Oh rimembranza! (duet from Norma)

[opera_cat]

Here is a scene and duet from Bellini's opera Norma. This opera (with very little historical accuracy, but lots of beautiful music) is set in Roman-occupied Gaul. The High Priestess Norma, although the priestesses are sworn to virginity, has secretly yielded to love and borne two children to the Roman governor Pollione. In this scene a young priestess, Adalgisa, comes to Norma with a confession. Norma is sympathetic, not yet knowing the identity of Adalgisa's lover: the fickle Pollione.

NORMA	NORMA
Adalgisa!	Adalgisa!
ADALGISA	ADALGISA
(Alma, costanza.)	(Be steadfast, my soul.)
NORMA	NORMA
T'inoltra, o giovinetta, t'inoltra.	Come forward, young woman, come forward.
E perché tremi?	And why are you trembling?
Udii che grave a me segreto palesar tu voglia.	I heard that you wish to reveal a grave secret to me.
ADALGISA	ADALGISA
È ver . . . ma, deh! ti spoglia	It is true . . . But please, divest yourself
della celeste austerità,	of the heavenly austerity
che splende negli occhi tuoi.	which shines in your eyes.
Dammi coraggio,	Give me courage,
ond'io senza alcun velo	so that without any concealment
ti palesi il core.	I may reveal my heart to you.
NORMA	NORMA
M'abbraccia, e parla! Che t'afflige?	Embrace me, and speak! What troubles you?
ADALGISA	ADALGISA
Amore! Non t'irritar.	Love! Don't be angry.
Lunga stagion pugnai per soffocarlo;	For a long time I have fought to stifle it;
ogni mia forza ei vinse, ogni rimorso.	it has vanquished all my strength, all my remorse.
Ah, tu non sai purdianzi qual giuramento fea!	Ah, you don't know what an oath I made just now!
fuggir dal tempio, tradir l'altare	To flee the temple, to betray the altar
a cui son io legata . . .	to which I am bound . . .
abbandonar la patria.	to forsake my country.
NORMA	NORMA
Ahi! sventurata!	Alas, unhappy girl!
Del tuo primier mattino già turbato è il sereno?	Is the calm of your early morning already troubled?
E come, e quando nacque tal fiamma in te?	But how and when was such a flame born in you?
ADALGISA	ADALGISA
Da un solo sguardo, da un sol sospiro,	From a single glance, from a single sigh,
nella sacra selva, a piè dell'ara	in the sacred wood, at the foot of the altar
ov'io pregavo il Dio. Tremai,	where I was praying to the God. I trembled,
sul labbro mio si arrestò la preghiera:	the prayer halted upon my lips;
e tutta assorta in quel leggiadro aspetto,	and, entirely engrossed in his lovely appearance,
un altro cielo mirar credetti,	I believed I beheld another heaven,
un altro cielo in lui.	another heaven in him.
NORMA	NORMA
(Oh rimembranza! Io fui così rapita	(Oh, memory! I was ravished thus
al sol mirarlo in volto.)	by looking once at his face.)
ADALGISA	ADALGISA
Ma . . . non m'ascolti tu?	But . . . you aren't listening to me?
NORMA	NORMA
Segui . . . t'ascolto.	Go on . . . I am listening.
ADALGISA	ADALGISA
Sola, furtiva, al tempio	Alone, stealthily, at the temple
io l'aspettai sovente;	I often waited for him;
ed ogni dí più fervida	and every day more ardent
crebbe la fiamma ardente.	grew the burning flame.
NORMA	NORMA
(Io stessa arsì così.)	(I myself burned thus.)
ADALGISA	ADALGISA
Vieni, ei dicea, concedi	Come, he said, grant
ch'io mi ti prostri ai piedi;	that I may kneel at your feet;
lascia che l'aura io spiri	let me breathe the breath
dei dolci tuoi sospiri;	of your sweet sighs;
NORMA	NORMA
(Oh rimembranza! Io fui così sedotta!)	(Oh, memory! I was seduced thus!)
ADALGISA	ADALGISA
del tuo bel crin l'anella	the ringlets of your beautiful hair
dammi poter bacciar!	give me so I can kiss them!
NORMA	NORMA
(Oh cari accenti! Così li profferia,	(Oh, dear words! Thus he uttered them,
così trovava del mio cor la via.)	thus he found the way to my heart.)
ADALGISA	ADALGISA
Dolci qual arpa armonica	Sweet as a harmonious harp
m'eran le sue parole;	his words were to me;
negli occhi suoi sorridere	smiling in his eyes
vedea più bello un sole.	I saw a more beautiful sun.
NORMA	NORMA
(L'incanto suo fu il mio.)	(Her enchantment was my own.)
ADALGISA	ADALGISA
Io fu perduta, e il sono;	I was lost, and I am;
d'uopo ho del tuo perdono.	I need your pardon.
NORMA	NORMA
Ah! tergi il pianto: avrò pietade.	Ah! dry your tears; I will have pity.
ADALGISA	ADALGISA
Deh! tu mi reggi e guida,	Ah, direct me and guide me,
me rassicura, o sgrida,	reassure me, or scold me,
NORMA	NORMA
Ah! tergi il pianto.	Ah! Dry your tears.
ADALGISA	ADALGISA
salvami da me stessa,	save me from myself,
salvami dal mio cor.	save me from my own heart.
NORMA	NORMA
Ah! tergi il pianto:	Ah! Dry your tears;
te non lega eterno nodo all'ara.	an eternal bond does not tie you to the altar.
ADALGISA	ADALGISA
Ah! ripeti, o ciel, ripeti	Ah! repeat, oh heaven, repeat
sì lusinghieri accenti.	such encouraging words.
NORMA	NORMA
Ah, sì, fa core e abbracciami.	Ah, yes, take heart and embrace me.
Perdono e ti compiango.	I pardon and sympathize with you.
Dai voti tuoi ti libero,	I free you from your vows,
i tuoi legami io frango.	I break your bonds.
Al caro oggetto unita,	United to your dear love,
vivrai felice ancor.	you will still live happily.
ADALGISA	ADALGISA
Ripeti, o ciel, ripetimi	Repeat, oh heaven, repeat
sì lusinghieri accenti:	such encouraging words;
per te s'acquetano	through you are quieted
i lunghi miei tormenti.	my long torments.
ADALGISA	ADALGISA
Tu rendi a me la vita,	You give life to me again,
se non è colpa amor.	if love is not a sin.
NORMA	NORMA
Vivrai felice ancor.	You will still live happily.