Texts and Translations for Les grâces: Handel vs. Telemann Telemann, "Locke nur, Erde, mit schmeichelndem Reize!" Text by Michael Richey (1678-1761), after Philippians 3:17-21 trans. by Ahrendt/Bauer Aria Locke nur, Erde, mit schmeichelndem Reize! Ich folge meines Heilands Creuze: Sein Joch ist sanft und seine Last ist leicht. Mein Wandel soll schon hier auf Erden dem seinen trachten gleich zu werden, bis dort mein Leib auch seinem Leibe gleicht. Recitative Verstummet nur, verkehrte Lehrer, die ihr, die weil ihr selbst den Bauch statt Gottes ehrt, die Herzen unverwahrter Hörer nur gar zu oft aufs Eitle kehrt! O nein, mein Christ, zerreiß die schnöden Bande, in welchen nur dein Ruhm zur Schande, dein Ende zur Verdammnis wird! Laß deinen Heiland selbst, und treuer Diener Leben, dir nur allein ein unbeflecktes Vorbild geben! So kann dein Wandel schon auf Erden himmlisch sein, bis jene Freudenzeit, da keine Noth dich mehr beschweret, zu we’ger Herrlichkeit den nicht’gen Leib verkläret. Aria Verlass den Bau der ird’schen Hütte! Komm, folge deines Heilands Schritte! Sein heiligs Auge leitet dich. Der Schatz, den er dir dort erlesen, ist Freude die Fülle und liebliches Wesen zur Rechten Gottes ewiglich. ***** Translation Telemann, "Locke nur" Aria You may woo, Earth, with flattering charms! But I follow my savior’s cross: For his yoke is mild and his load is light. My life shall, already here on earth, attempt to become similar to his, Until there my body is the same as his body. Recitative Be silent, false teachers, You who lead, while honoring the belly instead of God, The hearts of unwatchful listeners So often to idleness! O no, my Christ, burst the disdainful bonds, In which your glory is brought to shame, and your end to damnation! Let only your savior, and the life of your true servant, Provide a pure example to you! So can your life already be heavenly on earth, until the blessed moment, when no hardship can trouble you longer, and to eternal glory the worthless body is transfigured. Aria Leave behind the construction of the earthly dwelling! Come, follow your savior’s footsteps! His sacred vision leads you. The treasure that he has stored up for you, is fullness of joy and a lovely existence at the right hand of God forevermore. ***** Handel, "Un alma innamorata" Recitativo Un’alma innamorata, prigioniera d’amore, vive troppo infelice. Divien sempre maggiore il mal che non intende, alor che nell’amar schiava si rende. Aria Quel povero core ferito d’amore sospira, se adira, se vive fedel. Sia il solo dolore geloso timore, le pene e catene martire crudel. Recitativo E pur benché egli veda morta del suo servir - la speme istessa, vuole col suo languir - viver con essa. Aria Io godo, rido e spero ed amo più d’un core e so ridir perché. Se segue il mio pensiero un vagabondo amore, cercate voi dov’è! Recitativo In quanto a me, ritrovo del riso ogni diletto, se sprezzo dell’amore le sue severe leggi, ed il rigore. Aria Ben impari come se ama in amor chi vuol goder. Non ha pari alla mia brama il rigor del nume arcier. ***** Translation Handel, "Un alma innamorata" Recitative A soul in love, captive of love, lives too unhappily. The pain which it does not understand becomes greater and greater, once it surrenders as a slave in loving. Aria That poor heart, wounded by love sighs [and] becomes angry if it lives faithfully. Let its only suffering be jealous fear, And let cruel torments be its pains and chains. Recitative And yet, although he sees hope itself lie dead from its service [of love], he wants to live with it in his languishing. Aria I rejoice, laugh and hope, and love more than one heart, and I can tell why. If my thought follows a vagabond love, then you go and find where it is! Recitative As for me, I rediscover all the delight of laughter, if I scorn the harsh laws And the severity of love. Aria Let him who wants to rejoice in love learn how one goes about loving. The severity of the archer-god Is not equal to my desire