Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from An Entirely Original Comic Opera: In Two Acts, Entitled the Gondoliers; Or, the King of Barataria
Franc. Good morrow, pretty maids; for whom prepare ye
These floral tributes extraordinary?
Fia. For Marco and Guiseppe Palmieri.
The pink and flower of all the Gondolieri.
Giu. They're coming here as we have heard but lately,
To choose two brides from us who sit sedately.
Ant. Do all you maidens love them?
All. Passionately!
Ant. These Gondoliers are to be envied greatly!
All the Men. But what of us, who one and all adore you?
Have pity on our passion, I implore you!
All the Girls. These gentlemen must make their choice before you;
In the meantime we tacitly ignore you.
Giu. When they have chosen two that leaves you plenty -
Two dozen we, and ye are four-and twenty.
Fia & Vitt. Till then, enjoy you dolce far niente.
Ant. With pleasure, nobody contradicente!
Song. - Antonio.
For the merriest fellows are we, tra la,
That ply on the emerald sea, tra la;
With loving and laughing,
And quipping and quaffing,
We're happy, as happy can be, tra la -
As happy as happy can be!
With sorrow we've nothing to do, tra la,
And care is a thing to pooh-pooh, tra la;
And jealousy yellow,
Unfortunate fellow,
We drown in the shimmering blue, tra la, -
We drown in the shimmering blue!
Fia. (looking off) See, see, at last they come to make their choice -
Let us acclaim them with united voice.
(Marco and Giuseppe appear in gondola at back).
All the Girls. Hail, gallant gondolieri, ben' venuti!
Accept our love, our homage, and our duty.
(Marco and Giuseppe jump ashore - the girls salute them).
Duet. - Giuseppe and Marco and Chorus of Girls).
Giu. and Mar. Buon' giorno, signorine!
Girls. Gondolieri carissimi!
Siamo contadine!
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