Stride la vampa – Il Trovatore

The blaze crackles!

The unrestrained crowd

Runs to that fire

happy in appearance; 

shouts of joy

echo all around:           

Surrounded by henchmen

A woman approaches!

Menacingly shines        

On those horrible faces

That gloomy flame

That reaches to the heavens!    

The blaze crackles!

Here comes the victim,

Dressed in black,

Dishevelled and barefoot!

A fierce shout

Of death arises.           

The echo repeats

From cliff to cliff!

Menacingly shines        

On those horrible faces

That gloomy flame

That reaches to the heavens!    

Fiorenza Cossotto as Azucena in Verdi's Il Trovatore.

Firenze, 1977. Conductor: Riccardo Muti.

Tu qui, Santuzza – Cavalleria Rusticana

Turiddu
You’re here, Santuzza?

Santuzza
I’ve been waiting here for you.

Turiddu
It’s Easter,
Aren’t you going to church?

Santuzza
I don’t want to.
I had to talk with you…

Turiddu
I’ve been looking for mother.

Santuzza
I had to talk with you...

Turiddu

Not here! Not here!

Santuzza
Where were you?

Turiddu
What do you mean?
In Francofonte!

Santuzza
No, that’s not true!

Turiddu
Santuzza, believe me...

Santuzza
No, don’t lie to me;

I saw you turn

Off the path...

And this morning, at dawn,
They saw you

At Lola’s door.

Turiddu
Ah! You were watching me?

Santuzza
No, I swear to you.
Alfio, her husband

Told us

A little while ago.

Turiddu
And this is how you repay

The love that I have for you?

Do you want to kill me?

Santuzza
Oh! I don’t mean...

Turiddu
Let me alone then, let me alone;
Vain attempt to quell

Your righteous indignation
With your pity.

Santuzza
Do you love her then?

Turiddu
No...

Santuzza
She’s much more beautiful.

Turiddu
Stop it, I don’t love her.

Santuzza
You love her...
Oh! damn!

Turiddu
Santuzza!

Santuzza
That awful woman
Stole you from me!

Turiddu

Control yourself, Santuzza,
I am not a slave
To your vain jealousy!

Santuzza
Beat me, insult me,
I’ll love and forgive you,
But my anguish

Is too much to bear.

Fiorenza Cossotto and Placido Domingo in the first half of the great duet from Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana. With Gabriella Novielli as Lola.

Tokyo, 1976.

O mio Fernando - La Favorita

It is true then, oh heavens! You... Fernando 

are to be Leonora’s husband!
All this I’m told, and yet my spirit is still doubtful

of this unexpected joy! Oh God! Marry him?
Oh, what unbearable shame! As a dowry to the brave man...
I will bring him dishonor, no, never; If he should ever
abhor me, I’ll fly, he will know in a short time
This woman that he adores so.

Oh, my Fernando! Throne of the earth,
I would have given my heart to possess you,
But my pure love is like a pardon,
and yet I am damned, alas! It is a terrifying horror.

The truth shall be known, and in your extreme contempt
I will face the worst penalty possible;
If you are rightly displeased, then I will be a mockery
Strike me, great God, with your lightning.

Come, death, what is stopping you?
My pain is written in the skies,
Come, she is a festival,
An altar spread with flowers.

The grave is already opening for me;
The black veil is already covering me;
Ah! The sad bride,
damned, desperate,
She will not have forgiveness in heaven.

Fiorenza Cossotto as Leonora in Donizetti's La Favorita.

Tokyo, 1971.

Ah! lo vedi – Cavalleria Rusticana

Turiddu
Ah! you see,
What did you say...? 

Santuzza
What you wanted, and it was fine.


Turiddu
Ah! God! 

Santuzza
My heart is breaking! 

Turiddu
No! 

Santuzza
Turiddu, listen! 

Turiddu
No! 

Santuzza
Be still.
To leave me -
Is that what you want? 

Turiddu
Why are you following me,
Why are you spying on me
On the edges
Of the churchyard? 

Santuzza
Your Santuzza
Is crying and begging you;
To banish her
Is that what you want? 

Turiddu
Go away, I say
Go, don’t bore me,
Your repentance is worthless
After your offense! 

Santuzza
Watch yourself! 

Turiddu
I don’t care if you’re angry!

Santuzza
Have a miserable Easter, liar!

Fiorenza Cossotto and Placido Domingo in the second half of the great duet from Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana.
Tokyo, 1976. 

Inneggiamo – Cavalleria Rusticana

Santuzza, Lucia and outside choir
We hail Him,
The Lord is not dead,
He is radiant
He has risen from the grave
We hail
The risen Lord
Today ascended
To the glory of heaven!

Choir
Pray for us, God.
Alleluia!
Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary.
Alleluia!
Because the Lord is risen indeed.
Alleluia!

Fiorenza Cossotto sings the Easter Hymn from Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana.
Tokyo, 1976.