Voice of Judge:
But why Lucheni? Why did you kill the Empress Elisabeth?

Lucheni:
Alla malora!

Voice of Judge:
Answer, Luigi Lucheni!

Lucheni:
Why, why? Every night the same question – for a hundred years! Why all this questioning? Merda! I'm dead!

Voice of Judge:
The terrible assassination of the Empress of Austria!

Lucheni:
Va a farti fottere!

Voice of Judge:
Explain at last what was the motive!

Lucheni:
The motive? I killed her because...she wanted it!

Voice of Judge:
Don't talk such nonsense.

Lucheni:
She really did! There are honourable witnesses to testify for it!

Voice of Judge:
What witnesses would that be?

Lucheni:
Her contemporaries, my dear sir! They can't find peace and still talk about....Elisabeth!

Chorus:

The old world has Gone down and dust goes to dust,
but we still dance the dance of death
lust, grief (or suffering) duty, which suffocates us
Dream, h..... ? That's all that's left.

We meant well with Sisi
The child was so sensitive
She did expect too much from life
Our little daughter

Her life was difficult
we were too much alike
she felt misunderstood.

For the last time Lucheni! Who was pulling the strings behind you?

Death, Only Death!

The motive Lucheni!!!!

Love. UNA GRANDE AMOREEE!!!

Elisabeth

Wie Du (Like You)

Young Elisabeth: (Sisi)

Mother is expecting guests tonight,
I hate it so much
All the uncles and aunts will come
And I sure wish I could escape all the gossip and the affectations,
but the governess won't have it.
Father, why can't I go with you?

Because it's not possible.

But everything you like, I like even more

Nevertheless, it's not possible

Dreaming and writing poems or ride with the wind.
I would love to be like you.

Life is too short to get bored, even for an hour,
and family gatherings, I hate as much as the plague.

Me too!
Why can't I climb the cherry tree today?

Just be happy that you're not in your poor sister's shoes...

Or try to balance on a rope!

They're training her to be a princess!

Or play with my brothers on the meadows behind the house.

I will not take sides!

But the Governess won't allow it.

I just can't help you.

Father, but why can't I go with you....

Maybe I'll be back by tomorrow afternoon!

As far as Egypt, Spain, or Kathmandu

Time to go now!

I would like to be free as a gypsy,
just travel with a zither, do what I like.

Adieu Sisi.

And always want (to do?) what I am doing.

Be good.

I would love to be like you.

Jedem Gibt er das Seine (He gives to everyone what he deserves)

Narrator:

It is the year 1853.
In Vienna rules the young emperor Franz Josef,
his power is secured by a standing army of soldiers,
a sitting army of administrators
and a kneeling army of priests
and a crawling army of informers---
And he relies heavily on the advice of his mother
People say she is the only man at Court.

Be severe, be strong, be cold, be hard

He gives everybody what he deserves
He does everything for the greater good
God Save and Protect our young emperor.

THE ARCHBISHOP...

Majesty, the Holy Church encounters resistance.

OUTRAGEOUS!

Majesty, the church wishes to
have the supervision of schools in the country.

Granted!

He gives everybody what he deserves....

A Mother

Majesty, my son loves freedom
and now he is in jail.

GOOD!

Mercy, Mercy, whatever he has done
he does not deserve to die.

Be Severe...

If I could do what I would like to...

Be Strong...

If I would not have to rule the way an emperor should

Be hard....Be hard...

Declined.

What other business do we have?

Assessment of the current political situation:

Majesty the war at Crimea threatens to spread over to other countries.
It is unavoidable that we becomes Russia's ally this time.
We have to thank Russia for saving us from the revolution (?)
and besides we get a piece of Turkey for our services.

What do you think of the political development, Count Gruenne?

If we defend Russia, England will be against us
but if we become England's ally, the Russians will be upset,
in any case an alliance would be fatal.

We have to decide!

The emperor of Austria does not have to do anything!

He gives everybody what he deserves...

Be sly, be smart...

So Wie Man Denkt, so Kommt es nie (Things never happen the way you plan them)

Narrator:

A summer in Bad Ischel is always worth a visit
and the heart so hopeful,
Sophie has explained to her sister
the whole arrangement in detail,
but it does not work the way she planned it!

So why did you arrive so late?

The weather on our journey was really bad,
we have to rest now for a while.

No way! The emperor is expecting you at 4 p.m.!

What, that early? How does Helen look?

Max could not come, but I brought Sisi instead.

That dress is completely inappropriate
and your hair looks awful.

I'll go change!

You won't make the emperor wait for you!

What use is a plan, even if it is a very smart one?
It's in the end just theory
only one thing is certain for sure
The way you plan and think is never
the way it will be in the end

The mothers have a lot to talk about,
the emperor is silent.
The marriage candidate feels uncomfortable.
The whole thing gets out of hand
because the emperor demonstrates that he has his own opinion about his marriage!

Well Franz, speak Freely. How do you like her?

Who?

Why, your charming cousin, of course.

She looks like a fresh almond...

Like what?

A fresh almond about to burst.

That is almost poetry!

Her eyes so lovely and warm
and her lips are as red as strawberries

And her manners are good too.

At the Ball tonight I will only dance with her! (indicating Sisi)

He likes..her???! Her!!!??
Well then, let's invite her.
Get up, go get her!!!

What use is a plan, even a smart one...

3 years of training, experience,
education and careful planning, all for nothing!!

What use is a plan....

Alle Fragen sind gestellt (All questions are asked)

Narrator:

6:30pm in the Vienna Augustine's Church,
Strange time for a wedding ceremony
but appropriate on this 24th of April 1854,
very appropriate.

All questions are asked, all phrases learned
We are the last of a world with no hope left
because all Sins are ( either asked, or lasted or past)
all virtues are memorised and all curses are said
and all blessings are voiced
ugliness can't shock us,
the good deed no longer an example
the evil deed leaves us indifferent
because all miracles are done
and all borders destroyed
we have seen every image and
all questions are asked and all chances are gone
we are the last of a world, which always thinks
about suicide and everything,
everything that happens helps us kill time
We finally see the stars' descent
ELISABETH.....

Is that your wish, then answer with "Yes"

Yes.

Sie passt nicht (She does not fit in)

Voice:

Love makes one stupid
Sisi gives up for him everything that makes life exciting!
Love will kill her!
She should escape while she still has a taste (German Expression)
before she gets used to it to not having the taste (for life?)

Love makes one blind
Franz does not know what he's doing.
He does not listen to me.

Why did it have to be him!?

When I look at that child, I just get furious.
She has destroyed all of my plans.

I see her/him and think he/she isn't the one!

"What a beautiful wedding".

The priest (incense giver) has spoken too long.

As always!

Really sweet! Touchingly naïve!
And soft as wax! Didn’t speak much.

How do you like the new empress?

She does look nice...

She is really charming!

New to the court, simple to lead.
We’ll have an easy game with her!

Her family tree has two blemishes.

That we will overlook!

A child still!

That is a bad omen!

She is friendly!

In the Treasury (Jewelry Room) ...

She is shy...

... the crown fell on the floor.

She is naïve.

... and at her alighting from the coach

... somewhat clumsy ...

... the young empress almost lost...

She does herself

... her new diadem!

...still difficult ....

It is almost like a fairy tale. A child becomes Empress.

Red-rimmed eyes! Awkward and honest. So charmingly helpless like a sheep.
She carries no weight here ... she is a small light.

She fits/does not fit in here.

Der Letzte Tanz (The last dance)

Death:

It's an old story but new for me
two guys who love the same girl - you.
You've already chosen. I am the loser.
I'm only a guest at your wedding.
You turned away from me, but you only pretend.
You would be loyal to him but you have been wanting me.
He holds you in his arms, but you smile at me.
And where that will lead to, you know as well as I do.

The Last dance belongs only to me
The last dance, I dance only with you.

Time becomes old and tiresome
The wine becomes stale
The air is sultry and stifling
In the Hall of Mirrors.
Invisible eyes looks at us
while everybody waits for the rendezvous.

The last dance, the last dance belongs to me.
The last dance I only dance with you.

And I am waiting in the dark, and always look at you
and seem to be the big loser,
but I know that I will win.
The last dance...

Eine Kaiserin muss Glanzen (An Empress has to shine)

Sophie:

Where is the Empress?

Still sleeping, Your Highness.

What's going on?

My dear child, you can't sleep in that long.

Why?

I won't have any laziness from you

But I was tired

The day starts punctually at 5 a.m. in the morning
with the stroke of the bell!

I want to go horseback riding today.

No. that's too vulgar and risky.
You can't behave that way as an Empress.
That's disgusting.

Why not?

You can't do what is not permitted by protocol.
An empress has to shine
and only see to her duty
which is to keep the dynasty alive
and she has to sacrifice everything.
Now show me your teeth.

My teeth?

Well, is it so hard to do this? Open your mouth!
They are too yellow, we'll have to do something about them.

Am I a horse!!!?

Of course not..only a pony.

Everybody tries to train all the time...
Everything I want is forbidden to me

I want you to be an Empress.
You're too wild and not raised properly.

I think you're just jealous of me!

Jealous of you...that's ridiculous

I want....

You'll learn first to be modest.

I would like to....-----(NO!!!!)
Help me Franz Josef- look here your mother is torturing me!

I'll teach you manners! Leave her to me my son.

Franz Jozef, don't leave me alone!

I would like to be on your side
But it would be better for both of us
if you would take the advice of my mother.

Be dominant, be strong...

So you abandon me?

Ich Gehor nur mir (I belong to me)

(These is an amalgamation of all my favourite translations :-) Elisabeth: I will not give up my own self Just to be with you I will not be glad just to do What I'm told to do I'm not meant to be your property No, I belong I me If I want to reach for the stars You can't hold me back I want to take chances Far off from the beaten track Don't force me to be what I can't be I belong to me If you try to tame me I will not obey I'd rather leave you alone If you try to change me I must break away To be what I am on my own I'm freezing, I'm burning I live without compromise I'm growing, I'm learning I'm ready to pay the price I know it's not easy to be free But I belong to me I hate to be burdened With duties that I despise You know I can't stand To be watched by a thousand eyes I flee from the crowd in agony I just belong to me If you want to keep me Don't hold me so tight I can't give my life for your love If you want to break me I'll not even fight I'll just fly away like a dove I'm here when you need me I live and I die with you I'll share all your troubles I'll laugh and I'll cry with you You can blame me and bless me But you cannot possess me 'Cause I belong to me To me!

(Literal translation) I don't want to become obedient, tamed and well mannered I don't want to be modest, popular and deceived I am not your possession I want to look down from a rope (?) at the world I want to go on the ice and see for myself how long it will hold me What is it to you what I risk? I only belong to me! If you want to lecture me then you will force me to escape the tiresome duty If you want to convert me I will break free and fly. Like a bird into the light. And if I want the stars, then I will find myself a way to them I will grow and learn and will still be the person I am. I want it all before I am lost. Because I only belong to me. I don't want to be pressured with questions and wishes and From head to feet be looked at by curious eyes I get defensive when I feel strange eyes on me because I only belong to me And if you want to be with me, then don't tie me down I won't give up my freedom and if you want to tie me down I will leave your nest and dive like a bird into the ocean. I am waiting for my friends and look for comfort. I share the joy and I share the sadness But don't demand my life that I can't give to you because I only belong to me!

Die Frohliche Apokalypse (The cheerful apocalypse)

The world will end-- everyone knows that in the Cafe of Vienna
What's the latest news in the journals? How is the soup
Who wants to play skat with me!?
Dear God everything is so boring!!!
Our young Empress cries all day long.
She does not eat anymore since she's lost her child...
Would you like another melange
She's probably pregnant again, she doesn't show herself anymore
we have waited too long already for an heir to the throne
She was visiting circus Rene the other day
The mother of the emperor was not too pleased

We sit around in the cafe and wait for the apocalypse
Chatterers (German) who don't know anything,
they just sit there and kill time
Again a year is gone-- LIKE I should care!!!

Who would like to play skat with me?
Our young Emperor does not seem to be very clever
or at least not in political affairs-- another drink?
The last war in Crimea put us in a neutral position
And now Austria is politically completely isolated
France, England and Russia stay on one line what is worse
we have a war with Pieramont (?)

So what if we sit in the cafe and kill time
and wait cheefully for the apocalypse,
this time she's got a son,
we didn't believe it anymore
and him they took away from her.
I found out she likes the Hungarians
Is she a liberal or is she radical?
She is a strange woman
Whatever, we cheefully wait for the apocalypse.

When young Rudolf was born, his mother had a terrible vision
She saw red flags, and crowds of people at the Batthaus place
Threatening her with their fists.
She saw barricades and her own son as the leader of the revolution wonderful eccentric and decadent
Austria now needs a parliament

(repeated a few times)
Whatever, we sit in the cafe and kill time and
cheefully wait for the apocalypse.