La Canzone di Doretta

English Translation

Who could Doretta's beautiful dream
ever guess?
Her mystery how come it's never
how come it's never ending
Alas! One day a student
kisses her on the lips
and it was such a kiss revelation:
It was passion!
Crazy love!
Crazy intoxication!
Who could this subtle carress
of such flaming a kiss ever describe;
Ah! my dream!
Ah! my life!
Who cares about riches
if it finally flourishes happiness!
Oh golden dream to be able to love like this!

Libretto: Giuseppe Adami

Kevin Korth, piano

Après un Rêve

English Translation

“After a Dream”

In sleep made sweet by a vision of you
I dreamed of happiness, fervent illusion,
Your eyes were softer, your voice pure and ringing,
You shone like a sky that was lit by the dawn;
You called me and I departed the earth
To flee with you toward the light,
The heavens parted their clouds for us,
We glimpsed unknown splendours, celestial fires.
Alas, alas, sad awakening from dreams!
I summon you, O night, give me back your delusions;
Return, return in radiance,
Return, O mysterious night!

Poem by Romain Bussine

Kevin Korth, piano

Vissi D’arte

English Translation

I lived for my art, I lived for love,
I never did harm to a living soul!
With a secret hand
I relieved as many misfortunes as I knew of.
Always with true faith
my prayer
rose to the holy shrines.
Always with true faith
I gave flowers to the altar.
In the hour of grief
why, why, o Lord,
why do you reward me thus?
I gave jewels for the Madonna’s mantle,
and I gave my song to the stars, to heaven,
which smiled with more beauty.
In the hour of grief
why, why, o Lord,
ah, why do you reward me thus?

Tosca (1900)

Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa

Kevin Korth, piano

Non mi dir

English Translation

I cruel?
Ah no, my dearest!
It grieves me much to postpone
a bliss we have for long desired...
But what would the world say?
Do not tempt the fortitude
of my tender heart,
which already pleads your loving cause.

Say not, my beloved,
that I am cruel to you:
you must know how much I loved you,
and you know what I am true.
Calm your torments,
if you would not have me die of grief.
One day, perhaps, Heaven again
will smile on me.

Don Giovanni (1787)

Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte

Kevin Korth, piano