Dieu, tu semas dans nos âmes (duet from Don Carlos)

[opera_cat]

Verdi's opera Don Carlos was originally performed in French, but is better known in its Italian version, Don Carlo. This time, I have chosen to translate the French version of this duet, in which Rodrigue tries to console his friend Don Carlos for the arranged marriage of his beloved Elisabeth to Carlos's father King Philip. The two men swear eternal brotherhood and devotion to the cause of liberty. The Italian version is "Dio, che nell'alma infondere." In my opinion, this duet deserves to be better known. It may well be the most beautiful tenor/baritone duet I am familiar with, the only rival being "Au fond du temple saint" from Bizet's The Pearl Fishers.

I have omitted some background lines sung by the chorus and the Monk.

DON CARLOS ET RODRIGUE	DON CARLOS AND RODRIGUE
Dieu, tu semas dans nos âmes	God, you scattered in our souls
Un rayon des mêmes flammes,	a gleam of the same fires,
Le même amour exalté,	the same exalted love,
L'amour de la liberté!	the love of liberty!
Dieu, qui de nos coeurs sincères	God, who of our sincere hearts
As fait les coeurs de deux frères,	has made the hearts of two brothers,
Accepte notre serment!	receive our vow!
Nous mourrons en nous aimant!	We will die loving each other!
Ah! Dieu, tu semas dans nos âmes, etc.	Ah! God, you scattered in our souls, etc.
RODRIGUE	RODRIGUE
Les voilà!	Here they are!
DON CARLOS	DON CARLOS
Je frémis! Je me meurs à sa vue!	I tremble! I am dying at the sight of her!
RODRIGUE	RODRIGUE
Courage!	Have courage!
DON CARLOS	DON CARLOS
Elle est à lui, grand Dieu!	She is his, great God!
Je l'ai perdue!	I have lost her!
RODRIGUE	RODRIGUE
Viens, près de moi	Come, near me
ton coeur sera plus fort!	your heart will be stronger!
DON CARLOS ET RODRIGUE	DON CARLOS AND RODRIGUE
Soyons unis pour la vie et la mort!	Let us be united in life and death!
Dieu accepte notre serment	God, receive our vow
De mourir en nous aimant!	to die loving each other!
Soyons unis pour la vie et la mort!	Let us be united in life and death!
Liberté!	Liberty!