Live performance at Palais des Beaux-Arts, Brussels on 3 June 2012 chorus: Octopus Symphony Chorus orchestra: Le Concert d'Anvers conductor: Bart Van Reyn soprano: Ida Falk Winland tenor: Yves Saelens bass: Birger Radde more info: www.octopusensembles.be CHORUS Ah! The tempest is upon us! Heaven protect us! Oh, how the thunder booms! Oh, how the winds do rage! Where can we shelter? Flashes of lightning rend the air, they crack the clouds with jagged spears and water gushes down. Where can we seek safety? The storm in fury rages, the whole sky is aflame. Alas! Alas! Banging, crashing, one upon the other come the terrifying thunderclaps. Alas! Alas! The reeling world is shaken to the ocean floor. Banging, crashing, one upon the other, etc. Lucas (tenor): The dark clouds are dispersing, the anger of the storm is stilled. Hannah (soprano): Before it sets, the sun peeps out again, and in its last ray the meadows shine, bedecked with pearls. Simon (bass): To their long-accustomed stalls, satisfied and refreshed, the fattened cattle return. Lucas (tenor): The quail is already calling to her mate. Hannah (soprano): In the grass the merry crickets chirp. Simon (bass): And frogs croak from the marshes. Trio: The vesper-bell rings out; on high, Venus, like a messenger, appears inviting us to sweet repose. Boys: Lasses, lads and women, come! Golden slumbers now await us, for a pure heart, a healthy body and a day's labour vouch for that. Girls: We're coming, we're coming, we'll follow you. Chorus: The vesper-bell has rung; on high, Venus, like a messenger, appears inviting us to sweet repose.