 'kwesto 'ke stra va'gantsa
Che tratto e questo, che stravaganza,
What treatment is this. what eccentricity.
'sentsa ris'pet:t;, 'sentsa kre'antsa

senza rispetto, senza creanza
without respect, without courtesy
la'IJarmi 'solo ko'mun ri'dikolo

lasciarmi solo com'un ridicolo!
to leave me alone like a fool!
'Ii'mando 'tutti 'al 'djav;,b

Li mando tutti al diavolo,
I'll send them all to the devil,
'me tt;, 'da 'parte 'il 'grad;, 'il'titolo

metto da parte il grado, il titolo,
I'll put aside rank, title,
nepo'tismo e n;,bil'ta
nepotismo e nobilta..
nepotism and nobility.
(He is about to leave but is}'lopped by Serpetta.}
SERPETTA
o 'mi ni'!:legr;, 'mio si'j1]1ore
Oh, mi rallegro, mio signore,
Oh, congratulations. dear sir,
'la d3ardi'njera 'kon 'il kon'tino

la giardiniera con il Contino
the gardener-maid with the Count (Belfiore)
'fan:nJ la'more 'kwi 'nel d3ar'dino

I fanno l'amore qui nel giardino
are making love here in the garden
,.
j La Finta Giardiniera, Act I

561
'kon 'tut:ta 'patSe 'kon liberta
can tutta pace, can liberla.
in all peace, in freedom.
(quite freely, at their ease.} /
(
PODESTA
e 'dove 'ssono 'Ia d3elo'zia
E dove sana ... la gelosia...
And where are they ... my jealousy...
NARDO
'non Ai kre'dete kwes'te bu'd3ia kwes'te 'U!)
Non gli credete, bm'pendjo 'di falsi'ta
quest's bugia, quest's un compendia di
Don't believe her, falsita.
it's a lie, it's a pack of falsehoods.
SERPETTA
'SE 'ko!) kwes'bk:ki 'ko!) kwes'torek:kje
Se con quest'occhi, con ques&p~cchie
But with these eyes, with these ears
'non :Js:ser'vata
'10 'visti e in'tezi
non osservata l'ho visti e intesi.
unobserved I saw them and heard them.
NARDO
'sono men'tsoj1j1e 'tr:Jp:p:J pa'lezi
Sana menzogne troppa palesi.
They're lies, all too obvious.
PODESTA
'V:JU:J kja:rinnene
(
Voglio chiarinnene.
I want to clarify myself of the situation.
(I want to know the truth.)
SERPETTA (pulling the Mayor towards her)

ve'nitE 'kwa
Venita qua.
Come here.
NARDO (pulling him to himself)

ve'nitE 'kwa
Venite qua.
Come here.
SERPETTA (indicating Nardo)

kos'tuimen'tiffe
Costui mantisce.
He is lying.
NARDO (indicating Serpetta)

bs'tEi vi!)'gan:na
Costai v'inganna..
She is deceiving you.
:1·
..
;)
...
•7".
PODESTA
'sattsjati 'pur 'sorte ti'ran:na
Saziati pur, sorte tiranna.
Sate yourself then fate tyrannical.
(Oh cruel fate, have your fill (of torturing me.)
'ek:ko buriato 'ek:b tra'dito

Ecco burlato, ecco tradito,
Here I am, mocked, here I am, betrayed,
'un 'worno 'tJelebre 'urn podes'ta

un uomo celebre, un Podesta.
a man famous, a Mayor.
SERPETTA,NARDO,PODESTA
o'ror ve'dremo '10 skopri'remo e 'ki men'tiJJe 'la page'ra
Or or vedremo, 10 scopriremo, e chi mentisce la paghera.
Soon we'll see, we'll find out, and whoever is lying will pay for it.
(They all leave.)
Scene Fifteen
{Sandrina and Belfiore, then the Podesta. Serpetta and Nardo are to the side, observing, while
...
Romiro and Arminda do the some from the other side.}
SANDRINA {to Belfiore}

'rna 'vai 'ke preten'dete 'da uniI1Jfe'litJe o'ddio
Ma voi che pretendete da un'infelice, oh Dio!
But you, what do you ask of an unhappy girl. oh God!
arminda 'non 'son 'io 'il 'vostro 'doltJe a'mor

Arminda non son io, il vostro dolce amor.
Arminda I am not, your sweet beloved.
BELFIORE {to Sandrina}

a 'per pje'ta parlate
Ah, per pieta. parlate,
Ah, for pity's sake, speak,
'via 'ditemi ka'rina

via, ditemi carina,
come, tell me, my dear,
'voi 'sjete vjolan'tina re'd3ina 'del 'mi::> 'kor

voi siete Violantina, regina del mio cor.
you are little Violante, queen of my heart.
SERPETTA {to the Podesta. indicating Sandrina and Belfiore}

ve'dete 'kwante 'zmorfje
Vedete quante smorfie
Do you see how many faces
'Ai 'fa 'kweI:la fras'ket:ta

gli fa quella fraschetla.
to him makes tha t flirt.
(she's making for his benefit.)
La Finta Giardini era. Act I 563
PODESTA
'10 ve'd:> a male'det:ta 'la 'V'J!..Ji.:> subi's:sar
Lo vedo, ah mruedetto., 10. voglio subissar.
I see it, ah, cursed girl, I want to crush her.
(
NARDO
'il 'konte 'ke diidet:ta pO'tes:si rime'djar
(11 Conte? Che disdetto.! Potessi rimediar.)
(The Count? What hard luck! (If only) I could be of help.)
SANDRINA {to Belfiore}

'voi 'sjete 'iI) 'gran e'r:rore
Voi in
siele gran errore.
You are in great error.
(You are greatly mistaken.)
BELFIORE
a 'kwest:> e 'uI) 'gran stu'pore
(Ah questo e un gran stupore.)
(Ah, this is a big amazement.)
(Ah, this is most amazing.)
ARMINDA
'da 'urn 'perfido bur'lata
Do. un perfido burlo.to.
By a perfidious man mocked
d:>'vr:> kko'zi res'tar

dom cosi restar. . (
must I thus remain.
(Must I be mocked by such a wicked man.)
RAMIRO {to Arminda}

e 'p:>b a u'nalma il)'grata
E poco a un'almo. ingro.lo.
It's little to a soul ungrateful
a'v:vet:tsa 'ad il)ga'n:nar

o.vvezza ad ingannar.
used to deceiving.
(That's nothing to a faithless man used to deceiving.)
SANDRINA {resolutely, to Belfiore}

'barbar:> 'sentsa 'fede
Barbaro senza fede
Cruel man without faith
(Cruel, faithless man,)
e 'kwesta 'la mer'tJede 'del 'mi'J bs'tante a'mor

e questa 10. meI'Cede del mio costante amor?
is this the reward for my constant love?
'mizer:> 'il) 'ke mal)'kai 'dirn:mi 'ke 'fetJi'mai

miseI'O, in che mancai, dimrni che feci mai,
Wretched man, in what did I fail, tell me, what did I ever do, (
"'"
564
'perfido
perfido
tradi'tor
traditor!
t
wicked betrayer!
BELFIORE (kneeling)
'si 'ke lil)'grato 'io 'sono
Sl, che l'ingrato io sana,
Yes, (for) the ingrate am.
'idolo 'mio per' dono 'kara vjo'lante 'bel:la

idolo mio perdono, cara Violante halla.. .
idol mine, forgive me. dear Violante lovely .. .
(forgive me. my idol, my dear lovely Violante ... )
SANDRINA
e 'non 'son 'io 'd3a 'kwel:la
Eh non son io gia quella,
Ah. I am not (I) of course she.
(I am not she, of course.)
vjo'lante 'la mes'kina di'tJeva 'pur ko'zi

Violante la meschina dicava pur cosl,
Violante the poor girl, spoke indeed like that.
'rna o'ddio 'kel:la rno'ri

rna oh Dio! ch'alla mori.
but Oh God, she died!
([he Count Belfiore is now surprised in this attitude by all.)
PODESTA
rispon'dete
Rispondate!
Answer!
ARMINDA
segwi'tate
Seguitate!
Continue!
RAMIRO
si'.J1J1or 'konte
Signor Conte!
Dear Count!
SERPETTA
'non tre'mate
Non tr9mate!
Don't tremble!
NARDO
non 'so 'kome ffini'ra
(Non so come finira.)
( (I don't know how it's going to end.)
[
SANDRINA
'pur bl1J'vjen 'kio 'sJf:fra e 'tat:tfa
(Pur convien c'hio soffra e taccia.)
(Yet, it's necessary that I suffer and keep silent.) (
BELFIORE
'd3a 'la'sPJza 'mi mi'nat:tfa
(Giit la sposa mi minaccia.)
(Already my bride is threatening me.)
(Already my bride (Arminda) is threatening me.) l
SERPETTA, ARMINDA, RAMIRO, PODESTA, NARDO
'ke
Che
'si 'ditJe
si dice,
'ke
che
'si 'fa
si fa? I
What is to be said? What is to be done?
ARMINDA (ironically, to BelfjP,r~)

amo'rozJ 'mio kon'ti~ t)
Amoroso mio Contino.
Loving my Count.
(My loving Count.)
PODESTA (to Sandrina, ironically)

d3ardi'njera sempli'tJet:ta
. Giardiniera sempli cetta!
Gardener-maid innocent!
(My innocent little gardener-maid!)
RAMIRO (to Arminda, ironically)

'mi kon'sola 'mi di'let:ta (
Mi consola, mi diletta.
It consoles me, it delights me.
SERPETTA (to Sandrina, ironically)

'ke 'bel 'volto mJdes'tinSt!l
Che bel volto modestino!
What lovely face, (ever so) modest!
SERPETTA, ARMINDA, PODESTA

'su go'dete 'kari a'manti
Su, godete, cari amanti.
Come, rejoice, dear lovers.
SERPETTA, RAMIRO, NARDO

'reJ1J1i 'il1J 'voi 'Ia 'bel:la 'patfe
Regni in voi la bella pace.
(May it) reign in you the sweet peace.
(May sweet peace reign within all of you.)

'Jenda a'mor 'kol:la 'sua 'fatJe
Scenda amor colla sua face
(May he) descend, Love with its torch,
'ed a't:tJenda 'il 'vJstrJ 'br (

\.
ed accenda il vostro cor.
and may he kindle your heart.
566 La Finta Ciardiniera. Act I
SANDRINA, BELFIORE
a 'ke 'sola 'solo 'io 'sol) ka'patJe
Ah cha sola (solo) io son capaca
Ah, (for) only (only) am able
'di torrnento e 'di do'lor

di toonanto e di dolor.
to (feel) torment and (of) grief.
ARMINDA (to Belfiore, with anger)

'perfido in'de]1]1o
Perfido! Indegno!
Evil man! Worthless man!
vo'r:rei stra'p:parti 'dal 'pet:to 'il 'bee

V orrei strapparti dal patto il corn.
I would like to tear out from your breast the heart.
(I'd like to tear out your heart!)
RAMIRO (to Arminda)

'rna 'tanto 'zde]1J1o 'tanto fU'rore 'non 'so ka'pir
Ma tanto sdegno, tanto furore non so capiro
But such anger. such fury I cannot understand.
PODESTA (angrily. to Sandrina)

'voli.li.o ezi'ljarti dO'n:net:ta il)'grata
Voglio esiliarti, donnetta ingrata.
I want to banish you, woman ungra te ful.
SERPETTA (to Sandrina)

vo'r.rei zbra'narti 'brut:ta zgwa'jata
Vorrei sb ranarti , brutta sguaiata
I'd like to tear you into pieces, (you) ugly vulga r hussy.
NARDO
'io 'resto es'tatib 'non 'so 'ke 'dir
(10 resto estatico, non so cha dir.)
.. (
I remain ecsta tic, I don't know what to say.)
SANDRINA
'ke 'pena 'barbara 'ke 'krudo a'f:fan:no
Cha pana barbara, cha crudo affanno,
What suffering horrible, what cruel anguish,
'mi 'sen to o'p:pres:sa 'da 'un 'dwol ti'ran:no

mi santo oppressa da un duol fuanno,
I feel oppressed by a grief oppressive,
'non 'so ris'pondere 'non 'so par'lar

non so rispondare, non so parlar.
I don't know how to answer, I don't know how to speak.
l BELFIORE
'ke 'd30mo 'kritiko inaspe't:tato
~. Che gimno critico inaspattato!
l What a day difficult, unexpected!

La Finta Giardiniera. Act [ 567
'tra 'kwesta e 'kwel:la 'sana im br;,' Ua t;,

tra questa e quella sana imbrogliato,
Between this one and that one I'm in a fine mess,
'non's;, ri's;,lvere 'non's;, 'ke 'far

non so risolvere, non so che far.
I don't know how to resolve it. I don't know what to do.
ALL f-
'ke 'zmanja o'r:ribile n;,'n;, ri'tIet:t;,
Che smania orribile! Nonho ricetto,
What agitation horrible! I have no remedy,
'lira 'la 'bl:lera 'kb 'sent;, 'im 'pet:t;)

l'ira, la collera ch'io sento in petta,
the wrath, the rage that I feel in (my) breast,
'non's;, re'primere 'non's;, fre'nar

non so reprimere, non so frenar.
I don't know how to repress, I don't know how to stop.
END OF ACT I
I
I
(
I
568 La Finta Giardiniera, Act II
ACT II
Scene Ona
(A hall in the Podesta's palace, Romiro and Arminda are having a conversation.)
RAMIRO
'noIl) fU'd:d3irmi spje'tata
Non fuggirmi spietata,
Do not run from me, pitiless
il]gra'tis:sima 'don:na a'r:resta 'il 'pas:so

ingratissima donna, arrasta il passo.
most ungrateful woman, stay your steps.
ARMINDA
'ke ar'dire e 'il 'tuo 'ke 'vwoi
Che ardire e il tuo, che vuoi,
What temerity is yours, what do you want,
(What temerity you have! What do you want,)
'ke pre'tendi 'da 'me

che pratendi da me?
what do you ask of me?
RAMIRO
'barbara iIl)'fida 'ke pre'tendo 'ke "hli.li.o
Barbara, infida, che pratendo, che voglio?
I Cruel, faithless one, what do I ask, what do I want?
red Ed
'ai
hai
you have the
'br
cor
heart
'di
di
to
rni'ranni
' '?
nuramu.
look at me?
; ~,"
,
rtf If
im:rnad3i'nar
immaginar
imagine
po'tea
potea
I could
'ke 'tu ni'pote 'fos:si 'del podes'ta

che tu nipote fossi del Podesta
that you niece were of the Podesta
(If I had imagined that you were the Podesta's niece)
'no no'navrei a 'te 'data 'la 'pena

no, non avrai a te data la pena
no, I wouldn't have to you given the trouble
'di ve'dermi e ar:ro's:sir

di vedenni a arrossir.
to see me and blush.
l( , (I wouldn't have given you the trouble of looking at me and blushing.)
, ARM.INDA
rna 'se 'la 's::Jrte 'tua 'non] 'mi 'vw:)l
l Ma
But
sa
if fate
la sorte tua
yours me doesn't want..,
non mi vuol... '
(Bu if fate doesn't want me to be yours ... )

La Finla Giordiniera, Act II 569
RAMIRO
'trJP:po le'd:d3er pre'test;)
Troppo leggier pretesto:
Too flimsy (a) pretext: (
'il'tu;) 'fast;) lor'go,(..(o e lambi'ttsjon
n tuo fasto, l'orgoglio e l'ambizion
Your ostentation, your pride and your ambition
tin'dus:se a la'JIar la'mor 'mio

t'indusse a lasciar l'amor mio;
drove you to reject the love mine;
'rna 'il 'tIel sper'd3Ufa

rna il ciel, spergiura,
but heaven, false one,
'ke 'mil:le 'volte 'in testi'moI] kja'masti 'di 'tue pro'mes:se

che mille volte in testimon chiamasti di tue prornesse,
which a thousand times as witness you called of your promises,
'il'tIeb fa'fa 'Ie 'mie ven'det:te

il cielo fara Ie mie vendette.
heaven will carry out my revenges.
(but false one, heaven, which a thousand times you called as witness to your promises, heaven will
avenge me.)
ARMINDA
o'la 'ke 'trop:po 'or ta'vantsi 'kom 'me
Ola, che troppo or t'avanzi con me. (
Ho there! For too much now you go too far with me.
'si 'b bn]'fes:s::> 'ti tra'di tiI]ga'n:nai

Sl, 10 confesso, ti tradii, t'ingannai,
Yes, I confess it, I betrayed you, I deceived you,
ko'nosko
conosco
'il
il
'fal:lo
falIo
'mio
mia,
L
I know the error mine,
'rna 'non 'so detes'tarb

rna non so detestarlo;
but I can't regret it;
e 'tr::>p:po 'bel:b 'il'mio kon'tino

e troppo bello il mio Contino ...
he's too handsome, my Count...
RAMIRO
a 'frena ,(ja't:tIenti au'datIe
Ah, frena gl'accenti, audace,
Ah, curb those words, you bold one,
'e 'noll] van'tarmi 'ill] 'fat:tIa b'djato ri'val

e non vantarmi in faccia l'odiato rival; "\
and don't vaunt in my face the hated rival;
'n::> 'n::>!) g::>'drai 'de brti 'mjei

No, non godrai de' torti miei;
No, you shan't rejoice at the wrongs mine;
(No, you shan't rejoice at my wrongs;)
'ke kwel:lin'dej1j1::> 'bre 'la 'vit:tima sa'ra 'del 'mio fu'rore

che quell'indegno core la vittima sara del IlllO furore.
for that unworthy heart the victim shall be of my fury.
(He leaves.)
ARMINDA
e'p:pur 'mi 'fa pje'ta kom'prend::> a'p:pjen::>
Eppur rni fa pieta; comprendo appieno
And yet he inspires me pity; I understand fully
'ke 'mi 'zgrida a ra'd30n

che rni sgrida a ragion;
that he rails at me with reason;
'rna 'n::> 'ke a'l:larko 'non ri'toma '\::> 'stral

rna no, che all'arco non ritorna 10 stral;
but no, for to the bow doesn't return the arrow;
(but no. The arrow never returns to the bow.)
(but no, I cannot go back on my decision.)
'son nel:li'pej1j1o 'di sp::>'zare 'il kon'tino

son nell'impegno di sposare il Contino,
I am determined to marry the Count.
sa'ra 'kwesto ka'prit:tJo o'p:pur des'tino

sara. questo capriccio oppur destino.
whether be this a whim or else fate.
Scene Two
([he Count Belfiore, Arminda.)
BELFIORE (in an agitated slale, wilhout noticing Arminda)

a 'ke 'son dispe'rat::>
Ah, che son disp erato !
Ah, I am desperate!
da'k:ke 'vvidi san'drina n::>'n::> 'patJe

Dacche vidi Sandrina non ho pace.
Since I saw Sandrina I have no peace.
'non '5::> 'pju 'ke 'mi 'fare

Non so piit che mi fare ...
I p,on't know anymore what to do ...
, )i:~::
l ,r ::}""~·,v::>uo
t\\
ritr::>'vare dap:pertut:t::> 'b tJerkata fi'nora
l .-r'"
( a voglio
I want to her
ritrovare...
find again...
dappertutto
everywhere
l'ho cercata
I've looked for her
finorll ...
till now ...
(In his agitation he comes upon Arminda, to whom he bows.)

La Finta Giardiniera. Act II 571
ado'rata sip.JlO ra
Adorata signora...
Adored lady...
(
ARMINDA
'pjano 'pjano 'ditemi
Piano, piano, ditemi,
Gently, gently, tell me,
'SOIJ ku'rjoza 'di sa'pere

son curiosa di sapero
I'm curious to know
\ 'ki 'sia b'lei 'ke ritJer'kando an'date
I chi
who
sia
could be the woman
colei
who
ehe
searching for
(who can this woman be that you are searching for?)
BELFIORE (moving away)

ricercando andate?
you are?
di'ro
DirO ...
I 1 will tell you ...
f ARMINDA
rv~ r
'noIl) 'vi sbs'tate
Non vi scostate.
Don't move away.
I j ..
BELFIORE
'ven:ni 'rna 'mi kre'dea
(
! Venni ... rna mi erodea...
t I came ... but 1 thought...
bi'zoJ1J1a u'zar fraIJ'ket:tsa

(bisogna usar franehezza)
(I must use frankness)
(I must speak frankly)
'voi ritJer'kavo o 'bbel:la

voi ric arc avo , oh balla... [
you I was looking for, oh lovely one ...
ARMINDA
'rna sen'tite
Ma sentita.
But listen.
BELFIORE (always moving away)

kos'tei 'rnena 'le 'mani 'dite
(Costei mana Ie mam.) Oite!
(She will use her hands.) Speak!
1
((She's going to hit me.) Speak!)
'
\ ARMINDA
'rna 'nom 'pos:so 'in dis'tantsa
l ~u~
.
non posso
I cannot,
in distanza.
from a distance.
1
572 La Finta Giardiniera. Act II
BELFIORE
'anima'mia 'zmanjo 'moro 'per 'voi
Anima mia, smaruo, moro per voi.
My soul. I long for, I die for you.
ARMINDA
l 'tatIi bu'd3ardo 'va a 'pjedi 'di b'lei
Taci bugiardo, va a' piedi di colei...
Silence, liar! Go to the feet of her...
(Silence, you liar! Go and throw yourself at her feet...)
BELFIORE
'rna u'dite al'meno 'il 'fat:to 'kome 'sta
Ma udite ahneno il fatto come sta...
But listen at least (to) the facts as they are ...
ARMINDA
'ke 'dir po'trai
Che dir potrai?
What say can you?
(What can you say?)
(In agitated irony.)

r
da'k:ki 'vvidi san'drina no'no 'patJe
"Daccha vidi Sandrina non ho pace."
"Since I saw Sandrina I have no peace."
'perfido e 'iII] 'fattJa 'mia

Perfido, e in faccia mia?
Wicked one, and to my face?
'nel 'd30mo is'tes:so 0 'nnumi

Nel giorno istesso, oh Numi,
In the day same, oh gods,
'ke 'meko u'nir 'si 'deve

che meco unir si deve,
that with me unite he must,
(On the very same day, oh gods, in which he is to marry me,)
'mi tra'diJJe ko'zi ko'zi mmiI]'gan:na una'mante iII]fe'del

mi tradisce COS!, COS! m'inganna un'lUIlante infedel?
betrays me thus, thus deceives me a lover faithless?
(a faithless lover betrays and deceives me like that?)
'sorte ti'ran:na
Sorte tiranna!
Fate implacable!
(Oh, implacable fate!)
NO. 13 ARIA
[ ARMINDA
( vo'r:rei pu'nirti in'dej1j1o
V orrei punirti indegno,
[ I would like to punish you, worthless man,
La Finta Giardiniera, Act II 573
vJ'r:rei stra'p:parti 'il 'kJre

vorrei strapparti il cora,
I would like to tear out your heart,
(
'ardo 'nel 'sen 'di 'zdeJ1J1o
ardo nel sen di sdegno,
I burn in my breast with anger,
'rna 'mi tra't:tjene a'more 'ke sospi'rar 'mi 'fa

rna mi trattiene amora, ehe sospirar mi fa.
but I'm held back (by) love, that sigh makes me.
(but I am restrained by love, which makes me sigh.)
'kwesta mer'tIede iI)'grato

Questa mercede, ingrato,
This reward, (you) thankless man,
tu 'rendi al:la'mor 'mio

tu randi all'amor mio?
you offer to the love mine?
a 'mi kOIl]fondo o'ddio 'fra 'lira e 'la pje'ta

Ah! mi eonfondo, oh Dio, fra I'ira e Ia pieta.
Ah! I'm torn, oh God, between wrath and pity.
(She leaves.)
Scene Three
(
(Belfiore, then Serpetta.)
BELFIORE
a kos'tei no'ne 'don:na e 'un 'demJne 'una 'furja
Ah, costei non e donna, e un demone, una furia,
Ah, she isn't a woman. She's a demon, a fury,
'se 'nJm mJs'travo 'spirito

se non mostravo spirito ...
If I didn't show spirit...
SERPETTA
si'J1J1ore
Signora ...
Sir...
(At the appearance of Serpetta, Belfiore becomes uneasy.)
- BELFIORE
> ;}',e
. _._~e ...
f\ )wqB is me ...
~~.i "~\.
I SERPETTA
'ke 'koza e 'statJ
Che cosa. e sta.to?
(
What is the matter?
l
J
[A BELFIORE
'njente 'stavo 'sopra ppen'sjero
:r ,\1,;- Niente, stavo sopra pensiero.
Nothing, I was deep in thought.
I
SERPETTA
vo'r:rei 'dirvi 'se 'rni'date 'il per'rnes:so
Vorrei dirvi, se mi date il pennesso,
I'd like to tell you, if you give me permission,
'ke 'vidi 'pob 'fa 'la'vostra 'spoza
che vidi poco fa la vostra sposa,
that I saw a short while ago your bride,
'ke pa'reva 'una 'fjera skate'nata

che pareva una fiera scatenata,
who seemed a beast unchained.
rnina't:tIava ven'det:ta 'kontro 'ddi'voi

minacciava vendetta contra di voi.
She was threatening revenge against you.
BELFIORE
'rna 'presto 'Ai pas:se'ra 'lla 'bl:lera
Ma presto gli passera la collera.
''''
,,"" • t• . ~ But quickly she'll get over her wrath.
1 ';~
SERPETTA
e 'non'dite ko'zi 'voi 'non sa'pete
Eh non dite cos!. Voi non sapete
Ah, don't say that. You don't know
'ke 'bbestje 'sien 'Ie'don:ne 'kwando 'son zde'J1J1ate

che bestie sien Ie donne quando son sdegnate;
what beasts are women when they're angry;
}.;"'J
,t.
'io 'vi kon'siUo dan'dar \d~'- 'da 'lei 'tut:to so'rn:rnes:so
10 vi consiglio d'andar da lei tutto sonunesso,
I advise you to go to her all submissive,
'kjeder 'skuza 'del 'fal:b e ba'tIar,(i 'la 'man
chieder scusa del fallo e baciargli la man.
ask (her) forgiveness for your error and kiss her hand.
BELFIORE
'ki 'b b'manda
Chi 10 comanda?
Who commands me to do that?
(Why should I do that?)
SERPETTA
, lub:bi'djentsa 'il ris'pet:to ke'zigono 'Ie 'don:ne 'il do'vere 'la 'moda
\ L'ubbidienza, il rispetto ch'esigono Ie donne, il dovere, la moda...
The obedience, the respect that demand women, the duty, the fashion ...
(The obedience and respect that women demand; it's your duty, and moreover, it's the fashion ... )
BELFIORE
e 'va 'im ma'iora
Eh va in malora
Oh go to blazes, (
tu, 'Ia 'moda 'il do'ver 'la 'spoza al)'kora
tu, la moda, il dover, la sposa ancora.
you, the fashion, the duty, the bride as well!
(He leaves.)
Scene Four
(Serpetta, then Nardo.)
SERPETTA
'kwanto '10 kompa'tisko
Quanto 10 compatisco;
How I feel sorry for him;
a'ver 'ke 'fare 'kon 'una 'don:na 'strana

aver che fare con una donna strana.
having to deal with a woman odd.
NARDO
'mia ve't:tsoza di'ana perdo'nate
Mia vezzosa Diana, perdonate
My charming Diana, forgive me ,,-
a 'voi 'sono impor'tuno
(
se
se a voi sono importuno:
if to you I am annoying.
(if I annoy you.)
a 'sempre 'ul) 'kor d3en'tile 'una 'don:na 'ke 'bel:la

Ha sempre un cor gentile una donna ch'e bella.
Has always a heart kindly a woman who is lovely.
(A lovely woman always has a kindly heart.)
SERPETTA
0 'bel:la 0 'brut:ta 'io 'non'sono 'per 'voi
1
0 bella, 0 brutta, io non sono per voi.
Or lovely or ugly, am not for you.
(Whether lovely or ugly, I am not for you.)
NARDO
'sio mo'ris:si pe'ro
S'io morissi pern?
If I were to die, however?
SERPETTA
'nom pjand3e'rei
Non piangerei.
I wouldn't weep.
IThe Biirenreiter score has Oil bella, oil brulla Oh is an interjection (meaning "oh") and has no place in this phrase. It
should be Q, meaning "or".
NARDO
'duI)kwe 'vad::J a mo'rir
Dunque vado a mom.
Then I will go to die.
SERPETTA
'bwJIl] 'vjad:d3::J a 'lei
Buon viaggio a lei.
Good trip to you.
(Bon voyage to youJ)
NARDO
'or 'ben d3a'k:ke 'vvi'sbrg::J 'pju'dura 'dun::J 'SbM::J
Or ben, giacche vi SCOI'gO piil dura d'uno scoglio,
Well then, since I find you harder than a reef,
e 's~rda 'pju 'dun 'asp ide mi'rate

e sorda piu d'un aspide ... mirate.
and deaf more than an asp ... look.
(He pulls out a knife and makes as if to stab himself]
trat:te'netemi 'il 'kolpo

Trattenetemi il colpo.
Hold back the blow.
(Try to stop me from stabbing myself.)
SERPETTA
'fate 'fate
Fate, fate.
Go on, go on.
NARDO
e'p:pur n::J'n::J b'rad:d3::J 'di 'darvi 'un 'tal diz'gusto
Eppur non ho coraggio di darvi un tal disgusto.
And yet I haven't the courage to cause you such unpleasantness.
SERPETTA
viI)ga'n:nate da'v:ver ka'vevo 'gusto
V'ingannate davver, ch'avevo gusto.
You're mistaken indeed, for I was having enjoyment.
(You're wrong indeed, I was enjoying it.)
NARDO
'dite 'tf::J 'ke vo'lete 'kwest::J 'v::Jstro dis'pret:ts::J
Dite cia che volete, questa vostro disprezzo
Say what you want. This, your disdain
'sempre 'pju min:na'mora e a'k:krefJe 'il 'f::Jb

sempre piil m'innamora e acresce il foco.
always more captivates me and increases my fire.
(Say what you want. Your disdain captivates me even more and increases my ardor.)
'\ SERPETTA
'mi 'par 'ke 'p::Jb a 'p::Jb
Mi par, che poco a poco
It seems to me, that little by little
I
I
komin'tJate a pja'tJenni
cominciate a piacenni,
you begin to please me, (
'v'JIi.A'J 'farlo impa't:tsir
(V oglio farlo impazzir.)
(I want to make him go mad.)
(I want to drive him crazy.)
;i NARDO
'dite da'v:vero 0 'mi burlate
Dite
Are you speaking
da vero?
in earnest?
0
Or
mi burlale?..
are you mocking me? ", I
'kara 'ke kon'tento 'io 'pju 'non 'sana 'im 'me
cara, che contento, io piit non sono in me ...
dearest, what happiness! I am beside myself.,.
'brpo 'di 'd30ve kos'tei 'rna imbalsa'mat'J

Corpo di Giove, costei m'ha imbalsamato,
body of Jove, she has bewitched me,
(By Jove, she has bewitched me,)
'mi 'par 'des:sere u'naltr;)

mi par d'essere un'altro.
I feel as I am another man.
SERPETTA
'or 'ben sen'tite 'i::> vame'r;) (
Or ben, sentite: 10 v'amerO,
Now then, listen: I will love you,
'rna 'V;)Ii.A;) 'ke 'mi ve'njate a'vanti

rna voglio che mi veniate avanti
but I want that you corne before me
'kon u'narja zmorfjoza ap:pas:sj;)'nata

con un'aria smorfiosa, appassionata:
with an air flirting (and) passionate.
'Ia 'mana 'drit:ta 'al 'pet:t;)

La mana dritta al petto
The hand right at your chest
(Your right hand on your chest,)
stri'JIando . 'il 'pjede a'I:luz;) f;)ras'tjer;)

strisciando il piede all'uso forastiero:
dragging your foot in the manner foreign:
(dragging your foot in the foreign manner)
(Nardo tries to do everything Serpetta asks.)
2This refers to that special French bow where the right foot is dragged on the ground in front of the body, then graciously
dragged to the side and finally further back. as the upper body bows at the same time. One can see this done by Baron Ochs
in "Rosenkavalier", as he first enters the Marschallin's boudoir in Act 1. In German this is referred to (in "Rosenkavalier") as die
Fronzosische Reverenz, the French curtsy.
su'vvia 'da 'bray;) 'a'vvoi prezentatevi

Su via, da bravo, a voi, presentatevi;
Come then, excellent, you do it, present yourself.
'fatemi deUil)'kini 'drit:to bri'l:lante 'znel:b

faterni degl'inchini, dritto, brilIante, snello.
make me some bows, upright, smart, slender.
(bow to me, stay upright, smart and slender.)
NARDO
'tut:to min'dutfe a 'far 'kwel 'viz;) 'bel:b
[ (Tutto
(Everything
m'induce
she persuades me to do,
a far quel viso bello.)
that face lovely.)
(That lovely face can persuade me to do anything.)
NO. 14 ARIA
NARDO
'kon Ufl) 'vet:ts;) al:lita'ljana
Con Wl vezzo alI'Italiana
With a charm Italian
'vi di'rJ 'ke 'kwel vi'zet:t;) 'ma ifl)fja'm:mat;)

vi dirO che quel visetto m'ha infiammato
I will tell you that that little face has enflamed
\ 'il 'bre 'il 'pet:t;) 'ke lal)'gwire o'JlJlor 'mi 'fa

{IiI core,il petto, che languire ognor rni fa.
~ my heart, my breast, and languish always makes me. .
'11 tell with Italian charm that your sweet face has enflamed my heart and my breast and constantly
akes me languish for you.)
Serpetta indicates to him that she doesn't like his affected manner.}
'nofl), 'va 'bene

on vi piace, non va bene?
au don't like it, it's no good?
pr;)'vjam;) 'al:la fran'tJeze

proviamo alIa Francese:
let's try the French way:
ma'dama 'ek:komi 'kwi

madama.. . eccomi qui.
madame ... . here I am.
ne'p:pur 'va 'ben ko'zi

neppur va ben cosi?"
h, neither goes well like this?"
his is no good either?)
ve'djam;) 'urn 'P;) al:lil)'gleze

vediamo Wl po' alI'Inglese:
me, let's see ... a bit the English way:
\.
(
\.
( I
l
I
I
I
I
(
I
l
a 'rnb 'ben 'dite 'di'si

"Ah mio ben, dite di sl."
"Ah my love, say yes.,,3
(Serpetia reacts as above.)
rnale'det:ta indif:fe'rentsa 'rni 'fa 'perder 'Ia pa'ttsjentsa

Maledetta indifferonza, mi fa perder la pazienza:
Cursed indifference, she makes me lose my patience;
'kwi 'non 'serve 'alla fran'tfeze 'no!) ka'patfita liI)'gleze

Qui non serve alla Francese, non capacita l'Inglese,
Here is no use the French way, she doesn't understand the English way,
'non Ai 'pjatfe al:lita'ljana

non gli piace all 'Italiana:
she doesn't like it the Italian way.
0 'ke u'rnor 'ke 'don:na 'strana

Dh che UlIlor, che donna strana,
Oh, what mood, what woman strange,
'io 'rni 'perdo 'iIl) veri'ta

io mi perdo in verita.
I am lost in truth.
(He leaves.)
SERPETTA
kos'tui 'rni 'da pja'tfere sa'reb:be 'bel:la 'ke ko'zi 'nor!) vo'lendo
Costui mi da piacero. Sarobbe bella che cOSI non volendo
He gives me pleasure. It would be funny if like this, unwittingly
a'ves:se a in:narno'rarmi 'rna 'ke 'diko

avesse a innamorarmi; rna che dico,
I should fall in love; but what am I saying?
'ke 'rni 'vjene 'irn pen'sjero

che mi viene in pensiero?
what is coming into (my) thought?
(What's come into my head?)
e ku'd3ino a san'drina a 'nof!) 'fia 'vero

E cugino a Sandrina; ah non fia vero.
He's cousin to Sandrina; ah, let it not be true.
(She leaves.)
Scene Five
(Sandrina, then Belfiore and finally the Podesta, watching.)
3 The singer is advised to color his Italian with a French accent and an English accent where appropriate in the phrases
( between quotation marks. The French imitation could include changing the word madama to madame, using a gutteral "R" on
neppu[. The English imitation is all a matter of putting diphthongs on all the vowels: "ah miou bein ditei di si", as well as
making the "d" and "t" more aspirate .
...
580 La Finta Giardilliera, Act II
SANDRINA
'ke 'stranJ 'kazJ e 'il'mio
ehe strano caso e il mio! (
1What strange case is mine!
(What strange situation I'm in!)
trJ'var la'mante 'ed 'es:sere 'im pro'tJintJ 'di 'perderb 'per 'sempre
Trovar l'amante ed essera in procinto di perderlo per sempra. \ '
To find my lover and to be on the point of losing him forever.
'prontJ a sPJ'zare arminda

Pronto a sposare Anninda...
eady to marry Arminda ...
sab:ban'doni 'Ul) kru'dele il)'grato 'ke 'mi tra'fis:se

h, s'abbandoni un crudele ingrato che mi trafisse.
¥, let me give' up a cruel ingrate who stabbed me.
J'ddio 'se 'fu 'un tras'pJrto 'di d3elo'zia

o Dio! Se fu un trasporto di gelosia,
. Oh God! It was a frenzy of jealousy,
e 'se 'mi 'krede es'tinta bnda'n:narb PJ'trJ

e se mi crade estinta condannarlo potrO?
and if he believes me dead, condemn him can I?
'bn 'trJP:pa 'f;:>rtsa 'mi 'parJa a'mor 'per 'lui

Con troppa forza mi parla amor per lui;
With too much strength to me speaks love for him; ( l.
(Love speaks too powerfully to me on his behalf.)
si 'tJerki 'solo 'di frastJrnar 'Ie 'nJt:tse

Si cerchi solo di frastomar Ie nozze;
et me try only to thwart the marriage;
'ver pJ'trei zve'larmi 'rna nJ'ne 'tempJ l

fs ver, potrei svelanni, man non e tempo ...
r
J
'Fi
true,
'vjene
I could reveal who I am,
a 'kwal tu'multo
but it isn't (the) time ...
Ei
!
viene ... ah qual tumulto
He' coming ... ah, what turmoil
!,
~rJvJ 'nel 'sen al:lorke 'me vi'tJino
~rovo : nel sen allorche m'e vicino.
t
1
feel in my breast when he is near me.
ale'det:to des'tino
aledetlo destino!
fate!
'ek:ko 'kontro 'mmia 'vJUa 'sal) kJs'tret:tJ

Ecco contro mia voglia son costretto (
Here, against my will I'm constrained
)'kjeder 'skuza 'ad arminda
beg
( chieder scusa
for.giveness
ad
of
Anninda .. .
Arminda .. .
\ :a\
iMa
'kwi
qui
'la
la
d3ardi'njera
giardiniera?
\But here (is) the gardener-maid?
a 'kwesta e 'lei 'kwesta e 'tferto vjo'lante

Ah questa (, lei, questa (, certo Violante ...
Ah, this is she, this is certainly Violante ...
\
/
'
r - 'Ia 'grattsja 'il 'brio
,.''(ok:ki
f Gl'occhi, la grazia, il brio ...
I • j The eyes, the grace, the vitality ...
e 'nom miI)'gan:no 'tut:ta as:so'miUa

eh, non m'inganno, tutta assorniglia.. .
ah, I'm not mistaken, everything resembles .. .
SANDRINA
si'ppor 'kwal mera'vi,(Aa 'koza ve'dete 'im 'me
Signor, qual meraviglia, cosa vedete in me?
Sir, what marvel, what do you see in me?
, BELFIORE
" 'veg:go li'm:mad3ine 'duna 'tenera a'mante
Veggo l'immagine d'una tenera amante ...
J I see the image of a tender beloved ...
fl SANDRINA
fi 'ed 'io ra'v:vizo 'urn 'barbaro iI)kos'tante
!I Ed io ravviso un barbara . incostante.
// fickle.
I And recognize a cruel man
BELFIORE
'kome perke
Come ... ? Perche ... ?
How so ... ? Why ... ?
'10 'detto e 'lei 'il) 'kame 'ed 'os:sa

(L'ho detto: (, lei in carne ed ossa.)
I said it: It's she in flesh and bones.)
(I've said it: It is she in the flesh.)
SANDRINA
'perfido 'non ra'm:menti
Perfido, non rammenti
Perfidious man, don't you recall
'kwanto 'io 'd3a 'pjansi 'un'd30mo e sospi'rai 'per 'te

quanta 10 gia piansi un giomo e sospirai per te,
how much I already wept once and sighed for you,
r
l 'kwanto pjan'd3esti 'tu 'per 'me e sospi'rasti
( quanto piangesti tu per me e sospirasti!
l how much wept you for me and sighed!

_/
BELFIORE
c: 'vvero c: 'vver 'ma 'il 'kaZ::l
E vero, e ver, rna il caso ...
(
It's true, it's true, but the circumstances ... ['
I
SANDRINA
'dim:mi 'barbaro 'mostro 'kwal de'litto pu'nisti 'im 'me:
Dinuni, barbara mostro, qual delitto punisti in me?
Tell me, barbarous monster, what crime did you punish in me?
\ ! (Tell me, barbarous monster, for what crime did you punish me?)
I
\::l'ddio
\Oh Dio! Tu
'tu 'se:ntsa
senza
'kolpa
colpa
.
'mi tra'fid:d3i
mi trafiggi,
mU'ttIidi
m'uccidi,
I
\Oh God! You without blame stab me, kill me,
l(yOU stab and kill me, though I am blameless,)
. ,
Iin:no'tfe:nte: 'mi 'sbrd3i
I innocente mi scorgi,
\ innocent you find me,
I
~;
I'ep:pur 'mi'laIJi dc:zo'lata
1
p'eppur mi lasci misera desolata .. .
lyet you leave me wretched (and) desolate .. .
t, (She weeps.)
;
\ BELFIORE
(oi'me: 'ke'sudo 'dim:mi 'tu 'vvivi (
tOime! Che sudo, dimmi, tu vivi ...
i Woe is me! I'm perspiring, tell me, you are alive ...
I 'il) 'kweste 'vesti 'kara
!l· · ~ ·~~~:come
'mia marke'zina
in queste vesti, mia cara Marchesina...
in these clothes, my dear Marchesa ...
:SANDRINA
:ko'zi 'ddis:se: m;)'re:nd::l 'Ia mes'kina
I Cosi disse morendo la meschina.
Thus said as she was dying the poor girl.
,BELFIORE
I'el:la 'dunkwe mo'ri
lEila dunque marl?
!She then died?
\
~
ANDRINA
eA/:.o 'di
, eglio di
retter than
'voi
voi
you
'ki
chi
who
'pwo
puo
can
sa'perlo
saperlo?
know that? I\
PELFIORE
'~o
lIo
'tIe:rto
certo
'nol) ka'pisko
non capisco:
'ma
rna
'kwei
quei
'moti
mati,
kwe',{,{at:ti
quegl'atti ...
II
[I
(
certainly don't understand, but those movements, those gestures ...
(i \
I\
I e 'tut:ta 'lei 'non 'ne 'perde 'UI] ka'pel:b
e tutta lei. Non ne perde un capello.)
I ~it's all her. There isn't missing one hair.)
I( i (it's all her... there isn't one hair missing.)
/ SANDRINA
'or 'via partite 'se 'vjene arminda 'mizeri 'noi
f Or via partite, se viene Arminda, miseri noi.
Now then, leave; if comes Arminda, poor us.
(Now then, leave. If Arminda comes, woe to us.)
BELFIORE (intimidated)
do've 'parto 'si 'parto
Dav'e... parto, si parto ...
Where is she... I'm leaving, yes, I'm leaving ...
(He is about to go but stops and looks at her.)
oi'me "erte 'nnom 'pos:so 'di 'kwi 'm:were 'il 'pje

Oime! Perche non posso di qui movere il pie ...
Alas! Why can't I from here move the foot...
(Woe is me! Why can't I move a step away from here? ... )
'per simpa'tia 'de 'fate armen

per simpatia, deh fate ahnen
out of kindness, please cause at least
'ke 'iI] 'kwe,{Ao'kjet:ti 'vagi

che in quegl'occhietti. vaghi ...
that in your eyes lovely .. .
(out of kindness, at least let your lovely eyes ... )
SANDRINA
a 'ki parlate
A chi parlate?
To whom are you talking?
BELFlORE
a 'voi 'mio 'sol 'mia 'luna 'mia ko'meta bri'I:Iante
A voi, mio sol, mia luna, nua corneta brillante,
To you, my sun, my moon, my comet brilliant,
'ke a'vete 'iI 'vizo 'del:la 'mia vjo'Iante

che avete il visa della nua Violante.
who have the face of my Violante.
NO. 15 ARIA
BELFIORE
'kare pu'piI:le 'bel:le voI'd3ete 'un 'sgwardo a 'me
Care pupille belle, volgate un sguardo a me.
Dear eyes lovely, turn a gaze towards me.
a 'se 'voi 'sjete 'kwel:Ie 'ke deli'rar 'mi 'fate

Ah se voi sieta quelle che dalirar mi fata ...
Ah, if you are those that delirious make me ...
(Ah, if you are those eyes that drive me to deliryum ... )
584 La Finta Giardini-era, Act II
I[
(Sandrina shows signs of anger and urges him to leave.)
I
[
'parto 'nOll) 'vi zde']1]1ate (
non vi sdegnate,
I[
Parto,
I am leaving, don't be angry,
'ke 'barbara ri'gor

che harbaro rigor.
what cruel severity.
l
(The Podesta is watching and coming closer. Sandrina sees him and steps aside. The Podesta takes
Sandrina's place, and as Belfiore nervously goes to take Sandrina's hand, he takes the Podesta's hand
instead.)
'rna 'nel partir ka'rina

Ma nel partir, carina,
But as I leave, dearest,
, vo'r:rei 'se 'me permes:so
I
i:
I
~
vorrei, se
I would like,
m'e
if
ba'tJar 'kwel:la ma'nina

permesso,
I am allowed,
'per 'se]1]1o 'del 'mio a'mor

I haciar quella manina per segno del mio aIllor.
that little hand as a sign of my love.
,, to kiss
1
) a 'ke ma'nina 'tenera
Ah che manina tenera,
Ah, what little hand tender,
'io 'me 'ne 'vado 'in 'tJenere

io me ne vado ill cenere,
am turning to ashes,
1
i
I dol'tJis:sima
dolcissima
'mia
mia
'venere
Venere.
'\:
sweetest my Venus.
i (Oh, what tender little hand, I am being consumed to ashes, my sweetest Venus.)
I [
(To the Podesta, realizing thai he has been holding his hand.)
pa'drone stima'tis:simo 'hi'som 'bw:m servi'tor

I, Padrone stimatissimo, gli son huon servitor.
l Master most esteemed, I am your good servant.
,c,
j
! (To himself.)
\ des'tim malede'tis:simo marJ'kava 'questo arJ'kor
, (Destin maledetissimo, mancava questo ancor.)
(Fate most accursed, there lacked this still.)
(Most accursed fate, this is all that was lacking.)
(this is all I needed ... )
(He leaves.)
I~
I Scene Six
i (fhe Podesta and Sandrina.)

l
PODESTA
r-
l
\
\ \ Va,
'va 'konte
Conte
dizgra'ttsjat::>
disgraziato,
'v 0 !..f. o
vogllo che
'ke 'pagi 'il 'fio
paghi il flo ...
I
(
[
j
Go, Count wretched, I want that you pay for this ...
I
-
I
[ i.
(fo Sandrina, in anger.)
(
I
in'de]1]1a sfat:tJa'tel:la 'ke 'ti 'pare
1\ Indegna sfacciatella, che ti paro?
Worthless hussy, what do you think?
!
li
j
a 'urn 'w::>m 'del:la 'mia 's::>rte
I
A un uorn della mia sorte,
I To a
'urn
man
pa'drone
of my
'ke
kind,
'tama
\I a
a un padrone che t'ama ...
,I to a master who loves you ...
I
! SANDRINA
\ \
::>'ddiJ 'ke a brto si']1]1or 'mi strapa't:tsate
\ Oh Diol Che a torto, signor, mi strapazzate.
Oh God! For wrongly, sir, you scold me.
(Oh God! You are wrong to scold me.)
PODESTA
'kome a 'tort::> 'sio 'vidi
Come a torto s'io vidi ...
ow so, wrongly, if I saw ...
vix]ga'n:nate
V'ingannate.
ll'ou are mistaken.
'dduI]kwe 'kom 'me 'fai 'la ri'troza

dunque con me fai la ritrosa
then with me do you play the coy one?
'tanto ski t:tsi'noza

tanto sehizzinosa?
e you so fussy?
SANDRINA (tenderly)
'~iJ 'karo padron'tJino 's€: sa'peste 'kwanto 'sono iIl)fe'litJe
Mio eam padroncino, se sapeste quanto sono infellee.
/My dear good master, if you knew how I am unhappy.
\
1-
l
586 La Finla Giardiniera, Act II
( PODESTA
'non te'mer 'idol 'mio 'vjeni 'kom
(
'me
Non temer idol mia, vieni can me ...
Don't be afraid, idol mine, come with me ...
'pju 'non re'zisto a 'kara 'tu 'sei la'mato 0'd:d3et:to

(Piu non resisto) ah cara tu sei l'amato oggetto,
(1 can resist no longer) ah, dearest, you are the beloved object,
'ke 'il 'br 'non 'so 'ke 'dir
che il cor... non so che dir...
that my heart... 1 don't know what to say...
'ia 'nof] ko'n:ne t:to an'djamo

io non connetto. Andiamo.
can't think straight. Let's leave.
SANDRINA
perdo'nate 'io 'non 'ded:d30 'nom 'pos:so
Perdonate, io non deggio, non posso.
Forgive me, 1 musn't, I can't.
PODESTA
'kame per'ke i[
~~
Coma? Perche? ~'
How so? Why?
SANDRINA (resentfully)
(
per'ke 'non) 'voUo al'fine .i l
Perche non voglio; at fine ... ~I
1.
Because 1 don't want to; after all... ;I
\
'/~J.
PODESTA
al'fin 'tu 'sei 'una 'viI 'serva 'ke in:nal'tsar pro'kuro
., l
l~ Alfin tu sei una viI serva che innalzar procuro.
.~ After all you are a base servant who to elevate I am trying.
\ (After all, you
\ SANDRINA
are a base servant whose station I am trying to raise:)
l
~ 'cti ko'zi grando'nor 'io 'nom 'mi 'kura
\Di COS! grand'onor io non 00 curo.
d
\Of such a great honor don't care about. i
PODESTA
i~'deJ1J1a 'tanto ar'ctir
'<
J.
~
.;
[
Ii,ldegna: Tanto W IT. ·? :;.
~[
Worthless one, such audacity?
!
la~ 'urn 'par 'mio a 'urn podes'ta
~
Aa~
un par 000, a un Podesta.. .
Tf one like me, to a Mayor.. . !t [
.(\I}
~\
b;s'pet:to 'ki 'mi'tjerte 'di subi's:sarti a'des:so
Cospetto! Chi 00 tiene' di subissarti adesso?
By heaven! Who will prevent me from overpowering you now?
1\
LoFinto Giardiniera. Act II 587
SANDRINA (resolute)
e 'kwal ra'd30ne 'kwal 'drit:to a'vete 'voi
E qual ragione, qual dritto aveta voi
\ And what reason, what right have you
!.
dinsul'tanni ko'zi 'di rnina't:tJanni
d'insultarmi cosI, di minaccianni?
to insult me like that, to threaten me?
'da 'me 'ke preten'dete

Da me che pretendete?
From me what do you expect?
! 'una don'dzel:la 'si 'trat:ta 'kon ris'pet:to
\ Una donzella si tratta con rispetto,
[~
./
A damsel is to be treated with respect,
altri'mente sa'p:pjate 'ke o 'spirto

altriInenti sappiate che ho spirto,
moreover be aware that I have a sense of humor,
I
o 'pet:to '0 'bee
ho petto,4 ho core ...
I have feelings, I have heart...
perdo'nate 'il tras'porto 0 si']1]1or

perdonate i1 trasporto, oh signor;
forgive me my outburst, oh sir;
'10 'vedo 'ke tras'korse 'il'rnio 'lab:bro

10 vedo che trascoI'Se i1 mio labbro,
I see it, that went too far my lips,
'rna 'sbrgo al)'kora 'si 'd3a 'il 'kor 'mel'ditJe

Ma SCOl'gO ancora.. si gilt i1 corl mel dice.
But I perceive again... yes, already my heart tells me,
(But I can tell...yes, my heart tells me)
'ke 'vi'rnwove a pje'tade uniI1Jfe'litJe

che vi muove a pietade un'infelice.
that you're moved to pity (by) an unhappy girl.
NO. 16 ARIA
SANDRINA
'una 'votJe 'sento 'al'kore
Una voce sento al core
A voice I hear in my heart
'ke 'mi'ditJe 'pjan pja'nino

che mi dice pian pianino:
that tells me softly, very softly
I I
I ,
j \.
4 Petto really means "chest", or in more refined libretto parlance. "breast". In this instance Sandrina is saying" I have
It feelings" or "I have a soul", all of which can be theoretically be enclosed in the general region of the thoraxic cavity or "chest".
\
{' 588 La Finta Giardiniera, Act II
'il 'tUJ 'karJ padron'tJino 'tut:tJ c: 'pjc:no 'di bJn'ta

"11 tuo caro plldrocino tutto e pieno di bonta.
(
"Your dear master all is full of goodness.
e 'il] 'kwel 'vol to 'il] kweUJ'kjet:ti

'a in quel volto, in quagl'occhiatti
\ and in that face, in those eyes,
\
I ke 'pur 'sembran zdej1j1o'zet:ti 'vi 'si 'sbrd3e 'la pje'ta
i che pur sembran sdagnosatti vi si sCOI'ga III pieta."
\:Ch ;tZ::;;em to be indifferent,
'nom mas'kolta
one can see pity." ']
non m'ascoltll.
I Ah, he flees from me, won't listen to me, :1
I , ,
! 'd3a di'vjen 'kom 'me ti'ran:nJ
l gIll
I
"' divian con rna tiranno;
I now becomes with me tyrannical;
f
t dallil
'dal:la 'zmanja
smarull,
dal:la'f:fan:I1:J
dall'affano
'io
io
'mi'sentJ
mi santo
latJe'rar
lilcarar.
'[
with agitation, with anxiety feel torn.
\
I fantJu'I:let:te 'ke mm~u'dditl.eta, 'sc: pje'ta 'di 'me sen'tite ;[
I Fanciullatta cha sa piata di rna santita,
1
I Young girls who hear me, if pity for me you feel, I
(
I 'una
\ unll
'fiUa
figlill
zventu'rata
svanturlltll,
in)fe'litfe
infalica,
ab:bandJ'nata
Ilbbandonlltll,
il
I a girl unlucky, unhappy (and) abandoned,
\ 'de
I
dah
ve'nite a
vanita 11
kJnsJ'lar
consolar.
II
\, please come to console.
t (Young girls who hear me, if you feel pity for me, come to console this girl who is unhappy, unlucky 1
land a b a n d o n e d . ) '
i
!(She leaves.)
;!
Ii
:I
~Scana Savan
~he Podesta, then Arminda, then Romiro with a sheet of paper.)

tODESTA
an 'ke 'sJn 'stato 'un 'JJk:b
th
{\h,
che son StiltO
I have been
un
a
sciocco!
fool!
~
~ vergo'j1j1oza 'povc:ra ra'gat:tsa

E vargognosll, poverll rilgazzil.
the'S shy, poor girl. 11
(
~
,vOe
'fat:to
:~~e;:n°
'una 'graI1J
gran
great
'fJrtsa
forzll
effort
a
a
to
trat:te'nere
trllttanare
restrain
'il
il
my
'pjantJ
pianto.
tears.
II
\i,
'la 'V'JAIi.'J segwi'tare a male'det:ta 'la 'mia fortuna

La voglio seguitare... ah maledetta la mia fortuna!
1 want to follow her ... ,. ah, cursed (be) my luck!
'tutto kon'd3ura a 'dan:no 'mio

Tutto congiura a danno mio .. .
Everything conspires to harm me .. .
r I
! 'YO ve'der 'di pla'karla
t~ Vo'veder
I'll go see
di
about
placarla...
appeasing her...
(I will try to appease her... )
[ I ARMINDA
si'j1Jlor'ttsio 'd3a pen'tito 'il kon'tina da'vermi dizgus'tata
Signor zio, gia pantito il Contino d'avenni disgustata,
Uncle, already sorry the Count for having upset me,
(Uncle, the Count being already sorry for having upset me,)
s'J'I:Ietfita sp'Jn'sali 'i!] 'kwesto 'punto

sollecita i sponsali: In questo punto
is pressing (for) the wedding. At this point
'v 'J/i./i. 'J . 'dar/i.i 'Ia 'man'J

voglio dargli la mano.
1 want to give him my hand.
RAMIRO (to the Podesta. letter in hand)

si'JlJl ore 'da mi'lan'J 'mi 'd3und3e a'des:so 'UIl) 'f'JAIi.'J
Signore, da Milano mi giunge adesso un foglio
Sir, from Mila,n has arrived for me now a letter
'dum 'mio 'stret:t'J pa'rente

d'un mio smtto parente,
from a mine close relative,
(from a close relative of mine,)
,i!] 'kui ma'k:klude unis'tantsa f'Jrmata 'aI 'redz'J mad3is'trat'J

in cui m'acclude un'istanza fonnata al Regio Magistrato,
in which is enclosed a warrant made out by the Royal Magistrate,
"
e a 'voi ri'mes:sa 'per 'far se'gwir la'r:rest'J
a a voi rimessa per far seguir l'arresto
and to you remitted to expedite the arrest
'dun omi'tJida 'ke 'kwi al'berga

d'un omicida che qui alberga,
of a murderer who here is lodging.
(and sent to you to expedite the arrest of a murderer who is lodging here,)
e 'kwesti e 'il kon'tino bel'fjor 'nol krede'rete

e questi 9 il Contino Belfior, nol crederete?
and he is the Count Belfiore, would you believe it?
t-
590 La Finta Giardiniera, A ct II
PODESTA
'il kon'tino be l'fj ore
n Contino Belfiore?
(
The Count Belfiore?
RAMIRO (giving him the letter)

'ek:b le'd:d3ete
Ecco leggete.
Here, read.
ARMINDA
'un 'soj1j1o sa'fa 'kwesto
Un sogno sara questo.
A dream must be this.
RAMIRO
purtrop:po e 'ver 'mi'spjatSe konte's:sina d3en'til
I
Purtroppo e ver; mi spiace, Contessina5 gentil.
Unfortunately it's true; I regret, Countess gentle.
'per vendi'kanni 'ke pro'pittsja ok:ka'zjone 'mi 'prezenta 'la'sorte

(Per vendicarmi che propizia occasione mi presenta la sorte.)
(To avenge myself, what a favorable opportunity offers me fate.)
(What favorable opportunity fate offers me to avenge myself.)
PODESTA '[
e 'ben lis'tantsa as:se'riSS e 'ke 'il 'konte
Eh ben, l'istanza asserisce che il Conte
Oh well, the warrant asserts that the Count (
'sia 'stato bmi'tSida 'del:la mar'keza o'nesti
sia stato
was
l'omicida
the murderer
della Marchesa
of the Marchioness
Onesti...
Onesti-.. ,
[
ARMINDA " {
e 'no!] kre'dete
Eh non credete .. .
I
Ah, don't believe .. .
[
PODESTA (strongly, to Arminda)
'non'tok:ka a 'voi ta'tSete 'ke 'parla 'il podes'ta
Ton tocca
It doesn't concern
(It's not your business!
a voi, tacete
you, keep silent,
Keep silent when the
che
for
parla il
speaks the
Mayor speaks ... )
Podesta.. .
Mayor .. . t
(To Romiro.)
.~
J
'rna 'kome 'reo 'si pre'tende 'il kon'tino
E
And
come reo
as a criminal
si pretende
they claim
il
the
Contino?
Count?
~il
f
(They claim the Count is a criminal?)
til
-,
(
SRamiro is being somewhat sarcastic calling Arminda Contessina. Since Belfiore is a Count. by marrying him she would
become a Countess. The ina/ina endings used so far for the Contino und now Contess@ are simply diminutives that in no
~l
_.,J l
'[
way diminish the status of nobility of the characters.
La Finta Giardiniera. A ct II 591
e 'dove 'sson 'Ie 'prove a 'un 'tal de'litto

E dove son Ie prove a un tal delitto?
!
(
And where are the proofs for
(And where is the proof of such a crime?)
a such crime?
a'doj1j1i 'kosto 'vo ve'der 'di sal'varb

(Ad ogni costo vo' veder di salvarlo.)
(At all costs 1 must see to it about saving him.)
'io 'no1) brn'prendo

10 non comprendo ...
I don't understand ...
RAMIRO
'10 korn'prendo 'be'nio
(Lo comprendo ben io.)
(I certainly understand.)
si'j1j1or pen'sate 'ke 'non 'de 'la d3us'tittsja

Signor, pensate che non dee la giustizia
Sir, consider that musn't justice
'per kwa'lu1)kwe ra'd30n res'tar ne'glet:ta

per qualunque ragion restar negletta;6
for whatever reason remain neglected;
(Sir, consider that justice must not be neglected, for whatever reason.)
'io 'vi 'lano

10 vi lascio ...
I will leave you...
PODESTA
'rna 'pjan 'non 'tanta 'fret:ta
Ma pian, non tanta fratta,
But slowly, not so much haste
(But wait, why are you in such a hurry,)
'si po'treb:be 'ke im'broUo

Si potrebbe .. . (Che imbroglio!)
One could .. . (What a mess!)
ARMINDA
e la'Hate 'ke 'parta
Eh, lasciate che parta.
Ah, let (him) leave.
6 There are three words in Italian in which the g1i and gle combination of letters is pronounced as [gli/g1e] and not [Ai/Ae],
as expected. They are: glicerina "glycerin"
( glicine "wystaria
negligere "to neglect"
negligenza "negligence"
negligente "negligent"
neglettoltta "neglected"
Q
La Finta Giardiniera, Act II

I
592
~::--~~o---/-~c~ !
'si ""~r.n. . .e ~r:) 1 \ 'n;~/ 'doj1j1i 'v:)str:) 'pas:s:) (
SI, m~'>I.l\:andro, 1 \ria d'ogni vostro passo
Yes, /l"~illIeaze heie, !,/'f1~: of every your step
----...=
'dame 'konto
.,.
do'vrete 'al rnad3is'trat:)
darn.e
give of it account
conto
you must
aldovrete
Magistrato.
to the Magistrate.
(Yes, I'm going, but you must give the Magistrate an account of everyone of your steps.)
I
PODESTA
'or 'ben 'veI)ga 'il kon'tino
Or ben, venga il Contino;
Well now, let him come, the Count;
'si sos'pendan 'Ie 'n:)t:tse

Si sospendan Ie nozze;
Let them be suspended, the nuptials;
(Let the marriage be suspended.)
e 'seUi e 're:)
e s'egli 9 reo
and if he is (a) criminal
'norI] 'v:) 'ke 'un deliI)'kwente 'un iI)kwi'zito

non vo' che un delinquente, un inquisito,
I don't want that a delinquent, a person under investigation,
(
'ab:bja 'una 'rnia ni'pote 'per rna'rito
abbia una mia nipote per marito.
should have (a) my niece for husband.
(should be a husband to my niece.)
NO. 17 ARIA
PODESTA
'una da'rnina 'una ni'pote
Una damina, una nipote,
A lady, a niece,
vis'toza e 'nobile 'korn 'bw:)na 'd:)te

vistosa e nobile con buona dote
striking and noble with (a) good dowry
'vo/i./i.:) af:fo'garla pretJipi'taria

voglio affogarla, precipitarla?
do I want to drown her, ruin her?
'il rnatri'rnonjo 'sia 'per 'norI] 'fat:to

II matrimonio sia per non fatto,
The marriage will not take place,
'or 'vado e 'subito 'gwasto 'il k:)n'trat:to

or vado e sub ito guasto il contratto, (
now I'll go and immediately tear up the contract,
'kwesto 'far 'devesi 'kwesto bI1]'vjen

questo far devesi, questo convien.
! this done must be, this is necessary.
\ sa'rei ta't:tIato nel:lale'rnaj1j1a
Sarei tacciato nell'Alemagna,
r I'd be accused in Germany,
a'vrei 'la 'kritika 'iI1] 'frantJa 'in 'spaj1j1a

avrei la critic a in Francia, in Spagna,
I'd have the criticism in France, in Spain,
(I'd be criticized in France and in Spain,)
'bza di'reb:besi 'nel 'rnondo in'tef:)

cosa direbbesi nel mondo intero
what would they say in the world whole
(What would the whole world say)
'di 'un 'worno 'tIdebre 'di 'Ul) kava'ljero

di un uomo celebre, di un cavaliaro,
about a man famous, of a gentleman,
'dun let:te'rato 'dum podes'ta

d'un letterato, d'un Podesta,
of a man of letters, of a Mayor,
'non 'tIi pen'sate 'non 'vi adi'rate

non ci pansate, non v'adirate
don't think about it, don't be angry,
ko'zi a 'da 'es:sere ko'zi ssa'ra

COS! ha da assare, COS! sara.
thus it has to be, . thus it will be .
(He leaves.)
Scene Eight
(Arminda and Ramiro.)
RAMIRO
'sap:pi ar'rninda 'bern 'rnio
Sappi Arminda, ban mio .. .
Know, Arminda, my love .. .
(I want you to know, Arminda my love ... )
ARMINDA
'kjudi 'kwel 'lab:bro 'perfido rnentsO'j1j1er
Chiudi quel labbro perfido menzogner.
Close that lip, perfidious lying.
(Close your lying, perfidious lips.)
I
L
RAMIRO
til)'gan:ni 'io 'sana
( . T'inganni, io sana ...
l You are mistaken, am ...

ARMINDA
J'djozJ a'UJk:ki 'mjei
(
Odioso
Hateful
agl'occhi
to the eyes
miei.
mine. .~
~
(You're hateful to my sight.)
't"."
~1r:.
RAMIRO
del:la'mor
Dell'amor
Of the love
ARMINDA
'tuo
tuo ...
yours ... ,
~,
''''r
".
"
,};
f.
~il,-
non 'ne 'sei 'dej1j1o
Non ne sei degno.
Of it you are not worthy. ""
~
~
RAMIRO
ra'm:menta *\
'~',.
Rammenta .. . 2:.
Remember .. . ~:!
#-
~~.
ARMINDA "."'
'nJ
No.
No.
~l
4,
~,
,
~~
RAMIRO (
mas'kolta 'fi,1
M'ascolta... 1
Listen to me ...
"~I.
;:\
ARMINDA
'ardo
Ardo di
'di
I burn with
'zdej1j1o
sdegno.
anger.
l'l
(She leaves.)
[
Scene Nine
(Ramiro alone.)
RAMIRO
e'p:pur 'dal:la kJs'tantsa 'kiJ 'serbo 'nel 'miJ 'pet:tJ
Eppur, dalla costanza ch'io serbo nel mio petto
And yet,
'mi'sento
by the constancy
luziI)'gar
that I keep in my breast
"I
mi sento lusingar.
I feel flattered.
'non il]ga'n:narmi J spe'rantsa fa'I:latJe

Non ingannarmi, oh speranza fallace,
Don't deceive me, oh hope false,
La Finla Giardiniera. Act II 595
a 'te 'fido 'il'mi:J 'bre e 'Ia'mia 'patJe

a te fido il mio core e la mia pace.
[ to you I entrust my heart and my peace of mind.
(
NO.1S ARIA
I RAMIRO
'doltJe da'mor kom'paJ1J1a spe'rantsa luziI)'gjera
Dolce d'amor compagna, speranza lusinghiera,
Sweet of love companion, hope fla ttering,
(Sweet companion of love, flattering hope,)
'in 'te kwes'talma 'spera 'tut:ta ri'pna 'in 'te

in te quest'alma spera, tutta riposa in teo
in you my soul hopes, all of it rests on you.
[ 'tu
Tu
'mi s:Js'tjeni
mi sostieni
'ill]
in
'vita
vita,
You sustain me in life,
'tu 'mi kon'dutJi 'im 'p:Jrt:J

tu mi conduci in porto,
you guide me into harbor,
0 a'mabile bIl)'f:Jrto 'di 'mia sin'tJera 'fe
c le.
oh amabile conforlo di mia sincera
oh, lovable comfort for my sincere faith.
(He leaves.)
Scene Ten
(A hall. The Podesla, Arminda, Serpelta and laler, Belfiore.)
PODESTA
'kredimi nipo'tina 'io 'SOll] 'fw:Jri 'di 'me
Credimi nip 0 tina, io son fuori di me:
Believe me, niece, am beside byself;
'se 'il 'konte e 're:J 'ke 'bza a'vr:J 'dda 'far

se il Conte e reo che cosa avril dafar?
if the Count is (a) criminal, what shall I do?
Ii
., ARMINDA
a'voi 'nom 'maI)ka ma'njera 'di sal'varb
A voi non manca maniera di salvarlo.
You don't lack means to save him.
SERPETTA
'se vo'lete 'sol di'pende 'di 'voi
Se volete sol dipende di voi.
If you wish alone (it) depends on you.
1-' (It depends on you alone, if you wish it.)
l(
l_
•
I~
PODESTA \
'kwest::> 'va 'bene 'rna 'se [a'miro in'tant::> 'ek:ko 'ke 'vjene (
Questo va bene: Ma se Ramiro intanto ... eceo che viene.
That may be so; but if Ramiro meanwhile ... here he is.
(The Podesta sees Belfiore approaching and sits.)
BELFIORE (to the Podesta)

si'J1J1ore 'ek:komi 'pronto
Signore, eccomi pronto;
Sir, here I am, ready.
(To Arminda.)
'voi 'kor:ro spo'zina

voi COITO, sposina...
you r run, my bride ...
\~ n'I
1
~ 'in 'tal mo'mento 'tut:to 'mi 'bril:la 'il 'bre
f
i:
... i' In tal momento il
tutto mi brilla core ...
In such a moment all in me shines the heart...
I
(On a moment like this, my whole heart shines ... )
i :> 'ke k::>n'tent::> 'saIto 'per al:le'gret:tsa

, ",1J Oh che contento! SaIto per allegrezza
-"".! ? Oh, what happinessl I'm jumping for joy
~~ ~~ (
·,,/\\, fe 'p::>s:s::> 'koI1J fral)'ket:tsa vage'd:d3are 'kwei vet:tso'zet:ti 'rai

I
posso con franchezza vagheggiare quei vezzosetti rai...
i
nd r can with openness yearn for those charming eyes ...
X
:
'prest::> 'prest::> 'la 'man:)
Presto, presto, la mano.
Quickly, quickly, your hand.
PODESTA
;)'Ia 'ke 'ffai
OIa, che fai?
Ho there, what are you doing?
(Very grave and in measured tones.)
'ke 'Forse 'non ra'v:vizi 'il 'tJrbid::> sem'bjante

Che forse non ravvisi il torbido sembiante
Do you maybe not recognize the somber countenance
'di 'un 'd3uditJe se'ver::> a 'te da'vante

di un giudice severo a te davante?
of a judge severe before you?
(of a severe judge before you?)
BELFIORE
'spna
Sposa...
(My) bride ...
ARMINDA
'de 'tatfi
Deh taci.
Please keep quiet.
BELFIORE
mio si'.JlJ1ore
Mio signore ...
Sir. ..
PODESTA
si'lentsj~
Silenzio.
Silence.
BELFIORE (turning to Serpetta)

ser'pet:ta
Serpetta...
SERPETTA
nom par'late
Non parlate.
Don't say anything.
PODESTA
'al 'd3uditfe ris'pondi 'ki 'sei 'kome 'ti 'kjami
Al giudice rispondi: Chi sei, come ti chiami?
To the judge answer: Who are you, what is your name?
BELFIORE (timidly)
'il kon'tino bel'fjore 'kwel:lo 'il 'kwale tfo'e '10 'spoz~
II Contino Belfiore .. . quello ... il quale ... ClOe, 10 sposo ...
The Count Belfiore .. . he ... who ... that is, the bridegroom ...
PODESTA
'basta 'dim:mi 'tu kono'IJesti 'Ia marke'zina o'nesti
Basta. Dimmi, tu conoscesti la Marchesina Onesti?
Enough. Tell me, you knew the Marchioness Onesti?
BELFIORE
'ke di'fo
Che · '?
d lI'O.
What shall I say?
ARMINDA (softly to Belfiore)

'di 'ke 'non 'sai
Di che non Sai,
Say that you don't know.
BELFIORE
'non 'Ia ko'nosko ~i'bo
Non la conosco, oibO.
I don't know her, alas.
(
l
PODESTA
'el:la 'vive (
Ella viva?
Is she alive?
BELFIORE
'n;) s i'J1J1 ore
No, signore.
No, sir.
SERPETTA (softly, to Belfiore)

'ke 'ddite
Cha dita?
What are you saying?
PODESTA
'dunkwe e 'rnrn;)rta
Dunqua a rnorta?
Then is she dead?
BELFIORE
'non's;) tf;)'e 'rna 'senta
Non so ... cioa ... rna santa...
I don't know ... that is ... but listen ...
ARMINDA
'njega
Niaga,
'se
se
'vw;)i sal'varti (
vuoi salvarti.
Deny it, if you want to save yourself.
PODESTA
e 'ver 'kwel 'ke 'si 'ditfe 'kel:la 'sia'stata u't:tJiza
E ver quelcha si dice, ch'ella sia stata uccisa?
Is it true what they're saying, that she was killed?
BELFIORE
pur'tr;)p:p;) e 'ver 'rna 'sap:pja
(Purtroppo a ver) rna sappia...
(It's only too true) but know ...
si'J1J1or 'si 'n;) si'J1J1ore

signor si... no, signore ...
sir, yes ... no, sir ...
SERPETTA
'noIl) virnbr;)''('(ate
Non v'imbrogliate.
Don't get confused.
PODESTA
e 'pub:blika 'la 'votfe 'ke 'tu 'kweI:la ut:tfi'desti
E publica la voce che
It is openly known the rumor that
tu quella uccidesti. (
you
(The rumor that you killed her is widely known.)
her killed.
- (
BELFIORE
r ::>i'b::> la'more tJ::>'e 'Ia d3elo'zia 'fu kazuali'ta
I Oibo ... l'amore ... ClOe la gelosia.. . fu casualita...
\,
Alas ... love ... that is, jealousy.. . it was an accident...
PODESTA
'nom 'pju
Non pin.
No more.
ARMINDA
'ke 'JJ::>k:b
(Che sciocco!)
(What a fooll)
'"
---I"'~'ODESTA
'konte 'pensa a 'tw::>i 'kazi
Conte, pensa a' tuoi casi;
Count, think about your situation.
'un 'tal de'lit:to a 'te 'vjene impu'tat::>

Un tal delitto a te viene imputato;
Such a crime to you has been imputed. '
(You have been accused of this crime.)
[. {f 'se in:n::>'tJente 'tu 'sei ko'zi lin'tend::>

i Se innocente tu sa (cosi l'intendo)
.
l \ If innocent
(If you are innocent -
you are, (thus
as I think you are -)
I understand it to be)
di'fenditi 'se 'pw::>i

difenditi se puoi.
defend yourself if you can.
Scene Eleven
(Enter Sandrina.)
SANDRINA
'io '10 di'fendo
10 10 difendo.
I will defend him.
BELFIORE
::> 's::>rte
Oh sorle!
Oh fate!
ARMINDA
::> 'bbw::>na
Ohbuona!
This is a good one!
SERPETTA
::> 'bbel:la
Obelia!
Lovely indeed!
600 La Finto Giardiniera. Act II
ARMINDA
vil:la'nel:la
'forse 'Ia
Forse la
Maybe the
. villanella...
peasant ...
c
SERPETTA
'kwalke 'kkoza sa'pra
Qualche cosa sapra.
Something knows.
(Knows something.)
PODESTA
'ke 'dir PJ'trai 'in 'sua di'feza
Che dir potrai in sua difesa?
What tell can you in his defense?
'mia
mia.
mine.
'di 'pure a'mika

Di pure,
Speak then,
SANDRINA
'dal 'konte 'koza'mai 'si pre'tende 'di 'kwal de'lit:tJ e 'reo
Dal Conte cosa mai si pretende? Di qual delitto 9 reo?
From the Count what do they want? Of what crime is he guilty?
PODESTA
da'ver
D'aver
u't:tJiza 'Ia
uccisa la
rn1zin~
M·;hesma
;)'nesti
Onesti.
Of having killed the Marchioness Onesti.
SANDRINA
e 'una ka'lun:nja fe'rita 'fu vjJ'lante 'rna 'nam ma'ri
E una calunnia. Ferita fu Violante ma non marl;
It's a slander. Wounded was Violante, but she did not die.
tJas'kuno 'veg:ga vjJ'lante 'im 'me

Ciascuno vegga Violante in me;
All of you may see Violante in me.
'si 'kwel:la 'ia 'sana

SI, quella io sana,
Yes, she I am,
'bde 'al 'tJeb 'safl] 'viva e 'Ai perdona

lode al ciel, son viva, e gli perdono.
praise to heaven, I'm alive and I forgive him.
BELFIORE (overjoyed)
a 'Ia'dis:si 'rnia 'kara
Ah 10 dissi... mia cara...
Ah, r said so ... my dear ...
PODESTA
! 'tu vj::>'lante
I Tu Violante?
You, Violante?
\
[ ARMINDA (to Sandrina, mockingly)
'tu rnarkeza
Tu rnarchesa.?
You, (a) Marchioness?
SERPETTA
'tu 'darna
Tu dama.?
You, (a) lady?
SANDRINA
'si so'nio 'ne rnen'tisko
Sl, son'io, ne rnentisco .. .
Yes, It is I, I'm not lying .. .
PODESTA
'rna 'fiA:Aa'rnia 'ti 'pare 'kon 'si 'fJ::>k:b pre'test::>
Ma. figlia. mia, ti pare... con SI sciocco pretesto.
But my child, do you think ... with such (a) foolish pretext...
r SANDRINA
I, 'dite 'tf::> 'ke vo'lete 'rna 'bern 'presto ve'drete
i Dite cib che volete, rna ben presto vedrete
Say what you want, but very soon you will see
'kon 'tante 'pr::>ve e 'tante 'kio 'son 'la rnarke'zina vj::>'lante

con tante prove e tante ch'io son la. Marchesina. Violante.
with many proofs and many that I am the Marchesina Violante.
BELFIORE
'kwesta 'pari a da'vvero 0 'ke al:le'gret:tsa
(Questa. parla da. vero ... oh che allegrezza...
(She speaks the truth ... oh, what happiness ... )
a 'rne '10 'ditfe 'il 'bre 'ke ri'salta 'd30'livo

Ah . me 10 dice il core che risalta giolivo 7 .)
Ah, it tells me so the heart that jumps with joy.)
(Ah, my heart that jumps with joy tells me that.)
PODESTA·
'il 'punt::> e sospen'sivo 'si'vada a konsul'tare
II punto e sospensivo: Si va.da a. consultare.
The point is dubious; Let us go (into) consultation.
'rna 'se 'perder do'vr::> san'drina 'rnia

(Ma. se perder dom Sandrina. mia,
(But if lose I will Sandrina mine,
7The usual spelling for this word is giy)ivo. This is a very areaic spelling.
a 'ki:) 'tJert:) fa'r:) kwalke ppa't:~ia

ah, ch10 certo faro quaIche pazzia.)
ah, I for sure will do something crazy.) (
(He leaves.)
ARMINDA
kO'mintJ:) a dubi'tar 'rna 0 'sia san'drina
Comincio a dubitar, rna 0 sia Sandrina
I am beginning to doubt. But either she be Sandrina
o
o
'sia
sia
vj:)'lante
Violante
'or
or
'vad:)
vado
a
a
medi'tar
meditar
'la'mia ven'det:ta
la mia vendetta.
l
or be Violante, now I'm going to think about my vengeance.
(She leaves.)
SERPETTA
al)'kor'io 'me nan'do 'vel)ga 'ki 'va ve'nire 'io ride'f:)
Ancor'io me n'andro, venga chi va venire, io ridero.
Also I will leave; come what may, will laugh.
(She leaves.)
BELFIORE (to Sandrina)

ad:)'rato 'mi:) 'bene 'io 'pju 'nol) 'kapo 'im 'me
Adorato mio bene... io piiI non capo in me ...
My adored beloved... I am beside myself...
(
'laffa 'de 'laffa 'ke 'al 'fin 'su 'kwe[:la 'man:) 'io 'p:)s:sa
Lascia, deh lascia che aIfin su quella mana io possa...
Let me, please allow that at last on that hand can ...
(He is about to kiss her hand.)
SANDRINA
in'djetfJ 'voi s:)'JlJlate
Voi sognate.
Indietro.
Stand back. You are dreaming. l
'kwel:[a 'mi 'finsi 'solo 'per sal'varvi
Quella mi finsi solo per saIvarvi
She I pretended to be only to save you
e 'mi pre'valsi 'a 'temp:) del:la 'gran somi'Uantsa

e mi prevaIsi a tempo della gran somiglianza
and I took advantage opportunely of the great resemblance
'ke di'tJeste a'vef 'io 'kol:la 'm:)rta vj:)'lante

. che diceste aver io colla morta Violante.
which you said I have with the dead Violante.
BELFIORE
'una 'kalda e 'una 'fred:da a'd:di:) tJervel:b
Una caIda e una fredda; addio cervello.
One hot and one cold; farewell brain.
(First she's warm, then she's cold; farewell, my senses!)
SANDRINA
an'date 'pure an'date 'dal:la ve't:tsoza arminda
Andate pure,. and ate dalla vezzosa Anninda,
Go then, go to the charming Arminda
\
l 'dal
dal
to
'vostro a'more
vostro am.ore;
your beloved;
el:la a't:tende 'da 'voi 'la 'mano e 'il 'bre

alIa attanda da voi la mana a il core.
she awaits from you your hand and your heart.
(She leaves.)
Seena Twelve
(The Count Belfiore alone.)
NO. 19 RECITA TIVO AND ARIA

BELFIORE
a 'nom par'tir rnas'kolta
a non partir... m'aseolta,
Ah, do not leave ... listen to me,
oi'me 'ke 'rni res'pind3e e 'via 'si'vada

Oime ehe mi respinge ... eh via, si vada ...
Alas, she spurns me ... oh well, let me go ...
l- 'rna 'pjano 'il 'swol tra'bal:la

Ma piano ... il suol trahalla,
But softly ... the ground is shaking,
'ed 'un os'kura 'neb:bja 'rni 'va d3i'rando in'tomo

ad un osema nabbia mi va girando intorno,
and a dark fog is whirling around me,
e 'turbine e tem'pesta e 'not:te 0 'd30mo

E turbina, s tempesta, S notta 0 giorno?
Is it a whirwind, is it a tempest, is it night or day?
arrninda vjo'lante u't:tJider 'rni vo'lete

Arnrinda, Violante, uccider mi volete?
Arminda, Violante to kill me you wish?
'ek:b fe'rite 'pur 'rna 'voi pjan'd3ete

Eeeo, ferite pur... ma voi piangete?
Here, stab me then ... but you weep?
'ke 'serve 'kwesto 'pjanto

L Che serva questa pianto?
What avails this weeping?
l 'v 0 Ii.li.o
Voglio
rno'rir
morir...
'ek:ko
aceo
'il
il
'twono
tuono ...
'ek:b
aeeo
'il
il
'fulrnine
fulm.ina,
~ I want to die ... here's the. thunder... here's the lightning,
l
l
'ke 'mi 'pjomba 'suI 'kap::>

che mi piomba sul capo;
that falls on me on my head;
(
:> 'ti riI)'grattsj::> 'd30ve a'miko 'tu 'solo

Oh ti ringrazio, Giove amico, tu solo
Oh, I thank you, Jove friend, you alone
'tu 'mi'reki bII)'f::>rt::>

tu mi 1'9chi conforto;
you bring me comfort;
'spoza a'mitJi pjan'd3ete oi'me 'som'm::>rto

Sposa, amici, piangete, aime! son morto.
(My) bride, (my) friends, weep, alas! I'm dead.
'd3 a di'vento 'fred:do 'fred:do

Giil divento £raddo, £raddo,
Already I grow very cold,
'trema 'iI 'pje sa'r:resta 'il 'saI)gwe

trema il pie, s'arresta il sangue,
trembles my foot, stops my blood,
'maI)ka 'il 'fjato 'il 'br 'd3a 'laI)gwe

manca il fiato, il cor gia langue,
fails the breath, the heart already languishes,
(
'pju 'non 'reg:go oi'me 'ke 'kazo
piu non 1'9ggo, oime che caso!
I can't stand it any more, alas, what a situation!
'per 'Ia 'fronte 'e 'per 'il 'nazo

1
Per la fronte e per il naso
Over my brow and through my nose
'skor:re 'un 'd3elido su'dor

seOITa un
runs an
gelido sud~r.
icy sweat. l
'rna 'pjam 'pjano 'pur ka'rn:mino
Ma pian piano, pur camnUno,
But gently, gently, yet I'm walking,
'd3iro ',(ok:ki e 'kon di'let:to

giro gl'occhi e con diletto
I turn my eyes and with delight
'parmi u'dire 'kwi vi'tJino

panni udire qui vicino
it seems to me to hear here near
'un so'ave tJuf:fo'let:to

un soave ciuffoletto
a gentle bullfinch,
sa'r;) 'fforse 'ai 'kampi e'Jizi

sara forse ai Campi Elisi
( am I maybe in the Elysian Fields,
\. po'tria 'darsi 'si ssi'JlJlor
potria darsi... sl signor.
[
could be ... yes sir.
'tsit:to 'il 'vento 'sibila

Zitto ... il vento sibila.
Hush ... the wind is whistling.
'va stri'ISand;) 'larja in'tomo

Va strisciando l'aria intorno,
It's caressing the air around,
'veg:go 'il 'sale 'veg:go 'il 'd30mo

veggo il sole, veggo il giorno,
I see the sun, I see the daylight,
'pju 'n;)Il) 've 'da dubi'tar

piu non v'a da dubitar.
there's no longer need to doubt.
'ke al:le'gret:tsa alJ'kor 'tfi 'sono

Che allegrezza, ancor ci sono,
What happiness, still I'm here,
'pens;) al)'kora al)'kor ra'd30no

penso ancora, ancor ragiono:
I can think still, still I can reason.
'si 'SOIl) 'vivo 'il 'br 'mi 'bril:la

sl son vivo, ,il cor mi brilla,
Yes, I'm alive, my heart shines (with happiness),
'V;) go'dere e d3ubi'lar

vo' godere e giubilar.
I want to enjoy and be glad.
(He leaves.)
Scene Thirteen
(Nardo, then the Podesta and Ramiro; later, Serpetta)
NARDO
o p;)ve'ret:t;) 'me 'la padron'tJina 'per 'tut:to o ritJer'kata
Oh poveretto me! La padroncina per tutto ho ricercata,
Oh, poor mel The mistress everywhere I've looked for,
:[
e 'non 'si 'tr;)va a 'kio 'temo 'ki 'ssa
e non si trova; ah ch'io temo ... chi sa...
and I can't find her; ah, I fear .. ; who knows ...
:[I
\ 'forse 'al kon'tino 'si sa'ra ppale'zata e 'nom 'PW;) 'stare
Forse al Contino si sara palesata... eh non puo stare;
i( Maybe to the Count she has revealed her identity ... ah, it can't be;
I
~
606 La Finta Ciardiniera, Act II
,.
'sel:la 'stes:sa 'mi 'djede 'ordine es'pres:s;)
s'ella stessa mi diede aroine espresso (
since she herself gave me orders express
'di 'non sko'prirmi a 'lui

di non scoprinni a lui .. .
to not reveal my identity to him .. .
'rna 'kwi 'd3ente 'ne 'vjene 'v::> tJe'larmi

Ma qui gente ne viene, va' celanni
But here people are coming; I'm going to hide myself;
'se po'tes:si inda'gare

se potessi indagare .. .
if I could only find out .. .
(He withdraws, but watches from a distance.)
RAMIRO (to the Podesta)

'deve pe'r::> pr::>'vare 'ke vj::>'lante 'el:la 'sia
Deve peru provare che Violante ella sia.
She must however prove that Violante she is.
PODESTA
'kwesto 'sintende
Questa s'intende;
That's understood; (
'rna 'pur 'dal 'su::> par'lar 'libero e 'fraI]b
Ma pur dal suo parlar libero e franco
But yet, from her words free and frank
'kwazi skom:met:te'rei
quasi scommetterei...
almost I would wager...
RAMIRO
e'b:ben kwa'Iora reste'r::> persu'az:J
Ebben, qualora restero persuaso .. .
All right, if I can be convinced .. .
SERPETTA (pretending to be agitated)

'ke at:tJi'dente 'ke 'kkaz:J e fU'd:d3ita san'drina
Che accidente, che caso! E fuggita Sandrina.
What a mishap, what a calamity! Has fled Sandrina
(Sandrina has fled!)
PODESTA
'::>i'me 'ke 'dditJi
l
Oime! Che did!
Alas! What are you saying! ,:1
NARDO (
fU'd:d3ita 'kome'mmai :?":l
'"
(Fuggita, come mail)

~1.~-
(Fled, how so?)
~l.
..... ~
NARDO
fu'd:d3 ita 'kame'mmai
come mail)
l
(
(Fuggita,
(Fled, how so?)
RAMIRO
'nom 'mi ka'patJito
Non mi capacito.
I can't understand.
PODESTA.
a 'non 'si 'perda 'tempo
Ah non si perna tempo;
l. Ah, let us not lose time;
'si'deve ritro'var fa'ro fra'kas:si pretJi'pittsi ru'ine

Si cleve ritroVftr, faro fracassi, precipizi, mine ...
She must be found, I will cause dins, destruction, ruination ...
'presto 'vadano 'tut:ti

Presto vaclano tutti.
Quickly, go all of you.
SERPETTA
rna 'd3a 'sjamo 'al:la 'not:te
Ma gift. siamo alia notte.
But already we're in night.
(But it's already night.)
PODESTA
0 'not:te 0 'd30ma 'si'mandi 'si spe'diska a ritJerkarla
0 notte, 0 giomo, si mancli, si spedisca a ricercarla...
Or night, or day, send someone ... dispatch someone to search for her...
e 'no 'ke an'dro 'im persona 'per tro'varla «

Eh no, che anclro in persona per trovarla.
Ah no, I will go in person to find her.
(He leaves with Ramiro.)
Scene Fourteen
(Serpetta, with Nardo watching.)
SERPETTA
'va 'pur 'rna 'kwesta 'volta 'ti strapat:tse'rei 'i 'denti
r Va pur, rna questa volta ti strapazzerei i clenti.
l Go on then, but this time I'll knock out your teeth.
NARDO
po'tes:si 'da kos'tei rika'var 'kwalke 'kkoza
(Potessi cla costei ricavar qualche cosa.)
(If I could from her get out something.)
l( (If only I could get something out of her.)
\
SERPETTA
'si 'f<redha
Si credeva
'Ia
la
'fsok:ka
sciocca
d3ardi'njera
giardiniera
c
She believed, the foolish gardener-maid
'kon spa't:tfarsi 'una 'dama
con spacciarsi una dama
by pretending to be a lady
'rnet:tere 'tut:ti 'in skorn'pi,(,(o
mettere tutti in scompiglio:
to throw everybody into confusion.
e arrninda 'kon ra'd30ne 'Ia 'fat:ta trasportare
E Arrninda con ragione l'ha fatta trasportare
And Arminda, with reason, has had her taken
'in 'un 'lwogo re'moto 'kwi 'neI 'bosko vi'tfino
in un luogo rernoto qui nel bose a vicino,
to a place remote here in the forest nearby,
'pjeno 'di anirna'Iat:tfi e 'forse a'des:so
pieno di animalacci, e forse adesso
full of horrible beasts and maybe now
'kwaIke 'liupo af:fa'rnato 'la di'vora
qualche
some
lupo
wolf
affamato
hungry
la divora.
is devouring her.
(
NARDO
oi'me 'ke 'ssento 'al 'konte -'il] 'kwesto is'tante
(Oime che sen to! al Conte in questo istante
(Alas, what am I hearing! To the Count in this instant
'vado a zve'lar 'povEra vjo'lante
vado a svelar... povera Violante!)
I'm going to reveal... poor Violante!)
(He leaves hurriedly.)
SERPETTA
'da 'una 'parte 'rni 'spjatfe 'rna da'l:IaItra
l,
Da una parte mi spiace, rna dall'altra
On the one hand I'm sorry, but on the other
'se 'Iean'data tferkando
se I'e andata cercando;
'ed
ed
od:d3i'd30rno
oggigiomo
\
she has been asking for it; and these days r
po'Iitika 'tfi'vwol bi'zoJ1J1a 'find3ere
politica ci vuol, bisogna fingere,
diplomacy is necessary, one has to pretend,
'ed u'zar sekre'tet:tsa nel:Ia'rnore
ed usar secretezza nell'amore,
and use secrecy in love,
SERPETTA
'ki \ 'vwol go'dere 'il 'mondo
l
(
Chi
Whoever
vuol godere
wants to enjoy
il
the
mondo,
world,
//
[ '10 'laIJi 'kome 'sta

//
10 lasci come sta. //
leave it as it is. /
'di 'njente. 'mi kOll)'fondo

Di niente mi confondo,
By nothing I'm upset,
r 'b 'prendo 'kome' 'vva
10 prendo come "va.
1 take it as it goes.
/
(1 take things as they corrte.) ,/
i
/
'b'so 'ke 'una fan'tIul:la /'"
La so che una fanciillla /

,I
1 know that a girl i
,I
/
de'ves:ser 'di 'bwoI) 'kyfe
dev'esser di buon c;ore,
must be of good ;heart,
I,
l~1 an'dar sin'tIera e 'skjet:ta .
andar sincera e schietta;
be sincere and frank;
'rna 'tIo 'non 'serve a 'nul:la 'kon . 'womini od:d3i'di

Ma cio non serve a nulla con uomini oggidi.
But that is of no use with '. men these days.
bi'zoJ1J1a 'es:she a'k:brta

i
mos'trarsi \
\
indif:fe'rente
Bisogna e~ere accorta, mostrarsi '. indifferente,
One must be wary, appear to b'e indifferent,
/
'find3er / 'la modes'tina 'fare 'la 'gat:ta 'morta
finger ~ la modestina fare ····la gatta marta,B
pretend to be the modest little girl, play the innocent,
sa'perlil
/ luziI)'gar
saper~ lusingar.
knoiJhow them to flatter.
"
kwakdero aI)'kor fan'tIul:la
Qukd'ero ancor fanciulla,
When 1 was still (a) little girl,
...j
8 Fore fa gatta morta. to pretend to be innocent or as harmless as a dead cat; in Aesop's fable. pretending to play dead so as
to better catch the mouse; also as in "playing possum".
610 La Finla Giardiniera, Act II
t
,~a-....._ 'mi 'dje 'la 'skw::lla 'la 'v::l!;.f..<r/ segwi'tar
mamma ------""'mLd.!! la seuoIa, ,)a'v;glio seguitar. (
my mother gave me"·---___~ instructio!?:v.·....'·/ I want to follow it.
(She leaves.) '".~::::->'-.<::::::-- '~-. .~_"

,.'"~~, ~ ~~~n-'~.-~
.... , ..... .... ---
(A deserted and rocky spot near a ruined acqueduct with an accessible cave. A shaking and fearful
'Sandrina has just been brought there by some people who now leave in haste.)
NO. 21 ARIA
SANDRINA
kru'deli ::l'ddi::l fermate
Crudeli, oh Dio! fennate,
Cruel men, oh God! stop,
'kwi 'sola 'mi la'JJate 'mi3efa 'ki rna'juta

qui sola mi lasciate ... misera... chi m'aiuta,
here alone you leave me ... wretched me ... who will help me,
so'k:korso 'ki 'mi'da

soc corso chi mi da.
aid who will give me?
a 'nnurni 'som per'duta mW::l'vetevi a pje'ta

Ah Numi, son perduta, muovetevi a piata.
Ah, gods, I'm lost, be moved to pity.
'dove 'sson 'ke ma'v:ven:ne

Dove son! ehe m'avvenne!
Where am I! What has happened to me!
'duI)kwe 'SOI) 'kwi bn'd::lt:ta ifI)fe'litJe a mO'fir

Dunque son qui eondotta, infelice a mom!
Then I'm here brought, unhappy girl, to die!
'numi pje'tozi 'se 'vi'rnw::lve 'il do'lore 'il 'pjant::l 'mio

Numi pietosi, se vi muove il dolore, il pianto mio,
Gods merciful, if you are moved by the grief, the tears mine,
'de gwi'date i 'rnjei 'pas:si

deh guidate i miei passi...
please gUide my steps ...
'rna ::l'd:dio 'per 'kwesti 'sas:si

Ma oh Dio! Per questi sassi,
But oh God! Through these rocks
'non's::> 'dove rnrni'n::>I tr::l

non so dove m'inoltro ...
I don't know where to go ...
do'vuI)kwe 'il 'gwardo 'd3ifO 'altro 'nofI) 'vedo

Dovunque il guardo giro altro non vedo
Wherever my gaze I turn, I see nothing
'ke i'm:mad3ini do'r:rare e 'solo 'io 'sento

che inunagini d'olTOra, a solo io santo
but images of horror, and only feel
'Ie 'votJi 'del 'mb 'dw::>1 'del 'mi::> t::>rmento

Ie voci del mio dual, del mio tonnento.
the voices of my grief, of my torment.
.,,-'--'-'
'dal 'pjant::> 'dal siI)'gj::>t:ts::>

dal pi8l1to, dal singhiozzo
[ Ah from weeping, from sobbing
,
respi'ra~ 'i::> 'p::>s:s::> a'p:pena
raspirar \ io posso appena:
r. breathe \ I can barely.
n::>'n::> \,'votJe no'no 'lena

\
non ho ~?ce, nonho lena,
I have no vojce, I have no strength.
\\
'Ialma lin \ 'sen maI)'kando 'va
\.
l'alma in \ sen m8l1c8l1do va.
in (my)\
---.~-_\
breast is weakening.
'rna 'kwi 'njuno mas'kolta e 'njun 'si'vede

Ma qui niuno m'ascolta e niun si vede.
But here no one hears me and no one is to be seen.
'ai 'ke va'tfil:la 'il 'pjede

Ahi che vacilla il pieda ...
Ah, (that) falters my footstep ...
'maI)ka '10 'spirito o'ddei

Manca 10 spirito ... oh Dei!
Fails my spirit... oh gods!
'odo . 'strEpito e 'parmi

f
! Odo strap ito e panni
l I hear noises, and it seems to me
ve'der 'tra 'kwel:le 'fronde u'nor:rid::> sErpEnte

veder tra quelle fronde un'onido serpente,
to see among that foliage a horrid serpent,
L 'ke
che
'koi
coi
'sibili
sibili...
oi'me 'dove 'mmi'tfEb
oime ... dove mi celo,
tha t wi th its hissing ... alas ... where can I hide,
'dove 'kkor.ra 'ke 'fo 'kwivi 'mi'sEmbra

dove COITO .. . che fo' ... quivi... mi sembra.
where to run .. . what to do ... here ... It seems to me,
a 'nom miI)'gan:no u'nantr::>

Ah non m'inganno ... un'8l1tro,
Ah I'm not mistaken ... a cave,
612 La Finta Giardiniera. A ct II
'il) 'kwesto 'si ve'drJ 'pur 'di sal'vare 'kwesta 'mizera 'vita
in questa, sl, vedro pur di salvare questa nusera vita.
in it, yes, I see a chance to save this wretched life.
(
as:sis'tetemi 'voi J 'tfeli a'ita

Assistetemi voi, a cieli, aita.
Help me you, oh heavens, aid me.
(She takes shelter inside the cave.)
Scene Sixteen
(Belfiore and Nardo, hanging on to each other, Sandrina. Arminda. then the Podesta. and Serpetta,
finally Ramiro.)
NO. 23 FINALE
BELFIORE
'fra 'kwes'tombre 0 'kwesto 'skuro
Fra quest'ombre, a questa scuro,
Through this shadow and this darkness,
'fra 'Ie 'spine 0 'fra 'li 'sas:si

fra Ie spine, a fra li sassi,
through the thorns and through the rocks,
'nardo 'mio 'gwida i'mjei 'pas:si

Nardo mia, guida i miei passi,
Nardo mine, guide my steps, (
'kio 'non 'so 'dove mman'dar
ch'io non so dove m'andar.
for I don't know where to go. .if"
l;
(
NARDO
0 'ke 'tenebre 'ke o'r:rore
Oh che tenebre, che alTOre,
Oh what darkness, what horror, l
kam:mi'njamJ a 'p::>kJ a 'PJkJ l,
canuniniamo
let us walk
a poco a poco:
slowly. t
'es:ser 'kwi do'vreb:be 'il 'bkJ
Esser qui dovrebbe il loco
To be here must the place
(This must be the place)
'di po'terla ritrJ'var

di poterla ritrovar.
where we can her find again.
(where we can find her again.)
SANDRINA
'parmi u'dir 'kwi da'p:pres:sJ l_
f
Panni udir qui d'appresso
I seem to hear here close by
'ul) kOIl)'fuzo monno'rio

un confuso monnorio:
[ a confused murmur.
\
a 'ke 'sol 'la'morte o'ddio
Ah che sol la marte, oh Dio!
Ah that only death, oh God,
'pwo 'dar 'fine 'al 'mio pe'nar

puo dar fine al mio penar.
can bring (an) end to my suffering.
ARMINDA
'il) kwes'tor.rido de'zerto
In quest'onido deserlo
r- In this horrid desert
sa'ra 'tJerto kapi'tato

sarit certo capitato
has certainly come
'il kon'tino dispe' ra to

il Contino disperato
the Count despairing
'la'sua 'be1:la a ritJerkar

la sua bella a ricercar.
his beauty to find.
[/ (The desperate Count has certainly come to this horrid desert to find his beauty.)
BELFIORE
'odo 'Ia 'kwalke ru'more
Odo lit qualche rumore.
I hear there some noise.
SANDRINA
1- 'yoUO 'bene as:siku'ranni
Voglio bene assicurarmi.
1 want to assure myself well.
{They gradually draw nearer, ever watchful.]
NARDO
'yoUO 'urn 'pob 'pju ak:kos'tanni
Voglio un poco pin accostanni.
1 want to a little more to get nearer.
ARMINDA
'sento 'd3ente 'il) 'kwel:la 'parte
Sento gente in quella parte.
I hear people on that side.
(I hear people over there.)
SANDRINA, ARMINDA, BELFIORE, NARDO

sta'ro 'mmehhO 'ad asbl'tar
Stam meglio ad ascoltar.
I'd better stay (here) to listen.
t·
PODESTA
kam:mi'nando ko'zi 'al 'bujo (
Canuninando COS! al buio
Walking thus in the dark
bel)'ke 'v ada a 'pas:s::J 'lent::J

benche
even though I'm going
vada
at
a passo
step
lento,
slow,
l
(even though I'm walking slowly,) i
'V::J
vo'
intJam'pando
inciampando
'oJIJIi
ogni
mo'mento
momento
l .l
)
l~
I'm stumbling (at) every moment
e d::J'vr::J ppretJipi'tar
e dovrO precipitar.
and I will likely fall.
SERPETTA
[I
'sola 'sola
~
'pjano 'pjano
Sola, sola, piano, piano
All alone, very softly
ve'nuta 'kwi
I
'S011] al)kor'io
son venuta qui ancor'io
I've come here also I
'per ve'dere 'il

(
'fat:to 'mio
per vedere il fatto
r
mio
to see the situation mine
(so see where I stand)
I
e
e
and
po'termi
potermi
be able to
reg::J'lar
regolar.
adjust. r
.$'
~:
ki
Chi
BELFIORE
'va
va
'la
1'1
a.
r.'
'ii
Who goes there?
l'-
SANDRINA
::Ji'me mes'kina
4
Oime meschina!
Oh wretched me!
PODESTA
'ki sa'vantsa
Chi s'avanza?
Who is coming?
SERPETTA
a pove'rina
Ah poverina!
Ah, poor me!
NARDO
I
'date 'il 'pas:s;)
I Date il passo.
( Let them through.
ARMINDA
i a 'ke te'r:rore
Ah che teITOl"9!
Ah, what terror!
SANDRINA, SERPETTA, ARMINDA, BELFIORE, NARDO, PODESTA

'ke su's:sur:ro 'ke ru'more
Che SUSSUlTO, che nnnol"9,
What rustling, what noise,
e ne'm:men 'pos:so ska'p:par

e nelIUl1en posso scappar.
and not even can I escape.
PODESTA (to Arminda, believing her to be Sandrina)

'sjete 'voi san'drina 'mia
Siete voi Sandrina mia?
Is it you, Sandrina mine?
ARMINDA (to the Podesta, believing him to be Belfiore)

'si 'son 'io kwes'te 'il kon'tino
Si, son io. (Quest'e il Contino.)
Yes, It is I. (This is the Count.)
BELFIORE (to Serpetta, believing her to be Sandrina)

'sjete 'voi san'drina a'mata
Siete voi Sandrina amata?
Is it you, Sandrina beloved?
,
I SERPETTA (to Belfiore, believing him to be the Podesta)
l 'si
Si,
Yes,
'son
son
it is
'io
io.
I.
e
(E
(It's
'il
il
the
podes'ta
Podesta.)
Podesta.)
l NARDO (to Sandrina)

'sjete 'voi 'mia padron'tJina
Siete voi mia padroncina?
f
I
Is it you, my mistress?
l
SANDRINA
'kwesto e 'nardo 'nom pa'vento
Questa e Nardo, non pavento.
He is Nardo, I'm not afraid.
SANDRINA, SERPETTA, ARMINDA, BELFIORE, NARDO, PODESTA

'ke pja'tJere 'ke bn'tento
Che piacel"9, che contento,
What pleasure, what happiness,
(
'b sa'puto sa'puta ritro'var
l'ho saputo (saput~ ritrovar.
I've been able (him) (her) to find again.
l
(
RAMIRO (offstage)
'kwi fer'mate a'mitfi 'il 'pjEdE
Qui fennate amici il piede,
Here stop friends the foot,
(Friends, wait here,)
naskon'detevi 'per 'pob

nascondetevi per poco
hide yourselves for a short while
'ke a 'suo 'tEmpo kjamE'ro

che a suo tempo chiamero.
and in due time I will call (you).
PODESTA
'vjEm 'pju 'd3entE
Vien ' piu gente.
Come more people.
(There are more people coming.)
ARMINDA
'ke zven'tura
Che sventura!
What misfortune!
BELFIORE
(
'dia 'la 'votfe
Dia la voce!
Call out!
SERPETTA
'ke pa'ura
Che paura.!
What fear!
NARDO
'tomi in'djEtro
Torni indietro!
Turn back!
SANDRINA
a 'bza E 'kwesta
Ah cosa 9 questa.
Ah, what is this?
RAMIRO (entering, to Arminda)

'ora 'il 'tut:to sbpri'ro
Ora il tutto scoprirO.
Now everything I will find out.
PODESTA
'via par'tjamo
Via, partiamo.
Come, let's go.
La Finta Giardiniera. A ct II 617
ARMINDA
'ek:komi 'pronta
Eccomi pronta.
I'm ready.
BELFIORE {to Serpetta}

'prest::l an'djam::l
Presto, andiamo.
Quickly, let us leave.
SERPETTA
'pronta so'nio
Pronta son'io.
I'm ready.
NARDO
'ke fa't:tIam::l
ehe facciamo?
What shall we do?
SANDRINA
'tremo ::l'ddio
Tremo, oh Dio!
I tremble, oh God!
SANDRINA, SERPETTA, ARMINDA, BELFIORE, PODESTA, NARDO

a 'vjem'meno 'il 'br 'nel 'sen~
Ah vien meno il cor nel sene
Ah, is failing the heart in my breast
e 'pju 'red:d3ere 'non 'sa

a piiI reggare non sa.
and stand it any longer it can't.
RAMIRO {towards the wings, from whence appears a great gleam of lighted torches}
'via ko'r.rete a'mitIi a 'vvolo
Via correte, amici, a vola,
Come, run, friends, hasten,
'su ve'nite 'urn 'p::lb 'kwa

su vanita un poco qua.
up, come a bit over here.
'mi ra'l:legro 'mi kon'solo 'di 'si 'graII] feIitIi'ta

mi rallegro, mi consolo di SI gran felicita.
I rejoice, I'm comforted by such great happiness.
{By this time, Ramiro's friends bearing their torches are on stage. There is finally some light, and
people start recognizing one another, taken aback with much admiration after all the confusion.}
BELFIORE
'kwi ser'petta
( Qui Serpetta?
Serpetta here?
\
,
\
618 La Finta Giardiniera. A ct II
SERPETIA
'kwi 'il kon'tino
Qui il Contino?
The Count here?
c
PODESTA
'la ni'pote
La nipote?
My niece?
ARMINDA
il p::>des'ta
II Podesta?
The Podesta?
SANDRINA, SERPETTA, ARMINDA, RAMIRO, BELFIORE, PODESTA, NARDO

ke sor'preza inaspe't:tata a 'di 'noi 'ke 'mai sa'ra
Che sorprasa inaspettata, ah di noi che mai sara!
What a surprise unexpected, ah to us what will happen!
ARMINDA (to the Podesta)

e viI)ga'n:nate 'non 'son 'kwel:la
Eh v'ingannate, non son quella.
Ha, you're wrong, I'm not she.
SANDRINA (to Nardo)

e 'voi sker'tsate 'non 'son 'la 'bel:la
Eh, voi scherz ate, non son la bella. (
Ha, you are joking, I'm not the beauty.
SERPETIA {to Belfiore}

e 'voi zba'.(,{ate 'non 'son 'd3a 'mat:ta
Eh voi sbagliate, non son gia matta.
Ha, you are mistaken, I've not gone crazy.
BELFIORE, PODESTA, NARDO

'bravi da'v:vero la'b:bjam::> 'fat:ta
Bravi davveI'O l'abbiamo fatta.
Bravi, in truth we've made a mess of things.
'ne 'la po'tremo 'pju rime'djar

Ne la potremo piiI rimediar.
Nor will we be able to any longer put it right.
ARMINDA (to Belfiore)

a 'vile in'dej1j1o a tradi' tore
Ah, vile indegno, ah, traditore,
Ah, base worthless man, ah traitor,
o'ror ve'drai 'la'mia ven'det:ta

or or vedrai la mia vendetta.
soon you shall see my vengeance.
PODESTA {to Sandrina}

a 'd::>n:na 'barbara iI)'grat::> 'bre
Ah, donna barbara, ingra,to core,
Ah, woman cruel, ungrateful heart,
'd3a 'nel 'mio 'sen~ 'lira 'si 'desta

gilt nal mio sana l'ira si desta.
l,( already in my breast the anger awakens.
SANDRINA
oi'me va'tIil:la 'd3ira 'la 'testa
1 Owe, vaeilla, gira la testa,
l
Alas, whirls, turns my head,
'panni 'ke 'il 'swob 'vada a mal)'kar

parmi eha il suolo vada a manear.
it seems to me that the ground is going to give way.
NARDO (to Serpetta)

'fa 'tIo 'ke 'vwoi 'kwel:lo 'ti 'spret:tsa
Fa cio ehe vuoi, queUo ti sprezza.
Do what you want, he despises you.
(Do what you want, the Podesta despises you.)
SERPETTA (to Nardo)

'kwesto 'non 'deve 'premere a 'lei
Questo non dave premaI'9 alai.
This shouldn't concern you.
RAMIRO (to Arminda)

per'ke tti'ran:na b'tanta as'pret:tsa
Parche, tiranna, eotanta asprezza.
Why, (you) tyrant, such bitterness?
ARMINDA (to Ramiro)

0'd:d3et:to o'djozo 'tu 'fosti e 'sei
Oggetto odioso tu fosti a sei.
Object hateful you were and are.
(You were and are still a hateful object.)
SANDRINA, BELFIORE
so'f:fuska 'il 'tfeb 'larja sin'torbida
S'offusea il cialo, l'aria s'intorbida,
Darkens the sky, the air grows cloudy,
(The sky grows dark and it's becoming cloudy,)
'io 'sudo e 'palpito a'g:gjat:tJ 0 e 'fremo

io sudo a palpito, agghiaecio a framo,
I sweat and quiver, I freeze and tremble,
e 'd3a ko'mintIo a deli'rar

a gilt comincio a dalirar.
and I'm beginning to to rave.
(and am beginning to go into a delirium.)
SERPEITA, ARMINDA, RAMIRO, PODESTA, NARDO

a 'ke 'di 'stit:tsa 'di 'rab:bja 'fremo
Ah eha di stizza, di rabhia fromo,
Ah, with rage, with fury I tremble,
(
I
c
I
'e 'il 'br 'mi'sento 'tut:t:) av:vam'par
il cor mi santo
a
and my heart I feel
tutto
all
avvlUllpar.
flaring up.
(
(In their delirium, Sandrina and Belfiore believe themselves to be pastoral mythical entities, as they [
rave on.)
SANDRINA
'mio 'tirsi 'de 'senti 'Ie 'doltJi si'rene
Mio Tirsi, dah santi la dolci sirena,
My
'kom
Thyrsis,
'platJido
ah
il)'kant:)
listen to the sweet sirens,
'kwi 'JJ:)lg:)no 'il 'kant:)

l
con placido incanto qui sciolgono il canto.
with peaceful enchantment here they let go of their song,
e 'in 'doltJe ri'p:)z:) 'tIi 'fan:no go'der

a in dolca riposo ci fanno godar.
and in sweet repose make us enjoy.
BELFIORE
as'kolta 'mia 'kbri 'la 'lira d:)rfe:)
Ascolta, mia Clori, la lira d'Orfao,
Listen to, my Cloris, (to) the lyre of Orpheus,
'ke il)'kanta 'Ie 'belve 'ke 'mw:)ve'Ie 'selve

cha incanta Ie belve, che mUOve Ie selve,
that charms the beasts, that moves the forests, (
e a'r:resta ne'l:londe ra'pito 'il n:)'k:kjer
a arresta nall'onde il
rap ito nocchiar.
and saves in the waves carried away the helmsman.
(and saves the helmsman carried away by the sea.)
SANDRINA, BELFIORE
'ke 'kafJ k:)n'tent:) 'ke 'grat:) pja'tIer
Cha carn contento, che grato piacer.
What dear contentment, what welcome pleasure.
PODESTA (to Belfiore)

'mio si'J1J1ore 'una pa'r:)la
Mio signore una parnla,
Sir, one word,
'un du'dIo 'di pis'tJla favo'riska dat:tJ e'ttar

un duello di pistola favorisca d'accattar.
a duel with pistols have the goodness to accept.
RAMIRO (to Belfiore)

'mio si'J1J1or 'non 'se 'ne 'vada
Mio signor, non se ne vada,
Sir, don't leave, Il
'un du'dlo 'kol:la 'spada 'lei 'non'deve riku'zar
un duello colla spada lei non dava ricusar.
a duel with a sword you musn't refuse.
l
ARMINDA
de 'per pje'ta fer'matevi
Deh per pieta, fennatevi.
i Please, for pity's sake, stop.
\
(Everyone runs forward.)
1
SERPETTA, NARDO
'ke'serve 'kwest:J 'strepit:J
Che serve questo strepito?
What is this noise?
RAMIRO, PODESTA
'mm 'p:Js:s:J 'pju re'primere '10 'zde]1]1o 'ed 'i] fu'ror
Non posso piu reprimere 10 sdagno ed il furor.
I can't any longer repress my anger and my fury.
SANDRINA (raving)
io 'son me'duza o'r:ribile
10 son Medusa ombila.
1 am Medusa 9 horrible.
(1 am the horrible Medusa.)
BELFIORE (raving)
'io 'sonJ al'tJide in'trepid:J
10 sono Alcide intrepido.
1 am Alcydes 10 fearless.
SANDRINA, BELFIORE
'niIl)fe ve't:tsoze e 'platJide
Ninfa vazzosa e placida,
Nymphs charming and peaceful,
'basta 'nom 'pju ri'gor

basta, non piu rigor.
enough, no more severity.
ARMINDA, PODESTA (to Sandrina and Belfiore)

'ma 'ke 'voi deli'rate
Ma cha, voi dalirate?
What, you are raving?
RAMIRO, NARDO (to Sandrina and Belfiore)

:l 'ki
Chi
'sa
sa·
'ke 'bza
cha cosa
'dite
dite.
Who knows what you're saying.
il
I
I
SANDRINA
'larg:J 'noIl) vaf:f:J'I:late
Largo, non v'affollata.
l Make way, don't crowd us.
'I
9 The mythological woman with a head of snakes instead of hair. which would turn anyon-lookers into stone.
10 A descendent of Hercules.
BELFIORE
;)'Ia 'nom mimpe'dite (
Ola, non m'impedite.
Ho there, don't hinder me.
SANDRINA, BELFIORE
'voi 'grate a'vrete 'fIebiIi
Voi grate avrete flebili,
You gladly VJill have faint (lovers),
tem'prate 'il 'grande ardor

temprate il grande ardor.
temper your great ardor.
(Temper your great ardor, soon you will gladly see us as faint-hearted lovers.)!!
SERPETTA,ARMINDA,PODESTA,NARDO
u'JJiti'son 'di 'sest;) 'sono impa't:tsiti 'd3a
Usciti son di sesto, sono impazziti giit. r
They are out of their senses, they're crazed already.
RAMIRO (to Arminda)

'sol 'Ia ka'd30n 'tu 'sei 'di 'tal fatali'ta
Sol la cagion tu sei di tal fataUta.
Only the reason you are of this disaster.
(You alone are the cause of this disaster.)
SANDRINA, BELFIORE
'kwando fi'niJJe o'ddei 'Ia 'v;)stra krudel'ta
(
Quando finisce, oh Dei, la vostra crudelta.
When ends, oh gods, your cruelty.

'ke 'kazo fu'nesto 'ke 'graIl] frene'zia
Che caso funesto, che gran frenesia:
'\
What situation dreadful, what great frenzy:
'pju 'strana pa't:tsia 'ki'mai 'pwo tro'var

plu strana pazzia chi mai puo trovar. ·1
a more strange madness who can find?
SANDRINA, BELFIORE (still in a state of utter lunacy)

'ke 'd3ubib e 'kwesto 'ke 'grata armo'nia
Che giubilo 9 questo, che grata armonia,
What jubilation is this, what pleasant harmony,
'ke 'bel:la aI:le'gria vo'Uam;) ba'I:Iar

che bella allegria, vogliamo ballar.
what lovely happiness let us dance.
END OF ACT II (
,l
llThis line does not make much sense, but considering Sandrina and Belfiore's state of mindlessness, one has to see this
as a ohrRse uttered out of sheer lunacy.)
La Finta Giardiniera, Act II
623
'ke 'bel:la al:le'gria v:)'tCtCam:)

1 ba'l:lar
che bella allegria.
\ what lovely
vogliamo ballar.
happiness let us dance.
[
I
[ END OF ACT II
!
--
624 La Finta Giardiniera, Act III
ACf III
Scene One
(
(A courtyard. Serpetta and Nardo.)
SERPEITA
'sentimi 'nardo 'mio 'io 'te 'la 'diko 'skjet:ta
Sentimi, Nardo 000, io tela dieo schietta;
Listen to me, Nardo mine, r tell you frankly,
a',{,{:)k:ki 'mjei 'tu 'nom 'mi pja'tJesti 'mai 'rna 'pur 'ki 'sa
agl'occhi OOei tu non 00 piacesti mai, rna pur chi sa.
to my eyes you were never pleasing, never, but yet, who knows.
(I never liked you but who knows... )
NARDO
p:)'tr:) 'dduI)kwe spe'rarE
PotrO dunque sperare?
Could 1 then hope?
SERPEITA
'si 'ssi spe'rate 'pur 'ke 'noIl) 've 'male
SI, Sl, sperate pur, che non v'e male.
Yes yes, hope by all means, for there's no harm in that.
NARDO
a 'kwesta indif:fe'rentsa 'mi fa'fa dispe'rar
Ah questa indifferenza mi fare. disperar,
Ah, this indifference will make me despair, (
sa'r;) kka'patJe 'di 'far 'kwalke spr;)'pnit;)
sara capace di far qualche sproposito;
I'll be liable to commit some silly act;
'ke 'ti 'kosta 'dirmi 'una paro'lina

Che ti costa dirnri una parolina?
What does it cost you to tell me a little word?
(What would it cost you to say one kind, little word to me?)
'de 'non 'es:ser ka'rina ;)sti'nata ko'zi

Deh non esser, carina, ostinata cos!.
Please, don't be, dearest, obstinate like that.
SERPEITA
:) 'non 'ti 'p:)s:so 'dir 'ne 'nn:) 'ne 'si
Oh non ti posso dir ne no, ne S1.
Oh, 1 cannot tell you neither no, nor yes.
(She leaves.)
Scene Two
(Nardo, then Belfiore and later Sandrina.)

(
La Finta Giardiniera, Act III 625
NARDO
d::>'vr::> 'dduI]kwe laI]'gwire /
/
DovrO dunque languire .. .
l (
Must I then languish .. .
BELFIORE (to Nardo, stopping him)

::>'la 'dove 'ssi 'va
Olit: Dove si va.
Ho there, where are you going?
NARDO
'koI] , ki la'vete
Con chi l'avete?l
Whom did you want?
BELFIORE (affectionately)
'kon
Con
'te
te,
(With) you,
'mb
mio
'bene
bene,
my beloved,
'anima 'mia
anima mia.
soul mine. I
/
/
I
/
/
NARDO /
::>i'me 'Ai 'dura aI]'kora 'la pa't:ts.ia (I
(Oime, gli dura ancora la pazzlaj
Oh dear, persists in him still the madrless.)
(Oh dear, his madness still persists.)
j
/
.//
BELFIORE
/
'kar::> 'bene ad::>'rat::>
Caro bene adorato.
Dear beloved adored.
NARDO (moving away)

a'dad30 'urn 'p::>b
/
Ada.gio un poco.
/
ji
Slow down a bit.
If
BELFIORE /
'venere 'mio 'nume/ 'io 'som mer'kurj::> a'lat::>
Venere, mio N~e; 10 son Mercurio ala.to.
Venus, my gJddess, I am Mercury winged.
(My Venus, my goddes/' I am your winged Mercury!)
/
,I
(He fa 1lows Nardo.) t
NARDO I
/
a'vete'voi iba'AAat::>
Avete voi /sbagliato ...
You have ". made a mistake ...
j
/
I
0 ! 'brut:to im'br::>AA::> 'se po'tes:si fU'd:d3ir
(Oh ./" brutto imbroglio ... se potessi fuggir... )
(Oh, (wJiat a) dreadful mess ... if only I could escape ... )
( leOn chi favete is an idiom meaning "with whom do you wish to have something to do with".
The answer to this would then be, "With you". I've simplified this by translating the question as "whom do you want?" The
answer is "you ... "
!l
BELFIORE
oi'me
Oime! (
Oh dear!
I
I NARDO
II 'ke
Ch'e
What
'stat::>
stato?
is the matter?
I
f
I BELFIORE
I 'in 'tJd 'mi 'son sbrdato 'il kadu'tJe::>
! In ciel mi son sCOluato il caduceo.
In heaven I forgot the wand. 2
NARDO
'subit::> 'vad::> a 'prenderb
Sub ito vado a prenderlo ...
At once I'll go to get it...
(He starts off in a hurry but is stopped by Sandrina.)
SANDRINA
ta'r:resta 'noll) fu'd:d3 irmi 'idol 'mio
T'arresta. Non fuggirmi idol mio,
Stop. Don't flee from me, idol mine,
'ke 'non ra'v:vizi 'la'tua fe'dele a'mante (

che non ravvisi la tua fedele arn.ante,
don't YGU recognize your faithful beloved,
'la 'bel:la erminja 'fra 'Ie om'braze 'pjante

la bella Enninia fra Ie ombrose piante?
the fair Erminia among the shadowy groves?
NARDO
o pove'fet:to 'me san'drina al)'kora
(Oh
(Oh,
poveretto
poor
me!
me!
Sandrina
Sandrina
ancora
still l
'segwita a deli'far 'rna 'voi 'ke 'ddite
saguita a dalirar.) Ma voi che dita?
continues to rave.) But you, what are you saying?
SANDRINA
'presto 'la 'man::> o 'kkafo 'voM. o spo'zarti a'des:s::>
t
\\ Presto,
Quickly,
la
your
mano, oh cam,
hand, oh dearest,
voglio
I want to
sposarti
marry you
adasso.
now.
\ NARDO
~h
'kwesta e 'bwona a'f:fe
\ questa e buona affe.
1 Oh, this is a good one, by my faith.
,
2 He ,S talking about Mercury's wand.

La Finta Giardiniera. Act III 627
'kwi 'koI] kOs'tOfO di'veI]go 'pat:tso aI]'kio

(Qui con costoro divengo pazzo anch'io.
\
f (Here, with them, I go
(Here with them I will go crazy too.)
crazy also I.
l.
\
~,
;~
'me 'la vo'r:rei sfi'lar
Ma la vorrei sfilar.)
I'd like to slip away.)
(I'o Belfiore.)
si'Jl]1or mer'kurjo
Signor Mercurio.
Mister Mercury.
(I'o Sandrina)
si']1]1ora er'minja 'presto os:ser'vate ve'dete

Signora Emrinia, presto, osservate ... vadata ...
Lady Erminia, quickly, observe ... look ...
'di'la 'di'la 0 'ke 'gram 'bel:la 'koza

Di la, di la, oh che gran balla cosa!
There, there, oh what great lovely thing!
(Pointing up to the sky.)
'di 'kwa 'di 'kwa 'ke 'koza porten'toza

Di qua, di qua... cha cosa portantosa!
Here, here ... what thing marvellous!
NO. 24 ARIA (NARDO) AND DUET (SANDRINA, BELFIORE)

NARDO (to Belfiore, who is looking up at the sky)
'l mi'rate 'ke kon'trasto 'fa 'il 'sole 'kon 'la 'luna
Mirata cha contrasto fa il sola con la luna,
Look what contrast between the sun and the moon,
(I'o Sandrina. as above.)
ve'dete a'duna a'duna 'Ie 'stel:le in:namo'rate

vadata ad una ad una la stalle innamorata,
see one by one the stars in love,
v::>'r:rei par'tir 'di 'kwa

(vorrei partir di qua.)
(I'd like to get away from here.)
a'des:s::> 'vjene 'il 'bel:b

Adasso viana il ballo,
Now comes the beauty,
ko'mintJa 'ora 'il du'el:b

comincia ora il duallo;
J begins now the duel;
(
l
-
I: 628 La Finta Giardiniera, Act III
,I
d.
! sa'f:fEr.rano sa't:tsuf:fano sa'f:fol:lano 'si 'piUano
I s'aiferrano, s'azzuffano, s' affollano, si pigliano,
(
! they seize each other, they quarrel, they close in, they come to blows,
I -
(
I'sono il)kan'tati 'd3a
\. (sono incantati gia.)
i (they're in a daze already.)
'ke 'strepito 'ke 'kjas:so

Che strepito, che chiasso,
What noise, what din,
'ke 'bel pja'tfer 'ke 'spas:so

che bel piacer, che spasso!
what lovely pleasure, what fun!
~e 'bbe! fu'd:d3ir sa'fa

(Che bel fuggir sara.)
[What lovely fleeing it will be.)
IHow lovely it will be to run away from here!)
He runs off)
BELFIORE (still looking up at the warring heavens)

'da 'bravi segwj'tate
Da bravi seguitate.
Well done, continue.
SANDRINA (also observing the stars)

(
'forti 'noIl) 'vi la'ffate
Forti, non vi lasciate.
\ Courage! Don't give in!
BELFIORE (gazing upwards, frightened)

'luna oj'mE pre'tfipita
luna, oime precipita.
moon, oh dear, it's falling .
. ANDRINA (frightened)
'Ie 'stel:le 'kadono
Ie stelle cadono!
the stars are falling!
NDRINA, BELFIORE
a'j to e 'dove 'sta
A' to ... e dove sta?
Help ... and where is he?
'kJ 'turbine 'si'desta 'ke 'twoni 'ke tem'pesta

C~e turbine si dosta, che tuoni, che tempesta,
W~at whirlwind is rising, what thunder, what tempest
,
a'juto 'per pj€'ta
aiuto, por pieta. (
help, for pity's sake!
(They leave.)
I
Scene Three
Il i (Thepod~,tQ, then Serpetto.)

, PODESTA
'10 pen'sata 'bene
\ l'ho pensata bene;
I've thought it out well;
~on 'womo 'di d3 U'dittsjo e 'son Ie'gale
If
~on
a
uomo di
man of
giudizio
judgement
e
and
son
I am
legale.
a man of law.
'v»/i./i.o 'toUer 'da 'kaza 'oJ1J1i imba'rat:tso

V,glio toglier da casa ogni imbarazzo;
I rant to remove from my house all embarassment.
\ 'ke 'pat:tso 'vada 'dove
'il \ kon'tino e '/i.i 'pjatIe
III Contino, che e pazzo, vada dove gli piace;
Thr Count, who is crazy, let him go wherever he pleases;
I
ar'minda 'poi sa'ra vve'nuta 'ill) 'vano
Arhrinda, poi sara venuta in vano,
I
Arminda, then will have come in vain,
'ed
I a san'drina 'mia da'ro 'lla 'mano
e~ a Sandrina mia darb la mano.
a;nd to Sandrina mine I shall give my hand.
~
SERPETTA
la'vete 'fat:to 'il 'konto 'sentsa 'bste
I A vete fatto il conto sonza l'osto.
", You've prepared the bill wi thout the inkeeper.
frYou've arrived at these decisions all by yourself.)3
PODESTA
'b 'fatto a 'modo 'mio 'ne 'tu 'tIi 'devi en'trar
l L'ho fatto a modo mio, ne tu ci devi entrar;
\. . I I've done it my way, nor you should have anything to do with it;
:'{ 'rna
Ma
But
SERPETTA
'si 'pwo 'dare
si puo dare
can there be (a)
'pju
piu
more
inso'Iente
insolente
insolent
ra'gat:tsa
ragazza?
girl?
'dite 'tIo 'ke vo'lete strapa't:tsatemi 'pure basto'natemi

Dite cio che volete, strapazzatemi pure, bastonatemi;
Say what you want, treat me roughly even, beat me;
'rna gwar'datemi al'meno e ribr'datevi

ma guardatemi almeno o ricordatovi
but look at me at least and remember
(
3 A saying describing a situation where a guest at an inn prepares his own bill without waiting for the innkeeper to hand
him the final tab. Likewise above. "you're making all these decisions before even consulting with Sandrina.
630 La Finta Giardiniera. Act III
,
'ke 'mi di'tfeste 'un 'd30mo 'di 'far 'la 'sJrte 'mia
che mi diceste un giomo di far la sorte mia. (
that you toid me once to make the happiness mine.
(but at least look at me and remember that you once promised you would make me happy.)
PODESTA
'altri 'tempi 'altre 'kure
AItri tempi, altre cure.
Other times, other cares.
SERPETTA
la'mor 'ke 'tante 'vJlte
L'amor, che tante volte .. .
Love, which so many times .. .
PODESTA
dO'vresti vergJ'J1J1arti parlar 'sempre da'more
DOV1'9sti vergognarti; parlar sempre d'amore,
You should be shamed of yourself, to speak always of love;
'sempre la'more 'in 'testa

Sepre l'amore in testa;
Always love on (your) mind;
'per 'una ddzi't€l:la e 'bza vergo'J1J1oza

Per una zitella e cosa vergognosa.
For an unmarried girl it's (a) thing shameful. (
SERPETTA
'kwesta e 'bb€l:la
questa e bella;
that is lovely!
a l'fi I] 'ke 'male 'tfe 'se 'la 'fat:tfJ aI]'kio

Alfin che male c'e se la faccio anch'io
After all, what harm is there if I do also
'kwel 'ke 'fan 'laltre 'dJn:ne pa'drom 'mio

quel che fan l'altre donne, padron mio?
what do the other women, my master?
\, (She leaves.)
~) Scene Four .
:, (The POd~sta. then Arminda and Ramiro, entering from different sides.)
, PODESTA
\ ve'dete 'ke sfa't:tfata 'ke tfarljera insJ'lente
I Vedete che sfacciata, che ciarliera insolente!
'1 See what brazen, what chatterbox insolent!
i (What a brazen, insolent chatterbox she is!)
I
i Oh
0 'ke
che
gran'dwJmJ
grand'uomo
'fu
fu
ko'lui
colui
tferta'mente
certamente
'ke
che
'skris:se 'del:le
scrisse delle
'dJn:ne
donne,
IOh what great man was he, for sure who wrote of women,
!
f
ff "
\ 'k a 'pob o a's:sai
."."X' ~
''''- /' ,.1.
.. 'il~ ch e a poc 0 0 asSaI. .. .
e
I .i ' j
\ I
i, :>
A
that less or more .. .
(Oh, what great man was it who wrote that women were all more or less ... )
" / II-~RMINDA
'VOAAO 'da 'voi den'trod:d3i 'il 'mio kon'tino
.,,,,,"":t/" :i'J1J1or 'usio
Signor zio, voglio da voi dann-'oggi il mio Contino ...
My uncle, I want from you this very day my Count. ..
PODESTA
'bene
Bene.
Good.
RAMIRO
si'J1J1or 'da 'voi den'trod:d3i 'bramo arminda 'il) kon'sortE
Signor, da voi dantr'oggi bramo Anninda in consorte.
Sir, from you this very day I ask for Arminda as (my) wife.
PODESTA
'me£(o
Maglio.
Even better.
ARMINDA
'duna ni'pote 'voi skord3e tE la'f:fan:no
D'una nipote voi sCOl'gete l'aff'anno.
l
Ofa niece you recognize the anxiety.
t RAMIRO
'dun a'miko 'voi ve'dete 'il do'lore
D'un arnico voi vadete il dolore.
Ofa friend you see the grief.
ARMINDA
stabi'lito e 'il kon'trat:to
Stabilito e
il contratto.
Settled is the contract.
(My contract (to marry Belfiore) is settled.)
RAMIRO
'me 'ne 'dje 'la pa'rola
Ma ne die la parola.
She gave me her word.
PODESTA.
o 'kwesta E 'bd:la
Oh questa e bella...
Oh, this is great...
ARMINDA
'il kon'tino kre'dete
II Contino ... credate ...
The Count. .. believe me ...
-
632 La Finta Giardiniera. Act III
RAMIRO
'la ni'pote sa'p:pjate (
La nipota~ .. sappiate ...
Your niece ... you must know ...
PODESTA
'rna 'djav::>1 'vi kwje'tatE
Ma diavol vi quiatata.
But the devil, calm down.
ARMINDA
'rna do'vete ob:bli'garb
Voi dovata obbligarlo .. .
You must force him .. .
RAMIRO
kos'trind3erla do'vete
Costringarla dovate ...
Compel her you must ...
ARMINDA
asbl'tate
Ascoltate ...
Listen...
,'.,
RAMIRO J ·Fi
sen'tite
1>
r," i
Santita... C l.
Listen to me ...
fi'
PODESTA
'pju 'n::>rn 'p::>s:s::> so'f:frir f
Piil non posso sofIrir.. . ~.
.'t:
Any more I cannot endure .. .
ARMINDA
l
'prest::>
Presto ...
Quickly ... l
RAMIRO
'ke
Che
'ddite
dita?
1".
'~~
.'
What do you say?
NO. 25 ARIA .l
~t
PODESTA
'rni::> pa'drone 'io 'dir vo'levo
Mio padrona, io dir volavo, t. -
My dear sir, I say would like, ~.
'ke 'la 'kna a'dad30 'urn 'p::>b

;\
t
che
that
la
the
cosa...
matter...
adagio un poco ...
slow a bit. .. C
(My dear sir, I'd like to say ... take it easy ... ) 1ft
'S,'
:I;
(fo Arminda.)
~l :~
'mia si'j1j1ora 'io 'nolJ kre'devo

Mia signora, io non crodevo ...
My dear lady, I didn't believe ...
'rna la'JJatemi par'lar

Ma lasciatemi parlar.
But allow me to speak.
(fa Ramiro.)
'la ni'pote 'sap:pja 'lei

La nipote, sappia lei ...
My niece, you should know ...
(fa Arminda)
'il kon'tino 'noIl] vo'r.rei

II Contino, non vorrei ...
The Count, I wouldn't want...
'senta 'urn 'poko 'il] korte'zia

Senta un poco in cortesia...
Listen a bit, have the courtesy ...
'io di'ro ni'pote 'mmia

10 dirO, nipote mia ...
I will say, niece mine ...
'kwesta e 'bza 'da kre'par

Questa e cosa da cropar.
This is (a) matter to burst.
(This is a matter to make me burst.)
'lei 'si 'prenda 'il 'suo kon'tino

Lei si pronda il suo Contino,
You take your Count,
(fa Ramiro.)
'lei 'si 'spozi 'la ni'pote

Lei si sposi la nipote;
You marry the niece;
'fat:tfa'lei 'kwel 'ke 'hi 'pare

Faccia lei quel che gli pare,
Do whatever you want,
'lei 'mi'laffi dil]kwje'tare 'ke ver'goj1j1a 'ke inso'lentsa

Lei mi lasci d'inquietare, che vergogna, che insolellZa!
You stop worrying me, what shame, what insolence!
e 'una 'vera imperti'nentsa

E una vera impertinenza,
It's a true im pertinence,
\\
l
'nom 'mi 'state 'pju a se'k:kar

non mi state piu a seccar.
don't me anymore bother
(don't bother me anymore.)
(He leaves.)
Scene Five
(Arminda and Ramiro.)
ARMINDA
ra'miro or'su 'al:le 'korte 'da 'una 'd::m:na
Ramiro, orsu, aIle corte, da una donna
Ramiro, now, in brief, from a woman
'ke 'ti 'spret:tsa e 'non'tama 'ke'mai 'speri

che ti sprezza e non t'OlIla, che mai sperl?
who despises you and doesn't love you, what ever do you hope for?
'ke 'ti so'v:veI)ga al'fine

Che ti sovvenga alfine
That you should recall to mind finally
'del 'mb a'f:fet:to sin'tfer:) 'del:le pr:)'mes:se 'tue

del mio affetto sincero, delle promesse tue. (
(of) my love sincere, of the promises yours.
(That you should finally recall to mind my sincere love and your promises.)
ARMINDA
.i'" 'si 'tut:t:) e 'vero
j
i}
I SI, tutto e vero,
!l Yes, everything is true,
\/
"
:\; 'di rim'pDveri a'des:s:) n:)'ne 'pju 'temp:)
\:'(
di
for
rimproverl
recriminations
adesso non e piu
now is no longer (the)
tempo;
time;
as'kolta 'il'mio kon'siUo

Ascolta il mio consiglio:
Listen to my advice:
d3 a 'k:ke 'nnom 'p:)s:s:) a'marti

Giacche non posso OlIlarti,
~ Since I cannot love you,
'sbrdati 'pur 'di 'me 's:)f:frilo e 'parti

sCOl'Clati pur di me, soff'rilo e parti.
forget then about me, endure it, and leave.
RAMIRO (
'per kompja'tferti a'p:pjen:)
Per compiacerti appieno:
To gratify you fully,
\,
\ 'd3a miI1J'volo 0 kru'del 'da 'zgwardi 'tw;)i
\f gis. m'involo, oh crudel, da' sguardi tuoi,
l
\
I'll fly, oh cruel one,
(I'll fly from your sight, oh cruel one.)
from the gaze yours,
"\ f
/ pen'tita 'forse 'un 'di
I
t\". ! pentita forse un dl.
'. repentful perhaps one day.
"\~'. (Perhaps one day you will be sorry.)
\
\ ARMINDA
\" \ 'fa 'tJ;) 'ke 'vw;)i
Fa cio che vuoi.
Do what you want.
J
/\(She leaves.)
Scene Six
rRamiro alone.)
r
\
E
MIRO
'd3und3e
giunge
a
a
'kwesto 'seJlJl;) 'Ia 'tua perfidja
questo segno la tua perfidia
iI)'grata
ingrata!
4nd comes to this point your perfidy ungra tefuI!
b,
tell me,
~:::.
merciless
'd::m:na
donna,
woman,
j'nikwo 'mostro
iniquo mostro
evil monster
'di
di
of
kruddta
crudelta,
cruelty,
'~i 'kwal de'lit:t;) e 'rE;) 'kwest;) 'p;)ver;) 'br

di qual delitto 9 reo questo povero cor?
br what crime is poor heart?
.,,I
guilty this
a 'ke'la 'rab:bja mimpe'diJJe 'il res'piro

4h, che la rabbia m'impedisce il respiro.
A,h, the anger impedes my breathing.
..
el 'sento 'nel 'mi;) 'pet:t;)

santo nal mio petto,
:ld I feel in my breast,
';)~j;) 'zdeJlJlo fu'ror 'ira e dis'pet:t:>

o'¥o, sdagno, furor, ira e dispetlo.
ha)e, indignation, fury, ire and spite.
NO. 26 ARIA
\
RAMIRO
'va 'pure a'daltri 'im 'brat:tJ;)
Va
Go
pure
then
ad'altri
to another
iliePJgi1 T'S ajrJ

in
in
braccio,
arms, I j
(
(Go
1<A· /1(/
\,
I
{
Q
'perfida 'd;)n:na il)'grata 'furja kru'del spje'tata

perfida donna. ingrata, furia crudel spietata, (
perfidious woman ungrateful Fury4 cruel, pitiless,
'sempre 'per 'te sa'f;)

sempre per te sa.rO!
always for you I will be!
(I will always be yours!)
'd3 a mize'fO 'mi'vw;)i

Giii misero mi vuoi
Already wretched you wish to see me,
bn'tan da'£\i 'tw;)i 'miZef;) m;)'r:r;)

Iontan dagI'occhi tuoi; misero morro.
far from the eyes yours, wretched I will die.
(He leaves.)
Scene Seven
(Sandrina and Belfiore are asleep. each on different sides of a garden. They begin to awake at the
sweet sound of music.)
NO. 27 RECITATIVO AND DUET

SANDRINA (in astonishment)
'dove'mmai 'son (
Dove mm son? I
Wherever am I?
BELFIORE
'dove 'ssom 'mai
Dove son mm?
Where am I ever?
\
SANDRINA
'mi'sembra da'ver 'kwi rip;)'zatJ
Mi sembra d'aver qui riposato.
It seems to me to have here rested.
BELFIORE
'mi 'par da'ver dor'mito
Mi par d'aver dormito.
It seems to be to have slept.
SANDRINA
'il) 'kwestJ 'vagJ e 'be1:b a'menJ prati'tIe1:b
In questo vago e bello 1UIl9no praticello,
To this lovely and pretty. pleasant little plain,
4 The Furies, according to Roman mythology, were daughters of Night or of Earth and Darkness. They were three in
number: Tisiphone (the Avenger of Blood). Alecto (the Implacable), and Megaera (the Jealous One). They were merciless
goddesses of vengeance and punished all transgressors, especially those who neglected filial duty or claims of kinship, etc.
Their punishments continued after death. These Furies were known by the Greeks as the Eumenidies.
'ki 'mi kon'dus:se

chi lUi condusse?
who led me?
\\ BELFIORE
\\
e 'il) 'kwesta delitt'sjoza pja'nura 'ki'mai 'mi traspor'to
E in questa deliziosa pianura chi mai lUi trasporto
1\ And to this delightful plain, who ever brought me?
SANDRINA
II 'sio
S'io
va'ned:d30
vaneggio
'non 'so
non so,
'ke
che
il)'kanto
incanto
e
e
'kwesto
questo!
If I am raving I don't know; what enchantment is this?
\1 BELFIORE
'JOJlJlO 0 'son 'desto
Sogno 0 son desto?
\1 Am I dreaming or am I awake?
(fhey become aware of each other's presence.)

\l 'rna 'ke 'ved:d30
Ma che veggio?
But what do I see?
\\
SANDRINA
'ke 'miro
• ?
1\ Che nuro.
What do I behold?
\l\~ BELFIORE (with joy)

'kara 'mio
a 'mia 'bene
Ah, mia cara... nuo bene ...
\l Ah, my dear... my
SANDRINA (repulsing him)

beloved ...
'ti'sbsta
II Ti scosta.
Go away.
BELFIORE
oi'me
· -,
Oune.
Oh dear!
\L
(He withdraws dejectedly but comes back.)
It SANDRINA
'ki 'tJerki
Chi cerehi?
IL Whom are you looking for?
BELFIORE
'ped:d30 'ped:d30 'tu vjo'tante 'non'sei
\l (Peggio, peggio.) Tu Violante non sei?
(~ (Even worse.) You Violante are not?
lL
il
~
640 La Finta Giardiniera. Act III II

BELFIORE
si'JlJlora 'si bn'tenti 'ke 'in 'seJlJlo 'di ris'pe t:t:) (( [r
Signora, si eontenti, ehe in segno di rispetto
My lady, permit me that as (a) sign of respect
'Ie 'batIi al'rnen 'la 'man:)

Ir
Ie bad almen la mano.·
I kiss
SANDRINA
at least your hand.
lr
o 'skuzi 'nol perrnet:to
Oh
Oh,
seusi,
excuse me,
nol pe~etto,
I cannot permit this,
rr
'n:)fl)
non voglio
'V:)!u\:) kornpli'rnenti
eomplimenti, vada
'vada 'di
di
'kwa
qua
bn'tau:)
lontano.
If
I don't want compliments, go from here far away.
BELFIORE
pa'tsjentsa 'rna 'se 'p:)i
It
Pazienza, rna se poi
Patience, but if then If
'noi 'pju 'non 'tIi ve'drerno
noi
we
piu
no longer
non ci vedremo?
will not see each other (again)?
I[
SANDRINA
E: 'n:) pen'sate 'voi 'Forse tIiI)kontre'rerno
(( [l.
Eh no, pensale voi; forse e'ineontreremo.
Ah no, think you; maybe we will meet.
(Ah no; do you think so? Maybe we will meet again.) Il
SANDRINA, BELFIORE
b'rad:d3:)
Coraggio,
'si ri's:)\va
si risolva,
'si 'v ada 'via
si vada via
'di
di
'kwa
qua. Il_
Courage, let us resolve it, let us go away from here.
(They resolutely go the edge of the stage and stop.) ll~

BELFIORE (turning around)
'lei
Lei
'mi 'kjarna
mi ehiama?
Il_
You are calling me?
SANDRINA
si'JlJlor 'n:) 'lei ri'toma
Il
Signor no. Lei riloma?
Sir, no. You are coming back? It.
II
~(
IL
II
BELFIORE (stopping)
oi'bo oi'bo
Oibo,oibo.
Oh boy! Oh boy!5
SANDRINA (returning)
'vo tfe'dendo 'pjano 'pjano
Vo cedendo, piano, piano.
I am giving in, gently, gently.
BELFIORE
'va ka'lando 'pob a 'pob
Va calando, poco a poco!
r She's weakening little by little!
SANDRINA
r a 'pju 'red:d3ere 'non 'so
Ah, piiI reggere non so.
Ah, stand it any longer I can't.
BELFIORE
a 'pju 'red:d3ere 'nom 'pwo
Ah, piit reggere non puo.
Ah, stand it any longer she can't
(They gradually start getting closer.)
BELFIORE
rna v:vi't fino
M'avvicino ...
I'm coming nearer ...
SANDRINA
'non sa'prei
Non saprei ...
I don't know ...
BELFIORE
'i::> ma'k:kosto
10 m'accosto ...
I coming closer ...
SANDRINA
'noll) vo'r:rei
Non vorrei...
I wouldn't want to ...
BELFIORE
'vado
Vado ...
I'm going ...
I
SOibQ is one of many interjections found in Italian libretti that can have different shades of meaning depending on the
dramatic situation. In this case, considering the childish play-acting that is going on and Belfiore's rather limited brain matter,
I have opted for an English expression that even resembles the Italian and that would probably be most apt for a lover of
Belfiore's lightweight caliber.
l'
SANDRINA
'rest;)
Resto ... (
I'm staying ...
SANDRINA, BELFIORE
'bza 'f;,
Cosa fo?
What shall I do?
'alme 'bel:le in:nam;)'rate 'dite 'voi 'ke a'mor prJ'vate

Alme belle innrunorate, dite voi che runor pravate,
Souls lovely, in love, say you who love feel,
'se re'zister 'pju 'si 'pwJ

se resister piu si pub?
if resist any longer one can?
(Dear loving souls who know what love is, say, can one resist any longer?)
'kari a'f:fan:ni 'kare 'pene

Carl affani, care pene,
Dear torments, dear sufferings,
'kara 'destra 'del 'mb 'bene

cara destra del mio bene,
dear right hand of my beloved,
'dal pja'tJere 'dal bn'tentJ

dal piacere, dal contento,
from pleasure, from happiness,
'd3a 'mi 'baltsa 'im 'pet:t;) 'il 'br

gia mi balza in petta il cor.
already leaps in (my) breast the heart.
(They leave.) r
Scene Eight
(The Podesta., Arminda, Ramiro and Serpetta, then Nardo and finally Sandrina and Belfiore.)
PODESTA
'mia ni'pote 'mia 'kara 'nom 'mi se'k:kate 'pju
Mia nipote, mia cara, non mi seccate piiI.
My niece, my dear, don't bother me any more.
'ke 'P;)s:S;) 'farvi 'nel:b 'stat;) pre'zente

Che posso farvi nella stato presente?
What can I do for you in the situation present?
NARDO
si']l]lori al:legra'mente 'sol) gwa'riti 'Ii 'pat:si
Signori, allegrrunente son guarlti Ii pazzi,
Gentlemen, happily are cured the crazies,
La Finta Giardiniera, A ct III 643
f
\ e a'p:pena 'sono 'in 'sen:no rit:)rnati
e appena so no in senna ritomati,
and no sooner did they to their senses return,
'ke 'jm 'patJe e 'in al:le'gria 'si 'son sp:)'zati

che in pace e in allegria si son sposati.
than in peace and in happiness they got married.
PODESTA
ke 'dditJi
Che dici?
What are you saying?
ARMINDA
:) tradi'mento
Oh tradimento!
Oh, betrayal!
RAMIRO
:) 'ke 'gran 'sorte
Oh che gran sorte!
Oh, what great luck!
l SERPETTA
'mi 'son blta 'una 'spina
Mi son tolta una spina.
've gotten rid of a thorn (in my side).
'ek:k:) 'Ia 'mia spo'zina 'ek:b 'Ia 'mia vjo'lante

Ecco la mia sposina, ecco la mia Violante.
Here's my bride, here's my Violante.
PODESTA
'kome
Come?
What?
SANDRINA
'tJes:si 'oj1j1i 'dub:bjo de'I:les:ser 'mio
Cessi ogni dubbio delI'esser mio;
Let cease every doubt about the identity mine;
(Let every doubt about my identity be put to rest;)
kan'd3a i 'kon r:)'bert:) 'mb 'serv:) e 'nome e 'stat:)

Cangiai con Roberto, mio servo e nome e stato;
r I changed with Roberto, my servant, and name and status;
l
(Pointing to Nardo.)
'ne 'v:)I:li 'mai zve'larmi

Ne volli mai svelanni,
nor did I want ever to reveal myself,
I~- 'sol 'per 'far 'kol 'mi:) 'spn:) 'una 'doltJe ven'det:ta
sol per far col mio sposo una dolce vendetta.
I only to exact from my bridegroom a sweet revenge.
t --.~~~~~~~
--'.-~~--
644 La Finta Giardiniera. Act III r
ARMINDA
marke'zina 'vi 'preg::> a perd~'narmi
(
Marchasina, vi prego a pardonanni;
Marchesa, I beg you to forgive me;
io 'son 'la 'rea 'jo 'vi tra'mai 'la 'm~rte

10 son 10. rea; io vi tramai 10. morta ...
1 am the guilty one; plotted your death...
SANDRINA
'nom 'pju a'mika tJe's:sate e 'ul) 'kar:> a'b:brat:tJ~
Non piiI, anUca, cassata, a un caro abbraccio
No more, friend, stop, and a dear embrace
b'n~Her 'vi fa'ra la'f:fetto 'mio

conoscar vi fara l'affatto mio.
known will make to you my affection.
ARMINDA
'se 'pjatfe 'al si'J1J1or 'ttsio 'il fe'dele ra'miro
Sa piaca al signor zio: il fadela Ramiro .. .
If it pleases my dear uncle, the faithful Ramiro .. .
SERPETTA (to the Podesta)

al)'kio 'se 'si bn'tenta v~'r:rei
Anch'io sa si contanta vorrei...
Also I, if it's agreeable, would like ...
PODESTA
'bene ::> ka'pito
Bana, ho capito;
Good, I've understood;
(To Arminda.)
'v~str~ 'spJZ~ e ra'miro

Vostro sposo 9 Ramiro.
Your bridegroom is Ramiro.
(To Serpetta,)
e 'tuo 'sia 'nard~

E tuo sia Nardo.
And yours be Nardo.
BELFIORE
::> 'brav~
Oh bravo.
Oh wonderful! !!
RAMIRO
'di 'pju bra'mar 'non's:)
Di piiI bramar non so.
More desire 1 cannot.
(I cannot ask for more.)
La Finla Giardiniera. Act III 645
NARDO
kwest::> e pja'tJere
j Questo 9 piacere.
\. This is (a) pleasure.
I PODESTA
'g::>da
Goda
'ki
chi
'vw::>1
vuol
go'dere
godere,
Rejoice, whoever wants to rejoice.
si'sp::>zi 'pur 'ki 'vwole

Si sposi pur chi vuole,
Get married then, whoever wants to.
'kio 'pur 'mi sp::>ze'ro

ch'io pur mi sposero,
for I also will get maried.
'kwando u'naltra san'drina trovE'ro

/ quando
when
un'altra
another
Sandrina
Sandrina
trovero.
I shall find.
[ SANDRINA
sa'ra 'mmem::>rE o'J1J1ora e 'in 'oJ1J1i 'stato
Sara me more ognora e in ogni stato,
Will be remembered always and in every occasion,
1
'del:la 'v::>stra b::>n'ta 'del 'vostro 'brE
della vostra bonta, del vostro core,
of your kindness of your heart,
'Ia 'finta d3ardi'njera 'per a'more

la finta giardiniera per amore.
the pretended gardener-maid out of love.
(Your kindness and g90d heart will be remembered always by the one who, out of love, pretended to
be a gardener-maid.)
NO. 28 FINALE
TUTTI
'viva 'pur '\a d3ardi'njera
Viva pur la Giardiniera,
Long life then to the gardener-maid,
'ke serbo ffe'dele 'il 'bre

che serbb fedele il core.
who kept faithful her heart.
'viva 'il 'konte 'viva a'more

Viva il Conte, viva amore,
Long live the Count, long live love,
'ke 'fa 'tut:ti ral:le'grar
I( che
that
fa
makes all
tutti rallegrar.
be happy.
l END OF THE OPERA

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513

Libretto by Raniero De' Calzabigi, revised by Mario Coltellini

NO.1 OPENING ENSEMBLE

'kwi dOj1j1in'tomo 'spira al:le'gret:tsa

a'mor 'kwi 'd3ubila bri'l:land~ 'va

'per 'me 'non 'tr;,vasi felitJi'ta

'tra 'sw;,nie 'kanti d~'vr;,ggo'dere

san'drina a'mabile 'pur 'mia sa'ra

'rni 'vw:)le :)'p:pres:sa 'la 's:)rte

'di 'me 'pju 'rnizera 'n:) 'non 'si 'da

NARDO (indicating Serpetta)

fa'ra kbs'tei 'darmi 'di 'v:)lta

'ke 'd:)n:na 'barbara 'sentsa pje'ta

SERPETTA (indicating the Podesta)

'fa 'il kaska'rn:)rt:) 'b spazi'rnat;,

SANDRINA, SERPETTA, RAMIRO, PODESTA, NARDO

'ke 'il 'pju gra'dito 'fjor 'di prima'vera

I~a'miro 'ke 'vi 'pare

d::>'vrei go'dere spe'rare d::>'vrei

'ma 'sent::> 'ke 'in 'seno 'UIT) 'fjer::> a'f:fan:n::>

'del 'p::>ver::> 'mb 'br 'si 'fa ti'ran:n::>

NARDO (to Serpetta)

'la 'sp::>za 'mia ni'pote

'i;, 'nJIl) 'VJ!i.l.J ve'dermalil)ko'nia

I don't want to see melancholy,

'Jd:d3i 'ke 'sjamo'in 'tempJ dal:le'gria

'ke 'sia 'del 'vJstrJ 'mal ka'd30ne a'more

'son ri'dJt:tJ a lal)'gwire

a'f:flid:d3ersi ko'zi 'per 'una 'dJn:na

'por 'la 'vita 'im pe'riAAo

pren'dele 'il'mio kon'si!i.l.o

Je'Uete u'naltra 'bel:la 'dateAi 'il'vJstrJ 'kJre

'ke 'se a'mor 'vi fe'ri 'vi'sani a'more

'ke a'p:pena 'daI:le ka'tene 'IIJltJ

tJer'kar 'VOAAa 'nwJvi 'tJep:pi 'per 'me

'noIl) 'fia 'mai 'vero 'ke 'mi 'vel)Qa 'im pen'sjer:>

i'dea 'si 'IIJlta e ma'ttJ enda da'more u'naltra'vJlta

'dal:la pri'd30ne 'un 'd30mo

'al kat:tJa'tore. in'tomo

'liber::> u'IJit::> a'p:pena

'da 'un amo'rozo im'pat:tf::>

li'dea 'dun 'altr::> 'lat:tf::>

a 'ke tre'mar 'mi 'fa

(Podesta. Sandrina, Serpetta and Nardo)

'kom 'pompa splendi'det:tsa e pr::>prje'ta

(Nardo leaves and Serpetta remains apart.)

PODESTA (to Sandrina)

ve'njam:) 'urn 'p:)b a 'nnoi

kara san'drina 'mi'spjego 'in 'due pa'r:)le

'ard:) 'm:)r:) 'per 'te

'kwel 'brio 'kwel 'vet:tso 'subito 'mi kol'pi

- Sir, what are you saying?

! SERPETTA (coming forward)

J Venga Sandrina, aneh'ella

(fo Sandrina and leaving immediately, quite piqued.)

r 's:) 'kwel 'ke 'diko 's:) 'kwel 'ke 'penso 'basta

'voi 'n:)bile 'io mes'kina