We are very excited to be jumping straight from our very successful Cyrano into the process of Directing and Producing George Bernard Shaw’s The Man of Destiny. As we dive in to the text we are also in the process of translating some of the love letters that Napoleon wrote to Josephine. What amazingly rich, sensual letters they are. Here is the first one that Jennifer Rose Davis has translated for your reading pleasure. Don’t forget that we have auditions for The Man of Destiny Fri-Sun, November 1-3, 2019 and we would love to see many of you there!
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I awake overwhelmed with thoughts of you. Your image and the memory of our intoxicating evening yesterday has not left my mind.
Sweet and incomparable Josephine, what a strange effect you have on my heart! Are you angry with me? Are you unhappy? Worried? My soul shatters with sadness., and there is no sleep left for your lover… But even more so when I yield to the passion that masters me and drink from your lips and heart a burning flame. Ah! How this endless night has taught me that the memory of you is not you in the flesh. You leave at noon. In three hours, I will see you.
Till then, my sweet love, receive a thousand kisses, but give me none in return, for they set my blood on fire.
Napoleon to Josephine
Je me réveille plein de toi. Ton portrais et le souvenir de l'énivrante soirée d'hiers n'ont point laissé de repos à mes sens. Douce et incomparable Joséphine, quelle effet bizzare faite vous sur mon coeur ! Vous fâchez-vous ? Vous vois-je triste ? Êtes-vous inquiète ? mon âme est brisé de douleur, et il n'est point de repos pour votre ami... Mais en est-il donc davantage pour moi, lorsque, me livrant au sentiment profond qui me maîtrise, je puise sur vos lèvres, sur votre coeur, une flame qui me brûle. Ah ! c'est cette nuit que je me suis bien aperçu que votre portrait n'est pas vous ! Tu pars à midi, je te verai dans 3 heures.
En attendant, mio dolce amor, reçois un millier de baisé ; mais ne m'en donne pas, car il brûle mon sang.