Monday Recordare from Verdi’s Requiem Martina Arroyo, soprano and Oralia Dominguez, mezzo-soprano. (4:13)
Recall, merciful Jesus, that I was the reason for your journey: do not destroy me on that day. In seeking me, you sat down wearily; enduring the Cross, you redeemed me: do not let these pains to have been in vain. Just Judge of punishment: give me the gift of redemption before the day of reckoning.
Tuesday Un bel di vedremo – from Puccini’s Madama Butterfly – (3:53)
I wanted to post something by the great soprano Martina Arroyo, and got distracted by the yesterday’s duet from the Verdi Requiem selection. So here she is in her solo glory as Madama Butterfly. Here Butterfly describes her anticipation as she waits for her beloved (no-good) husband to return to Japan from his voyages with the U.S. Navy.
One good day, we will see Arising a strand of smoke
Over the far horizon on the sea And then the ship appears
And then the ship is white It enters into the port, it rumbles its salute.
Do you see it? He is coming! I don’t go down to meet him, not I.
I stay upon the edge of the hill And I wait a long time
but I do not grow weary of the long wait.
And leaving from the crowded city, A man, a little speck Climbing the hill.
Who is it? Who is it?
And as he arrives What will he say? What will he say?
He will call Butterfly from the distance
I without answering Stay hidden
A little to tease him, A little as to not die.
At the first meeting,
And then a little troubled He will call, he will call
“Little one, dear wife Blossom of orange”
The names he called me at his last coming.
(To Suzuki)
All this will happen, I promise you this
Hold back your fears – I with secure faith wait for him.
Wednesday Voodoo Child (Slight Return – Jimi Hendrix (13:27)
Well, I stand up next to a mountain
And I chop it down with the edge of my hand
Yeah Well, I stand up next to a mountain
And I chop it down with the edge of my hand
Well, I pick up all the pieces and make an island
Might even raise a little sand
Yeah ‘Cause I’m a voodoo child
Lord knows I’m a voodoo child baby
I want to say one more last thing
I didn’t mean to take up all your sweet time
I’ll give it right back to ya one of these days
Hahaha
I said I didn’t mean to take up all your sweet time
I’ll give it right back one of these days
Oh yeah, If I don’t meet you no more in this world then uh
I’ll meet ya on the next one
And don’t be late, Don’t be late!
‘Cause I’m a voodoo child voodoo child
Lord knows I’m a voodoo child
Hey hey hey
I’m a voodoo child baby
I don’t take no for an answer
Question no
Thursday Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Sarah Vaughan (4:06)
Friday Bad Blood – (excerpts) choreographed by Ulysses Dove, performed by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (2:45)
Lake – from The River dance suite – music by Duke Ellington, choreography by Alvin Ailey, danced by Cynthia Gregory and dancer from the American Ballet Theater. (6:42)
Saturday The Challenge Scene from Tap – Gregory Hines, Sammy Davis, Jr., and many great tap dancers. (7:12)
Sunday Shall We Gather at the River – Aaron Copland, performed by Will Liverman and Jonathan King. (4:03)