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Translation by TIP. Please do not reproduce without permission.

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Translators: Bunretsu, Jenebi, Caithion
Editor: Princess Lucia

Moon Troupe Version: Final Night Transcript


Ayaki Nao: Welcome, everyone, to the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater. This is Moon Troupe’s Ayaki Nao. Today’s production is adapted and directed by Koike Shūichirō. A Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Musical - “Elisabeth: The Rondo of Love & Death.” The first act will be conducted by Izawa Ichirō.

ACT I

Scene 1: Prologue

Voice: The accused: Luigi Lucheni. Italian. Terrorist. Guilty of the crime of murdering the Empress Elisabeth. Committed suicide while in prison.

Lucheni: I've been dead a long time. Come on, send me to heaven or hell!

Voice: Impossible. You can’t be released from purgatory until you state your reason for killing the empress.

Lucheni: Every single night, the same stupid questions! While I’ve been here, the Habsburgs have long since died out.

Voice: State your reason.

Lucheni: The empress herself wished for it.

Voice: Nonsense. Impossible.

Lucheni: I have witnesses.

Voice: Who?

Lucheni: The people of the Habsburg twilight, those who lived together with Elisabeth. Come, everyone! Wake from your sleep. Rise up and speak of her. Yes – of Elisabeth!


(We Are Those Who Have Ceased To Breathe)

Spirits:
The world has ended. The light slipped away
Their lives crushed, the spirits dance
Distress. Sorrow. Envy. Pain
Dreams and desires throw people into chaos

Sophie: I did it for Elisabeth
Franz Joseph: My wife Elisabeth
(The world has ended. The light slipped away)
Sophie: I did it all for her sake
Franz Joseph: She was hard to please
(Their lives crushed, the spirits dance)

It wasn’t our fault. We’re innocent.
Young Rudolph: Mama, where are you?
She was always away traveling
(Distress. Sorrow. Envy. Pain)
There were so many things she was looking for
Young Rudolph: Come home
She wandered without ever coming home
(Dreams and desires throw people into chaos)

Max: She was shy
Franz Joseph: She hated people
(Elisabeth)
She always hid her face behind a fan
(Hid her face)

Rudolph: Mama, you and I were so much alike
Max: She loved freedom
Rudolph: We should have understood each other
(Elisabeth)
Young Rudolph: All alone
(Alone, she wandered in search of something)

No one knew the true - Elisabeth
No one knew that love - Elisabeth
No one knew the true - Elisabeth
No one knew that love - Elisabeth

Lucheni: Behold! The lord of the underworld, Der Tod. Otherwise known as... Death!


(The Love That Burns Me)

Death:
The angels' song is sweet
The devils' song is bitter
Mortals too sing, and that song is
The love that burns me
I steal human lives
And trifle with them coldy
My only mistake was
Falling in love with the Empress

Voice: What is all this talk, Lucheni? Some ridiculous fairy tale of a love affair with Death?

Lucheni: Don’t you see, Sir Judge? Lord Death has honored us with his appearance.

Voice: You’re trying to get out of it by pretending insanity.

Lucheni: I‘m serious!

Voice: This is the last question! Who was behind this?

Lucheni: May I speak of it, my lord?

Voice: It’s time, Lucheni!

Lucheni: Un Grande Amore! It was a mission for love!

Chorus: Elisabeth, Elisabeth (continue singing)



Scene 2: Possenhofen Palace

Elisabeth:
"Like a bird flying freely into the sky
If I could go into those endless blue heavens…
I would be happy forever
To be free is to be divine!"

Ludovika: Sisi!

Elisabeth: Mama!

Ludovika: It’s time for your French lesson!

Elisabeth: All right. ... Papa!


Like Papa

Elisabeth (Max):
At noon all our relatives will gather here
That’s what mother says
It looks as though you’re trying to escape all the formalities
Just as I sneak away from my governess
Papa, take me with you
(That’s impossible)
I like all the same things you do
(I’m going hunting; you’re a child)
In my poem I wrote about my dream
Of riding in a horseback competition
I want to be just like you, Papa!

Max: Sisi...! Life is too short and there’s hardly any time to relax. That’s why your Papa can’t stand the company of relatives.

Elisabeth: Me neither.

Elisabeth (Max):
Today I’m forbidden to climb trees
(Sisi, you’re too much of a tomboy)
Or to practice tightrope walking
(Your sister is preparing to be a bride)
I can make a pretend circus with my little brothers
(Be careful)
If I can escape the eyes of my governess
(I don’t know what’ll happen then)
Why won’t you take me with you
(I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon)
When you travel abroad?
(I’m going now)
I want to live freely, just like a gypsy
Whatever fancy…
(Adieu, Sisi)
…I desire
(Be a good girl)
I want to live just like you, Papa!

Tutor: Je vous en prie princesse.

Elisabeth: I hate French!

Tutor: Mais princesse!

Sisi: If I weren’t a princess, I’d join the circus and be a stunt rider! And a tightrope walker and trapeze artist! Shall I show you, Madame?

Tutor: S'il vous plait, venez maintenant!



Scene 3: Starnberger Sea Shore

Ludovika: Helene!

Helene: Yes!


(Welcome, Everyone)

Ludovika:
Welcome, everyone. How are you?
I have an important announcement!

Grad Uncle:
She's putting on airs.

Aunt:
She's pretentious.

Ludovika:
A matter for our entire family.

All:
What could it be?

Ludovika:
My daughter Helene is a beauty, isn’t she?
She's perfectly trained to be a wife.

Husband & Wife:
Our daughter is more beautiful.

Ludovika:
We’re taking Helene to Bad Ischl.

Girl: Bad Ischl?

Girl #2:The royal family’s country house.

Woman:You're just going to invite yourselves?

Ludovika:
There we’ll meet with my elder sister Sophie.
She has business with her niece, Helene.

Woman:
Her sister Sophie is the Dowager Empress.

Ludovika:
There Helene will have a marriage interview. My daughter Helene will be the wife of His Majesty, the Emperor of Austria, Franz Joseph the First!

Helene: Yes!

Crowd: Be the wife of the Emperor of Austria?

Someone: Who will?

Woman: Helene will!

Helene: Yes!

Man: Where have the children gone off to?

Woman: This is too much!

Man: No! We’re going to be related to the Emperor!

Someone: Helene!

Girl: Look! Sisi is standing on the rope!

Elisabeth: Everyone, look at me!

Someone: Sisi, Sisi, stop!

Someone: Sisi, stop!



Scene 4: The Underworld ~ Sisi's Room

(The Round/Rondo of Love and Death)

Death:
Elizabeth… Now is the time
I welcome you to the world of the dead

Elisabeth: The world of the dead? … Send me back!

Death:
That look in your eyes
Burns my breast
It's piercing
Breathe, and you capture me
You melt my frozen heart

A simple young girl is all you should be
Yet all of me is crumbling
Just an ordinary human girl
Yet you make me shiver

Now I can't rob you of your life
I want the love of the living you
I'm stepping forward
To claim this forbidden love

These thoughts rising in my heart
Cut my body apart
Blood pours from my wounds
And you're the only one who can heal me

If I send you back to that life...
At that moment, you'll forget me
I will pursue you until I win your love

Wherever you go, I will follow you
The rondo of love and death

Ludovika: Sisi! She moved—she moved!

Someone: Impossible!

Ludovika: Sisi! Sisi!

Man: She's alive.

Elisabeth: Wait!

A Girl: Who are you talking to?

Someone: No one's there.

Man: It's a hallucination.


(Like Papa (2))

Elisabeth (Worried Person):
I know you're really there
(She's delirious)
Only showing yourself to me
(She's seeing things)
I don't know who you are, but I remember you
(She's feverish)
You saved me

Ludovika: Now, lie down again. It was God who saved you.

Lucheni: Un Grande Amore! The lord of the underworld has fallen in love. Death loves a mortal. Well then, can a mortal love Death? If she doesn't, the two can't be joined.



Scene 5: Audience Interval

Lucheni: Speaking of rulers, in Vienna there’s the young and handsome Emperor, Franz Joseph the First.
His reign is supported by five groups: standing soldiers, sitting government officials, kneeling clergymen, tiptoeing informants ... and his mother, said to be the only real man at court: Dowager Empress Sophie. Her advice is absolute!


(An Emperor's Duty)

Sophie: Be strong! Be strict! Be cold! Be ruthless!

Ensemble:
Under God’s protection, His Majesty the Emperor
Fulfills his duties to all his people.

Grünne: The Archbishop of Vienna, Rauscher.

Rauscher:
Please be severe with those extremists who are assailing the church!

Sophie: How dare they.

Franz Joseph: Request granted.

Franz:
Don’t be hasty, ascertain the truth
(Under God’s protection, His Majesty the Emperor...)

Franz: For the peace and stability of the Habsburgs
(...fulfills his duties to all his people.)

Lucheni: A mother!

Mother of a condemned criminal:
All my son did was cry “Freedom!”

Sophie:
Rather!

Mother:
Have mercy on him, Your Majesty.
Don’t sentence him to death!

Franz:
If I had the choice
Sophie:
(Be strong!)

Franz:
I should like to be known
Sophie:
(Be strict!)

Franz:
As a kind, tolerant, and benevolent ruler
Sophie:
(Be cold!)

Sophie:
Be cold!
Mother:
(Your Majesty...)
Sophie:
Be ruthless!

Franz: Request denied.

Mother: Your Majesty! Your Majesty, have mercy!

Sophie: Is there anything else, Count Grünne?

Grünne: Duke Schwarzenberg will speak about the Crimean War.

Schwarzenberg:
Our nation must join Russia.
Russia halted the revolution for us.
This is our opportunity to return the favour— and to claim part of Turkey for ourselves.

Franz: What do you think, Count Grünne?

Grünne:
There is no reason to believe England would let such an action pass.
An alliance would be difficult.

Schwarzenberg: You must decide!

Sophie: The Emperor of Austria must not decide anything!

Ensemble: Oh!
Under God’s protection, His Majesty the Emperor
Fulfills his duties to all his people.

Franz:
Don’t be hasty— ascertain the truth
Sophie:
Be smart! Be clever!
Ensemble:
Under God’s protection, His Majesty the Emperor...

Franz:
For the peace and stability of the Habsburgs
Sophie:
Be cunning!
Ensemble:
... fulfills his duties to all his people.

Grünne: Your Majesty, the carriage is waiting to take you to Bad Ischl.

Sophie: Everyone, the audience is at an end.

Schwarzenberg: But what shall I tell the Russian ambassador?

Sophie: Leave war to those other countries. Our fortunate Austria is getting married!

Ensemble: God save the Emperor.

Schwarzenberg: His Majesty...

Rauscher: He has gone to meet a prospective wife.



Scene 6: Bad Ischl

Lucheni: Ah, it’s hot! And Duke Maximillian’s family is setting out on its journey from Bavaria to Bad Ischl.

Ludovika: This way, Helene.

Lucheni: The mother is cheerful.

Ludovika: You’re beautiful!

Helene: Oh, what should I do?

Lucheni: The daughter is nervous.

Servant: You’ll be fine!

Lucheni: The father is sneaky.

Elisabeth: Wait, papa!

Lucheni: The younger sister is fed up.

Elisabeth: How boring! It’s so hot; there’s no relief.


(According to Plan…)

Lucheni:
Summer at Bad Ischl is hot, this year especially
The younger sister, Ludovika, at last meets with her elder sister, Sophie.

Sophie:
You’re late!

Ludovika:
It’s this heat. How about a short rest?

Sophie:
Not at all! The emperor will be here soon.
Let me see your face!

Ludovika:
Where on earth is my husband?
Sisi, do you know?

Elisabeth: No!

Sophie:
What an awful dress, what odd hair!

Helene: I’ll change it!

Sophie:
It’s too late.
The emperor is waiting.

Helene: Yes, madame.

Lucheni:
It all goes well, according to plan, there’s no reason not to continue
If it doesn’t go according to plan, if it's topsy-turvy... How interesting!

Sophie: Your majesty, my sister Ludovika...

Ludovika: It’s been a long time.

Sophie: And that’s her elder daughter Helene.

Franz: Hello.

Sophie: ...And her younger daughter, Elisabeth.

Ludovika: Sisi!

Franz: Sisi?

Sophie: Your Majesty?

Lucheni:
The mothers simply chatted, while the daughters dripped with perspiration.
And at last the emperor made the decision on his own.

Sophie:
Franz, tell me frankly, what do you think of the girl?

Franz: The girl?

Sophie:
Your cousin!

Franz:
She’s like a newly-picked fruit
(A fruit?)
Fresh!
(How romantic!)
Her eyes are almonds, and her lips strawberries
(Easy to talk about her looks)
Tonight I’ll dance with her.

Sophie:
Well then, please invite her.
... What!?

Lucheni:
It all goes well, according to plan, there’s no reason not to continue
If it doesn’t go according to plan, if it's topsy-turvy—how interesting!

All:
It all goes well, according to plan, there’s no reason not to continue.
If it doesn’t go according to plan, if it's topsy-turvy... How interesting!
It all goes well, according to plan, there’s no reason not to continue.
If it's topsy-turvy... How interesting!

Lucheni:
Topsy-turvy... How interesting!



Scene 7: Heaven and Earth Interval

Franz Joseph: Sisi — No, Elisabeth. I want you to be the Empress of Austria.


(I Won’t Fear Any Storm)

But first, there’s one thing we must discuss
An Emperor doesn’t exist for his own sake
He lives for his nation and his people
He walks a difficult road

For the woman who becomes his wife
An equally heavy burden awaits
Even so, if I have you beside me
I won’t fear any storm

Elisabeth: I wonder how I ought to answer?

Franz: It’s too sudden, isn’t it?

Elisabeth: I know your intentions are good.

Franz: Thank you.

Both:
With time to grow
This bud of love will bloom

Franz:
I’ll give you this present
As a token of my love

Elisabeth: It’s too much…

Franz: Try it on.

Elisabeth: It’s so heavy.

Both:
No matter what mountains, if I climb them with you
I won’t fear any storm

Franz: I love you.

Both:
Our love will grow



Scene 8: Wedding

Lucheni: There’s no reason things should work out as intended. The plan—

Death: We won’t proceed as planned. Surprises are interesting.

Lucheni: Your Excellency...

Death: I’m not the one ruining the plan. It’s the Habsburgs!

Lucheni: Vienna. The Church of St. Augustine. April the 24th, 1854. Half past six in the evening. For some reason, a wedding at dusk. Why? The secret priest is Death!


(The Beginning of Sorrow)

Death (Chorus):
All the sorrows shall start here
(This is where sorrow begins)

The demise of the Habsburg glory!
(The glory of the Habsburgs is ending)

No one knows this will be the ruin of the empire
(No one knows this will be the ruin of the empire)

Little by little, I’ll explain the origin of the disaster
(Little by little we’ll know the origin of the disaster)

People can smell the scent of sorrow
(The scent of sorrow secretly draws near)

The die has been cast! The fault is yours!
(The die has been cast! The fault is yours!)

Elisabeth!
(Elisabeth!)

Rauscher: You do this of your own volition, am I correct?

Elisabeth: Yes.



Scene 9: The Ball

Max:
The marriage is a failure. She made a stupid decision.
Sisi will suffocate at the imperial court.

Sophie:
Love is blind. Franz made the wrong choice.
Sisi ruined my plans.
Max:
(The emperor has an Oedipus Complex.)

Sophie:
She’ll never make a good wife.
Max:
(He’ll never make a good husband.)

Sophie:
That girl and my son
Max:
(That fellow and my daughter)
Sophie:
Do not suit each other! They don’t! They don’t!
Max:
(Do not suit each other! They don’t!)

Sophie:
She doesn't! She doesn’t suit my son!
Max:
(He doesn’t suit my daughter!)

Grünne: It was a wonderful ceremony.

Schwarzenberg: The sermon was long.

Guests:
(The bride is adorable.)

Woman: What do you think of the bride, everyone?

Man: She seems nice.

Guests:
(The empress is a doll.)

Man: She comes from a bad family.

Guests:
(That doesn’t matter.)
(She’s a child.)
(She’s lovely. She seems like she'll be very easy to manage.)

Man: She dropped it.

Guests:
(A bad sign. Apparently she dropped the crown.)

Sophie: What a blockhead!

Guests:
When she stepped out of the carriage, she lost her footing
(She slipped.)
And dropped the crown.
(She’s clumsy.)

As though it’s a fairy tale, a country girl
(A pitiable bride, this Bavarian girl.)
Can become an empress!
(A Cinderella tale!)

His Majesty the Emperor
(For his Majesty)

She suits him, she suits him...
(She’s unsuitable, unsuitable...)

She suits him
(She’s unsuitable)


Elisabeth: Who are you?

Death: Don't you remember?

Elisabeth: No. I feel I've met you somewhere before, but...


(The Last Dance)

Death:
You surround yourself with love
But all is not well with the Emperor
For you chose him
Only to escape from me

You two make a show of your love
But while in the arms of the emperor
You're also gently turning
Your smile to me

Elisabeth: That's a lie!

Death:
The last dance belongs to me
Your dance with me is destiny

The Habsburgs are rotting away
The guests in this hall no longer breathe
I simmer as I await
My duet with you

The last dance belongs to me
Your dance with me is destiny
Now, I'm staring from the darkness
But the final win will be mine

The last dance belongs to me
Your dance with me is destiny
The last dance belongs to me
Your dance with me is destiny

Now, I'm staring from the darkness
But the final win will be mine
Now, I'm staring from the darkness
But the final win will be

Mine!

Elisabeth: The Lord of the… Dead!

Franz Joseph: What’s wrong? You look pale.

Elisabeth: Your Majesty! Please hold me!

Franz: Everyone is watching. You must act like an Empress.

Elisabeth:
If I have you beside me
I won’t fear any storm

Lucheni: And so the two departed for their night of love. Wonderful, wonderful! And yet again, things don't go according to plan. First thing the next morning, she gets a visitor…



Scene 10: Sisi's Bedroom

Sophie: Where is the empress?

Lichtenstein: She’s still sleeping.

Sophie: Hurry and wake her!

Lichtenstein: Yes.


(An Empress’ Duty)

Sophie (Ladies in Waiting):
She’s still too young
She has no drive
What that girl needs
Is to obey

She’s too provincial
(Really!)
Her manners are terrible
(Terrible!)
She thinks of herself first
And forgets her obligations

An empress’ duty is to bear any hardship
And to sacrifice everything for the royal house

Ladies in Waiting: You’re quite right, of course!

Elisabeth:
Good morning! What is it?

Sophie (Elisabeth):
Why have you overslept?
(It’s only 5 o’clock.)
You shouldn’t be so lazy.
(I was still tired.)
At exactly 5 o’clock each morning
Everything begins.

Elisabeth:
But his majesty said
I might sleep in

Sophie:
Last night, no doubt you
Slept very soundly

Elisabeth:
Not at all

Sophie:
That’s what I heard

Elisabeth:
His majesty wouldn’t have told you that

Sophie:
He conceals nothing from me

Elisabeth:
It’s not true

Sophie (Elisabeth):
We share a very close bond
(It's impossible!)

I’m speaking only out of kindness
(I know!)
I don’t want to fight
(Neither do I)
You must adhere to tradition
And obtain permission for everything

Elisabeth:
I’ll ride my horse

Sophie (Lichtenstein):
You mustn’t! (It’s dangerous.)
It’s not proper for an empress. (That’s so.)

Elisabeth:
Why not?

Sophie:
You must abide by our ancient traditions

All but Elisabeth:
An empress’ duty is to bear any hardship
And to sacrifice everything for the royal house

Sophie:
Has your face been washed?

Elisabeth:
I’ll do it now

Sophie (Lichtenstein):
Show me your teeth (Open your mouth)
They’re so yellow!

Elisabeth:
I’ll clean them

Sophie:
Until they’re gleaming white

Elisabeth:
You won’t even let me ride,
And you do nothing but criticize me!

Sophie:
It’s an empress's education
You’re so rude!

Elisabeth:
You’re jealous of me!

Sophie:
Don’t be ridiculous.

Elisabeth:
I...

Sophie:
... Will learn humility

Elisabeth:
I’m...

Sophie:
... Appalling!

Sophie:
Franz, help me!
I’m counting on you!

Chorus (Sophie) (Elisabeth):
An empress’ duty is to bear any hardship
(It’s merely motherly guidance; an empress's education)
(Your mother is tormenting me!)

And to sacrifice everything for the royal house
(Everything must be sacrificed for the royal house)
(This place is a prison!)

Franz Joseph:
Mother…

I’m on your side
But I’m sure that my mother’s advice
Was intended only for your own good

Do you understand?

Sophie: Be strong! Be strict!

Elisabeth: I understand. … You’re abandoning me!

Franz: Sisi!

Elisabeth: Leave me alone!



Scene 11: The Ether

(Only To Me)

Elisabeth:
It's no use,
Trying to play the demure Empress
I can't do it!
I'm not an adorable doll
I don't belong to you—
Not I

I want to climb high on a tightrope,
And feel the thrill of looking down on the world
And go on adventures, all by myself

If you try to force duties upon me,
I pull back
If you try to catch hold of me
I fly away

I'm like a bird breaking free,
And aiming for the light
As it flies into the night sky—
But then it loses its way and
It’s only me

It's no use!
I'm exposed to every eye
I’m singled out by every gossip
But I'm no one's possession—not I

My true self isn't here in the palace,
Where no one is permitted
To live in freedom!

And so, my body may be married into the royal house
But I won't let them take charge of my life
This life of mine can be entrusted
Only to me!

To me!


The Round of Love and Death (2)

Death:
If I send you back to that life
At that moment you'll forget me
Until I win your love… you’ll be trapped



Scene 12: The Couple's Bonds

Lucheni: His Excellency again refused to take Elisabeth’s life. But the girl didn’t know it. She could see only what was in front of her own eyes.


(The First Year of Marriage, and the Second)

Lucheni:
The first year of their marriage, the emperor was busy
His new wife was forced to wait, alone
The second year, a girl child was born
She wasn’t given the responsibility of raising it

Elisabeth:
Where is my daughter?

Sophie:
I have taken charge of her.

Elisabeth:
Please give her back.

Sophie:
I refuse.

Elisabeth:
While I was unaware you gave her your name.

Sophie:
She’s my first grandchild.

Elisabeth:
Listen to me—your mother has stolen our daughter
(A child for a child)
She’s gone too far and something must be done
(She won’t be allowed to raise it)

Franz Joseph:
It’s all right. Mama has much more experience. You must leave it to her.
(The mother is the one in need of training)

Elisabeth:
I understand. You-

Franz:
Let's make a compromise.

Elisabeth:
You’re my enemy!

Franz:
Accept it. There’s nothing else to be done.

Elisabeth:
My child! Give me back my child!

Lucheni:
In the third year, another daughter was born
That child too was snatched away
And the Empress realized for the first time
That her beauty could be put to use

Franz:
Your beauty will become a force
(The beautiful empress)
(The strategy to defeat all opposition)
Won’t you come with me, to Hungary?
(She’ll save the Empire)
(She'll bewilder the people with her beauty, and stir up popular feeling)

Elisabeth:
If you return my children, I shall go with you no matter how far
(She goes with her beauty to Hungary, and to Italy as well)
(The beautiful Empress will save the Empire)
First, my children
(I’ll negotiate)
Return them to me
(With my mother)

Lucheni:
In the fourth year, at last, the children were returned
The imperial couple set off on a journey to Hungary
And there...



Scene 13: A Visit to Hungary

Stephan: Heeey! The carriage is here!

Jura: The Austrian Emperor is coming!

Group: All right!

Elemer: You all have your flags ready, yes?

Group: Yes!

Elemer: When the Emperor comes to the top of the steps, we will all stand together!

Group: Yes!

Stephan: Elemer, is it really all right for a member of the eldest noble family of Hungary to do this?

Elemer: Yes. My father was executed for treason. As his son, I shall win our independence! Stephan, you’ll join me in my work?

Stephan: Yes! Let’s go.

Jura: It’s the Emperor.

Mayor: To thank His Majesty the Emperor, let us give three cheers in Hungarian! Éljen, Franz Joseph!

Crowd: Éljen, Franz Joseph!

Elemer: Independence for Hungary!

Crowd: Independence for Hungary!

Stephan: Go home to Vienna, you Habsburgs!

Crowd: Go home!

Franz: Stop!
Let’s go home.

Elisabeth: Wait.

Franz: Sisi...

Jura: It’s our tricolored flag!

Stephan: She’s wearing the tricolored flag.

Elisabeth: Éljen, Hungary!

Crowd: Éljen, Hungary!

Man: Éljen, Elisabeth!

Crowd: Éljen, Elisabeth!
Éljen~~~!

Jura: Elemer... Damn it!

Stephan: Jura, stay strong!

Jura: Stephan!

Stephan: Don’t! That’s the pride of Hungary!

Elemer: The pride of Hungary has fallen into the hands of the Empress.

Jura: Now what shall we do?

Elemer: Damn her! That bitch!

Man: Wait, Elemer!

Elemer: I’ll shoot her dead.

Death:
It’s time to end the long silence
You must all rise up
A single woman can move a nation
You can’t afford to ignore her
Go! To Vienna!

The darkness is spreading
People can’t see a thing
Someone is crying out
Wandering, lost, as they follow the voice



Scene 14: The Café in Vienna

Luigi: Elisabeth's beauty was very helpful in Hungary. By the time the royal couple returns to Vienna, everyone there is tired of reading about them in the papers. ... Go ahead.


(Killing Time)

Café Man:
Is there any news?

Café Man:
Not really.

Café Man:
The emperor has come home.

Café Man:
In Hungary, the Empress is astonishingly popular.
They say she rescued them from a crisis.

Luigi:
Really?

Café Man:
Elisabeth's beauty regime is a milk bath and a honey pack.

Café Man:
She follows a diet of eggs and oranges.

Café Man:
Her waist measures less than twenty inches.

All:
The news of the royal family is so dull.
But it kills time neatly.


Luigi: Everyone is bored, and the months and days pass. Then one day, visitors come from far away.

: Can I help you?

Stephan: We're waiting for someone.

Jura: Someone we've never met before.

Elemer: He should be reading the Book of Revelations.

Luigi: Well then...

Elemer: I'm pleased to meet you.

Zeps: I'm Zeps.

Stephan: Thank you for your letter.

Jura: We are comrades.

Elemer: We have supporters in Austria.

All: The bravest possible.

Zeps:
Just a moment; come this way.
If we stay in this café, we needn't worry.
Everyone here is listless and bored.

Elemer:
This underground newspaper you sent out-
We distributed it to everyone and it opened their eyes.

All:
We'll wake up the sleeping citizens
And overthrow the imperial government

Café Man:
Big news today!
The empress has given birth to a boy!
The prince's name is Rudolf!

All:
Her mother-in-law Sophie has taken the boy away.
That poor prince Rudolf.

Luigi:
All kinds of people gather
In the cafés in Vienna
You may meet again
Someone you almost certainly met somewhere once before

Elemer:
To see you here....

Death:
An unexpected meeting.

All:
Please, join with us!

We'll wake up the sleeping citizens
And overthrow the imperial government
(The news of the royal family is so dull
But it kills time neatly)

Zeps: All right, I'll explain the plan. Everyone listen closely.

All: All right!



Scene 15: Sisi's Living Room

Elisabeth

Franz Joseph:
Elisabeth, please open your door
I miss you; I long to be with you
I have nothing but problems again today
Negotiations with France
The economy is failing
And the war continues
We’re dealing with the revolution and there’s a typhoid epidemic

I want to feel your gentleness
Wrapped around me
I want to sleep peacefully
If only for tonight
Please open the door,
Kind-hearted Elisabeth

Elisabeth (Franz Joseph):
Your mother would be happy to listen
If you told her all this
(Sisi!)
Forgive me—
(Why?)
They’re disciplining Rudolf too cruelly
(I haven’t heard that.)
They’re beating him.
Hitting a small child with a stick.
(It’s customary.)
It’s barbaric! I can’t stand any more.
You must choose one of us.
It’s your mother... or me!

Elisabeth: This is my formal appeal to you. If you don’t wish to lose me, please read my conditions. I want the children’s education left to me. I want to decide for myself what my own children will do and what will be done to them. Read it carefully, and inform me when you have made your decision. Is it your mother – or me?

Now, please, leave me alone.

Death:
Elisabeth, don’t weep
Rest here in my arms
Now is the time for you to be free
In an eternal world with no end
Elisabeth. Let’s go… together

Elisabeth:
No! I won’t run away!
It’s too soon to give up
Only if I’m alive
Can I be free
Get out! I won’t rely on you!



Scene 16: In the Streets of Vienna

Lucheni: Milk! Hey, milk! How about some nice milk? All right, all right; wait just a minute.

Someone: This is all?!

Lucheni: That’s the last person.

Someone: There isn’t any more?

Lucheni: It’s all I have right now.

Someone: I have a baby!

Someone else: I have four people!

Lucheni: I’ve run out.


(Milk)

Chorus:
Milk. Out again today! Why?

Lucheni:
If there’s none, there’s none!

Chorus:
I can’t go back with nothing
My children are waiting at home

While we’re so hungry you can see through our stomachs
There are some overwhelmed by luxury

Death (Chorus):
(Yes!)
Where has the milk gone?
(Where?)
There’s a place with plenty of it
(And that’s?)
There’s milk in a bath
(Whose?)
The Empress’s!
(Huh?)
Yes!

Chorus (Lucheni)
If that’s the truth, it’s pretty shameless
(It’s true. It’s written in the paper)
Children starve, the sick faint, and we all suffer
(Her beauty could save the country)

Rather than focus overseas, look to your own country!

Death:
The people are furious.

Chorus:
If you abandon us, we’ll have our revenge.

Death:
It’s time to rise up!

Chorus:
Yes!

Lucheni (Chorus):
What do you mean, the Empress’s good looks
(What!)
Could save the country?
(No way!)
No one believes it
(No one!)
Oh, really?
(Really!)

Death:
Now!

Death (Chorus):
Show her the anger of her people!
(The time has come! Rise up! Demand your rights!)
(Overthrow the imperial government!)

It’s the end of the Habsburgs
(The time has come! Rise up!)
(Revolution! Arise! Revolution!)

(It’s drawing near; rise up!)
(Demand your rights!)
(The people’s revolution begins!)

All:
We’ll take hold of this new era with both hands!


Elemer: Yes, everyone! Let’s rise up!


(Yami ga Hirogaru ~ reprise)

Death:
The darkness is spreading
People can't see a thing
Someone is crying out
But the scream fades away



Scene 17: The Changing Room ~ In the Mirror

Lichtenstein: Quickly! You mustn’t spill the milk. Come now, hurry! The Empress is waiting.

(An Empress’s Duty)

Lichtenstein (Ladies in Waiting):
It’s time for her bath
Hurry; carry that in
The milk must be poured over her back
Before it grows cold

Is the pack prepared?
(Here it is.)
And the shampoo made?
(Here I have the white of one egg
and three cups of cognac.)
Perfect!

An Empress’s duty is
(Milk baths)
To polish her beauty
(Honey packs)
In order to aid diplomatic relations
(Even the shampoo specially made)

Her Majesty eats nothing each day but three eggs and two oranges. And each day she spends at least three hours doing gymnastics in order to maintain her figure.

An Empress’s duty is
(Diet too)
To polish her beauty
(Gymnastics too)
So the prestige of her country
(So the prestige of her country)
Is seen by the whole world
(May be seen by the whole world)

Franz Joseph: *ahem*

Lichtenstein: Your Majesty!

Ladies in Waiting: (The Emperor is here!) (How unusual! Why is he here so late?) (Why could it be?)

Franz: Where is the Empress? There is a matter I wish to discuss with her.

Lichtenstein: She is through there, completing her beauty regimen. But she can hear your voice, so please go ahead and speak.


(Only to Me - Reprise)

Franz:
I read your letter so many times
I must have your love
I couldn't bear to live without you

Our son's education will be left to you
And I'll abide by all your other wishes
Anything you want is yours

It is an Emperor's duty to restrain his emotions
But if I face the risk of losing you, I'll break all my convictions

Elisabeth:
I'm happy to hear these words from you
I'd like to go on together with Your Majesty
However, my life is my own

Death:
Because I allowed you your life
You've found its meaning

(Elisabeth):
(This life I have can be entrusted)
(Only to me!)

I can't see anyone but you. I love you!

Elisabeth!

END OF ACT ONE


Created by jenebi. Last Modification: Thursday 18 of July, 2013 02:25:29 GMT-0000 by caithion.

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