Patricia's second aria

Patricia's first aria

"Patricia"

a neo-Baroque operetta'

(Click on the colored boxes to hear the songs and read the full libretto)

What follows is that portion of the libretto that has been composed, sung and recorded – Patricia’s first two arias.

Beatrice: (spoken)      Patricia! Be sensible!

Patricia (spoken)        I hear you, Bea. But …

Patricia: (aria) All my life, I’ve been sensible
                           So responsible, such a bore
          (A)            Expectations, not my making
                           Could engulf me, evermore

                           Manhattan, New York, I know it sounds trite,
          (B)            I know it sounds foolish to you
                           But there I can search for the woman I am
                           Shed the woman they made me untrue

                          All my life, I’ve been sensible
                          So responsible, such a bore
          (A1)         Expectations, not my making
                          Could engulf me ever more
                          Expectations I abhor
                          Simply living such a chore

 Beatrice: (spoken)     They love you here Patsy, think of the firm.
                                        I know you just got a promotion …

Patricia: (aria) I’m good at my work, yes better than most
                           But they need me here more than they want me
                           Don’t show up a man, don’t put yourself first
                           Hold your tongue, keep your place, just look pretty

                           I’m good at my work, yes far better than most
                           But they need me here more than they want me
                           Ideas they’re not mine, they belong to the boss
                           If you speak, you’re ignored, just look pretty

                           I’m good at my work, the best they can get
                           But a woman in tech is a handmaid
                           At first it seemed good, but now it is clear
                           Hold your tongue, keep your place, just look pretty

                           I’m good at my work,  I’m better than most …
                           Oh Bea, I’m so very unhappy