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The original version of this duet, in which Rocco and Leonore are digging the grave for the prisoner, who is
about to be murdered, was deciphered and published only in 1966 by Willy Hess. Since this version apparently
exists only in Beethoven's own handwriting, and not in that of one of the copyists, we can assume that
Beethoven made the changes to this duet even before it was copied out, that's to say, before the rehearsals
of the opera started in October 1805. The Hess 111-version was therefore most likely never performed during
Beethoven's life-time, nor, as far we know, since its publication in 1966.
The main difference with the 1805-version is that in the present version the instrumental
introduction is some 17 bars longer. The reason why Beethoven later cut these measures
gives some insight into his musical priorities. As such, there is nothing wrong with this
section (bar 7 to bar 23). It even contains original ideas, namely the clash of the Neapolitan
harmony with the tonic in bar 15, and the use of a 7-chord on IV in bar 18 (the same chord
in bar 22, however, is a II(7) in C). Most other composers would have left this section
untouched. So why did Beethoven cut it?
Probably because it is harmonically circular: it both starts and ends at the same point,
namely C(I), the parallel major. Reaching C(I) is an important point of the introduction,
because it turns the following, syncopated, dominant chord of A minor into a very
expressive entry for the singing voices. But reaching C(I) twice, as is now the case, slows
down the action. Clearly Beethoven thought that moving the drama forward was more
important than an extensive description of the general mood, and the darkness of the scene.
While in later years other cuts were made in other numbers in order to shorten the opera,
this one was made for artistic reasons.
Of the many other, smaller, differences between Hess 111 and the later versions, we would
like to point out the upward rising triplets in the violas at Leonores words "Ich will, du
Armer, dich befrein" ("I will set you, poor man, free"), at the 2 min 41 marking of the midi.
It's a pity that Beethoven removed them, since they work wonderfully well.
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Rocco: Nur hurtig fort, nur frisch gegraben, Come, get to work and dig;
es waehrt nicht lang, er kommt herein It won't be long before he's here.
Leonore: Ihr sollt ja nicht zu klagen haben, You'll have no cause to complain,
ihr sollt gewiss zufrieden sein. I'll content you, never fear.
Rocco: Nur hurtig fort, nur frisch gegraben,
es waehrt nicht lang, er kommt herein.
Leonore: Ihr sollt ja nicht zu klagen haben,
ihr sollt gewiss zufrieden sein.
Rocco: Komm, hilf, komm, hilf doch diesen Stein mir heben! Come, help me lift this stone -
Hab' Acht, hab' Acht, er hat Gewicht! Take care! Take care! it's heavy!
Leonore: Ich helfe schon, sorgt euch nicht! I've got it, don't worry;
Ich will mir alle Muehe geben. I'll do my best to move it.
Rocco: Ein wenig noch! A little more!
Leonore: Geduld! A moment!
Rocco: Er weicht! It's moving.
Leonore: Nur etwas noch! A little further!
Rocco, Leonore
together: Es ist nicht leicht / Nur etwas noch! This is hard work!
Rocco: Nur hurtig fort, nur frisch gegraben, Come, we must hurry with this grave;
es waehrt nicht lang, er kommt herein. It won't be long before he's here.
Leonore: Lasst mich nur wieder Kraefte haben, Just let me get my breath back,
wir werden bald zu Enden sein. We'll soon have finished here.
Rocco, Leonore
together: Nur hurtig fort, nur frisch gegraben, Whoever you are, I swear to Heaven
es waehrt nicht lang, er kommt herein
Wer du auch sei'st, ich will dich retten,
Leonore: bei Gott, bei Gott, du sollst kein Opfer sein, I'll save you! You shall not be his prey!
gewiss, gewiss, ich loese deine Ketten, I will loose your chains, poor man,
ich will, du Armer, dich befrein. And set you free.
Rocco: Was er da mit sich selber spricht! What are you talking to yourself!
Leonore: Mein Vater, nein, ich rede nicht! Father, no, I'm not talking to myself!
Rocco: Was er da mit sich selber spricht!
Leonore: Mein Vater, nein, ich rede nicht!
Rocco: Nur hurtig fort, nur frisch gegraben,
Leonore: Lasst mich nur wieder Kraefte haben,
Rocco: es waehrt nicht lang, er kommt herein,
Leonore: Lasst mich nur wieder Kraefte haben,
Rocco, Leonore
together: ja, es waehrt nicht lang, er kommt herein,
Lasst mich nur wieder Kraefte haben,
wir werden bald zu Ende sein,
Ihr sollt ja nicht zu klagen haben,
ihr sollt gewiss zufrieden sein,
Rocco, Leonore
in unison: Nur hurtig fort, nur frisch gegraben,
es waehrt nicht lang, er kommt herein./
Lasst mich nur wieder Kraefte haben,
wir werden bald zu Ende sein.