Sunday, October 31, 2010

Maria Callas: Una voce poco fa (translation)

La Divina Maria Callas (biography) sings UNA VOCE POCO FA from Act I, Scene II of the Italian opera, Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) by Gioacchino Rossini
Libretto : Cesare Sterbini (NOTE: Una voce poco fa translation is below the video)

* Role : Rosina, a young woman under the care of Dr. Bartolo
* Voice Part : soprano|mezzo-soprano
* Fach : lyric soprano|lyric mezzo
* Setting : A room in Dr. Bartolo's house
* Range : A4 to C6. Tessitura : Has not been entered yet.
* Synopsis : After having read the letter from Lindoro (Count Almaviva), Rosina is filled with joy. She sings of her love for him.
* Sound file : MIDI file and zip format sequenced by Bill King. MIDI file and zip format sequenced by Giovanni Borello.
* Translation and/or Aria Text : Translation by Gabriel Huaroc and translation by Giuseppe Cusmano.
* Recordings : Aria Alone Complete Opera Excerpts from Opera
* Where to Find It : Score of opera and aria alone - Classical Vocal Reprints, 1-800-298-7474. Catalog number for aria : #1208 (mezzo) #1204 (sop), for score : #50489 (Zedda). Buy vocal score online at Sheet Music Plus.

The following video clip was recorded in Paris 1958. The one and only Maria Callas effortlessly sings Rosina's aria. The audience can barely contain themselves.



ORIGINAL LYRICS
Una voce poco fa 
qui nel cor mi risuonò; 
il mio cor ferito è già,
e Lindor fu che il piagò.
Sì, Lindoro mio sarà; 
lo giurai, la vincerò. 
Il tutor ricuserà, 
io l'ingegno aguzzerò. 
Alla fin s'accheterà 
e contenta io resterò.  
Sì, Lindoro mio sarà;  
lo giurai, la vincerò.
Io sono docile, son rispettosa,
sono obbediente, dolce, amorosa;
mi lascio reggere, mi fo guidar.
Ma se mi toccano dov'è il mio debole
sarò una vipera e cento trappole
prima di cedere farò giocar.

Una voce poco fa ENGLISH TRANSLATION:
A voice has just
echoed here into my heart
my heart is already wounded
and it was Lindoro who shot.
Yes, Lindoro will be mine
I've swore it, I'll win.

The tutor will refuse,
I'll sharpen my mind
finally he'll accept,
and happy I'll rest.

Yes, Lindoro will be mine
I've swore it, I'll win.
I let be ruled, I let be guided
I'm obedient, sweet, loving
I let be ruled, I let be guided
But if they touch where my weak spot is
I'll be a viper and a hundred traps
before giving up I'll make them fall