The Metropolitan Opera HD Live (2006–…): Season 7, Episode 7 - Berlioz: Les Troyens - full transcript

What rapture to breathe the pure air of freedom...

...after ten years of war!

What joy to breathe the pure air of freedom!

The cries of battle will never be heard again!

What rapture to breathe the pure air of freedom.

Look, a spear! A helmet! Two javelins!

These giant shields could carry
a man over the waves!

What cowards these Greeks are!

Do you know whose tent
was on this very spot?

No. Tell us!

The tent of Achilles!



Don't be afraid.

Achilles is dead, and over there is his grave.

It's true!

Paris has delivered us
from that murderous monster!

Have you seen the wooden horse
they built before sailing for Greece?

That colossal horse, their offering to Athena...

...could hold a battalion!

They're taking down the walls
to bring it into the city.

The king is coming soon to look at it.

�Where is it?
�Down by the shore!

Let's go see.

The Greeks have vanished.

But what fatal design lies
behind their sudden departure?

Everything justifies my grim prophecies.



I have seen Hector's ghost on the ramparts.

Like a night watchman...

...he gazes out toward the Straits of Sigeum.

Bitter fortune!

In their madness the people leave the city.

And my father, King Priam, leads them.

Unfortunate king!

You are doomed to descend
into everlasting darkness.

They do not listen to me.

They do not understand.

Unfortunate people!

They do not see the horror that I foresee.

Chorebus himself thinks I have lost my reason.

The thought of him increases my dread.

Chorebus! He loves me,
and is loved in return.

But there will be no marriage,
no love, no joyful songs.

No more dreams of happiness.

I must submit to my inexorable fate.

Unfortunate king!

You are doomed to descend
into everlasting darkness.

They do not listen to me.

They do not understand.

Unfortunate people!

They do not see the horror that I foresee.

Chorebus....

He must leave Troy.

When all Troy echoes with rejoicing,
you flee the festivities...

...to be alone in the fields.

Everyone is anxious about you.

I cannot reveal to you
the dread that fills my soul!

Come, Cassandra.

Leave tonight, I beg you!

How could I leave you,
when the most sacred bond�

It is the hour of our death,
not our happiness!

Come back to your senses, my beloved.

Cease your prophecies,
and you will cease to fear.

Look up to the heavens.

Let your soul be at peace.

Let your heart hope again.

Yes, let your heart hope again.

The sky is filled with menace!

I have heard the voice of a harsh god
who wills our destruction.

I have seen it in the Book of Fate.

I see the immense evil
that will be unleashed upon us all!

It will fall on Troy!

The people will cry out, victims of the fury.

The streets will run red with their blood!

Our virgins will cry out
in the grip of their ravishers.

Their cries will pierce the skies!

Already the vultures shriek
of the slaughter from the highest tower!

All is destroyed,
drowned in a river of blood!

A Greek spear will pierce your side.

Poor, tortured soul!

Come back to your senses, my beloved.

Cease your prophecies, and you will cease to fear.

Already death hovers above us.

I have seen death's cold eye...

...and his murderous gaze!

Let your heart hope again.

If you love me, flee.

Go to your father.

Give him the support an old man needs...

...a comfort now useless to us.

If the evil you foresee did come to pass...

...what would your father
think of me for deserting you?

But heaven and earth
have forgotten about war.

They bear witness to your delusion.

The breezes are sweet.

The waves break gently on the shores of Tenedos.

The flocks graze peacefully on the rolling plain.

The shepherd sings.

All these seem as one,
united beneath the heavens.

Everywhere resounds a hymn of peace.

False signs! Treacherous calm!

Death already hovers above us.

I have seen his cold eye and his murderous gaze!

Leave tonight, I beg of you!

Let the dawn not find you here.

I am dying of fear,
and my heart is breaking!

Leave you, Cassandra, whom I adore?

Do not fill me with despair!

Do you want to destroy me?

Without pity you say, "Leave tonight!"

�Leave tonight, I beg you!
�Leave you, Cassandra, whom I adore?

�Let the dawn not find you here.
�Do not fill me with despair!

�I am dying of fear.
�Do you want to destroy me?

�My heart is breaking! Leave!
�Without pity you say, "Leave tonight!"

If you ever thought me worthy
of your love, you would leave.

By the gods of heaven and hell, listen to me!

Hear me, Cassandra! I am on my knees.

I cannot resist his anguish, merciless gods!

�Leave you, Cassandra, whom I adore?
�I beg you! Leave before dawn.

Blind and deaf, like the rest!

You'd sacrifice yourself for your fatal love?

I won't leave you!

So the day that I dread will see you
fighting beside my brothers?

I won't leave you!

Then take my hand,
and accept a bride's vow.

Stay!

Death, in its jealousy...

...prepares our marriage bed for tomorrow!

Divine guardians of our eternal city...

...receive our offerings.

Hear the voices of your faithful people.

All-powerful gods...

...you who have delivered us...

...god of Olympus, and the god of the seas!

Rulers of the universe...

...accept our grateful offerings!

God of Olympus, god of the seas...

...rulers of the universe...

...accept our grateful offerings!

All-powerful gods...

...you who have delivered us...

...hear the voices of your faithful people.

Andromache and her son!

O destiny!

Amidst this rejoicing...

...such immense grief,
such profound sadness.

Such silent suffering.

Wives and mothers weep to behold such grief.

You had best save your tears,
widow of Hector.

You will weep enough
at the misfortune to come.

My king, a torrent of people is moving toward us.

It cannot be stopped!

An unbelievable occurrence
has filled them with terror.

The priest Laoco�n suspected trickery
in the gift of the Greeks.

He hurled his javelin against
the horse's wooden flank.

Then two monstrous serpents rose up in rage.

They swam ashore and attacked
the priest and his two sons.

They seized them in their coils,
burning them with their fiery breath.

They covered them with a bloody spray
and devoured them before our eyes!

Horrible punishment!

Mysterious horror!

Hearing this terrible account
makes our blood run cold.

Horrible punishment!

Mysterious horror!

This terrible account makes our blood run cold.

We are filled with terror.

Laoco�n, a priest...

...object of the gods' wrath, devoured alive!

Devoured by those hideous monsters!

O wretched people!

Our blood runs cold!

Laoco�n, a priest...

...devoured alive by those hideous monsters!

Oh, horror!

May the goddess protect us!

We must avert this new threat.

It is true that Athena
has avenged a terrible sacrilege.

To appease her,
carry out my orders without delay.

The horse has been skillfully placed on wheels.

Let it be brought to Athena's temple.

Let it be accompanied to its sacred destination...

...by singing, in harmony
with trumpets and lyres!

We'll follow the horse to the temple.

Sing in harmony with the trumpets and lyres!

I will not watch this spectacle
of a people drunk with hope.

Hope for a brilliant future...

...with nothing to keep them
from the path of destruction!

What a bitter memory.

The glory of my country...

...vanishing, along with my dreams of happiness.

My cherished dreams of happiness!

Chorebus! Priam!

In vain do I summon courage.

I weep tears of anguish.

Divine Athena, protect us!

Dare I believe what I am hearing?

The sacred hymn of Troy!

The procession!

I can see it!

The enemy approaches!

The enemy approaches,
and the city lies open!

These people rushing to their ruin
anticipate the king's command!

Beloved daughter of the all-powerful god!

Armed with helmet and spear, wise Athena...

...hear our voices, sublime one!

Our songs mingle with the sound
of the flutes of Didyma.

Let the trumpet and the lyre
carry our music to you!

Let our instruments sound in tribute to you!

Beloved daughter of the all-powerful god...

...you are armed with helmet and spear,
a wise warrior of gentle aspect.

Place garlands around the offering!

Dance, happy children!

Spread upon the branches the scented snow...

...of the springtime lilies of the valley!

Athena, protect us!

Spread the scented snow upon the branches...

...the snow of the springtime lilies�

What is it?

Why this sudden fear?

We heard the sound of arms
from within the horse!

They are stopping.

O gods!

It's a good omen!

Let Pergamum's summits blaze with joyous flame!

Stop!

Search the monstrous horse's
flanks with fire and axe!

Laoco�n! The Greeks have laid a hellish trap!

All hope is gone!
Gods, you have no pity for these lost people!

A worthy display of your power...

...to lead them, blind, to the abyss!

The enemy is among us. It is done.

Fate has claimed its victim!

I, the sister of Hector, shall go and die.

I shall die beneath the ruins of Troy!

Hector, light of Troy!

Pride of the Trojans!

After all the travails of your compatriots...

...from what place have you come?

What clouds your gaze?

What sorrows have left their mark upon your face?

Flee, son of Venus!

The enemy is within our walls.

The destruction of Troy is near.

A tempest of flame is moving
from the temple to the palace.

We might have saved our country,
if not for fate's decree.

Troy entrusts its children and its gods to you.

Go and search for Italy.

There, after long wandering upon the sea,
you will found a mighty empire.

And your people will be reborn.

That empire will rule the world.

And you will die a hero.

What hope is left us, Panthus?
What are we to do?

The city is on fire! It is the end for us!

Priam is dead!

The Greeks emerged from the horse
and killed the guards.

They have descended on the city in hordes.

They are setting everything ablaze.

Many of them occupy the ramparts.

Father, Ucalegon's palace
is collapsing in flames!

Its roof is an inferno of molten rain!

Arm yourself, Aeneas!

The citadel is still ours!

We must reach it at all costs...

...and defend it to the death!

Salvation for the defeated
lies in not expecting anything.

Do you hear the towers crashing down,
the roar of the flames?

Hear the cries of the Greeks,
whose numbers are increasing!

Let our despair inspire our deadly blows!

We will defend ourselves to the death!

Mars! Furies! Lead us!

All-powerful Cybele.

Immortal one.

Mother of the wretched.

Help your Trojan sons!

Favor them in this terrible hour.

Save their mothers and daughters...

...from shame and slavery.

Shatter the weapons in the conquerors' hands!

All-powerful Cybele.

Immortal one.

Mother of the wretched.

Help your Trojan sons!

Favor them.

Favor them in this terrible hour.

They did not all die.
Aeneas and his men...

...attacked three times to save those
under siege in the citadel.

Priam's treasure is in Trojan hands.

Soon, in Italy, where destiny leads them...

...they will see a new Troy arise...

...more beautiful and more powerful.

What of Chorebus?

He is dead.

For the last time,
I worship at the altar of Vesta.

I follow my young husband.

My useless life is at an end.

Worthy sister of Hector,
prophetess accused of madness by the Trojans...

...if only there had still been time to save us...

...when you predicted our destruction.

Soon Troy will be no more.

Such sorrow and regret!

But how can you frightened doves
submit to the horrors of slavery?

Will you virgins submit
to the brutal laws of conquest?

Must we drive all hope from our hearts?

Do you not see them in the luminous darkness?

Do you not hear the Greek savages
running wild in our streets?

Others have seized the palace.

Nothing can save us from them!

For whom does the abyss open at your feet?

For whom are these blades and ropes,
if not for the Trojan women?

Heroine of love and honor, we will follow you!

Then dawn will not find you defiled by the Greeks?

No, Cassandra, we swear it!

You will not be dragged behind them
in their triumph?

Never! We will die with you!

Sharing your glory and your fate,
we will spoil the victory of the Greeks.

Pure and free as we lived,
we shall enter the river of death!

You who tremble and are silent...

...why do you hesitate?

We are afraid!

You would rather submit
to a vile, base existence?

We do not want to die!

Then go serve your masters
at table and in bed! Leave us!

Go to them and throw yourselves at their feet!

Shame be yours!

You are not Trojan women!

Cassandra, we die with you!

We will not be defiled by the Greeks
or be dragged behind them in their triumph!

Sharing your glory and your fate,
we will spoil the victory of the Greeks.

Pure and free as we lived,
we shall enter the river of death!

Chorebus, Hector, Priam, I will join you!

Hear their oath, gods of Hades!

We will spoil the victory of the Greeks.

Pure and free as we lived,
we shall enter the river of death!

Give us the treasure!

We scorn your cowardly threats,
you monsters drunk with blood!

Vile, thieving race!
Your thirst for gold will not be quenched!

The pain is nothing!

Unkind gods! In the midst of battle...

...Aeneas and his soldiers,
covered in blood, escaped us.

And they have the Trojan treasure!

They are on their way to Italy, and we defy you!

Save our sons, Aeneas!

Italy!

The skies seem to bless Carthage on this festive day!

Has such a day ever been seen...

...after the terrors of a storm?

What sweet breezes!

The blazing sun has calmed the tempest.

The vast plain rejoices to behold it.

The rising sun awakens all of nature!

Glory to Dido, our beloved queen!

A queen by virtue of her beauty...

...her grace and wisdom.

Queen by the favor of the gods...

...and the love of her subjects.

Only seven years have passed...

...since we had to flee from Tyre, our homeland.

We fled the tyrant who murdered my noble husband.

And already we see Carthage rise...

...her fields in flower, and her fleet assembled.

Already you toilers of the sea...

...bring to us from foreign lands
grain, wine, wool, and iron...

...and the products of arts still unknown to us.

People of Carthage, your noble labors...

...have filled my heart with overwhelming pride.

But now do not tire.

Heed the voice of the god...

...who summons you to new challenges.

Heed the voice of the god
who calls you to new heights.

Show yet another example to the world.

Be great in peace and in war.
A nation of heroes!

Great in peace and war, a nation of heroes!

The savage Iarbas seeks to force me
into a hateful marriage.

His insolent hopes are in vain.

I entrust my defense to you, and to the gods.

Glory to Dido, our beloved queen!

We will defend her to the death!

We will brave the rage of Iarbas.

And drive him back into his desert land!

Dear people of Carthage, your noble labors...

...have filled my heart with overwhelming pride.

Be proud, and be happy!

Heed the voice of the god
who summons you to new challenges.

Heed the voice of the god
who calls you to new challenges.

This great day will be remembered forever.

We will celebrate the works of peace.

Builders, sailors, farmers, come forward.

Receive from me your just reward.

Your labors have given new life
and strength to our kingdom.

Now we honor the art
that brings nourishment to men.

Long live the farmers who give us bread!

The future of Carthage is assured.

Glory to Dido, our beloved queen!

We would gladly die for her.

Let us give her new proof of our love.

Farmers and sailors,
let us make a nation of heroes!

Glory to Dido, our beloved queen!

A queen by virtue of her beauty...

...her grace and wisdom.

Queen by the favor of the gods...

...and the love of her subjects.

These joyous songs and this noble celebration...

...have restored peace to my troubled heart.

I am calm, my sister.

My joy is complete.

I have found peace once more.

Queen of a young empire
that flourishes more each day.

Beloved queen, whom all admire...

...what could be troubling you?

As you know,
a strange sadness that has no cause...

...sometimes weighs upon me.

I am powerless to resist it.

I am oppressed by a vague unease in my heart.

And I weep burning tears.

You will know love, my sister.

No, all new passion
is forever forbidden to my heart.

You will know love, my sister!

A faithful widow must subdue all passion...

...and be an enemy of love.

Dido, you are a queen,
and too young, too beautiful...

...not to heed this sweet command.

Carthage needs a king.

May my people and the gods curse me
if I ever forsake this sacred ring!

Such oaths make Venus smile.

The gods refuse to record them in the sacred book.

Her words awaken dangerous feelings in my heart.

I am already conquered...

...conquered by those feelings.

I have awakened the tenderness in her heart.

I am already conquered by those feelings.

She tries in vain to resist sweet hopes of love.

Sychaeus, my husband, forgive me!

Forgive me if my words have troubled you.

Forgive my delusion.

Let your beloved memory...

...banish this impulse from my heart!

Sychaeus, my husband, forgive me!

Dido, forgive me if I dispel your delusion.

Forgive me if my words have troubled you...

...if I have awakened
the tender feelings of your heart.

My queen, survivors of the storm...

...emissaries from an unknown fleet...

...have arrived here and beg to see you.

The gates of my palace
are never closed to those in need.

I, too, wandered the seas.

I, too, was driven
from shore to shore by storms.

I know the harshness of fortune's blows!

Compassion for the unfortunate
comes easily to me.

Those who have suffered cannot
simply look on as others suffer.

I am suddenly impatient to see them...

...though I secretly fear their presence.

Honored queen, an unfortunate people seeks shelter.

I bring precious gifts � all we have left.

They are from our pious leader,
in the name of Jupiter.

Fair youth, tell me of your leader and his people.

Queen, our path was stained with blood...

...from the mountains of Phrygia down to the sea.

This scepter belonged to Ilia,
daughter of King Priam.

This crown belonged to Hecuba, his wife.

This veil belonged to Helen.

All of this tells you, I am sure,
that we are Trojans.

Our leader is Aeneas.

And I am his son.

Strange destiny....

Obeying the king of the gods,
the hero seeks Italy.

Fate has promised him a glorious death
and a new home for his people.

Who does not admire this prince,
friend of the great Hector?

Everyone has heard his name.

All Carthage speaks it.

His ships are welcome in my harbor.

Let both of you forget your trials.

I scarcely know how to deliver this news!

The warrior Iarbas is marching
on Carthage with his hordes!

The barbarians are slaughtering
our herds and burning our fields.

But a new misfortune threatens our city.

Our young men are brave
but they have few weapons.

What are you saying?

We will be fighting against great odds.

Arms!

Queen, I am Aeneas.

My fleet, which the winds
have brought to your shore...

...was destined to undergo many trials with me.

Let the Trojans fight at your side!

I accept this alliance with pride.

Aeneas takes up arms for my defense!

The gods have taken our side.

How proud he is, this son of the goddess.

He possesses both grace and nobility.

March, Trojans and Carthaginians!
March against the enemy!

Let us conquer together!

Scatter the Numidians
like the sands of their desert!

The god Mars unites us!

The son of Venus leads us into battle!

Destroy the invaders!

The death of Iarbas
will be proclaimed to the world!

Announce to the Trojans
this glorious new enterprise.

Queen, you will soon be delivered
from the hateful barbarian.

I entrust my son to your generous care.

Have no fear. I will look after him
with a mother's love.

Embrace your father.

Others, my son, will instruct you
in the art of happiness.

I will instill in you only the virtues of a hero...

...and respect for the gods.

But always preserve in your heart and memory...

...the glory of Aeneas and Hector!

To arms!

March against the enemy, Trojans and Carthaginians!

Scatter the Numidians like the sands of their desert!

The god Mars unites us!

The son of Venus leads us into battle!

Destroy the invaders!

Tomorrow, we will proclaim the death of Iarbas!

Narbal, why are you uneasy?

The outcome of the battle proved our strength.

Our people have conquered.

We have nothing more to fear.

The Numidians have been driven off
and will never threaten us again.

Aeneas's fearsome sword has delivered us from Iarbas.

But Dido is now ignoring the things
that were important to her.

She spends her time hunting and feasting.

All work has stopped.
The workshops are closed.

And Aeneas is still here.

I am troubled, and the people share my fears.

Narbal, can't you see
that she's in love with the proud warrior?

And he returns my sister's love.

What harm can come of their love?

Could Dido have a worthier husband?

Could Carthage have a more generous king?

But fate has summoned Aeneas to Italy.

One voice tells him to go.

And another tells him stay!

Love is the greatest of the gods.

Jupiter, what misfortune
do you intend for Carthage?

I see sinister portents within your clouds.

Jupiter, god of hospitality, do you punish us...

...for practicing the virtue nearest to your heart?

Having welcomed these foreigners,
do we deserve your anger?

Have no fear. Carthage has triumphed!

Our queen loves a conqueror.

They are covered in flowers and will soon be united.

There is your dark future!

Jupiter, what misfortune
do you intend for Carthage?

I see sinister portents within your clouds.

Jupiter, god of hospitality, do you punish us...

...for practicing the virtue nearest to your heart?

Having welcomed these foreigners,
do we deserve your anger?

Fear no more.
Carthage has triumphed!

I do not have the heart
to take pleasure in the celebration.

Iopas, sing us your gentle song of the fields.

I obey the queen's command.

Golden Ceres, how happy we are...

...when you bring your fresh
green adornments to our fields.

The old farmer and the young shepherd...

...express their gratitude
for the riches you grant us.

Golden Ceres, how happy we are...

...when you bring your fresh
green adornments to our fields.

The timid bird and playful lamb...

...the sweet breezes of the plain.

All these bespeak your blessings.

Golden Ceres, when you bring to our fields...

...your fresh green adornments, how happy we are!

How happy we are!

Forgive me, Iopas.

But not even your voice can calm my unease.

Dearest Dido.

Aeneas, won't you continue the story
of your voyage and the sorrows of Troy?

Tell me the fate of the beautiful Andromache.

Made a slave by Pyrrhus, she begged for death.

But his love for her was so unyielding
she forgot her strongest memories.

After much resistance, she married Pyrrhus.

Hector's widow!

She ascended the throne of her enemy.

Everything conspires to overcome my remorse.

My heart is absolved!

Andromache, married to her father's murderer...

...to the son of her husband's assassin.

She loves him who enslaved her,
her father's murderer...

...the son of her husband's assassin.

Everything seeks to overcome my remorse.

My heart is absolved!

Yes, my heart is absolved!

Narbal, look at the quick hand
of this boy, so like Cupid.

He's stolen Dido's wedding ring!

�Look at the boy's quick hand.
�I see the boy's cunning.

My remorse is overcome.

My heart is absolved!

Let all sad memories be banished.

Splendid, enchanted night!

Come, dearest Dido.

Breathe the sighs of the caressing breeze.

Peace and enchantment surround us.

Night spreads its veil.

And the sleeping sea murmurs its sweet song.

All is peace and enchantment.

Night of infinite ecstasy!

Phoebe, goddess of the moon...

...shed your blessed light upon us.

Flowers of heaven,
smile upon our immortal love!

On a night like this,
with her brow crowned with blossoms...

...your mother, Venus,
followed the fair Anchises...

...to the groves of Ida.

On a night like this, under love's spell...

...Troilus waited beneath the walls of Troy...

...for the lovely Cressida.

Night of infinite ecstasy!

Phoebe, goddess of the moon...

...shed your blessed light upon us.

Flowers of heaven,
smile upon our immortal love!

On a night like this, the chaste Diana...

...finally let fall her veil...

...before Endymion's eyes.

On a night like this,
the son of Venus was cold...

...to the passion of Dido.

And on that same night,
an unjust queen accused her lover...

...and received his tenderest forgiveness.

Night of infinite ecstasy....

Italy!

Sonorous valley...

...where, at dawn...

...I would wander, singing. Alas!

Will I ever sing again beneath your great trees?

Rock this child of Troy gently...

...eternal sea.

Cooling forest...

...cherished refuge...

...from the heat of the day. Alas!

When will you restore your fragrant shade...

...to poor Hylas?

Rock this child of Troy
gently on your sublime breast...

...eternal sea.

Humble cottage...

...where, from my mother...

...I received my final farewell.

He's dreaming of home.

He'll never see it again.

Will I ever see you again?

Rock this child of Troy gently.

Get everything ready!

We must leave.

Aeneas's despair at the queen's suffering is in vain.

Glory and duty will soon break the bond.

And he will be with us at the moment of farewell.

Each day the wrath of the gods increases.

The sea, the mountains,
and the forests moan in despair.

Our armor resounds with invisible blows.

As in Troy, on that fatal night...

...Hector appears, armed and angry...

...followed by a chorus of spirits.

The same angry dead cried out three times last night:

Italy!

The voices of vengeful gods!

We have defied their command for too long.

Let us leave this accursed shore!

We must leave tomorrow!

They're all mad, with their talk of Italy!

I heard no voices.

Life is good for us here.

More than one house has provided
good wine and venison.

I can already speak Phoenician
with my Carthaginian girl.

Mine understands Trojan
and does my bidding without complaint.

Yours understands Trojan?

She obeys me without complaint.

The girls here are kind to foreigners.

No, not rude, but gracious.

And they want us
to give this up for a long voyage!

The caresses of the storm!

Hunger! The fires of hell!

The boredom of the sea!

A curse on their madness!

All for this Italy.

Italy...where we'll enjoy the fruits of our labors�
and break our backs!

To suffer again!
But our fate is to obey.

Quiet! Aeneas is coming.

Useless regrets!

I must leave Carthage.

Dido's anguish when I told her
almost broke my will.

But I must do it!

I cannot forget the deathly pallor...

...that covered her face.

She spoke not a word yet
her eyes blazed with dark fire.

In vain I told her of the signs
that bespoke the gods' command.

I invoked the greatness of my task...

...the future of my son
and the destiny of the Trojans.

And the heroic death decreed by fate...

...the death that is to crown my glory.

Nothing moved her!

I could not conquer her silence,
so I fled from her...

...and her terrible gaze.

When the moment comes for my final farewell...

...it will be a moment of anguish and tears.

How will I be able to bear her grief?

I must do battle against myself�and you, Dido.

Breaking your heart...

...and begging forgiveness?

Can I do this?

Let me perish at sea...

...if I leave Carthage
without seeing you once more!

May I perish at sea...

...if I leave Carthage
without seeing you once more!

Without seeing her? What cowardice!

It breaks all the sacred laws of hospitality!

No, beloved queen...

...sublime soul that I have devastated!

O heavenly soul that I have destroyed!

Savior of my people...

...I will see you again one last time.

I'll let my tears fall upon your breast...

...even if I should die of despair!

I'll let my tears fall upon your breast...

...even if I should die of despair!

Aeneas!

Again, those voices!

Fearsome messengers, what has brought you
from your dark realm?

Your weakness, and your glory.

I want to die!

No more delay!

Not another hour!

I am Priam.

You must live, and go.

I am Chorebus.

You must go, and conquer.

Hector! Gods of Hades! Cassandra!

You must conquer and create.

I must obey your pitiless command.

I will obey, harsh spirits!

I am cruel and ungrateful.

It is your decree!

I must sacrifice Dido without a glance.

Trojans, the wind is with us...the sea is ours!

We must sail before sunrise!

Do you hear Aeneas's voice?
Make ready to leave!

Sound the reveille!

Take this order quickly to Ascanius.

He must awaken and come aboard,
for we leave before daybreak.

Gods, my task shall be fulfilled.

Seize the moment, friends! Cast off!

Italy!

Let's seize the moment!
Cast off! To the sea!

Italy!

To you, my soul, farewell!

I go, Dido, deserving your forgiveness.

My impatient destiny calls.

I forsake you for a hero's death!

I followed you here.

I see it, and cannot believe it.
You are leaving!

Spare me, Dido, in my grief.

You are leaving?
Without remorse?

You scorn the scepter of Carthage...

...and break my heart by going to Italy!

I have waited too long
to fulfill the gods' command.

He heeds destiny's voice, but not mine!

In his cowardice,
he exposes me to the scorn of the Trojans!

He sheds no tears of pity
at the sight of my suffering.

No, it was not Venus who bore you,
but a wolf in the forest!

My queen, when I first gave you my heart,
it was with undying love.

That flame will live in my soul until the end of time.

Silence! Nothing will stop you.

Not even my death.

Not my shame, my love, our marriage...

...or my name erased from the Book of Honor!

If I had a tender pledge of your faith...

...yes, a son, whose proud features
would remind me of you...

...I would not feel abandoned.

I love you, Dido. Have pity!

Only a divine command
can make me act this cruelly!

I see you tremble at that triumphal fanfare.

You are leaving?

I must leave...

...only to die, obeying the gods.

I must leave, and I love you!

Don't let my tears delay you.

Follow your monstrous piety! Go on!

I curse you and your gods!

Italy!

Go and beg him, my sister.

All pride has deserted my desperate soul.

This parting is killing me.
I want to see him.

I bear the blame for urging you to find love.

But how can one oppose the gods?

Nothing can stop him, though he loves you.

He loves me? No!

No! His heart is made of ice.

But if Jupiter himself forbade me to love him...

...my love would risk damnation.

Go to him, Narbal, and beg him...

...to give me just a few days more.

If I beg him in all humility, can he forget...

...what I have done for him?

He cannot reject this urgent plea...

...from you, whom he loves.

The Trojans have gone!

What do you mean?

They sailed before dawn,
but they are still visible.

Immortal gods, he is gone!

Arm yourselves, Carthaginians!

Pursue the Trojans!

Fly over the waves! Hurl flames!

Burn their ships!

Let the entire city....

What am I saying?

Such futile rage....

I must accept my fate, abandon hope...

...and conquer my grief.

This is his faith, when I offered him a throne!

I should have destroyed that race of wanderers...

...scattering their corpses over the sea!

I should have foreseen their treachery
and burned their ships.

I should have avenged myself
by serving Aeneas his own son's limbs...

...in a hideous feast!

Hear me, gods of Hades,
for the gods of Olympus do not!

Help me.
Fill my heart with a burning hatred...

...for this traitor, whom I loved.

Let the priests of Pluto aid me
in soothing my torment.

Let us make offerings
to the deities of the realm of the dead.

Let a pyre be built.

Let his gifts, and those I gave him...

...be devoured by the flames.

Stay, Princess. Her look is terrifying.

Anna, go with Narbal.

Sister, do you forgive me?

As queen, I command you!

Leave me, Anna.

I am dying.

Drowning in my endless grief.

I die unavenged, yet I die nonetheless.

If only he would weep,
seeing the flames of my pyre from afar.

If there is any human feeling left in his heart...

...let him weep at my wretched destiny.

Could he weep for me?

My soul flies to him,
condemned by its love...

...to eternal night.

Venus, give me back your son!

Futile prayer of a broken heart....

There is nothing else for Dido but to die.

Farewell, proud city.

You flourished so quickly
through selfless labor.

Farewell, my sister,
who shared my wanderings.

Farewell, my people.

Farewell, blessed shore...

...that welcomed me when I sought refuge.

Farewell, fair skies of Africa.

Stars at which I gazed...

...during nights of ecstasy.

I will see you no more.

My reign has ended.

Gods of Oblivion, gods of Tenarus!

O gods of Oblivion, O gods of Tenarus!

Restore strength and peace
to this wounded heart.

From the depths of dark Tartarus, hear us...

...Hecate, Erebus, and Chaos.

If Aeneas at last reaches Italy...

...let him meet a shameful death!

May the Latin and the Umbrian people unite...

...to bar his path!

Pierced by a lowly warrior's arrow
in the midst of fierce battle...

...let his body lie abandoned on the bloody field...

...to feed the vultures!

Hear us, Hecate, Erebus, and Chaos!

Gods of Oblivion, gods of Tenarus!

Restore strength and peace
to this wounded heart.

From the depths of dark Tartarus, hear us.

Hear us, Hecate, Erebus, and Chaos!

Pluto...seems merciful...

...in this cruel moment.

Narbal...my sister....

It is done.

Let us offer the sacrifice.

Peace returns to my heart.

Sad pledges of an unhappy love...

...take my grief with you into the flames.

My memory will endure through the ages.

My people will fulfill a heroic destiny!

One day, in Africa...

...an avenger will arise from my ashes.

Already I hear the thunder of his name....

Hannibal!

My heart is filled with pride.

No more bitter memories!

It is fitting that I descend to Hades!

The queen has stabbed herself!

Help her!

She is dying!

The queen is dying!

My sister!

I am here with you!

Destiny is our foe.

Its wrath is implacable.

Carthage will perish!

Rome...immortal!

We pledge eternal hatred for the race of Aeneas!

May our sons wage war against theirs for all time!

May our ships send theirs to the bottom of the sea!

On land and water may our last descendants,
armed to the end...

...astound the world with the destruction of the Trojans!