Script

APOIDEA

A SHORT HEXAGONAL OPERA

Script by Germán A. Panarisi y José Miguel Delgado


Music by José Miguel Delgado


Original idea by Germán A. Panarisi




._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._.

Character

PRINCESS / QUEEN Mezzosoprano

The story takes place in a kingdom, a very special kingdom, a kingdom where everything works as it should, a kingdom where nothing is left to chance, a kingdom that belongs to everybody, that is for everybody and in spite of everybody…

“You'll be what you should be or you'll be nothing.”

José de San Martín

._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._.

FIRST EPISODE

Daybreak in a very particular kingdom...

THE SPIRIT OF THE KINGDOM (narrator)

In this Kingdom everything works like clockwork. Coexistence is harmonious, and everyone has to be happy to perform his or her appointed duties. for, as everybody knows, the Whole is always more important than its parts.

The murmur of the masses.
Gossip is circulating all over the kingdom… it is the murmur of the masses.

THE SPIRIT OF THE KINGDOM
The Kingdom is upset. Word that the Mother Queen is soon to pass away has spread.
But there is nothing to worry about for social order is assured. It is simply a matter of preparing her successor.

._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._.

SECOND EPISODE

Royal chambers

The curtain rises: Several cradles are set out  in the royal bedchamber. All of them are protected by conical mosquito nets, covering them from the ceiling to the floor.

THE SPIRIT OF THE KINGDOM

The heiresses to the Crown are sleeping peacefully. They are waiting for their time to ascend to the throne.

Many aspire that position, but only one can rule.

Whoever is ready must act speedily and precisely if she is to rise to power.

A Queen is born

The Princess lies in one of the cradles, in as almost foetal position. As if waking from a dream, the Princess stands and leaves her cradle. She wears a white robe.

PRINCESS

Like a flower

I open softly towards the sunrise.

The miracle of new life

is born once again.

The throne is awaiting

her royal majesty.

I accept this mission

It is my fate to reign.

The Princess walks towards another cradle and slips below the mosquito net. Kneeling before her sister, she sings to her.

PRINCESS

Sleeping in  peace,

my sisters are quiet.

But I must,
I must reach the end!

Holding her sister in her arms, she tenderly cradles her with sisterly love, meanwhile a lullaby can be heard.

PRINCESS

It is a bitter fate

to accept the rules of duty

It pains me to sacrifice

those I love the most.

Baby in arms, the Princess walks towards the audience.

PRINCESS

Inside me

my instincts yearn to awaken

But I must,

I must reach the end!

Will I be capable?

Doubt hovers when I act.

Alea jacta est,

fate will take its course.

._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._.

THIRD EPISODE

The fratricide

The Princess turns her back on the audience. A dagger can be seen hanging from her waist. She slowly returns to the cradle, cuddling her sister. She takes the dagger and, with a sudden movement, stabs the baby.

The Princess leaves the body in the cradle and appears from behind the mosquito net in great sorrow. Her white robe, previously spotless, now shows the red stain of fratricide. She falls to the floor, releases the dagger and weeps.

THE SPIRIT OF THE KINGDOM

It’s harsh, but living, ruling, implies death.

A great sacrifice is necessary to ensure the common good.

Kill or be killed.

There is no choice.

That is the way it has always been.

Suddenly the Princess sits up. She removes her robe, and beneath it her new majestic dress can be seen. She picks the dagger up from the floor and resolvedly walks towards the next cradle, dagger in hand.  The lights go out abruptly.

The curtain falls.

._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._.

FOURTH EPISODE

Life in the palace

The curtain rises. Lying on a couch, the Princess, now crowned Queen, fans herself while eating grapes from a bowl on her lap, having nothing better with which to occupy her time.

THE SPIRIT OF THE KINGDOM

The new queen enjoys every commodity and attention.

Bonded to her destiny, there is nothing to worry her, nor will there ever be.

Her privileged life resembles an eternal sea of calm.

QUEEN

There are few joys

that go with the throne.

I want for nothing

That is certainly true,

but it is not everything. 

For the Crown

existence is long

although

there is little I can do

being the one who rules.

Hours pass

in eternal waiting

and I wonder

if such privilege

is finally worthwhile …

… if, instead of the Realm

I had had

the chance

of a decision,

of choosing my fate.

Visibly upset and anxious, the Queen walks up and down the stage like a convict in prison, thoughtful and meditative. Suddenly she stops and turns towards the window. The view from there is a green land, as far as the eye can see.

After a brief moment of meditation, the Queen seems to be calm again. She begins to hum.

QUEEN

I know that sometime

from this long isolation

I will be freed,

and instilled

with an intense love.

From on high a white gown descends, one that might be a wedding gown, as if it were an angel. The Queen sings enthusiastically because the day has come at last when she will have her first rendezvous with the sun, the sky, and freedom.

QUEEN

At last, this longed for appointment

has arrived.

The Sun will I see

and a celebration in my honour

will be held.

Overjoyed, the Queen sways slowly while grabbing her dress, as if he were being led on a ball.

 QUEEN

Maybe love

or friendship

will be waiting for me.

Today I think I will know

what freedom is. 

Exhilarated, the Queen grabs her wedding gown, then leaves the room and the stage.

The curtain falls.

._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._.

FIFTH EPISODE

In the immense field… 

The curtain rises.

THE SPIRIT OF THE KINGDOM

Today is the big day. Today the wedding ball will be held. The Queen must leave the palace and encounter the barons of the Court, to guarantee the continuity of her kingdom.

In fact, it is the first time the Queen sees the sun.

Gallantry and romance

Presentation of the barons

The musicians alone on stage, now representing members of the aristocracy, perform the music that will win the heart and favour of the Queen. She is barely to be seen on one side of the stage. She is wearing the white gown.

The Queen enters, walking slowly and sensually, rather like a model, though without abandoning her royal posture. She is a young Queen beginning to experience the power of seduction and thus appraises each of her suitors, with whom the coquetry begins. 

When the serenade is over, the musicians stand and bow to the Queen. The lights go down, creating an atmosphere of intimacy. The Queen looks at the conductor and gives him the signal to begin the danzon. 

Nuptial Danzon, mortal dance

Obeying the Royal command, the Conductor begins the danzon.

Each instrument represents one suitor. The Queen dances around each musician, giving the instrument in turn a leading role, then silencing them with a caress until only the clarinet remains. 

The Queen stands behind the clarinettist, placing her hands upon his shoulders. As he finishes his solo, the Queen leans upon him, throwing her arms around his neck. 

Silence. The lights and curtain fall.

._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._.

SIXTH EPISODE

Dawn and longing

The Queen enters from one side and walks towards the throne, contemplating the field through the window. Her old age can be guessed from her weary movements.

THE SPIRIT OF THE KINGDOM

The years have passed. This old Queen, like her predecessors, and like those who will succeed her, has managed to fulfil the mission that was her fate.

Her life has been dedicated to the throne, confined to the kingdom, the common good placed before any personal desire.

She has never lacked for anything, except perhaps to determine her own existence, yet in exchange for that she has been more privileged than anyone could dream of.

She has lived the life she robbed from her sisters. It was her destiny, and none can reject his destiny.

Death and Liberty

The Queen, standing next to the throne, cannot stop contemplating the field visible through the window.

QUEEN

It shines in my memory 

the bright sunshine 

as brief as a flash - unforgettable!

The life of a queen 

is so sad and long,

like a honeyed penance.

It is my fate. I held it in my hand.

The price I paid was my freedom!

Close to death,

 if you think of it, 

too much time and too little life…

a candle that was never lit…

Queen of darkness.

It was my destiny. I killed to achieve it.

The price was too high… my freedom!

Daughters and heiresses

I ask myself

who among you will succeed me,

does that one know well what awaits her?

Before it is too late,

change! Choose life!

Live! Fly! High! Free!

Fill yourself with Light!

Drained and exhausted, the Queen allows herself to collapse upon the throne and lies there motionless. 

At the back of the stage a single cradle, previously unseen, is illuminated. The Queen raises herself and walks towards it.

THE SPIRIT OF THE KINGDOM

Thus, another cycle closes. The old Queen has died, but one of her heiresses shall succeed her and the kingdom will prevail.

The Queen kneels over the cradle and raises the baby with her arms, holding her and humming the Lullaby.

As the music comes to an end, she puts the child back on her cradle.

The lights go out and the curtain falls.