poetry Poetry Prompt 12 – Rondo

AC Benus · August 2, 2015

Poetry Prompt 12 – Rondo

Let's Write an Opera-Style Rondò!

A Rondò is a two-part aria. What's an aria? An aria is like a song in two sections, but the first section is repeated at the end. A Rondò breaks this repetition rule.

The basic structure is this (and it's easy to follow):

Aria sections: part A; part B; recap part A

Rondò sections: part A; development of part A; recap part A; part B.

This type of number is used to convey complex emotional situations at the height of the drama, and as such, is a great complement to the Sonnet forms we've already studied. The first part of a Rondò is slow, and the second part fast; it's like the natural break that occurs at the pivot point of a Sonnet.

The history of this piece of dramatic music is not so straightforward. Like the origin of the Sonnet, the non-musical version of the Rondò comes from French late medieval poetry. The Rondeau is a well-established form of verse very much like the Italian Sonnet, with a rhyme structure of a-b-b-a; a-b-b-a, etc. So, this form being as old as it is would seem to have a long-lived history as the musical type known as the Rondò. But, it doesn't.

Rondòs appeared all of a sudden at the end of the 1770s, and by the middle of the next decade had hit a perfect stride. Let's look at the structure in more detail.

The classic Rondò is made of three quatrains of 8-syllable lines. Rhyming can vary greatly, but generally in Italian it follows the rules of vowel, vowel, vowel, consonant. In other words, think of the ending sounds like this: ah, eh, ee, are; or, ee, ough, ah, own; and so forth. That is the basic structure of Italian poetics where finding words that rhyme is not a challenge and what matters is the harmonious placement of the phonetics concluding a line.

Let's look at an example. Follow along with the music as you read. The Rondò begins at min. 1:20.

Amor, pietoso Amore, Oh Love, piteous lord of love,

rendimi alfin al pace, finally grant me some peace,

porgi ristoro a un core allow repose for my heart

stanco di tollerar. so tired in its suffering.

Basti il mio lungo pianto Let my long bouts of tears suffice

l'ire a saziar del Fato, to assuage the anger of Fate,

cessi un amante ingrato prevent that ungrateful lover

di farmi sosprirar. from having to make me sigh.

Ah se invano io mi lusingo, Ah, in vain I flatter myself,

se pietà di me non hai, for if you do not take pity,

crudo Amor! perché mi fai cruel Love, why then make of me

le tue leggi seguitar? accomplice to your heartless law?

So you can see, this is strong stuff! Emotions are pulled out from within the character and bared for all to see. You can also tell how the rhyme structure works here, although Lorenzo da Ponte, the poet, decided to keep it eh, eh, eh, are; oh, oh, oh, are; and then he diversified with oh, ai, ai, are. This is quite different from the typical approach to end of lines in English poetry, but as you can see, it makes for a beautiful effect, especially here in the capable hands of Maestro Salieri.

Love-gone-wrong is one of the usual themes for a Rondò, but it's only one possibility. In Un cosa rara,[1] da Ponte wrote a Rondò where the Queen of Spain is reflecting on the joys of a simple life – the life of which she is deprived. And in our next example, by da Ponte again,[2] an evil woman comes to grips with not only giving up her political ambitions, but losing her life to save the man she's manipulated into doing her dirty work. Follow along with the music as you read.

Non più di fiori vaghe catene No more with his garlands of flowers

discenda Imene ad intrecciar. will blessèd Hymen descend on me.

Stretta fra barbare Now locked in barbarous

aspre ritore chains of captivity,

veggo la morte it's only Death I see

ver me avanzar. approaching step by step.

Infelice! qual orrore! Unhappy soul! What horror awaits!

Ah, di me che si dirà? Ah, but what will be said of me?

Chi vedesse il mio dolore, Who seeing my agony will not then

Pur avria di me pietà. find a little room to pity me.

Ok, so bad example? No, a beautiful one, even though it breaks the form in several ways (having only 10 lines instead of 12, metres all over the place, etc.), I wanted you to hear how a great Rondò comes to life with great music. We can feel her torment, but her grudging acceptance to embrace her fate, even though it means a public execution for treason. She is brave here, and shines forth as the example that it's never too late to do the honorable thing.

The prompt: write one Rondò based on a well-known movie scene. Channel the pathos you personally know and love from a favorite movie moment, like Scarlett O'Hara grubbing turnips and saying "As God is my witness…" or, the adrenalin injection scene from Pulp Fiction – you choose. Work those emotions into three quatrains, with the pivot point coming on the 3^rd one. You decide how or if you wish to rhyme it, and how many syllables each line contains. Again, relax. Don't get frustrated; just have fun with it.

--------------------------------------------

[1] Un cosa rara, ossia bellezza ed onestà – or, A Rare Thing, Beauty and Honesty Together – music by Vincent Martín y Soler.

[2] The authorship of this number from La clemenza di Tito is in dispute. The libretto was created for Mozart by Caterino Mazzolà, but scholarship by H.C. Robbins Landon shows convincingly that this piece was preformed in concert long before the opera was commissioned. This assertion is validated by the number literally being cut and pasted into the opera score; he speculates that Lorenzo Da Ponte was the poet this piece and not Mazzolà. See Landon's 1791 Mozart's Last Year, 1988 New York.

Edited February 2, 2023 by AC Benus

Aditus · August 2, 2015

I know the movie - now find the words.

Puppilull · August 2, 2015

Oh lordy, that sound difficult... Maybe I should try.

J.HunterDunn · August 2, 2015

I vowed to restrict myself to reading, but the prompt proved too challenging.

My rondò is based on the movie "Iris", which relates the life of Iris Murdoch (1919-1999), a British writer.

I don't know whether the writer or the movie are well known in the US. Iris's books occupy several feet in my bookcase.

The poem is her husband's voice when it becomes apparent that Iris is suffering from dementia, an illness that doesn't leave one unaffected when experienced close by.

Iris

I fell in love, most with your mind,

For your beauty lived in the heart.

Eloquent, tremendously smart

And above all you were so kind.

"The Nice and The Good", "The Red and the Green",

"The Sacred and Profane Love Machine",

It's just a few of your many books.

When that's what you wrote, who cares about looks.

But now I see your searching gaze

In vain attempt to find my name.

Your smile, your eyes, are not the same.

Forever now you live in daze.

---

Here's a link to the trailer of the movie; at around 1:40 the husband explains to Iris that she once was a writer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XuvaZ6EkrY

Edited August 2, 2015 by J.HunterDunn

AC Benus · August 2, 2015

I vowed to restrict myself to reading, but the prompt proved too challenging.

My rondò is based on the movie "Iris", which relates the life of Iris Murdoch (1919-1999), a British writer.

I don't know whether the writer or the movie are well known in the US. Iris's books occupy several feet in my bookcase.

The poem is her husband's voice when it becomes apparent that Iris is suffering from dementia, an illness that doesn't leave one unaffected when experienced close by.

Iris

I fell in love, most with your mind,

For your beauty lived in the heart.

Eloquent, tremendously smart

And above all you were so kind.

"The Nice and The Good", "The Red and the Green",

"The Sacred and Profane Love Machine",

It's just a few of your many books.

When that's what you wrote, who cares about looks.

But now I see your searching gaze

In vain attempt to find my name.

Your smile, your eyes, are not the same.

Forever now you live in daze.

---

Here's a link to the trailer of the movie; at around 1:40 the husband explains to Iris that she once was a writer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XuvaZ6EkrY

Thank you for adding this! I did not wake up this morning thinking that anyone would have responded to this prompt already, but you pleasantly surprised me!

I like that you added the video link, for it gives a good visual aid in understanding the 'flavor' of the film. I think the Rondò is very evocative, and for the stage, the naming of the books could be very moving as he shows them to his wife in an attempt to spark her memory.

I bet it could be set to music and acted on the stage quite effectively!

Aditus · August 2, 2015

My first attempt. I'm sorry, it doesn't appear in the story list, because I made a mistake while publishing the chapter. (again).

AC Benus · August 2, 2015

My first attempt. I'm sorry, it doesn't appear in the story list, because I made a mistake while publishing the chapter. (again).

It's an awesome Rondò - I love it. Thanks, Adi, for taking the challenge.

Dolores Esteban · August 2, 2015

Another Lord of the Rings theme:

The Alliance (The Battle of Dagorlad)

AC Benus · August 3, 2015

Another Lord of the Rings theme:

The Alliance (The Battle of Dagorlad)

Thanks for taking the challenge, Dolores! I left a review for you on the actual posting.

Emi GS · August 4, 2015

I am not Efficient in poetry but wanna try out. So I took one scene from "10 things I Hate about You" and write down this. I named it "10 things I Hate because of You".

I hate the feeling of Love

that which grows when I see You...

I hate the feeling of Shy

that which grows when You Flirt...

I hate the feeling of Anger

That which grows when You Hurt...

I hate the feeling of Sad

That which grows when You Mad...

I hate the feeling of Happy

That which grows when You Kind...

I hate the feeling of Warmth

That which grows when You Touch...

I hate the feeling of Cold

That which grows when You Kiss...

I hate the feeling of Alive

That which grows when You Prapose...

I hate the feeling of Awesome

That which grows when You Hug...

I hate the feeling of Tired

That which grows when You be Sexy...

AC Benus · August 4, 2015

I am not Efficient in poetry but wanna try out. So I took one scene from "10 things I Hate about You" and write down this. I named it "10 things I Hate because of You".

I hate the feeling of Love

that which grows when I see You...

I hate the feeling of Shy

that which grows when You Flirt...

I hate the feeling of Anger

That which grows when You Hurt...

I hate the feeling of Sad

That which grows when You Mad...

I hate the feeling of Happy

That which grows when You Kind...

I hate the feeling of Warmth

That which grows when You Touch...

I hate the feeling of Cold

That which grows when You Kiss...

I hate the feeling of Alive

That which grows when You Prapose...

I hate the feeling of Awesome

That which grows when You Hug...

I hate the feeling of Tired

That which grows when You be Sexy...

Thanks for taking the challenge! I love the ironic twist in the poem where every time the poet says "I hate..." he means "I love." That's cool

Emi GS · August 4, 2015

Thanks for taking the challenge! I love the ironic twist in the poem where every time the poet says "I hate..." he means "I love." That's cool

Thanks... :blush:

Puppilull · August 4, 2015

This is my second attempt at poetry. I can't resist, even if it's scary...

This piece is inspired by Les Miserables, the scene where Javert, the police inspector, takes his life after realising he's lived his life according to rules and beliefs that he suddenly realises are imperfect. His whole life crashes down around him.

It's a scene and a song that always makes me cry. Writing a rondo about a song is perhaps a bit strange, but it's the scene that came to mind.

I know the formatting is off and I'll try to fix it.

https://www.gayauthors.org/story/puppilull/puppilullspoetryprompts/2

AC Benus · August 5, 2015

This is my second attempt at poetry. I can't resist, even if it's scary...

This piece is inspired by Les Miserables, the scene where Javert, the police inspector, takes his life after realising he's lived his life according to rules and beliefs that he suddenly realises are imperfect. His whole life crashes down around him.

It's a scene and a song that always makes me cry. Writing a rondo about a song is perhaps a bit strange, but it's the scene that came to mind.

I know the formatting is off and I'll try to fix it.

https://www.gayauthors.org/story/puppilull/puppilullspoetryprompts/2

Now that I understand the situation better, the Rondo has a really defiant edge. I say that, because the music for first two quatrains would be slow and pensive, but then the pivot point on the third quatrain (starting with the line "Now all my deceptive bridges burn") would start a quicker melody, making his words pretty fierce. I like that, for even though he's about to kill himself, he's in effect saying "It's all your fault." That's pretty brilliant

Puppilull · August 5, 2015

I'm so glad you got all that, despite the format issue and my struggles with find the right word. The shift in intensity was what I was going for. It kind of follows the song. I'm glad I managed to write it as well.

As for defiance... I always think of this as Javert pretty much saying "Fuck you too!" to the world.

Here's a link to the scene.

Edited August 5, 2015 by Puppilull

albertnothlit · September 11, 2015

I can see now how thoughts are shared;

such a strange communion it is.

Not alone anymore, you're there,

At the edge of my mind.

Time will only make you stronger,

and you give me another sight.

These new senses make me wonder

what new things I could find...

Do you feel the fire's presence?

it is time to fall - and die.

May the flames destroy your essence,

ending your life with mine.

-Ripley, killing the nascent alien queen. From Alien 3.

https://youtu.be/Qlr-4PECivg?t=36

Puppilull · September 11, 2015

I can see now how thoughts are shared;

such a strange communion it is.

Not alone anymore, you're there,

At the edge of my mind.

Time will only make you stronger,

and you give me another sight.

These new senses make me wonder

what new things I could find...

Do you feel the fire's presence?

it is time to fall - and die.

May the flames destroy your essence,

ending your life with mine.

-Ripley, killing the nascent alien queen. From Alien 3.

https://youtu.be/Qlr-4PECivg?t=36

This poem made me think about your spider queen! If she'd been evil, that is. I can feel Ripley's determination and sort of calm facing the situation. Nice to see more poetry!

AC Benus · September 11, 2015

I can see now how thoughts are shared;

such a strange communion it is.

Not alone anymore, you're there,

At the edge of my mind.

Time will only make you stronger,

and you give me another sight.

These new senses make me wonder

what new things I could find...

Do you feel the fire's presence?

it is time to fall - and die.

May the flames destroy your essence,

ending your life with mine.

-Ripley, killing the nascent alien queen. From Alien 3.

https://youtu.be/Qlr-4PECivg?t=36

First of all, I love this Rondo! I agree with Puppilull on how you captured Ripley's calmness and self-assurance. What more noble moment can there be than killing the-self to save all of humanity?

The poem is very effective, I think, not a little of which is due to you ending each quatrain in a six-syllable line instead of eight. That just lends a certain grandeur to the piece, and would allow the composer to slow down the music here as well (more beats in a line, the faster the tempo as a general rule).

But I have to say I think your movie scene choice was really inspired. That moment is so pivotal and significant.

Thanks you so much for taking the challenge, and again I agree with Puppilull that it's nice to see more poetry from you! Cheers

albertnothlit · September 14, 2015

Wow, thank you guys for the kind feedback! I hadn't written any poetry since middle school I think, but it was so much fun I'm totally going to try again in the future. Also, I learned a lot about rondòs, and I got to read the other amazing entries, so that's a plus

Puppilull · September 14, 2015

Wow, thank you guys for the kind feedback! I hadn't written any poetry since middle school I think, but it was so much fun I'm totally going to try again in the future. Also, I learned a lot about rondòs, and I got to read the other amazing entries, so that's a plus

Why don't you join me in doing all the prompts? It's fun, hard and makes me think about my writing in a whole new way.

albertnothlit · September 14, 2015

Why don't you join me in doing all the prompts? It's fun, hard and makes me think about my writing in a whole new way.

Ma'am, you're on. I just did #439, which brings my glorious total of prompt responses up to three. Time to get busy, I guess!

Edited September 14, 2015 by albertnothlit

Puppilull · September 14, 2015

Challenge accepted!

I think I've done 9, not in order though. Started late and was a bit shy...

Edit: I was talking about the poetry prompt, just to be clear. LOL Trying to do all prompts would mean no life for the foreseeable future...

Edited September 14, 2015 by Puppilull

AC Benus · September 14, 2015

Challenge accepted!

I think I've done 9, not in order though. Started late and was a bit shy...

Edit: I was talking about the poetry prompt, just to be clear. LOL Trying to do all prompts would mean no life for the foreseeable future...

yea...trying all the prose prompts would put you in line for literary sainthood...

Edited September 14, 2015 by AC Benus

Puppilull · September 14, 2015

yea...trying all the prose prompts would put you in line for literary sainthood...

Or literary insanity...

Mikiesboy · May 28, 2016

Poetry Prompt 12 – Rondo

Let's Write an Opera-Style Rondò!

Hmm, not sure if this is exactly right, is it strong enough, emotional enough to be a Rondo? Or, do I need to go back to the drawing board? ... this was inspired by the final scenes in the last film in the Lord of the Ring Trilogy, Return of the King. Frodo, now drained by the effects of his journey, his never-healing injury, and the Ring says farewell to his friends and sails to the Undying Lands, with Bilbo, Elrond, and Gandalf. I guess this is sort of Frodo's task in a nutshell:

A journey long, so far from home,

where danger lies at every turn;

though many offered in my place,

the burden was mine to carry.

Afraid was I of failing, but

more for our sweet world if I did;

the route over mountains tested,

but my mission I did fulfill.

The cost—a high and painful one

though our world was righted again—

in peace I took quiet leave, and

sailed to a tranquil life with friends.

Or this one with 9 syllables rather then 8 and a little changed:

Saying farewell to dear companions

leaves a weary heart, a saddened soul

but our journey together must end

this night on this darkened lonely dock.

Each one of them offered to carry

the heavy burden that was mine, on

the journey long, so far from our home

and where danger lay at every turn.

The cost was a high and painful one

but now our world was righted again—

so in peace I took quiet leave, and

we sailed to a tranquil life with friends.

Think I prefer the first one ...

Edited May 29, 2016 by Mikiesboy

poetry Poetry Prompt 12 – Rondo

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