Death and Opera

Death and Opera

By John Hawkins

 

Someone is going to die.

The question the chorus asks first

always is "Chi morirà?"

 

This is no place for small emotions,

no room for tepid gestures or timid steps.

 

We must love deeply now,

laugh loudly,

gasp in shock and horror

so that the emotion

cannot be mistaken.

 

And when the time comes

when someone must die,

let it be done extravagantly,

with an orchestra,

and let it be well sung.

 

Posted