Arias:
Sul fil d'un soffio etesio, Nannetta's aria from Falstaff
Sul fil d'un soffio etesio On the breath of an etesian breeze
scorrete, agili larve; scurry, agile shadows
fra i rami un baglior cesio among the branches a bluish-grey glow
d'alba lunare apparve. of the rising moon has appeared.
Danzate! E il passo blando Dance! And may the gentle steps
misuri un blando suon, measure a gentle sound,
la magiche accoppiando carole combining the magical dances
alla canzon. with the song.
Erriam sotto la luna Let us wander beneath the moon,
scegliendo fior da fiore; choosing flower by flower;
ogni corolla in core each crown of petals, in its heart,
porta la sua fortuna. brings its good fortune.
Coi gigli e le viole With the lilies and the violets,
scriviam de' nomi arcani; let us write secret names;
dalle fatate mani from our enchanted hands
germoglino parole... may words blossom...
parole alluminate di puro argento words illuminated by pure silver
e d'or... and gold...
carmi e malìe. Magic incantations and charms.
Le fate hanno, per cifre, The Faeries have, for alphabet letters,
i fior. flowers.
Translated by Jennifer Silberberg (JennyR529@aol.com)