“Psyché”
May 21, 2008
Emile Paladilhe (1844-1926)
Translation
I am jealous, Psyche, of all nature
The sun’s rays kiss you far too often;
Your hair too often accepts the wind’s caresses;
When he blows your hair, I am jealous;
Even the air you breathe
Passes your lips with too much pleasure;
Your garment touches you too closely;
And whenever you sigh,
I do not know what frightens me
Perhaps that your sighs are not all meant for me
Henri Duparc
May 21, 2008
“La Sauterelle & Le Dauphin”
Henri Duparc
Translation
La Sauterelle (The Grasshopper)
Here is the delicate grasshopper, The nourishment of Saint John, May my verses likewise be A feast for superior people
Le Dauphin (The Dolphin)
Dolphins, you play in the sea But the waves are always briny, Does my joy burst forth at times? Life is still cruel
http://a809.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/69/l_c1a45349adda69e474abf59238f93530.jpg
“Una Donna Quindici anni”
May 21, 2008
“Una Donna Quindicianni”
Despina’s aria from “Cosi fan tutte”
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Translation
Una donna quindici anni A woman of 15 years
De’e saper ogni gran moda Must know all the good methods,
Dove il diavolo ha la coda Where the devil keeps his tail,
Cosa e bene, e mal cos’e. What’s good and what’s bad.
De’e saper le maliziette She must know the little tricks
Che innamorano gli amanti That enamor lovers:
Finger riso, finger pianti To feign laughter, to feign tears,
Inventar i bei perche. And invent good reasons.
De’e in un momento dar retta a cento She must pay attention to a hundred at a time
Colle pupille parlar con mille Speak through her eyes with a thousand
Dar speme a tutti, sien belli o brutti, Give hope to all, be they handsome or ugly,
Saper nascondersi senza confondersi, Know how to obfuscate without getting confused
Senz’arrossire saper mentire. And know how to lie without blushing.
E qual regina dall’alto soglio And this queen from her high throne
Col posso e voglio farsi ubbidir. Can make them obey with, “I can,” and “I want.”
(Par ch’abbian gusto di tal dottrina, (It seems they like this doctrine,
Viva Despina che sa servir!) Long live Despina, who knows how to serve!)
Synopsis
Act II, Scene I
The act opens in the sisters’ bedroom, with Despina urging them to succumb to the Albanians’ overtures. After she leaves, Dorabella confesses to Fiordiligi that she is tempted, and the two agree that a mere flirtation will do no harm and will help them pass the time while they wait for their lovers to return.
Check out a video on youtube of this performance:
Welcome!
May 21, 2008
I’ve dedicated this site to all those VOICE STUDENTS who need some help in finding english translations to their songs, program notes, and song report ideas. When I can, I will also post video performances of each aria or art song.
So enjoy the page!
Also, since I am a musician myself….I’m not strictly a classical musican ; ]
Check out my original music at:
www.MySpace.com/JessicaSingsForGod
And watch a video of me and my band:
