Tuesday, August 18, 2009

The Opera Qateeni: The Liberetto

The following is the transliteration and the English translation of the opera Qateeni which will be performed on August 15th. Please read this text before attending the concert.

The Opera Qateeni
Based on the epic poem Qateeni Gabbara
By William Daniel
Composer: Michel Bosc

Libretto preparation by: Tony Khoshaba
Translation by: William Warda
Transliteration by: Avrahim Giliana
Diction By: Yosip Bet Yosip

Scene 1 – 1

Story Teller (Giliana):

Ptee-khi va soop-ra rvee-kha,A vast table was spread,
Go qass-ra d'Too-ma,In Tooma's castle.
Jim-yi-va aal-ma ra-ba, Where a large crowd had gathered,
Min mdee-ta v'zoo-ma. From the resort and the town.
Khvar-diq-ni tee-vi shtee-qi, The white bearded sat silent
Bttee-ni btakh-man-ta. Filled with thoughts.
Gab-ba-ri ree-shay kee-pi, The braves had their head bent
B'ah-val khish-shan-ta. In distraught.
mood mar-ra cool-la-na-ya, What contagious disease
Biy-ye tpee-qi va. Did they all have?
Mood khish-sha va knoosh-ya-ya, What common sorrow,
D'lgikh-ka khnee-qa va. Chocked off their laugh?
Ah soop-ra msham-ha v'diy-ya, This famous table
Go aat-ra-va-ti. Known in several lands,
Min-ni pal-ttee va va-di, Where countless brave deeds
D'gab-ba-roo-ya-ti. Had begun.
Ta-lim-ta d'kham-ra smoo-qa, The jar of the red wine
B'av-ra va btar-ra. Would enter through the door
Min lee-na l'soop-ra w'lba-ra, From the barrel and beyond
D'la qya-ta l'ar-ra. It would not touch the floor
Sho-ra va mee-da l'ee-da, It would bounce from hand to hand
Mat-to sa-poo-qi, Pouring its contents
Har-hoo-ri gikh-ka khdee-ta, Giggling, laughing, having
Poom-mo man-shoo-qi. Pleasure in being kissed on the lips.
Id-yoom oop ay khash-shan-ta, Today she too was sad,
L'kis Ma-lik tiv-ta, Sitting by Malik
Le va bij-va-ja msho-po, Not moving at all
Makh qa-ttoo siv-ta. Like an elderly cat.
Mood mkhoo-ta va sa-van-ta, What awful tragedy
D'mookh-riv-la l'kai-pay, Had destroyed their fun?
Mood it-ya sa-tta-na-ya, What devilish creature
Moos-mee-li l'gikh-cay? Had silenced their laugh?
Qa-moo-dee le toon shim-yi, Why! Haven’t you heard
Boot khar-vi kha-ti, Of the new destruction
D'moom-ttee-la Shid-da mid-ri, The monster inflicted
L'na-shi v'lkhai-va-ti. On the people and the beasts?
Akh d'in noo-ra d'gee-han-ni, As if the hell fires
L'sad-ro bis-ta-ra, Were tearing up her chest
Chma-ya ley va bich-ma-ya, Could not be extinguished
Bsha-qee-ta v'na-ra. By rivers and creeks.

L'sa-vo la msee-loon mat-ree, Not even the seas
oop la ya-ma-ti. Could quench her thirst.
Dim-mi va ay bib-ba-ya, Blood was what she craved for
Av d'ya-li v'bna-ti. Of young men and maidens.

B'khai-la d'khir-sho la mtakh-mi, By her boundless magic power
Ptil-la goor-vis-la. She grew big and wide.
It-ya la khzee-li rakh-mi, No creature felt her mercy
Cad l'madb-kho blis-la. All on her altar died.
Gab-bä-ri dvee-khi d'ga-na, How many more young braves
Hal ee-man aa-zee, Should leave
Sho-qee lya-lay w'lbakh-ta-tay, Abandoning their wives and kids
Go bikh-ya v'ta-zee. In tears and in grief.

Joon-ja-ra d' khiy-yal d'Too-ma, The agony of Tuma's plight
Kyoo-la lit-va-loon, Had no end
Sha-dir mid-ri gab-ba-ri, If more young men he sent
Qo-ma d'mit-va-loon. They too might die.

Mo-ta har bit aa-tee va, Death will arrive
Ha-da yan had-kha. One way or another.
Qttee-li Too-ma bree-ya-nu. In his mind Tuma decided
L'ma-roo-mu qat-kha, To raise the cup.
Mlee-li ca-sa min kham-ra, He filled the cup with wine,
W'lgab-ba-ri khir-ri, And stared at the mighty
L'ai chyat-ta spir-ta diy-yi, His awaited declamation
Ban khab-ri zmir-ri: He conveyed with this song:

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