Francesco Paolo POST 30 Songs RICORDI V4 aveLEONARDPrancesco Paolo Low Voice TOSTI 30 Songs CONTENTS 17 Addio, fanciulla 24 Aprile 32 Ave Maria 38 "A Vucchella 36 Chanson de l'adieu 43° Chitarrata abruzzese 52 Good-Bye (Addio) 58 Ideale 61 I pescatore canta 68. In van preghi 75 Lalba separa dalla luce I’ombra_ 82. Lamia canzone 92 La serenata 98 Lora tarda 87 Lvultima canzone 100 L’ultimo bacio 108 Luna d'estate 112) Malia 118 Marechiare 122 Mattinata 126 Non t’amo pit 103 Penso 130 Per morire 139 Pour un baiser 142 Ridonami la calma 152 Sogno 149 Tormento 158 Tristezza 170 Vorrei 164 Vorrei morire Cover illustration: Caricature of Francesco Paolo Tosti by Carlo Pellegrini; Vanity Fair, 14 November 1885 ISBN 978-0-634-04037-5 RICORDI VA HALeLEONARD*® (Copyrgnt © 2002 by CASA RICORD!— BG RICORDI SpA “ts crt eet Al Rights Reserved For all works contained herein: ‘Unauthorized copying, arranging, adapting, recording or public performance is an infringement of copyright, Infingers are liable under the la.BIOGRAPHY Francesco Paolo Tosti (1846-1916) composed over 350 songs, in Italian, English, French, and the Neapolitan dialect. He brought to his writing his experience as a performer; he was a skilled pianist and possessed a supple and polished lyric tenor voice. He commanded 2 great knowledge of vocal technique, both as a performer and as a teacher. Verdi considered Tosti ‘one of the finest vocal pedagogues of his day. Tosti’s friends and colleagues included the leading composers and singers of the era: Verdi, Puccini, Mascagni, Leoncavallo, Boito, Melba, Tetrazzini, and Caruso. ‘Tosti’s songs are exceptionally facile, sensual, pleasurable to sing, and clearly the work of a composer-singer writing in a refined vocal tradition who understood the mechanics of the voice. Like a Renaissance craftsman, with the piano as his ‘workbench, Tosti melded imagination and seasoned experience to fashion a product that was always fresh, but always tried and true, created from well-made elements. Tosti's expertise lay in wrapping the formal logic of musical construction with an impressive display of creativity and singularity. His canzoni always have a characteristic ring, possessing a direct and. simple grace and striking, Italianate melodic lines. ‘Tosti was bom on April 9, 1846, in Ortona, a litle town on the Adriatic coast in the Abruzze region of Italy. As a child, he took violin lessons at the local music school, but by age 12 had been accepted into the Naples Conservatory. In addition 10 studying the violin, Tosti received instruction in composition from Giuseppe Saverio Mercadante, a composer whose works influenced no less than Verdi. Paolo was appointed “maestrino,” the tutor of the younger students. ‘After receiving his violin diploma in 1866, he retumed to Ortona for several frustrating years; by the end of 1870 had found his way to Rome. Here Tosti entered the most aristocratic salons, becoming renowned asa singing teacher. In this role, Tost served in the court ofthe Princess Margherita of Savoy, future queen of Italy. ‘fier more than five years of a profitable stay in Rome, Tosti moved to London in late 1875. If Tosti recognized the potential of Victorian London, a rich and powerful capital, center of an intercontinental empire, so too did Ricordi of Milan; as part of their policy of international expansion, the publisher signed a contract with Tosti in 1878. There is an undeniable link between the separate fortunes of Tosti and Ricordi in London. By 1880, Tosti had become the singing teacher to Queen Victorias children, and was in charge of her private vocal concerts (The queen makes constant reference to Tosti in her secret diaries over a period of sixteen years, from 1882 to 1898.) He taught at the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, and was for many years an administrator at the latter. For more than twenty years, he maintained leading roles as composer, teacher, and impresario. He became a British citizen in 1906, and was knighted in 1908. ‘Tosti returned to Rome in 1912, spending the last years of his life there and in Francavilla, with periodic trips to Ortona He died in an apartment in the Hotel Excelsior in Rome on December 2, 1916. For this edition of Tosti’s music, the most popular and representative songs—those in Italian, French, and Neapolitan dialect—have been chosen. The English “ballads,” written for the immediate consumption of a rising British middle class, today seem cloyingly sentimental. Only “Good-Bye,” with its equally popular Italian text (“Addio”), has been included, ‘Tosti constantly worked with the leading singers of his time, people like Enrico Caruso, Nellie Melba, Vietor Maurel, and Antonio Scotti, and his songs were regularly sung by other great contemporaries like John McCormack, Giuseppe de Luca, Luisa Tetrazzini, Emma Eames and the big names of the years between the two world wars like Beniamino Gigli, Richard ‘Tauber, Titta Ruffo, and Ezio Pinza. Though their ages are different, all these performers are connected by the fact that they ‘were active while Tosti was still alive, ‘The musical salon, the stage on which Tosti had been a leading player, disappeared with the changes brought about by World War I. The phonograph, cinema, radio, and new social and cultural habits in general did away withthe graceful aesthetic of an earlier time. Tosti found himself overtaken by new modes of musical expression. Subjected to quick, unfair judgment, he was soon forgotten by the critics in both England and Italy. Times change, however, and we can now investigate these gems of the late-nineteenth century salon and find them well-crafted, creative, and evocativeTOSTI: A SELECT DISCOGRAPHY Aprile José Carreras, La mia canzone (Erato) Giuseppe Di Stefano, Neapolitan Songs, vol. 2 (Testament) Beniamino Gigli, O sole mio (EMI Studio) Richard Leech, From the Heart (Telarc) Luisa Tetrazzini, Luisa Tetrazzini, vol. 2 (Nimbus Prima Voce) Ave Maria ‘Ave Maria im Spiegel der Zeiten, vol. 2 (Sicus Klassik) Rosa Ponselle, 1939 Victor & 1954 Villa Pace Recordings (Romophon) *A Vucchella Roberto Alagna, Serenades (EMI Classics) José Carreras, La mia canzone (Erato) Franco Corelli, Songs & Arias (EMI Classics) Giuseppi Di Stefano, Neapolitan Songs, vol. 2 (Testament) ‘Tito Gobbi, Opera & Song (Testament) Jerry Hadley, A Song of Naples (RCA Victor) Mario Lanza, Live from London (RCA Victor) Richard Leech, From the Heart (Telarc) Luciano Pavarouti, 40!" Anniversary Live Recital (Decca) Rosa Ponselle, Rosa Ponselle, vol. 3 (Nimbus Prima Voce) Renata Tebaldi, New York Farewell Recital (VAI Audio) Chanson de Padiew José Careras, La mia canzone (Erato) Wiliam Mateuzzi, Tost: Rare Songs (Dynamic) Luciano Pavarotti, 40! Anniversary Live Recital (Decca) Giuseppe Di Stefano, Neapolitan Songs, vo. 2 (Testament) Ruggero Raimond, Recital Italiano (Classics Blend) Chitarrata abruzzese Walter Omaggio, Tosti: Canti populari e romanze Abruczese (Nuova Era) Titta Ruffo, The Complete Songs Recorded, 1912-29 (Minerva) Good-Bye (Addo) Carlo Bergonzi, Tosti: Songs (Orfeo) Franco Bonisolli, Neapolitan Songs, vol. ! (Orfeo) José Carreras, The Golden Years (Philips) Enrico Caruso, The Caruso Edition, vol. (1908-12) (Pearl) Beniamino Gigli, The Complete HMV Recordings, 1918-32 (Romophon) Alfredo Kraus, Alfredo Kraus sings a Neapolitan Serenade (MontillaSony) Ideale Carlo Bergonzi, talian Songs (Sony Classical) Jussi Bjbrling, Jussi Bjorling at Carnegie Hall (RCA Gold Seal) José Carreras, La mia canzone (Erato) Enrico Caruso, The Complete Recordings, vol. 3 (Naxos) Giuseppe Di Stefano, Neapolitan Songs, vol. 2 (Testament) Placido Domingo, The Domingo Collection (Sony Classical) Mario Lanza, The Great Caruso & Other Caruso Favorites (RCA Vietor) Riccardo Stracciari, The Glory of ltaly: Jewels of lalian Song (Memoir Classics) Il pescatore canta Carlo Bergonzi, Tosti: Songs (Orfeo) Emesto Palacio, Romanze (Agora Musica) In van preghi Mario Ancona, The Complete Victor Recordings, 1907-08 (Romophon) Renato Bruson, Romance su testi di Gabriele D’Annunzio (Nuova Era) William Matteuzzi, Tosti: Rare Songs (Dynamic) Lialba separa dalla luce Pombra Carlo Bergonzi, talian Songs (Sony Classical) Jussi BjBrling, Studio Recordings, 1939-50 (EMD, Renato Bruson, Romance su testi di Gabriele D'Annunzio (Nuova Era) Enrico Caruso, Caruso in Song, vol. 2 (Nimbus Prima Voce) Cecilia Gasdia, Rectal laliano (Classics Blend) Mario Lanza, The Great Caruso & Other Caruso Favorites (RCA Vietor) William Mattuezzi, Tost: Rare Songs (Dynamic) Luciano Pavarotti, 40!" Anniversary Live Recital (Decca) Tito Schipa, Litle-known Recordings, 1918-57 (Pearl) Richard Tucker, The Sou! of laly (Sony Classical) La mia canzone José Carreras, La mia canzone (Erato) Enrico Caruso, The Caruso Edition, vol. 3 (1912-16) (Pearl) Mario Lanza, The Great Caruso & Other Favorites (RCA Victor) Luciano Pavarotti, Pleasures (Decca) La serenata Carlo Bergonzi Tosti: Songs (Orieo) Franco Bonisolli, Neapolitan Songs, vol 1 (Orfeo) Renato Bruson, Renato Bruson sings Tosti (Bongiovanni) José Carreras, La mia canzone (Erato) Giuseppe Di Stefano, Neapolitan Songs, vol. 2 (Testament) Beniamino Gigl, © sole mio (EMI Studio) ‘Alma Gluck, Alma Gluck (Nimbus Prima Voce) Richard Leech, From the Heart (Telarc) Nellie Melba, The Complete Victor Recordings (1907-16) ‘Romophon) Luciano Pavarotti, 40" Anniversary Live Recital (Decca) Enzio Pinza, In Concert, 1942-48 (Eklipse) Rosa Ponselle, The Complete Victor Recordings, 1926-29 ‘Romophon) Ruggero Raimond, Recital laliano (Classics Blend) Cesare Siepi, Lebendige Vergangenheit (Preiser) Joan Sutherland, Pasadena 1973 (Bella Voce) Lora’ tarda Renato Bruson, Romanze su testi di Gabriele D'Annunzio (Nuova Era)4 L'ultima canzone Renato Bruson, Renato Bruson sings Tosti (Bongiovanni) José Carreras, La mia canzone (Erato) Giuseppe Di Stefano, Neapolitan Songs, vol. 2 (Testament) Placido Domingo, Celebration in Vienna (Sony Classical) Luciano Pavarotti, 40!" Anniversary Live Recital (Decca) Ezio Pinza, Lebendige Vergangenheit (Preiser) Rosa Ponselle, Rosa Ponselle on the Air, vol. | (1934-36) (Marston) Ruggero Raimondi, Recital Italiano (Classics Blend) Cesare Siepi, Lebendige Vergangenheit (Preiser) Ltultime bacio Carlo Bergonzi, Tosti: Songs (Orieo) José Carreras, La mia canzone (Erato) Luna d’estate Carlo Bergonzi Tosti: Songs (Orfeo) Enrico Caruso, The Caruso Edition, vol. 3 (1912-16) (Peal) Giuseppe Di Stefano, Neapolizan Songs, vol. 2 (Testament) Mario Lanza, The Great Caruso & Other Caruso Favorites (RCA Victor) Luciano Pavaroti, 40" Anniversary Live Recital (Decca) Rosa Ponselle, The Complete Victor Recordings, 1926-29 (Romophon) Malia Carlo Bergonzi, Tost: Songs (Orfeo) Franco Bonisoli, Neapolitan Songs, vo. 2 (Orfeo) Renato Bruson, Renato Bruson sings Tosti Bongiovanni) José Carreras, La mia canzone (Erato) Giuseppi Di Stefano, Neapolitan Songs, vo. 2 (Testament) Cecilia Gasca, Recital Italiano (Classics Blend) Luciano Pavaroti, 40! Anniversary Live Recital (Decca) Cesare Siepi, Lebendige Vergangenheit (Preise) Marechiare Franco Bonisolli, Neapolitan Songs, vol. 1 (Orfeo) José Carreras, The Golden Years (Philips) Giuseppi Di Stefano, Neapolizan Songs, vol. 1 (Testament) Beniamino Gigli, O sole mio (EMI Studio) Tito Gobbi, Opera & Song (Testament) Mario Lanza, The Legendary Tenor (RCA Red Seal) Luciano Pavarotti, 40"" Anniversary Live Recital (Decca) Rosa Ponselle, 1939 Victor & 1954 Villa Pace Recordings (Romophon) Titta Ruffo, The Complete Songs Recorded, 1912-29 (Minerva) Tito Schipa, Little-known Recordings, 1918-57 (Pearl) Mattinata Mario Ancona, The Complete Victor Recordings, 1907-08 (Romophon) Carlo Bergonzi, Tosti: Songs (Orfeo) Franco Bonisolli, Neapolitan Songs, vol. 1 (Orfeo) Nellie Melba, The Complete Victor Recordings, 1907-16 (Romophon) ‘Non t’amo pitt Carlo Bergonai, Tosti: Songs (Orfeo) Renato Bruson, Renato Bruson sings Tosti (Bongiovanni) José Carreras, La mia canzone (Erato) ‘Sumi Jo, La Promessa (Erato) Luciano Pavarotti, 40! Anniversary Live Recital (Decca) Leo Nucei, Recital Italiano (Classics Blend) Penso Carlo Bergonzi, Tosti: Songs (Orfeo) Joseph Schmidt, O sole mio (EMI Classics) Cecilia Gasdia, Recital ltaliano (Classics Blend) Per morire Renato Bruson, Renato Bruson sings Tosti (Bongiovanni) Pour un baiser José Carreras, Barbara Frittoli, La mia canzone (Erato) Enrico Caruso, The Complete Recordings, vol. 4 (Naxos) Mario Lanza, The Great Caruso & Other Caruso Favorites (RCA Victor) Cecilia Gasdia, Ruggero Raimondi, Recital taliano (Classics Blend Ridonami la calma Carlo Bergonzi, Tosti: Songs (Orfeo) Renato Bruson, Renato Bruson sings Tosti (Bongiovanni) ‘Sogno Carlo Bergonzi, Tosti: Songs (Orfeo) Renato Bruson, Renato Bruson sings Tosti (Bongiovanni) José Carreras, La mia canzone (Erato) William Matteuzzi, Tosti: Rare Songs (Dynamic) ‘Tormento Carlo Bergonzi, Tosti: Songs (Orfeo) Tristeza Renato Bruson, Renato Bruson sings Tosti (Bongiovanni) José Carreras, La mia canzone (Erato) Yorrei Renato Bruson, Romanze su testi di Gabriele D'Annuncio (Nuova Era) Yorrei morire Renato Bruson, Renato Bruson sings Tosti (Bongiovanni) José Carreras, La mia canzone (Erato) Tito Gobbi, Great Opera Baritones (Net Import) Tino Pattiera, The Glory of ltaly: Jewels of Italian Song (Memoir Classics)Addio, fanciulla (Canto popolare) Addio, fanciulla addio, Doman ritomo al mar, Lasciami ti diss'io, Tu mi volesti amar, Or piangi, ed al tuo pianto ‘Sento strapparmi il cor; To non sapea che tanto Desse di pene amor! Ricordati: una sera Insiem vagando in mar, Ti dissi: a primavera To ti dovrd lasciar, ‘Tui capo allor chinasti Con trepid’ansieta, ‘Ma il di che paventasti Domani spuntera! ‘Aprile (Rocco Emanuele Pagliara) Non seni tune Varia i profumo che spande Primavera? Non sent tune anima i suon de nova voce lusinghiera? BVrAprill Ela stagion d'amore! Deh! vien, o min gent st” pati'a fore! 11 pié tarrai fra mammole, vrai su'l petto rose e cilestrine, e le farfalle candide Caleggeranno intorno a'I nero erine. E 1’April! B la stagion d'amore! Deh! vieni, o mia gentil su’ prati'n fiore! TRANSLATIONS Farewell, maiden Farewell, maiden, farewell, tomorrow I return to the sea. Leave me, I said 10 you, ‘you wanted to love me. Now you are erying, and at your tears, feel my heart breaking; T did not know that love could cause such pain. Remember: one evening walking together by the sea, I said 10 you: in spring T must leave you. Then you bowed your head with fear and apprehension, ‘but the day that you dreaded will dawn tomorrow. April Do you not feelin the air the scent that spring sends forth? Do you not feel in your very being the sound of a promising new voice? Iris Aprilf Iris the season of lovel ‘Oh! come, my fair one, o the flowering meadow! Your feet will walk among the violets, ‘about your breast will be roses and bluebells, ‘and the white butterflies will flutter around your dark tresses. Iris April! I isthe season of lovet ‘Oh! come, my fair one, to the flowering meadow!‘Ave Maria (Carmelo Errico) Perle fulgenti cupole dorate ‘La melodia del!’organo suonava; Lento moriva il di sulle vetrate; ‘Una nube d’incenso al ciel volava, E dolcemente da ogni labbro uscia: ‘Ave Maria. Nella blanda mestizia di quall'ora ‘Tutta serenita di paradiso, I cavaliere che sospiro ognora ‘M’apparve, e a lungo ci guardammo in viso: Fu vana allora la preghiera mia, ‘Ave Maria, Dall'azzurro del ciel stendi Ia mano ‘A me infelice dal dolore affranta; Deh! ch’io nel pianto non t'invochi invano, Arridi all’amor mio, Vergine santa: ‘Abbi pieta di me, Vergine pia. ‘Ave Maria, *A Vuechella (Gabriele D’ Annunzio) Si, comm’a nu sciorillo tu tiene na vucchella, ‘nu poco pocorillo appassuliatella, ‘Meh, dammillo, dammillo, —% comm’a na rusella— dammillo nu vasillo, dammillo, Cannetella! Dammillo e pigl ‘nu vaso piccerillo comm'a chesta vucchella, illo, cche pare na rusella ‘nu poco pocorillo appassuliatella, Chanson de adieu (Edmond Haraucourt) Partr, c'est mourir un peu, Crest mourir & ce qu'on aime: On laisse un peu de soi-méme En toute heure et dans tout lieu. C'est toujours le deuil d’un veeu, Le dernier vers d'un potme; Partr, c'est mourir un pew, Crest mourir & ce qu'on ai Et 'on par, et c'est un jeu, Et jusqu’a adieu supreme ‘Crest son ame que I'on sme, ‘Que I’on séme en chaque adieu: Partir, c'est mourir un peu. ‘Ave Maria Round the shining gilded cupolas the organs melody rang: the daylight slowly died on the stained glass; 1 cloud of incense wafted towards heaven, ‘and softly from every mouth came the words: ‘Ave Maria. In the gentle melancholy of that hour, full of the calm of heaven, ‘the soldier I still sigh for ‘appeared to me, and we looked at each other ‘for a long time: then my prayer was in vain. ‘Ave Maria. Holy Virgin, from the blue of heaven ‘extend your hand to me, overcome with grief; don’t let me weep and call on you in vain, mile on my love, holy Virgin. shave mercy on me, chaste Virgin. ‘Ave Maria, "A Vucchella Yes, like a tiny flower is your little mouth only slightly Jaded. Oh, come give me, come give me, —like a small rose— sive me a tiny kiss, ‘give me one, Cannetella! Give one and take one, a tiny litle kiss like this tiny mouth which seems like a little rose only slightly faded. Song of farewell To leave isto die a litle, it is death to those who love: you leave a litte of yourself behind ‘a all times and everywhere, Itis always mourning for a vow, the last line of a poem; 10 leave is to die a little, iis death to those who love. ‘And you leave, its only a game, and until the fnal farewell itis your heart you shake off you shake off with each farewell: to leave is to die a litle.Chitarrata abruzzese (Riccardo Mazzola) Ho detto ai fiori al vento ed alla lune ‘Stannotte io canter® la serenata: eco sospirera per la laguna fin che W'aved destata! Ed or ch'e notte la luna s*asconde « passa I'aquilone; pupille verdemare e trecce bionde jo piu non canterd quella canzone! Ho detto al sogno mio fatto di luce: ‘Stannote la terrd dentro le braccia: ella verra, 'incanto la conduce ¢ l'amor mio 'allaccia. Ed or ch’e notte, solingo viandante, io vado e pid non spero: Ja donna mia mutd passione e amante e il vento & cupo e l’orizzonte & nero! Ideale (Carmelo Errico) To ti seguii com‘iride di pace Lungo le vie del cielo: To ti seguii come un'amica face De la notte nel velo. E ti sentii ne la luce, ne lara, Nel profumo dei fiori; E fu piena la stanza solitaria Dite, dei tuoi splendori In te rapito, al suon de la tua voce, Lugamente sognai; E de la terra ogni affanno, ogni croce, In quel sogno scordai. ‘Torna, caro ideal, torna un istante A sorridermi ancora, E a me risplendera, nel tuo sembiante, Una novella aurora, Il pescatore canta (Riccardo Mazzola) Hai le pupille cost grandi e chiare cche dentro a quelle si rispecchia amore: bella, che cammini lungo il mare, sovra la spiaggia canta un pescatore! Un pescatore canta e se ne muore € tu cammini e non ti vuoi fermare: Sorge la Tuna bianca come un fiore € il pescatore canta ¢ dorme il mare! (© bella, il cuore mio tutto era d’oro e Tho smarrto in una dolce sera; vVierano tutte le sirene in coro ‘ma chi la ritrov®, bella, non c'era! E il pescatore canta: Amore, Amore, sm’hai preso il cuore e non ti vuoi fermare! Sorge la luna bianca come un fiore ceil pescatore canta e dorme il mare! Guitar of Abruzze Thave told the flowers, the wind, and the moon that tonight I shall sing a serenade: the echo will sigh across the lagoon tunil Ihave awakened her. ‘Now that itis night the moon has hidden ‘and the north wind passes; sea-green eyes and blond tresses, shall sing that song no more! Thave told my dream, made of light, that tonight I shall hold her in my arms: she will come, the spell will lead her and my arms will entwine her Now that itis night, I wander alone, Twander without hope: ‘my lady has changed her passion and her lover; the wind is hollow and the horizon dark! The Ideal One followed you like a rainbow of peace ‘across the paths of the sky: 1 followed you like a friendly torch in the veil of the night. felt you in the light, inthe air, in the scent of the flowers; the lonely room was full of you and your beauty. Entranced by you, by the sound of your voice, I dreamed at length; ‘and all the srouble and anguish of the world were forgotten in that dream. Come back, dear perfection, come back for a moment ‘and smile on me again, ‘and from your face will shine on me anew dawn. The fisherman sings Your eyes are so large and clear that love i reflected within them: omy love, as you walk by the sea, 4 fisherman sings on the shore! ‘A fisherman sings, his song dies away and you walk on, not wishing 10 stop. the moon rises, pale asa flower and the fisherman sings and the sea slumbers! O my love, I lost my precious heart cone sweet evening; all the sirens were there together, but my love was not there to find itt ‘And the fisherman sings: Love, love, ‘you have taken my heart, and will not stop! The moon rises, pale as a flower, ‘and the fisherman sings and the sea slumberstIn van preghi (Gabriele D’ Annunzio) In van pregh, in vano aneli, in van moste il cuore infranto. ‘Sono forse uid i cieli perch® noi abbiamo pianto? Il dolor nostro & senz"ala. ‘Non ha volo il grido imbelle. Piangi e prega! Qual dio cala pel cammino delle stelle? ‘Abbandénati alla polve su lei prono ti giaci. La supina madre assolve «ogni colpa chi la baci. In.un Ade senza dio dormi quanto puoi profondo. Tutto & sogno, tutto & oblio: rasfodelo @ il fior del Mondo. L’alba separa dalla luce ombra (Gabriele D'Annunzio) Lalba sepira dalla luce lombra 1a mia volutta dal mio desire. O dolci stelle, Vora di morie. Un pit divino amor dal ciel vi sgombra. Pupille ardent, 0 voi senza ritorno stelle tristi, spegnetevi incorrotte! Morir debbo. Veder non voglio il giorno, pper amor de! mio sogno e della note. Chiudimi, o Notte, ne! two sen materno, ‘menure la terra pallida s'irora. ‘Ma che dal sangue mio nasca I’aurora dal sogno mio breve il sole eterno! La mia canzone (Francesco Cimmino) La mia canzone & un dolce mormorio Che sino a te, nel’ariafredda, sale; E, se ti parla ancor dell'amor mio, CCara fanciulla, non ti vuol far male; ‘Vagando sul tuo candido guanciale, Essa vuol ditt un ultimo desio: ‘Su la tua bianca fronte verginale La mia canzone @ il bacio dell'addio. La mia canzone sospirando muore Lieve nellaria su Ia tua vetrata; Ma, disfidando il gelo il tenebrose, Reca il desio d’un anima agitata; E vuol destar ogn’ansia a te pid grata, Ogni affetto sopito entro il wo core: Ora che tu sei sola, addormentata, La mia canzone & un fremito d'amore! You beg in vain You beg in vain, you yearn in vain, in vain you show your broken heart ‘Are the heavens soaked with our tears? Our grief is without wings The cowardly cry does not fy. Weep and beg! Which isthe god who comes down on the path ofthe stars? Give yourself up to the dust ‘and lie there prostrate. The mother earth absolves from their sins all those who kiss her Ina godless Hades, sleep as deeply as you can. Allis dream, all is oblivion: the asphodel isthe flower of the world. Dawn divides the light from the shadows Dawn divides the light from the shadows, ‘my pleasure from my desire. O gentle stars, it is time to die. A more divine love comes from the heavens. Glowing eyes, you sad stars which will not come again, be extinguished uncorrupted. I must die. I do not want to see the day. {for love of my dream and of the night. Enfold me, o night, on your mothering breast, while the pale land grows light. But let the dawn rise from my blood and the eternal sun from my brief dream. ‘My Song ‘My song is a sweet murmur rising to you in the cold air; and if it stil tells you of my love, dear maiden, it means you no harm; Drifting towards your white pillow, it wishes to tell you a last desire: ‘my song is the kiss of farewell ‘on your white virginal brow. ‘My song dies in the air at your window with a sigh; ‘but, spurning the cold and the darkness, it brings the desire of a disquieted soul. I means to kindle a welcome longing in you, ‘and soothe every desire in your heart: now in your solitude, asleep, ‘my song is a shiver of love.La serenata (Giovanni Alfredo Cesareo) Vola, O serenata: La mia dileuta & sola, E, con la bella testa abbandonata, Posa tra le enzuola: O serenata, Vola Splende Pura la lun Lale il silenzio stende, E dietroi veli dell'alcova bruna La lampada s'accende: Pura la luna Splende, Vola, serenata: La mia diletta & sola; Ma, sorridendo ancor mezzo assonnata, ‘Torna fra le lenzuola’ O serenata, Vola L’onda ‘Sogna sul lido, E'l vento su la fronda; E a’baci miei ricusa ancora un nido La mia signora bionda! ‘Sogna sul lido Londa. ora ? tarda (Gabriele D’ Annunzio) Lora é tarda: deserto il mar si frange, e il gregge a'l pian cald: tuna tristezza grave in cor mi piange, sovra il lito io sto. o mi struggo d'amore e di desfo, ‘ma tu non pensi a me: tu sei partito senza dirmi addio: Perché, dimmi, perché? Serenade Fly, o serenade: ‘my beloved is alone, ‘and with her lovely head lying back, is resting between her sheets: o serenade, fy. Shining white is the moon: silence spreads its wings, ‘and behind the veils in the dark alcove a lamp is lt the moon is shining white, Phy o serenade my beloved is alone; but, smiling, still half asleep, has reurned between her sheets o serenade, fy. The waves dream on the shore, the wind is amid the branches; ‘my fair lady till refuses to shelter my kisses! On the shore the waves dream. The hour is late The hour is late; the waves break on the empty shore, ‘and the flocks have gone down to the plain there is great sadness in my heart as I stand on the shore. I struggle with love and desire, ‘but you do not think of me: ‘you have gone without saying good-bye: hy? tell me, why?10 Ltultima canzone (Francesco Cimmino) M'han detto che domani, Nina, vi fate sposa, Ed io vi canto ancor la serenata! La, nei deserti piani La, ne la valle ombrosa, (Oh quante volte a voi Iho ricantata! ‘<> Domani avrete intorno Feste, sorisie fiori, N@ penserete ai nostri vecchi amori Ma sempre, notte e giomo, Piena di passione ‘Verra, gemendo a voi la mia canzone: <> Lrultimo bacio (Emilio Praga) ‘Se tu lo vedi gli dirai che I'amo, Che I'amo ancora come ai primi di, Che nei languidi sogni ancor lo chiamo, Lo chiamo ancor come se fosse qui E gli dirai che colla f@ tradita ‘Tutto il gaudio d'allor non mi rapi; E gli dirai che basta alla mia vita ultimo bacio che l’addio fini. Nessun lo toglie dalla bocea mia ultimo bacio che l'addio fini; ‘Me se vuol dargli un altro in compagnia Digli che I'amo, e che I’aspetta qui. Luna d’estate (Riccardo Mazzola) Luna d’estate, ho un sogno nel mio cuore vo" cantando tutta notte al mare: ‘mi son fermato a una finestra in fiore perché I’anima mia febbre ha d’amore. Mi son fermato a una finestra in fiore ove son due pupille affaturate. E chi le guarda soffre per amore ‘© sogna per desio, luna d’estate! Luna d'estate, amore & come il mare ed il mio cuore & un'onda senza posa: ‘ma solamente lo potran fermare le pupillee il labro suo vo" cantando tutta notte al mare Per quelle due pupille addormentate. Ho il pianto agli occhi e la speranza in cuore ce splendo come te, una d'estate! The Final Song They've told me that tomorrow, Nina, you're to be wed, ‘and yet I still sing my serenade to you! There, on the empty plains, there, in the shady valley, hhow often I've sung it 10 you! ‘Rose-petal, © amaranth flower, even though you marry, ll be with you still, rose-petal.” Tomorrow you'll be surrounded by celebration, smiles and flowers: ‘you won't give a thought 10 our old love. Bur night and day, forever {filled with passion, Tamenting, my song will come to you: “Leaf of mint, Flower of pomegranate ‘Nina, remember the kisses I gave you! Leaf of mint!” The Last Kiss If you see him, tell him I love him, Love him still, as I did at first, still call to him in my dreams, Teall to him as if he were here. Tell him that although he betrayed my trust, the has not taken away all the joy of those days; tell him that I am happy with the last kiss which ended his goodbye. ‘No one has taken it from my lips, that last kiss which ended our goodbye; but if he wants to give me its companion, tell him I love him, and am waiting for him here. ‘Summer moon Summer moon, I have a dream in my heart, ‘and through the night I sing by the sea; I stopped at a window surrounded by flowers because my heart was aflame with desire for love. stopped at a window surrounded by flowers where there were two bewitching eyes. Whoever looks on them suffers for love and dreams with longing, summer moon! Summer moon, love isle the ea and my heart isa restless wave: ‘my repose can be found only in those eyes and her rosy lips. And through the night I sing by the sea {for those two sleeping eyes. Tears are in my eyes and hope in my heart, ‘and I shine like you, summer moon!Malia (Rocco Emanuele Pagliara) Cosa c’era ne’lfior che m’hai dato? Forse un filtro, un arcano poter! 'Ne'l ocearlo, "I mio core ha tremato, ‘m’ha l'olezz0 turbato "I pensier! Ne le vaghe movenze che ci hai? Un incanto vien forse con te? Freme Maria per dove tu vai, spunta un fiore ove passa "I to pit! Io non chiedo qual plaga beata fino adesso soggiorno ti fu: non ti chiedo se ninfa, se fata, se una bionda parvenza sei tu! ‘Ma che c'@ ne'l tuo sguardo fatale? Cosa ci hai ne'l tuo magico dir? ‘Se mi guardi, un’ebbrezza m’assale, se mi pari, mi sento mori! Marechiare (Salvatore Di Giacomo) (Quanno sponta la luna a Marechiare pure li pisce nce fann'a I'ammore, se revoltano ’onne de lu mare, pela prezza cagneno culore, quanno sponta la una a Marechiare. ‘A Marechiare nce sta na fenesta, la passione mia nce tuzzulea, nu carofano addora int'a na testa, passa l'acqua per sotto, ¢ murmuléa: A Marechiare nce sta na fenesta Chi dice ca Ii stelle so lucente run sape st’uocchie ca tu tiene nfronte, sti doje stelle Ii saccio io solamente, ddint’a Iu core ne tengo li ponte. Chi dice ca i stelle so lucente? Scetate, Carul ca 'aria & doce; ‘quanno maie tanto tiempo aggio aspettato? Praccompagna li suone cu la voce stasera na chitarra aggio portato. Scetate, Caruli, ca Iaria & doce! u Charm What was in the flower you gave me? Was ita philter a magical power? When I touched it, my heart trembled; its perfume clouded my senses! What is it you have in the lovely way you move? Do you bring some enchantment with you? The air trembles where you pass, Slowers spring forth at your feet! Ido not ask what blessed place was once your home: Ido not ask if you are a nymph, a fairy, a blonde apparition! But what is it in your fateful glance? What is it you have in your magical words? Uf you look at me, rapture takes hold of me; if'you speak to me, [feel I may die! Marechiare When the moon rises above Marechiare ‘even the fishes make love, the waves 10ss on the sea ‘and change color for joy, when the moon rises above Marechiare. At Marechiare there is a window, tapped by my passion; a carnation adorns the sill. The water passes below, murmuring: ‘at Marechiare there is a window. Those who say the stars are bright haven't seen your two eyes. Talone know these two stars: they have touched my heart. Who says the stars are bright? Come down, Caruli, the air is mild; hhow long have I waited? To accompany my song Thave brought a guitar tonight Come down, Caruli, forthe air is mild!2 Mattinata (Enrico Panzacchi) Mary, temando 'ultima stella Nel vasto azzurro ‘Tra poco vanira; E presso a sorgere I’alba novella, Con un susurro Laura lannunzia gia. Io non ti dico, vieni al verone; Mary, in quest‘ore Pin dolce @ riposar; ‘Mormoro basso la mia canzone, Che il tuo sopore Non giunga ad abbreviar. Solo domando, solo desio Che il canto mio Lambendo il to guancial, Versi, o fanciulla, nella tua mente Londa lucente D'un sogno celestial! Non t’amo piu (Carmelo Errico) Ricordi ancora il di che c*incontrammo; Le tue promesse le ricordi ancor? Folle d’amor io ti seguii, ci amammo, E accanto a te sognai, folle d’amor. Sognai, felice, di carezze e baci Una catena dileguante in ciel: Ma le parole tue furon mendaci, Perché l’anima tua fata di gel. Or la mia fede, il desiderio immenso, il mio sogno d’amor non sei pid tu: 1 tuoi baci non cerco, a te non penso; Sogno un altro ideal; non t'amo pit. Nei cari giomi che passammo insieme, To cosparsi di fior il tuo sentier: ‘Tu fosti del mio cor l'unica speme; ‘Tu della mente Punico pensier. ‘Tu m'hai visto pregare, impalliire, Piangere tu m’hai visto innanzi a te: To sol per appagare un tuo desire, Avrei dato il mio sangue e la mia Or la mia fede, il desiderio immenso, il mio sogno d’amor non sei pit tu: tuoi baci non cerco, a te non penso; ‘Sogno un altro ideal; non t'amo pid. ‘Morning Serenade ‘Mary, every last star trembling in the vast sky will soon fade away: ints place a new dawn will arise, already announced by the whispering breeze. 1 do not call to you, come to the terrace: ‘Mary, at this hour rest is sweeter; in the midst of your slumber the low murmur of my song does not reach you. ‘My only request, my only desire, is that my song will hover about your pillow, ‘0 maiden, a bright wave lapping the shores of your mind with a heavenly dream. Tove you no longer Do you remember the day we met; do you still remember the promises you made? ‘Maily in love, I followed you, we fell in love, ‘and by your side I dreamed, madly in love. Happily I dreamed of endless caresses and kisses dissolving into heaven: ‘but your words were false, ‘for your heart is made of ice. Ino longer place my faith in you, no longer are you my great desire, or my dream of love: 1 do not seek your kisses, nor think of yous {dream of another perfection; Ive you no longer. In those dear days we spent together, 1 strewed your path with flowers: you were the single hope of my heart; the only thought in my mind, You saw me beg, grow pale, ‘you saw me weeping before you: 10 fulfill a wish of yours T would have given my blood and my faith. Ino longer place my faith in you, no longer are you my great desire or my dream of love: I do not seek your kisses, nor think of you; 1 dream of another perfection; I love you no longer.Penso (Rocco Emanuele Pagliara) Penso alla prima volta in cui volgesti Lo sguardo tuo soave insino a me, Al dolce incanto ai palpiticelest Che quell'istante tenero mi die. Ma tu... tu 'hai scordato, Dici che un sogno fu, Come in quel di beato ‘Non sai guardarmi pit Penso al sortiso che mirai primiero ‘Sul labbro tuo dolcissimo vagar, Alle speranze, al sogno lusinghiero ‘Che mi seppe nell’animo destar! Ma tu... tu hai scordato, ici che un sogno fu, ‘Come in quel di beato ‘Non sai sorrider pit! Per morire (Gabriele D’ Annunzio) ‘Se ancora col pid! dolce tuo sorriso imi ripeti che tutta la tua vita ® in questo amore, io leggo un'infinita stanchezza ne’ tuoi occhi, nel uo viso. Ancora, ancora dolce il two entire, ‘ma vano. Anima mia, sai anche tw che questo amore basta per morire ‘ma per vivere omai non basta pi! ‘Se mi repeti che per te aurora al & mia fronte e che ne le mie chiome # lessenza dei boschi, io tremo come tune fanciulla e m’abbandono ancora. Ancora, ancora dolee tuo mentire, ‘me & vano. Anima mia, sai anche tu che questo amore basta per morire 'ma per vivere omai non basta pit! Pour un baiser (Georges Doncieux) Pour un baiser sur ta peau parfumée, Pour un baiser dans I'or de ts cheveux, Regois mon Ame toute, 6 bien-aimée! ‘Tu comblerais Vinfini de mes voeux Par un baiser. Pour en baiser distllé dans tes Ievres, Profond, tenace et lent comme un adieu, Souffrir le mal d'amour et de ses fidvres Brler, languir et mourir peu a pew Dans un baiser! 13 T think 1 think of the frst time you tured your sweet gaze towards me, of the pleasing magic, the heavenly flutering that tender moment brought me. But you.. you have forgoten it, you say it was a dream; ‘you cannot look at me again as you did on that blessed day: T think of the smile I first saw hovering on your sweet lips, of the hopes, of the enticing dream which it awakened in my soul! But you... ou have forgotten it, ‘you say it was a dream, ‘you cannot look at me again ‘as you did on that blessed day. Todie Ionce more you say to me with your sweetest smile, that all your life isin this love, I can see an endless weariness in your eyes and in your face. Again, once again your deceit is kind, but in vain. My love, you too know that one could die of this love, ‘but not live on itt I again you say to me that the dawn ‘for you is in my brow, and the woods in my locks, again I tremble like a girl and give myself up. Again, once again your deceit is kind, ‘but in vain. My love, you 100 know that one could die of this love, ‘but not live on itt For one kiss For one kiss on your scented skin, {for one kiss in the gold of your hair, take all my soul, o my beloved! You will grant all my wishes in one kiss For one kiss distilled on your lips, deep, lingering, and slow as a farewell, 10.allow the pain and fever of love 10 burn, languish, and gradually die in one kiss!u Ridonami ta calma (Corrado Ricci) ‘Ave Maria, per Varia va il suon d’una campana, Sorge Venere pura e solitaria da la selva lontana, Oh! Come si diffonde del vespero la pace! La rondine ritorna ale sue gronde eli s'addorme e tace. Resta un murmure lento di mille voci strane. Forse trai fiori e tra le siepi il vento racconta storie arcane. Chi sa quanti pensieri in quel susurro grato! 1 vento canta e sopra i cimiteri ei giardini & passato. ‘Ave Maria, nel core ‘com’é dolce la sera! ‘Tu sai che ne’ tormenti dell"amore 2 schietta la preghiera; ‘ond'io, nel cielo fiso To sguardo umido e I'alma: ‘<> ‘Sogno (Lorenzo Stecchetti) Ho sognato che stavi a ginoechi ‘Come un santo che prega il Signor, Mi guardavi nel fondo deg!’ occhi, Sfavillava il tuo sguardo d’amor. ‘Tu parlavi e Ia voce sommessa ‘Mi chiedea dolcemente merce. Solo un guardo che fosse promessa Imploravi curvato al mio pie. To taceva, ¢ coll’anima forte Il desio tentatore lott. Ho provato il marttio e la morte, Pur mi vinsie ti diss dino. ‘Ma il tuo labbro sfiord la mia faccia E la forza del cor mi trad Chiusi gli occhi, ti stesi le braccia, ‘Ma sognavo, e il bel sogno svani! Give me back peace Ave Maria, through the air sounds the peal of the bell. Venus rises, pure and solitary, ‘from the distant forest. Oh, now is spread the peace of evening! The swallow returns to its eaves ‘and there falls silent and sleeps. There remains a slow murmuring of a thousand strange voices. Perhaps amid the flowers and bushes the wind is telling mysterious stories Who knows how many thoughts are in those happy whispers! ‘The wind sings as it passes over graveyards and gardens. ‘Ave Maria, how gentle is the evening to my heart! You know how sincere a prayer can be in the torments of love; thus 1, with my eyes damp ‘and with my soul fixed on heaven: “Return to me, I beg you, my smi Give me back peace.” Dream I dreamed you were kneeling like a saint praying to the Lord. You looked deep into my eyes: ‘your glance shone with love. You spoke, and your quiet voice sofily asked me for merc). Only a look which might be a promise ‘you begged for, as you knelt at my feet kept silent, and keeping my spirit strong I battled with the tempting desire. felt martyrdom and death, ‘but I conquered myself and said no. ‘But your lips touched my face ‘and the strength of my heart failed me. T closed my eyes, stretched out my arms to you, ‘but I was dreaming, and the lovely dream vanished!‘Tormento (Riccardo Mazzola) Quando ricorderd le we carezze ‘ove mai sarai tu? i quei giorni di sogni e di dotcezze ‘che mai restera pit? Quando ti chiamerd nel mio tormento cchi mai rispondera? ‘Amore @ come un alito di vento: passa, carezza, val E se tincontrerd su la mia via cche mai dir ti potrd? Una stella fil come una scia cil mare la smorzd. Ma s'io ti chiamerd come in quell" ore ‘non fuggirmi cosi ‘Non volgere la facia al mio dolore se il tuo sogno mori! ‘Tristezza (Riccardo Mazzola) Guarda; lontan lontano muore ne T'onde il sol; stormi d’uccelli a vol tomano al piano. ‘Una malinconia io sento in cuore € pur non so perch ‘guardandoti negli occhi, o bella mia, ‘muito mi stringo ate. Copre l'ombria d’un manto Ie cose, il cielo, il mar; io sento tremolar ne gli occhi il pianto. ‘Suona l'avemaria ed & si triste € pur non so perch: devotamente preghi, o bella mia, io prego insiem con te. “Tenera ne la sera che s’empie di fulgor, dai nostri amanti cuor va la preghiera E ta malinconia mi fa pensare «pur non so perch, ‘che un giorno, ahima, dovra la vita mia perdere il sogno e te! 15 Torment When I come to remember your caresses, where will you be? Of those days of dreams and sweeiness, what will remain? When I come to call you in my torment, who will reply? Love is like a breath of wind: it passes, caresses, and goes! And if I meet you on my way, what will I be able to say to you? A star fell like a trail ‘and the sea extinguished it. But ifI call you as once, don't fly from me like that Don’t turn your face from my pain ‘if your dream has died! Sadness Look; far in the distance the sun is dying on the waves; ‘flocks of birds on the wing ‘are returning to the plain. Lfeel a melancholy in my heart, and yet I do not know why; as I look into your eyes, my love, Tcling t0 you in silence. ‘A mantle of darkness covers nature, the sky, the sea; feel the tears brimming in my eyes. The Angelus rings so sadly, and yet I do not know why: ‘you pray devoutly, my love, ‘and I pray with you. Out into the evening, filling it with a radiance, ‘from our loving hearts ‘goes the tender prayer. ‘And the melancholy makes me think, ‘and yet I do not know why, that one day, alas, my life will lose both the dream and you!16 Vorrei (Gabriele D’ Annunzio) Vorrei, allor che tu pallido e muto pieghi la fronte tra le mani e pensi, e ti splendon su I'animo abbattuto i vani sogni e i desidert immensi: Vorrei per incantesimi d’amore pianamente venire a'l tuo tichiamo, €, st di te piegando come un fiore, con dolce voce susurrarti: Io t'amo! Vorrei di tutte le mie sciolte chiome ‘cingerti con lentissima carezza, e sentirmi da te chiamare a nome, vederti folle de 1a mia bellezza. Vorrei per incantesimi d'amore pianamente venire al to richiamo, ¢, su dite piegando come un fiore, ‘con dolce voce susurrart: Io t'amo! Vorrei morire (Leonardo M. Cogneiti) Vorrei morir ne la stagion del!’anno, ‘Quando & tiepida I'aria e il ciel sereno, ‘Quando le rondinelle il nido fanno, Quando di nuovi fior s’oma il tereno; ‘Vorrei morir quando tramonta il sole, Quando sul prato dormon le viole, Lieta farebbe a Dio I'alma ritorno ‘A primavera e sul morir del giorno. Ma quando inguria il nembo e la tempesta, Alor che Paria si fa scura scura ‘Quando ai rami una foglia pid non resta, ‘Alora di morire avrei paura. ‘Vorrei morir quando tramonta il sole, ‘Quando sul prato dormon le viole, Lieta farebbe a Dio I'alma ritorno A primavera e sul morir del giorno. Twould like. T would lke, now that you are pale, silent, ‘and thoughtful, with your head in your hands, while vain dreams and great desires are burning in your dejected sou! would like 10 come softly at your call, by an enchantment of love, ‘and, leaning aver you like a flower, whisper with a sweet voice: I love you. I would like all my loosened tresses 10 enfold you with slow caresses, hear you call my name, and see you crazed with my beauty. T would like to come sofily at your call, by an enchantment of love, and, leaning over you like a flower whisper with a sweet voice: I love you. I would like to die vould like to die in that season of the year when the air is mild and the sky is clear, when the swallows make their nests, when the land is decked with new flowers; T would like to die when the sun goes down, when the violets are sleeping in the meadow. ‘My soul would happily return 10 God in springtime atthe dying of the day. But when the clouds break and the storm rages, when the sky grows dark: when no leaf is left on the branches, then I would be afraid to die. I would like o die when the sun goes down, when the violets are sleeping in the meadow. ‘My soul would happily return to God in springtime at the dying of the day.