What I’ve Been Singing This Week: O Mio Babbino Caro & Pastourelle

Montserrat Cabballé singing Puccini‘s O Mio Babbino Caro. It’s an aria from his only comedy, Gianni Schicchi. Here’a a literal translation of the lyrics into English:

Oh my dear papa,
I love him, he is handsome, handsome.
I want to go to Porta Rossa
To buy the ring!

Yes, yes, I want to go there!
And if my love were in vain,
I would go to the Ponte Vecchio
And throw myself in the Arno!

I am anguished and tormented!
Oh God, I’d like to die!
Papa, have pity, have pity!
Papa, have pity, have pity!

Silly girl. Lovely song.

The other song I had a go at this week is one I first heard, and listened to over and over, all night, on a Malaysian Airlines flight from Heathrow to Dubai. It stopped me going mad – I was sandwiched between two snoring men. It was from an album recorded by Arleen Auger, of songs from the beautiful Auvergne region of France.

Here’s a translation of the lyrics, (the original is in Langue d’Oc) which I’ve taken from the libretto of Canteloube: Songs of the Auvergne (Sony: Essential Classics). These are sung by Frederica von Stade accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Come over to this side!
Ah, come across the river!
Come here close to me!
For we will talk business
And the rest of the day
We will talk of love!

But I cannot cross!
How could I do it!
I have no arched bridge,
And I have no boat;
Not even a shepherd
Who loves me faithfully!

You would soon have a boat
If you were pretty!
You’d have an arched bridge,
And you’d have a shepherd
Who’d be faithful to you
Even to the grave!

I don’t think girl is going to be doing any business or talking any love with this charming fellow! But the song’s lovely. Here’s a link to a version by Spanish soprano Maria Bayo.