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Roma, 21 (sera​)​. VIII. 1926

from Marta Mia .​.​. Luigi Pirandello (2018) by Thomas Oboe Lee

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lyrics

Finalmente oggi mi arrivata la tua lettera estrosa e volante. In pochi tratti mi hai fatto veder tutto: cioè la salita d'una scala, con la perfettissima descrizione di Bull; la prova davanti allo specchio d'una vestaglia rossa; poi Te un momento con la penna in mano, per domandarmi: "Che debbo dirle?"; e subito via, di nuovo, e non di buona voglia, fuori, a provare dalla Palmer, con parecchi saluti cordiali e trillanti.

Come rapidità, una lettera non poteva essere più rapida di così. Perciò ho detto volante. Sono rimasto un po' male, quando, arrivata al punto che mi ti rappresentavi nell'atto di scrivermi, ti è venuta fuori la domanda: "Che debbo dirle?" come se veramente non avessi in Te nulla da dirmi. Ma ho riflettuto, subito dopo, che invece mi avevi detto tante cose, cioè mi avevi fatto vedere tante cose, Te in tanto movimento; e che allora ne potevo essere più che soddisfatto; e che perciò sono in dovere di ringraziarti, come faccio, con tutto il cuore.

...

At last your letter—-so clever and “flying”—-arrived today. With just a few strokes you made me see everything: you climbing a flight of stairs, with the most perfect description of Bull***; you trying on a red dressing gown in front of the mirror; then asking me, with pen in your hand: "What should I tell you?"; and immediately you’re out again, this time not really feeling like it, to try on your dress at Palmer’s, with cordial and trilling greetings.

As far as speed is concerned, your letter could hardly be quicker. That’s why I called it “flying.” I was a bit disappointed when, reaching the point where you described yourself in the act of writing to me, you came up with the question: "What should I tell you about?" as if you really had nothing to tell me. But, right after that, I did remember that you really did tell me many things; that is, you had made me see many things as you went about your activities; and therefore my “thank you” is due, as I say so, with all my heart.

***Bull was Marta’s dog.

credits

from Marta Mia .​.​. Luigi Pirandello (2018), released December 14, 2018

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Thomas Oboe Lee Cambridge, Massachusetts

Thomas Oboe Lee was born in China in 1945. He lived in São Paulo, Brazil, for six years before coming to the United States in 1966. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, he studied composition at the New England Conservatory and Harvard University. He has been a member of the music faculty at Boston College since 1990. ... more

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