Audio Sample

From Standing Her Ground, Act 1, Scene 2, ending

Emma vows vengeance

Kristin Gornstein, mezzo soprano
Alaina de Bellevue, piano

“Tonight I’ll sleep with my gun”

Act 1, Scene 2, end
(After Victor exits, Emma locks the door. She exits and quickly returns with a revolver.)

EMMA: Tonight I’ll sleep with my gun.
He’s deranged!
How can he imagine I would ever swoon in his arms?
He killed my uncle!
This madman hopes to possess me.
But I’ll never let him take me.
I would rather die!
There are fates worse than death.

Ah! This anger gives me life.
Rest in peace, Uncle.
I will defend myself, and I will avenge you.
Now rage inflames me.
The man who killed you lives and threatens me.
He will come back.
He will come back for me; he said he would.
When he dares to come, I'll kill him.
I will avenge you, Uncle.
I swear I'll kill him.

(Back to more excerpts from Standing Her Ground.)