opera in yuk-minor (Act 1 Scene 2)

Back to Act 1 Scene 1

Back to Opera In Yuk-Minor

Scene 2

            Storyteller

Ah, love blooms in the heart of a young maiden. Love that was forbidden by the Holy See. But the flower of love finds a way to grow in the most adverse conditions. The question is: Will it wither in the heat of zealous persecution? And what about Cardinal Bishop Louis Paschal? Is he in love with the peasant woman Beatriz Enriquex de Arana? Or does his love reach into the most forbidden annals of ancient dogma? Let us turn our attention to the monastery as Father Paschal greets his friend and benefactor, Alonso Montilleo. 

            Louis

Ah, Alonso, my friend. It’s been awhile. Where have you been hiding?

            Alonso

Indeed, Father, I have been hiding.

            Louis

My, Alonso, this is indeed serious. I have never seen you like this.

            Alonso

I have never been like this. I must confess my sins.

            Louis

Then, please tell them to me. The Lord will instruct us as how to forgive.

            Alonso

Forgiveness I need, for I have transgressed. I have done a deed far greater than sin.

            Louis

What is this sin?

            Alonso

I have laid down with men.

            Louis

Have you told anyone?

            Alonso

No one.

            Louis

This is indeed serious, but the Lord can forgive.

            Alonso

The Lord may forgive but the villagers will not. I’m afraid a burning stake awaits for me.

            Louis

Then we must keep this our secret.

            Alonso

We keep my sin a secret?

            Louis

We must!

            Alonso

How can we? 

            Louis

It can be easier than you realize. We all have secrets. We all hide lies.

            Alonso

Even you Father?

            Louis

Yes, even I.

            Alonso

Then, Father, please let us make a bond. I’ve told you my sin, you tell me yours.

            Louis

What for?

            Alonso

We’ll be bonded together in secrecy, no one will ever know. You could never speak of mine, and I could never speak of yours.

            Louis

I’m not sure.

            Alonso

Does God only forgive me? Is His love too small? Can He not forgive you? 

            Louis

The Lord is gracious. Man is not. But if it means that much to you, then I will bond with you, and reveal to you, only what is true.

            Alonso

Then, Father speak truth.

            Louis

The Holy See says I must be celibate. But I have found love. Or, rather it has found me.

            Alonso

Father, that is no sin.

            Louis

Alonso, my friend, please be careful. Some would find your words as heresy.

            Alonso

I will, Father. Please pardon my error.

            Louis

The Lord forgives and so do I.

            Alonso

Please, Father, say more about your secret. What is it like? What do you feel? What can you tell me? What can you reveal?

            Louis

The feeling is like no other. No other that I’ve known. I’ve seen it in the city. I’ve seen it on the streets. But now I’ve made it mine. It’s become my very own.

--It's Love (Reprise)

            Louis

♫ It’s love!

How can it be that he never sees it’s love?

It’s plain to see that when he looks at me, it’s love.

I wish to be with him eternally, my love,

But the Holy See would never let it be, 

Our love.

It’s love! It’s love! It’s glorious love!

The kind there’ll never be enough of.

It’s love! It’s love! It’s beautiful love!

The kind that God sends down from above.

It’s love.

In my dreams our love is yearning,

In my dreams our hearts are burning.

In my dreams love is burning and lust is churning,

In my dreams.

In my dreams I’m floating on the sea,

In my dreams he is holding me.

In my dreams all that I see is he holding me,

In my dreams.

In my dreams he is touching me,

In my dreams he makes love to me.

In my dreams all that I need is he loving me,

In my dreams.

It’s love! It’s love! It’s glorious love!

The kind there’ll never be enough of.

It’s love! It’s love! It’s beautiful love!

The kind that God sends down from above.

It’s love.

There is no doubt, he can never find out, it’s love.

With him it’s wrong, but my feelings are strong, it’s love.

My lips I seal, I must hide what I feel, my love,

He cannot know, I must never let it show,

Our love.

But it’s love! It’s love! It’s glorious love!

The kind there’ll never be enough of.

It’s love! It’s love! It’s beautiful love!

The kind that God sends down from above.

It’s love.

It’s love. ♫

            Alonso

Father!! You are in love with a man?!?

            Louis

I have revealed the secrets of my heart. Our bond is secure. 

            Alonso

I tell no one! But, Father, who can this man be? Who is it that can stir such feelings in one noble as you?

            Louis

Do you not know?

            Alonso

I do not know. Who can it be?

            Louis

It is you.

            Alonso

Me?!?

            Louis

Yes, you, Alonso, my love.

            Alonso

I never knew.

            Louis

How could you?

            Alonso

You never told me.

            Louis

It was a secret I could never speak.

            Alonso

What do we do?

            Louis

What can we say?

            Alonso

I say I do. What say you?

            Louis

What say I?

            Louis & Alonso

♫ I say it’s love! It’s love! It’s glorious love!

The kind there’ll never be enough of.

It’s love! It’s love! It’s beautiful love!

The kind that God sends down from above.

It’s love. 

It’s love! It’s love! It’s love!! ♫

            Storyteller

This lover’s embrace is interrupted by the approaching of the young peasant, Beatriz. Alonso slips away as Father Paschal greets her.

            Louis

Ah, how art thou, fair Beatriz?

            Beatriz

Good day, Father. I come to confess my sins.

            Louis

This is a good day for confession. The Lord will lighten your load.

            Beatriz

Fear grips my tongue, dear Father. 

            Louis

There is no need for fear. There have been miracles today. Love is in the air.

            Beatriz

Love is the cause of my fear.

            Louis

Why, my dear, Beatriz, what young man has stole your heart?

            Beatriz

He is noble. I am not worthy of his attention. He knows not of my affection. This is worrisome. This affliction called “love.”

            Louis

Then you must tell him. Bear your heart and he will respond. It is God’s Will that this be done.

            Beatriz

But, dear, Father, he may not be able. Our lives are as different as water is to air. It may not matter even if he cared.

            Louis

Only a fool would deny your love. Is he a fool?

            Beatriz

No, Father, he is not a fool. Though folly is my love for him. I should never have spoken of these things.

            Louis

If fear still freezes your heart, then tell me and I will speak to the fool.

            Beatriz

I am frighten, Father!

            Louis

Beatriz, please, it is the Lord’s Will!

            Beatriz (fleeing from the monastery)

It is you!!

            Louis

It is I?!? 

It is I.

Go to Act 1 Scene 3

Back to Act 1 Scene 1

Back to Opera In Yuk-Minor