Verdi Nabucco Libretto English translation
Ernest C. Bennett
translation, but I cannot seem to find a source to deal with. Help!
Ernest C. Bennett
Mark D. Lew
Bennett" <eben...@twcny.rr.com> wrote:
> I wish to find the subject material. I have no problem with purchasing the
> translation, but I cannot seem to find a source to deal with. Help!
[NOTE: The bulk of this post is a direct copy of my response to a similar
question on this group almost exactly a year ago.
[As for "purchasing the translation", if it's just for you, don't worry
about it. But if you're planning to republish it in any way, check with me
for permission first.]
Va, pensiero, sull'ali dorate;
Va, ti posa sui clivi, sui colli,
Ove olezzano tepide e molli
L'aure dolci del suolo natal!
Del Giordano le rive saluta,
Di Sďonne le torri atterrate.
Oh mia patria sě bella e perduta!
Oh membranza sě cara e fatal!
Arpa d'ôr dei fatidici vati,
Perchč muta dal salice pendi?
Le memorie nel petto raccendi,
Ci favella del tempo che fu!
O simile di Solima ai fati
Traggi un suono di crudo lamento,
O t'ispiri il Signore un concento
Che ne infonda al patire virtů!
Verse is by Temistocle Solera. Like most really good poetry, it loses
something in translation, but here's my attempt (not quite literal):
Fly away, Thought, on golden wings.
Go rest on the hills
Where the warm breezes blow fragrant,
The sweet breath of my homeland.
Greet the banks of the Jordan,
And the toppled towers of Zion.
Oh beautiful country that I have lost,
Oh cherished memory that grips my heart!
Golden harp of the prophets of old,
Why do you hang silently from the willow?
Stir the memories in our hearts,
Tell us of the old days.
Like the fall of Jerusalem,
Strike a chord like a harsh cry.
And let the Lord provide the harmony
Which gives meaning to our suffering.
I love the last stanza. The harmony metaphor works better in Italian;
"harmony" doesn't really capture the whole sense of "concento". Likewise
"ispirare" and "virtů".
mdl
britt...@my-deja.com
mark...@earthlink.net (Mark D. Lew) wrote:
> In article <VEEL5.114700$JS3.17...@typhoon.nyroc.rr.com>, "Ernest
C.
> Bennett" <eben...@twcny.rr.com> wrote:
>
> > I wish to find the subject material. I have no problem with
>>purchasing the
> > translation, but I cannot seem to find a source to deal with. Help!
>
Why did you think he's only interested in the chorus?
You can usually find a perfectly reasonable English translation by
going to any record store and buying the most inexpensive CD available.
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Valfer
"Va, pensiero" as Mark posted.
Valfer
The only absolute truth is that absolute truth is inexistent.
<britt...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:8tp59o$pnf$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
britt...@my-deja.com
"Valfer" <val...@email.msn.com> wrote:
> I doubt that your cheap solution would have such a brilliant
translation of
> "Va, pensiero" as Mark posted.
> >
> > Why did you think he's only interested in the chorus?
> >
> > You can usually find a perfectly reasonable English translation by
> > going to any record store and buying the most inexpensive CD
available.
> >
I am sure that you are absolutely right. On the other hand, *I*
answered the man's question.
Mark D. Lew
> Why did you think he's only interested in the chorus?
Oops, you're absolutely right. The answer to your question is: Because I
didn't read his post carefully enough.
Mea culpa.
mdl
Dana Sanderson
> You can usually find a perfectly reasonable English translation by
> going to any record store and buying the most inexpensive CD available.
Not true. In the U.S., the cheapest opera recordings tend to be labels such
as Gala and Opera D'Oro, which typically do not have libretti. Even the
bargain and mid-price "two-fers" usually do not come with libretti, if ever.
Dana