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I: Italian
Primo
(First Course)
I spent last summer in Italy. On every menu there would be the different course groupings, Primi, Secondi, Dolce, etc. Primo was always pasta, so just think of this as the tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms that is starting your meal that is this recital, I guess.
I: Il segreto per esser felici
Gaetano Donzizetti, from Lucrezia Borgia
A song from the opera Lucrezia Borgia about drinking! And about having fun today, regardless of what might come in the future. Kind of like the song We Are Young by the band FUN. Except at the end of this one, I, the young drunkard friend of the main character, drop dead of poison. A little ironic. It’s ok, let’s keep going
Il segreto per esser felici
So per prova e l'insegno a gli amici
Sia sereno, sia nubile il cielo,
Ogni tempo, sia caldo, sia gelo
Scherzo e bevo e derido gli insani
Che si dan del futuro pensier
Non curiamo l'incerto domani
Se quest'oggi n'é dato goder
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Profittiamo degli'anni fiorenti
Il piacer li fa correr più lenti;
Se vecchiezza con livida faccia
Stammi a tergo a mia vita mi naccia
Scherzo e bevo e derido gli insani
Che si dan del futuro pensier
Non curiamo l'incerto domani
Se quest'oggi n'é dato goder
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The secret to being happy
I know well and tell it to my friends:
Whether the sky is overcast or clear,
Each time, whether it's hot or cold,
I joke and drink and laugh at the madmen
Who spare a thought for the future.
Let's not try to solve and uncertain tomorrow,
When our today is ready to be enjoyed!
Let's delight in the youthful years,
As pleasure makes them go slower;
If old age, with a pale face
Stays right behind while threatening my life,
I joke and drink and laugh at the madmen
Who spare a thought for the future.
Let's not try to solve and uncertain tomorrow,
When our today is ready to be enjoyed!
trans. Shirley Verett
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II: Ah, guarda sorella!, feat. Greta Ramsey
W. A. Mozart, from Cosi fan tutte
This is a duet from Mozart’s famous opera, Cosi fan tutte. In this scene, the two sisters are comparing portraits of their lovers and rejoicing in their newfound crushes. Very exciting. Very youthful. Very cute and funny, wow look how cute we are!
Fiordiligi:
Ah, guarda sorella!
Se bocca più bella,
Se petto pie nobile
Si può ritrovar.
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Dorabella:
Osserva tu un poco,
Che fuoco ha ne'sguardi!
Se fiamme, se dardi,
Non sembran scoccar.
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Fiordiligi:
Si vede un sembiante
Guerriero ed amante.
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Dorabella:
Si vede una faccia
Che alletta e minaccia.
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Fiordiligi:
Felice son io.
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Dorabella:
Io sono felice.
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Both:
Se questo mio core
Mai cangia desio,
Amore mi faccia
Vivendo penar.
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Fiordiligi:
Ah, tell me sister,
If one could ever find
A nobler face,
A sweeter mouth.
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Dorabella:
Just look,
See what fire is in his eye,
If flames and darts
Do not seem to flash forth!
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Fiordiligi:
This is the face
Of a soldier and a lover.
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Dorabella:
This is a face
Both charming and alarming.
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Fiordiligi:
Happy am I!
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Dorabella:
I am happy!
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Both:
If ever my heart
Changes its affection,
May love make me
Live in pain!
trans. Opera Folio
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