DONIZETTI

THE TUTOR IN A TANGLE

(L’ajo nell Imbarazzo)

Gregorio, the much put-upon, crusty but kindhearted old tutor, tries to explain to Don Giulio why his son Enrico has lately been going around with such a long face:

Excellency: your son Enrico

Suffers from a youth so bleak -- o-

Bliged I am the truth to speak -- oh,

Sir! Confined week after week, o-

Bedient, ever at his studies,

Seeing only fuddy-duddies,

Never time for recreation,

No amusement, no vacation,

Never dancing, never frolic --

Who would not grow melancholic?

Sir, the case is not unique -- oh,

Yes! I see why trouble’s risen:

Poor Enrico’s in a prison!

Even Gregorio has not guessed the real reason for Enrico’s perturbation. In fact, he has been secretly wedded for a year, and has very recently become a father. How to break the news to stern Don Giulio? Gregorio refuses to lend a hand:

Thunder, fire, expect catastrophe!

With a blast, the storm will burst.

Count me out, my skin comes first.

When he learns that you’re a husband,

Furthermore, the wife a mother,

Oh, that tiger! Oh, that fury of a father!

He’ll explode, he’ll rage, he’ll roar!

Be prepared; expect the worst.

When he learns that you are wedded,

You’ll not find Papa cool-headed.

Be prepared; expect the worst.

Count me out, my skin comes first.

Gregorio’s heart is melted by the tears of a mother, separated from her baby:

Quiet, quiet, quiet, quiet!

Stop the sobbing, stop it, stop it!

Put the hanky back and dry it;

You will get your little moppet

Safe and sound, and on your lap.

Let the world say what it wishes,

Caught in my position, dammit,

None but brute with heart of granite

Would refuse to take the rap.