È la solita storia – L’arlesiana

It’s the old story of the shepherd...
The poor boy that wanted

To recount it

And he fell asleep

There is oblivion in sleep.

How I envy him!

I would like to sleep like that as well,

To at least find oblivion in sleep!

I am looking only for peace.

I would like to be able to forget it all!

But every effort is in vain.

I have always before me

Her sweet countenance.

Peace is only taken from me.

Why must I suffer so?

Her! She is always speaking to my heart!

Irresistible vision, leave me!

You hurt me so badly! Alas!

Jose Carreras sings Federico's lament from Cilea's L'arlesiana.

Colon, 1987.

Tu che a Dio spiegasti l’ali – Lucia di Lammermoor

Edgardo

You who unfolded your wings to God

O beautiful, loving soul

Turn yourself back to me, satisfied;

Your faithful one ascends with you.

Ah! If the wrath of mortals

Brings such a cruel war to us,

If we are divided on earth,

May God in heaven join us.

Raimondo

Madman!...

Raimondo, Chorus

Ah! What are you doing?

Edgardo

I want to die, I want to die!

Raimondo, Chorus

Be sensible, be sensible!

Edgardo

No, no no!

Raimondo

What have you done?

Edgardo

I’m coming to you, o beautiful soul…

Raimondo

Wretched man!

Edgardo

Turn yourself back ah! To your faithful one.

Raimondo

Think of heaven!

Edgardo

Ah, if the wrath of mortals

Such a cruel war...
O beautiful soul, may God in heaven join us.
O beautiful, loving soul,
May God in heaven join us.

Chorus

What horror!

Raimondo

O God, forgive him!

Chorus

Oh awful, black fate!
God, pardon this great horror!

Jose Carreras sings the great final aria from Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor.

Bregenz, 1982.

Tu che di gel sei cinta – Turandot

You, encircled with ice,
Are defeated by numerous flames
You will love him, even you!
Before this dawn
I close my tired eyes

Because if he yet wins...
Not to see him anymore!

Katia Ricciarelli gives a very moving performance as Liu. Jose Carreras is Calaf, Eva Marton is Turandot and John Paul Bogart is Timur.

Vienna, 1983. Conductor: Lorin Maazel.

Chi mi frena – Lucia di Lammermoor

Edgardo
(Who’s stopping me in such a moment?
Who’s cutting short the course of anger?
Her pain, her fear
They are the proof of remorse!
But, that fading rose,
She is between life and death...
I am overcome... I am moved!...
I love you, ungrateful woman, I love you still!)

Enrico
(Who is trying to stop my fury

And the hand that’s stroking the sword?
In favor of the poor girl
A cry arose in my breast!
She is my blood! I have betrayed her!
She is between life and death...
Oh! I cannot prevent
My heart’s remorse.)

Lucia

(I had hoped that my fear
would have ended my life...
But death is no help to me...
I still live for my torment!
The veil has fallen from my eyes,
Heaven and earth have betrayed me!
I would like to weep, but I can’t...

Even my tears have abandoned me!)

Raimondo, Arturo

(What a terrible moment!
I am without words...
A dense cloud [veil] of fear
Is covering the rays of the sun!
Like a wilting rose
She is between life and death
Whoever is not moved for her
Has a heart of stone.)

The great sextet from Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor.

Edgardo: José Carreras
Lucia: Katia Ricciarelli
Enrico: Leo Nucci
Raimondo: John Paul Bogart
Arturo: John Dickie
Alisa: Waltraud Winsauer

Bregenz, 1982. Conductor: Lamberto Gardelli.