for my final year music studies I rewrote a small part of the Mozart opera Cosi Fan Tutti. the brass and woodwinds represent the vocal melodies with piano backing.

(mr tuba) Frozen in rigor mortis, see how their muscles tighten. Their handsome faces whiten on the brink of death.

(ms flutes) Help us somebody come and help us we’re powerless to save them. Despina! Despina! (mrs oboe) Did you call me? (ms flutes) Despina! Despina! Despina! Despina!

(mrs oboe) What has happened, how did they come to be in such a helpless state? (mr tuba) Driven by hopeless passion, despondent, melancholic. They swallowed pure carbolic. All help has come too late!

(tutti 1) We all must try to help them. (tutti 2) Tell us what you suggest? What is best? (tutti 1) We all must try to help them. (tutti 2) Tell us what you suggest? What is best?

(mrs oboe) There are still signs of life left, raise their heads just lightly, and rub their foreheads lightly, lightly.

(tutti 1) Let’s run! (mrs oboe) and get a doctor. I know of one whose marvelous with people who are ill, he’s known for working miracles. Without a knife or pill, he’s famous for his skill, perhaps he’ll save them still.

(ms flutes) What shall we do I wonder? We made a fatal blunder and brought about their death, yes it’s true. We brought about their death.

music © 2004 Alan Lawson