Gloria de Mastropiero

Introduction (Marcos Mundstock):

Influenced by Compagnucci, Mastropiero composed some tangos, and began to make a living playing the piano in a seedy joint, frequented by promiscuous alternators and street women. He worked in that dive three nights a week, until he couldn't take it anymore, and started going every night. Then he really couldn't resist it; emaciated and sick, he left Buenos Aires heading to Italy. Upon disembarking, Cardinal Gemelli was waiting for him, to invite him to play at the Vatican that same night. In the carriage that transported them, the cardinal asked him: 'Tell me, maestro, do you have any sacred music scores, any Hallelujahs that you used to compose with such fervor, or a Creed, or a Magnificat? In Latin, of course...'. Mastropiero swallowed hard. 'Well, uh... I actually have a Gloria, yes... a Gloria that has not been premiered yet.' But the truth was different. In his suitcase, he only had the tangos he had composed in Buenos Aires. Once they arrived at the Vatican, Mastropiero hastily modified one of his scores. He added the Latin text as best he could, handed out his part to each musician, and performed it before the Synod. The impact on the bishops was tremendous. Immediately Mastropiero was excommunicated. The Swiss guards threw out the window the scores, the instruments... and the composer. And, once again, the impact was tremendous. Next, we will listen, precisely, to the 'Gloria' of Mastropiero, as it was performed by the composer before the bishops in the Vatican's audience hall.

Scene composition: All the members prepare with their instruments and begin a brief tuning. Marcos stands in front of the microphone and, as a conductor, gives the cue for them to start playing.

Chorus: Glory. Glory. Glory, Glory.

Marcos Mundstock: Glory. Glory.

Chorus: Glory to God.

Marcos Mundstock: Glory Garcia.

Chorus: Glory to God.

Marcos Mundstock:
My glory. Beautiful little thing.
I remember the first day
I saw Gloria among the women,
I saw Gloria on the bus.
Mother of my soul. My goodness!! A Gloria...

Chorus: Glory, Glory.

Marcos Mundstock:
Glory, you have a body.
You have a magnificent body;
Gloria stood good, more than good,
Gloria stood good: really good!
Long and finished hair, skin of angels,
divine eyes, seductive lips,
swelling chest, and for ages of ages.
I saw Gloria in the bus seat.
I approached to make my move
Can I sit next to you?

Chorus: And what did Gloria do?

Marcos Mundstock:
Gloria... curriculum.
She wanted to go to the movies, no ifs, ands, or buts,
then we went straight to that chick's place.
At first, we talk, we dance at first.
Afterwards, we kiss, and we made love,
we made love at first and afterwards!