¿Quién no conoce, al menos de oídas, al famoso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha? La genial creación de Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra fue llevado al musical en 1965. No se inspiró directamente en la obra original sino en la novela de Dale Wasserman, Don Quixote. Cervantes ha sido capturado por la inquisición. Le han confiscado el manuscrito de don Quijote y Cervantes, para intentar recuperarlo, representará junto a los presos la historia allí contada.
Ese es el punto de partida de este gran musical, llevado a la gran pantalla en 1972 por Arthur Miller y representado en España y Argentina numerosas veces. Destacar el personaje de Dulcinea/Aldonza que en la obra original no aparece prácticamente y aquí es una protagonista de la historia. Desde NexCono recomendamos encarecidamente escuchar el musical The Man of La Mancha
Canciones
Letra de Man of La Mancha
Overtura
Instrumental
Man of la Mancha (I, Don Quixote)
CERVANTES May I set the stage? I shall impersonate a man. Come, enter into my imagination and see him! His name... Alonso Quijana... a country squire, no longer young... bony, hollow-faced... eyes that burn with the fire of inner vision. Being retired, he has much time for books. He studies them from morn to night and often through the night as well. And all he reads oppresses him... fills him with indignation at man's murderous ways toward man. And he conceives the strangest project ever imagined... to become a knight-errant and sally forth into the world to right all wrongs. No longer shall he be plain Alonso Quijana... but a dauntless knight known as - Don Quixote de La Mancha!
DON QUIXOTE Hear me now Oh thou bleak and unbearable world, Thou art base and debauched as can be; And a knight with his banners all bravely unfurled Now hurls down his gauntlet to thee! I am I, Don Quixote, The Lord of La Mancha, ? My destiny calls and I go, And the wild winds of fortune Will carry me onward, Oh whithersoever they blow. Whithersoever they blow, Onward to glory I go!
SANCHO PANZA I'm Sancho! Yes, I'm Sancho! I'll follow my master till the end. I'll tell all the world proudly I'm his squire! I'm his friend!
DON QUIXOTE Hear me, heathens and wizards And serpents of sin! All your dastardly doings are past, For a holy endeavor is now to begin And virtue shall triumph at last!
DON QUIXOTE I am I, Don Quixote, The Lord of la Mancha, My destiny calls and I go, And the wild winds of fortune Will carry me onward, Oh whithersoever they blow!
SANCHO I'm Sancho! Yes, I'm Sancho! I'll follow my master till the end. I'll tell all the world proudly I'm his squire! I'm his friend!
DON QUIXOTE, SANCHO Whithersoever they blow, Onward to glory I {we} go!
It's all the same
MULEROS Food! Wine! Aldonza! Aldonza! I come for love, I come for love, I come to Aldonza for love!
ALDONZA One pair of arms is like another I don't know why or who's to blame, I'll go with you or with your brother It's all the same, it's all the same. This I have learned: That when the light's out, No man will bum with special flame, You'll prove to me before the night's out, You're all the same, you're all the same.
So do not talk to me of love, I'm not a fool with starry eyes, Just put your money in my hand, And you will get what money buys! One pair of arms is like another, I don't know why or who's to blame, I'll go with you or with your brother It's all the same, it's all the same. This I have learned: That when the light's out, No man will bum with special flame, You'll prove to me before the night's out, You're all the same, you're all the same.
Oh, I have seen too many beds, But I have known too little rest, And I have loved too many men With hatred burning in my breast. I do not like you or your brother, I do not like the life I live, But I am me, I am Aldonza. And what I give, I choose to give. One pair of arms is like another It's all the same, it's all the same!
MULEROS Aldonza!
Dulcinea
DON QUIXOTE
I have dreamed thee too long, Never seen thee or touched thee. But known thee with all of my heart. Half a prayer, half a song, Thou hast always been with me, Though we have been always apart.
Dulcinea... Dulcinea... I see heaven when I see thee, Dulcinea, And thy name is like a prayer An angel whispers... Dulcinea... Dulcinea!
If I reach out to thee, Do not tremble and shrink From the touch of my hand on thy hair. Let my fingers but see Thou art warm and alive, And no phantom to fade in the air.
Dulcinea... Dulcinea... I have sought thee, sung thee, Dreamed thee, Dulcinea!
Now I've found thee, And the world shall know thy glory, Dulcinea... Dulcinea!
I'm only thinking of him
ANTONIA I'm only thinking of him, I'm only thinking of him, Whatever I may do or say; I'm only thinking of him! In my body; it's well known, There is not one selfish bone... I'm only thinking end worrying about him!
I've been, told he's chasing dragons And I fear it may be true If my groom should hear about it. Heaven knows what he will do! Oh, I deadly love my uncle, But for what he's done to me, I would like to take and lock him up And throw away the key! But if I do... but if I do... There is one thing That I swear will still be true...
PADRE I'm only thinking of him; I know I know my dear; I'm only thinking of him; Of course you are, my dear;
I'm only thinking and worrying about him. I understand.
SIRVIENTA I'm only thinking of him, I'm only thinking of him, Whatever I may do or say, I'm only thinking of him! In the very heart of me There is Christian charity I'm only thinking and worrying about him!
Oh, I think he's been too lonely, Living years without a spouse, So when he returns I fear I may have trouble in the house; For they say he seeks a lady Who his own true love shall be; God forbid that in his madness He should ever think it's me! If he should try I'll surely die, And I will grimly Guard my honor as I cry... I'm only thinking of him; I'm only thinking of him; I'm only thinking and worrying about him.
ANTONIA Woe, woe, woe, woe, woe, woe, Woe, woe, woe, woe, woe.
PADRE I know, I know, my dear; Of course you are, my dear; I understand.
SIRVIENTA Woe!
ANTONIA Woe!
PADRE They re only thinking of him, They re only thinking of him, How saintly is their plaintive plea... They're only thinking of him! What a comfort, to be sure, That their motives are so pure... As they go thinking and worrying about him!
ANTONIA, SIRVIENTA Woe, woe, woe, woe, woe, etc.
I really like him
SANCHO I like him, I really like him. Tear out my fingernails one by one, I like him! I don't have a very good reason, Since I've been with him, Cuckoo-nuts have been in season... But there's nothing I can do, Chop me up for onion stew, Still I'll yell to the sky Though I can't tell you why, That I like him!
ALDONZA But, what do you get out of it?
SANCHO What do I get? Oh! Why, already I've gotten... I've gotten...
ALDONZA You've got nothing! Why do you do it?
SANCHO I like him, I really like him. Pluck me naked as a scalded chicken, I like him! Don't ask me for why or wherefore, 'Cause I don't have a single good "Because" or "therefore!" You can barbecue my nose. Make a giblet of my toes, Make me freeze, make me fry. Make me sigh, make me cry. Still I'll yell to the sky, Though I can't tell you why. That I like him!
What do you want of me
ALDONZA Why does he do the things he does? Why does he do these things? Why does he march Through that dream that he's in, Covered with glory and rusty old tin? Why does he live in a world that can't be, And what does he want of me... What does he want of me?
Why does he say the things he says? Why does he say these things? "Sweet Dulcinea" and "missive" and such, "Nethermost hem of thy garment I touch," No one can be what he wants me to be, Oh, what does he want of me... What does he want of me?
Doesn't he know He'll be laughed at wherever he'll go? And why I'm not laughing myself... I don't know.
Why does he want the things he wants? Why does he want these things? Why does he batter at walls that won't break? Why does he give when it's natural to take? Where does he see all the good he can see, And what does he want of me? What does he want of me?
Little bird
ANSELMO, PEDRO Little bird, little bird, In the cinnamon tree, Little bird, little bird, Do you sing for me? Do you bring me word Of one I know? Little bird, little bird, I love her so, Little bird, little bird, I have to know Little bird, little bird. Beneath this tree, This cinnamon tree, We learned to love, We learned to cry; For here we met And here we kissed, And here one cold and moonless night We said goodbye
ANSELMO Little bird, little bird, Oh have pity on me Bring her back to me now 'Neath the cinnamon tree, I have waited too long Without a song. Little bird, little bird, Please fly, please go little bird, little bird, And tell her so. Little bird, little bird.
PEDRO, MULEROS Little bird, little bird. etc.
Barber's Song
BARBERO Oh, I am a little barber And I go my merry way With my razor and my leeches I can always earn my pay
Though your chin be smooth as satin, You will need me soon I know For the Lord protects his barbers, And He makes the stubble grow.
If I slip when I am shaving you And cut you to the quick, You can use me as a doctor 'Cause I also heal the sick.
Golden helmet of Mambrino
DON QUIXOTE Hand over that golden helmet!
BARBERO But this is a shaving basin!
DON QUIXOTE Shaving basin! Know thou not what this really is? The Golden Helmet of Mambrino! When worn by one of noble heart, it renders him invulnerable to all wounds! (to the Barber whacking the barrel with his sword) Hand it over!
Thou Golden Helmet of Mambrino, With so illustrious a past, Too long hast thou been lost to glory, Th'art rediscovered now at last! Golden Helmet of Mambrino There can be no hat like thee! Thou and I now, ere I die now, Will make golden history!
BARBERO I can hear the cuckoo singing In the cuckooberry tree...
SANCHO If he says that that's a helmet, I suggest that you agree...
BARBERO But he'll find it is not gold And will not make him bold and brave...
SANCHO Well, at least he'll find it useful If he ever needs a shave!
DON QUIXOTE Thou Golden Helmet of Mambrino, Thy deeds the world will not forget, Now Don Quixote de La Mancha, Will bring thee greater glory yet!
DON QUIXOTE, BARBERO, SANCHO, MULEROS Golden Helmet of Mambrino There can be no hat like thee.
DON QUIXOTE Thou and I now, ere I die now, Will make golden history!
BARBERO, SANCHO, MULEROS Golden Helmet of Mambrino Will make golden history!
To each his Dulcinea
PADRE To each his Dulcinea That he alone can name... To each a secret hiding place Where he can find the haunting face To light his secret flame. For with his Dulcinea Beside him so to stand, A man can do quite anything, Outfly the bird upon the wing, Hold moonlight in his hand. Yet if you build your life on dreams It's prudent to recall, A man with moonlight in his hand Has nothing there at all. There is no Dulcinea, She's made of flame and air, And yet how lovely life would seem If ev'ry man could weave a dream To keep him from despair. To each his Dulcinea... Though she's naught but flame and air!
Impossible dream
DON QUIXOTE It is the mission of each true knight... His duty... nay, his privilege! To dream the impossible dream, To fight the unbeatable foe, To bear with unbearable sorrow To run where the brave dare not go; To right the unrightable wrong.
To love, pure and chaste, from afar, To try, when your arms are too weary, To reach the unreachable star!
This is my Quest to follow that star, No matter how hopeless, no matter how far, To fight for the right Without question or pause, To be willing to march into hell For a heavenly cause!
And I know, if I'll only be true To this glorious Quest, That my heart will lie peaceful and calm When I'm laid to my rest.
And the world will be better for this, That one man, scorned and covered with scars, Still strove, with his last ounce of courage, To reach the unreachable stars!
Dubbing
POSADERO Don Quixote de La Mancha, Having proved yourself this day In glorious and terrible combat, And by my authority as lord of this castle... I hereby dub thee knight!
DON QUIXOTE But, your Lordship...
POSADERO Didn't I do it right?
DON QUIXOTE If Your Lordship could make some mention of the deeds I performed to earn this honor...?
POSADERO Of course.
DON QUIXOTE And it is customary to grant the new knight an added name. If Your Lordship could devise such a name for me...?
POSADERO Hmmm.
Knight of the Woeful
POSADERO Hail, Knight of the Woeful Countenance, Knight of the Woeful Countenance! Wherever you go People will know Of the glorious deeds Of the Knight of the Woeful Countenance!
Farewell and good cheer Oh my brave cavalier Ride onward to glorious strife. I swear when you're gone I'll remember you well For all of the rest of my life.
Hail, Knight of the Woeful Countenance, Knight of the Woeful Countenance Fare to the foe, They will quail at the sight Of the Knight of the Woeful Countenance! Oh valorous Knight, Go and fight for the right, And battle all villains that be, But oh, when you do, What will happen to you Thank God I won't be there to see!
ALDONZA, SANCHO, POSADERO Hail, Knight of the Woeful Countenance, Knight of the Woeful Countenance! Wherever you go People will know Of the glorious deeds Of the Knight of the Woeful Countenance!
Aldonza
DON QUIXOTE My lady...
ALDONZA I am not your lady!... I am not any kind of a lady! I was spawned in a ditch By a mother who left me there, Naked and cold and too hungry to cry; I never blamed her. I'm sure she left hoping That I'd have the good sense to die! Then, of course, there's my father... I'm told that young ladies Can point to their fathers With maidenly pride; Mine was some regiment Here for an hour, I can't even tell you which side! So of course I became, As befitted my delicate birth, The most casual bride Of the murdering scum of the earth!
DON QUIXOTE And still thou art my lady.
ALDONZA And still he torments me! How should I be a lady? For a lady has modest and maidenly airs, And a virtue I somehow suspect that I lack; It's hard to remember these maidenly airs In a stable laid flat on your back! Won't you look at me, look at me, God, won't you look at me! Look at the kitchen slut reeking with sweat! Born on a dung heap to die on a dung heap, A strumpet men use and forget! If you feel that you see me Not quite at my virginal best, Cross my palm with a coin, And I'll willingly show you the rest!
DON QUIXOTE Never deny thou art Dulcinea.
ALDONZA Take the clouds from your eyes and see me as I really am!
You have shown me the sky, But what good is the sky To a creature who'll never Do better than crawl?
Of all the cruel bastards Who've badgered and battered me, You are the cruelest of all! Can't you see what your gentle Insanities do to me? Rob me of anger and give me despair! Blows and abuse I can take and give back again, Tenderness I cannot bear! So please torture me now With your "Sweet Dulcineas" no more! I am no one! I'm nothing! I'm only Aldonza the whore!
DON QUIXOTE Now and forever thou art my lady Dulcinea!
Little Gossip
SANCHO Your Reverence, could I talk to him?
PADRE I'm afraid he won't hear you.
SANCHO (moving toward the bed) Then, I won't say much.
PADRE And no mention of knight-errantry!
SANCHO Of course not. Does one speak of the rope in the house of the hanged? Just a few words... to lighten his heart.
A little gossip... a little chat... A tittle idle talk of this and that... I'll tell him all the troubles I have had, And since he doesn't hear, At least he won't feel bad.
When I first got home my wife Teresa beat me, But the blows fell very lightly on my back. She kept missing ev'ry other stroke And crying from the heart That while I was gone She'd gone and lost the knack! Of course, I hit her back, Your Grace, but she's a lot harder than I am, and you know what they say... "Whether the stone hits the pitcher or the pitcher hits the stone it's going to be bad for the pitcher" So I've got bruises from here to...
A little gossip... a little chat... A little idle talk of this and that... If no one listens, Then it's just as well, At least I won't get caught in any lies I tell!
Oh, I haven't fought a windmill in a fortnight And the humble joys get duller ev'ry day, Why, when I'm asleep a dragon With his fiery tongue a-waggin' Whispers, "Sancho. Won't you please come out and play?"