I hope the delay in posting was worth it. Although I have a feeling not many people, if any, are reading this. If you do actually read this, please review! I would appreciate it muchly. Thanks.
Hmm, it's probably time for a disclaimer as to what I own. I own a CD of La Traviata with Ileana Cortubas, which includes the libretto, a DVD with Teresa Stratas, and an Italian dictionary. What more does one need?
Violetta's POV:
Gastone came behind me and scanned the table. "You're right; there are only two empty chairs."
"How strange! The servants reported no unexpected arrivals." I looked among those seated; I knew most of them, of course, at least in passing, but friends did have a way of multiplying, and so many had taken more friends of their own. Someone could have easily slipped in.
Alfredo went to my other side. "Since I had never met you before, perhaps the servants did not know to set a place for me.
But they should have heard that Gastone was bringing a friend. "Very well, it is no matter." I waved for a servant. "Bring another chair and table setting."
Once that was settled, we all sat, I between Gastone and Alfredo. "Now, where was I?"
"You just sang 'Miei cari, sedete,'" said a youth whom I didn't know, seated next to Alfredo. "I believe 'È al convito che s'apre ogni cor,' [And every heart opens itself to the banquet] comes next."
I raised an eyebrow; how did he know what I was going to sing next? "Who are you?" For that matter, he didn't quite match with the other guests; younger than usual, with clothing of a strange cut and a trace of an accent when he spoke. And he was so pale, as well; could he be sick like me?
"Never mind." His dark, heavy eyebrows lowered. "Please, continue singing."
I blinked, taken aback. As soon as I launched into "È al convito che s'apre ogni cor," the accompaniment started up again, and Gastone went on to tell me how, while I was ill, Alfredo had spent so much time and energy inquiring after my wellbeing. I doubted it, of course; I was used to this kind of banter, but it really did seem like they were taking it too far.
We all conversed for a little while, in song, and for a moment, I felt a faint glimmer of hope; perhaps Alfredo was so dedicated because he really was a kind soul. "Le mie grazie vi rendo," ["I give you my thanks."] I told him, then shot at my lover, across the table: "Voi, Barone, non feste altrettanto." ["You, Baron, never did as much."]
Baron Douphol spluttered. "Vi conosco da un anno soltano." ["I've known you for only a year."]
I waved a hand disdainfully. "Et ei solo da qualche minuto." ["And he for only a few minutes."]
The youth next to Alfredo snorted, and Douphol turned to glare at him. "Have you been eavesdropping?"
"Um…" His eyes looked back and forth, as if searching for an excuse. "…not intentionally?"
Douphol turned to Flora. "M'è increscioso quel giovin." ["That youth annoys me."]
"No! You're supposed to say that about Alfredo! And not quite yet!" He gasped. "Pretend I didn't say that."
I looked at him in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
Flora gaped. "I forgot what I was going to say."
"Well great." The youth scowled, eyebrows lowered deeply. "Please, just never mind."
Gastone blinked. "What were we talking about?"
I turned back, still pondering. I wouldn't be surprised at all if that queer person proved to have been uninvited and the reason for the mistaken number of settings. "I was just thanking your friend, Alfredo, for his dedication."
Gastone nodded and turned to Alfredo. "E tu dunque non apri più bocca?" ["And so you've not yet opened your mouth?"]
"È a madama che scuoterlo tocca." ["It is for the lady to rouse the tongue."] The Marquis gave me a pointed look, grinning.
I reached over and poured some wine for Alfredo. "Sarò l'Ebe che versa." ["I'll be Hebe, who pours drinks."]
Alfredo smiled. "E ch'io bramo immortal come quella." ["I hope that you be immortal like her."]
I noticed that the youth was still watching us, smiling contentedly the whole time. What was he, some kind of voyeur? I wasn't sure I liked having him there.
As everyone around the table began singing the chorus "Beviamo, beviamo, beviam!" ["Let's drink, let's drink, let's drink!"], I watched him through the corner of my eye. His voice was distinct; loud, clear, very deep, and almost in tune.
Gastone went on to ask Douphol if he could give us a toast, but, typically, that dour man could think of nothing. Instead, he asked Alfredo, and although reluctant at first, when he asked if I would like it, and I said yes, that was enough to get him to start. He certainly was, if nothing else, a very earnest man.
"Libiamo ne' lieti calici,
"Che la bellezza infiora;
"E la fuggevol ora
"S'inebriì a voluttà.
"Libiam ne' dolci fremiti
"Che suscita l'amore,
"Poichè quell'ochio al core
"Onnipotente va.
"Libiamo, amore, amor fra i calici
"Più caldi baci avrà."
["Let's drink of happy cups,
"Which beauty flowers;
"And the fleeting hour
"Inebriates itself from pleasure.
"Let's drink of sweet thrills
"That inspire love
"As such eyes go
"Omnipotent to the heart.
"Let's drink, love, love between the cups
"There will be warmer kisses."]
I let myself smile slightly; beautiful, Alfredo, such melodies of joy… would that I were so joyous. But I can make myself rejoice… I must!
I sipped at my wine. I could feel the warmth seeping within me already; perhaps if I took more, I could forget all about my illness, even loneliness—but no. This was my own party, and through the revelries, I must not let myself become tipsy. I looked out among the singing chorus, so carefree as they went through their verses:
"Ah! Libiam, amor fra' calici
"Più caldi baci avrà"
["Ah! Let's drink, love between the cups
"There will be warmer kisses."]
The voyeur boy was still watching me intently, and I noticed that he hadn't even taken any wine. What is he doing, just here to gape at me? I hope he doesn't keep trailing after me everywhere. Why even be at a party if you're not going to have a little wine?
I stood, ready to sing my response.
"Tra voi saprò dividere
"Il tempo mio giocondo;
"Tutto è follia nel mondo
"Ciò che non è piacer.
"Godiam, fugace e rapido
"È il gaudio dell'amore;
"È un fior che nasce e muore,
"Nè più si può goder.
"Godiam!
"C'invita un fervido
"Accento lusinghier."
["Among you I would think to share
"The time of my happiness;
"All is folly in the world
"That is not pleasure.
"Let's enjoy; fleeting and rapid
"Is the joy of love;
"Like a flower that is born and dies,
"No longer to be enjoyed.
"Let's enjoy!
"While a fervent note
"Invites us, flattering."]
The chorus sprang up again, but I wasn't really listening now, as I looked across the table to Alfredo. He seemed so stolid, so dedicated, and within my chest I could feel a quickening heartbeat. No… ignore that… it means nothing, and he is only acting…
And the chorus sang around us:
"Ah! Godiamo!
"La tazza e il cantico
"La notte abbella e il riso
"In questo paradiso
"Ne scopra il nuovo di"
["Ah! Let's enjoy!
"The cup and the canticle
"The night of beauty and the laughter
"In this paradise
"From here uncovers the new day"]
I sang over to Alfredo, trying to keep my racing breathing under control. "La vita è nel tripudio." ["Life is only rejoicing."]
His eyes met mine, as if they reached over and called. "Quando non s'ami ancora…" ["Only when you still don't love…"]
I broke the gaze. "Nol dite a chi l'ignora." ["Don't speak to one whom it ignores."]
"È il mio destin così." ["So is my destiny."]
I winced inwardly as we sat again and the chorus took over with the drinking song. Alfredo was so persistent! I wasn't up for this kind of thing… and surely he was taunting me, oh too much. I picked at my food, not feeling like I had much appetite remaining.
And I wasn't alone in my pickiness, either. That youth besides Alfredo seemed so into the singing, deep voice, still not completely past adolescence, projecting within the chorus, his own kind of joy bursting within… but he hadn't touched the wine, nor were there any remnants of beef or pork upon his plate. Skinny and pale, picky in what food he chose, table manners clearly lacking in refinement, obsessed with watching me, irked at being noticed, yet clearly exultant to be there… who was this?