Arias:
Vissi d'arte, Tosca's aria from Tosca
Vissi darte, vissi damore, I lived for my art, I lived for love,
non feci mai male ad anima viva! I never did harm to a living soul!
Con man furtiva With a secret hand
quante miserie conobbi aiutai. I relieved as many misfortunes as I knew of.
Sempre con fè sincera Always with true faith
la mia preghiera my prayer
ai santi tabernacoli salì. rose to the holy shrines.
Sempre con fè sincera Always with true faith
diedi fiori aglaltar. I gave flowers to the altar.
Nellora del dolore In the hour of grief
perchè, perchè, Signore, why, why, o Lord,
perchè me ne rimuneri così? why do you reward me thus?
Diedi gioielli della Madonna al manto, I gave jewels for the Madonnas mantle,
e diedi il canto agli astri, al ciel, and I gave my song to the stars, to heaven,
che ne ridean più belli. which smiled with more beauty.
Nellora del dolor In the hour of grief
perchè, perchè, Signor, why, why, o Lord,
ah, perchè me ne rimuneri così? ah, why do you reward me thus?
Translation by Rebecca Burstein (rburstei@brynmawr.edu)