(no subject)

[cahn]

All right, I've wanted to do this for a while:

The problem with operas is that they're too long. By which I mean, if anyone in them was sensible they'd all be at most half the length.

So: comment with an opera name (*) and I'll respond with a short snippet of a canon-divergence AU where the opera is Much Shorter. Warning, of course, that at least some of the characters will be wildly out of character. That is to say, probably much more sensible. :)

(*) If it's an opera I know, you'll get the ficlet much sooner. If it's one I haven't watched yet, I'll put it on my list to watch and you'll get the ficlet once I've watched it. This is a good opportunity for you to get me to watch your favorite opera, since after I finish Norma with Caballé I'm gonna go back to RL opera friend and ask for more DVDs! (Though given my previous track record, this might also take a while.)

(cross-posted to tumblr)

Comments

[iberiandoctor]

lolz, you know I'd say Don Carlo, save in that I think you already wrote the canon-divergent everyone-lives fix-it and it was SO GOOD ♥

How about: Les Pêcheurs de Perles? There's gotta be a good canon-divergence AU in there, possibly centred around this duet: https://youtu.be/p2MwnHpLV48

[zdenka]

Yes, I was thinking about saying The Pearl Fishers! And that's my second favorite tenor-baritone opera duet.

[iberiandoctor]

It's mine too! Great minds, etc ♥ ♥

[zdenka]

Excellent! You have good taste. :)

[cahn]

ahahaha, oh, I can do a short Don Carlo for you! But first, Pearl Fishers!
------------
Leila made her way up the stairs leading to the temple, and Nadir watched her. His soul struggled within him; his love and desire for Leila, his friendship for Zurga. If only he could see her again -- if only --

Zurga clasped his hand. "Nadir, let us go and leave the priestess to her temple." He paused, looking at Nadir, his face open and guileless. "Nadir, what is the matter?"

Nadir shook his head. "Zurga, my friend --" He stopped.

"Come, Nadir," Zurga said warmly, still grasping his hand; "you are dear as a brother to me, and I swear to hear whatever you have to tell me without anger."

"I broke my word," Nadir said, low. "I followed her, the woman, the goddess' avatar, as I had told you I would not do, and though I did not speak to her nor touch her, I heard her singing." Zurga released his hand and stared at him. "And -- and the singing we have just heard -- it is she!"

Zurga said, emotion clouding his voice, "I have sworn not to be angry at you. I will not. But Nadir --"

"I know," Nadir said passionately, "I know. I want more than anything else to keep my word and friendship with you. But I also know I cannot, not with her there." He took a deep breath. "The only way out, I believe, is for me to leave."

Zurga said abruptly, "I will come with you."

Nadir stared. "What?"

"I would rather be a plain fisherman with you," Zurga said, his voice almost a whisper, "than the king of this people, by myself."

"O Zurga," Nadir said, his throat choked, and fell into his embrace.

[zdenka]

Awwww! :) This is definitely how the opera should have gone.

[cahn]

:D

[iberiandoctor]

AAAAA. This is SO MUCH BETTER. And then they sing a reprise of the duet, from the Jurons de rester amis! section, and live happily ever after far away from priestesses and temples and any need to set people or villages on fire ♥

[cahn]

Yes, exactly!! (I still am not over Zurga setting everything on fire! Why, Zurga!)

[cahn]

All right, here is a Don Carlo for you :D
Note: I realize this doesn't actually work historically, at all, because of the age difference between E and M. But, I mean. I am invoking OPERA HISTORY.
---------------------

Count Lerma said to Elisabeth, "The King would not have you be compelled. Will you accept the King's offer and marry him?"

"Ah, please do!" said the peasants gathered around her. "Please end this long war, please!"

Behind her, Carlos said nothing.

Elisabeth thought of how it would be, to be married to the father of the man she now knew she loved, to be in the same court, for Carlos to be her stepson.

She said slowly, "And what would happen if I refused your King's generous offer? Would the war then go on?"

Count Lerma said, "He would then offer for your sister Marguerite."

She turned; Marguerite herself had ridden with them, and her horse pranced beside Elisabeth. Elisabeth said to her, "Well, sister: what would you think of marrying this King?"

Marguerite's eyes lit up. "Oh, Elisabeth, what an adventure! They say he is the most charming of princes."

"He is older," said Elisabeth.

Marguerite grinned. "All the better! Experienced, you know."

Elisabeth took a deep breath. "Then," Elisabeth said to Lerma, "say to your master, the King of Spain: I am humbled and flattered by your offer, and am not worthy of it; but here is my sister, the gracious Princess Marguerite, who surpasses me in all virtues, and in all things will make a meet and noble wife for you."

Count Lerma caught her eye, and she saw understanding in it; and he bowed. "My lady."

As the Spanish entourage left, Carlos came up to her, hooded so none of the Spanish would recognize him, and said hurriedly to her, "Elisabeth -- so we --"

"We cannot be together," she said to him with regret. She had known that too; one does not refuse a monarch, and then marry his son.

Carlos stared at her, and suddenly smiled, a little sadly, and bowed. "I will always love you, Elisabeth."

"And I you," she said gently, "but I think... there may be other loves for us as well." Another marriage for her, perhaps, and for him; other paths that would lead to more happiness, she hoped, for both of them.

[iberiandoctor]

I LOVE THIS SO MUCH (I am also so sorry this comment is so late, I’ve been travelling!). I mean, possibly this fix would only have been possible if a suitably-aged replacement bride could have been had, but you are absolutely right, this whole thing really comes off the rails when Elisabeth agrees to marry the King in the first place.

And so perhaps Marguerite will make Philip happier than a woman in love with someone else, and Carlos might in fact find happiness with Rodrigo and a better answer for Flanders than treason, and I’m sure this intelligent, political Élisabeth will find her way to a happier and more politically expedient marriage to a nice Catholic king, or perhaps to a counter-Reformation prince from one of the German provinces in a nod to Schiller ;) Now this is some match-making I can wholeheartedly approve <3

[cahn]

:D In real life Marguerite was 15 years younger, so, uh, yeah. But she was actually put forth as a bride for Philip after Elisabeth died (he didn't accept, historical!Philip actually being deeply in love with Elisabeth <3) so it's not so crazy!

And so perhaps Marguerite will make Philip happier than a woman in love with someone else, and Carlos might in fact find happiness with Rodrigo and a better answer for Flanders than treason, and I’m sure this intelligent, political Élisabeth will find her way to a happier and more politically expedient marriage to a nice Catholic king, or perhaps to a counter-Reformation prince from one of the German provinces in a nod to Schiller ;)

YES ALL OF THIS! :)