the perfect là ci darem la mano: terfel and bartoli

My workplace has been under stress the past few weeks and there's no indication things will relent somewhat. Oh, to the contrary. I expect January to be worse.

Oh well. It's 5:30 PM, a Friday, and I've just turned in work. It's time to relax and listen to music. In my opinion, this is the best "Là ci darem la mano" tandem: Brynn Terfel as Don Giovanni and Cecilia Bartoli as Zerlina. My own little heaven in three minutes.



Here's a transcript and translation by Jacob Lubliner.

Là ci darem la mano

Don Giovanni:

Là ci darem la mano,
Là mi dirai di sì.
Vedi, non è lontano;
Partiam, ben mio, da qui.

There we’ll be hand in hand, dear,
There you will say, “I do.”
Look, it is right at hand, dear;
Let’s go from here, me and you.

Zerlina:

Vorrei e non vorrei,
Mi trema un poco il cor.
Felice, è ver, sarei,
Ma può burlarmi ancor.

I want to, but it’s not pure,
My heart is ill at ease.
I would be happy, I’m sure,
But it may all be a tease.

Don Giovanni:

Vieni, mio bel diletto!
Come, sweetest love, let’s hurry!

Zerlina:

Mi fa pietà Masetto.
Masetto gives me worry.

Don Giovanni:

Io cangierò tua sorte.
I’ll change your life forever.

Zerlina:

Presto... non son più forte.
Soon, dear... I don’t feel clever.

Don Giovanni:

Andiam!
Let’s go!

Zerlina:
Andiam!
Let’s go!

A due:
Andiam, andiam, mio bene.
a ristorar le pene
D’un innocente amor.

Let’s go, my love, let’s go,
To heal the pain and woe
Of love that’s innocent.

Translation © 2007 by Jacob Lubliner