Cenerentola
Cinderella
CLORINDA:
Nope, no one can perform a light-footed dance like me!
TISBE:
Yes, that goes well there. Better yet there; no, better here to make me stand out.
BOTH SISTERS
Before such art, before such beauty, everyone must succumb.
CENERENTOLA:
Once upon a time, there was a king,
Who got tired of living without a wife.
He searched and found not one but three suitable brides, all of whom wanted to marry him.
What does he do? He scorns pomp and beauty,
And at the end he chooses for himself innocence and goodness.
SISTERS
Cinderella, stop it with that same old song.
CENERENTOLA:
Near the fire, in a corner come, let me sing.
Once upon a time, there was a king…
SISTERS
“And two kings and three….” Over and over.
Will you put a stop to it, yes or no?
Shut up or we’ll beat the daylights out of you…
CENERENTOLA:
Once upon a time…
ALL
Who can it be?
ALIDORA:
A bit of charity.
SISTERS
Beggars! Out of here!
CENERENTOLA:
Quiet! Come, take this bit of breakfast.
ALIDORA:
Perhaps Heaven will reward you before nightfall.
SISTERS
No woman other than myself
knows how to awaken sweet passion in men.
ALIDORA:
Before nightfall, will give you…
CLORINDA:
But what do I see! Still there!
TISBE:
With bread? And coffee?
SISTERS: (throwing)
Take this, this is for you.
CENERENTOLA:
Who will help me?
ALIDORA:
Stop it, for pity’s sake!
CHORUS:
O charming daughters of Don Magnifico,
The prince, Ramiro, will soon come.
He will take you to his palace. There will be singing, there will be dancing;
Then the most beautiful among all other women
shall become his dearest wife.
CLORINDA:
But where is the prince?
CHORUS:
He will come soon.
SISTERS + CENERENTOLA:
And the most beautiful?
CHORUS:
Will be chosen.
SISTERS:
Cinderella come here, my shoes, my bonnet.
My feathers, my necklace…
I feel as if I have a glowing forge in my brain.
I am more beautiful, and I want to win.
At a smile and tender glance, Don Ramiro will fall for me.
CENERENTOLA:
Cinderella come here
Cinderella go there
Cinderella go up
Cinderella come down…
ALIDORA:
A forge is creating such hammering in those crazy girl’s brains,
I want to laugh and burst.
SISTERS
I am more beautiful, and I want to win.
CENERENTOLA:
This is a real drudgery
Do you want to make me die?
SISTERS
At a smile and tender glance, Don Ramiro will fall.
CENERENTOLA:
One goes to the party, the other to have a good time;
And I stay here and sigh.
ALIDORA:
A forge is creating such hammering in those crazy girl’s brains,
But already at hand is calamity for them, I want to laugh and burst.
SISTERS:
Don Ramiro will fall for me.
CENERENTOLA:
Do you want me to die?