Lyrics of Puccini: Tosca, SC 69 / Act 3 - "E lucevan le stelle" - Luciano Pavarotti, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Edward Downes

Puccini: Tosca, SC 69 / Act 3 - "E lucevan le stelle" (original)

E lucevan le stelle
e olezzava la terra,
stridea l’uscio dell’orto
e un passo sfiorava la rena.
Entrava ella, fragrante,
mi cadea fra le braccia.
Oh!
dolci baci, o languide carezze,
mentr’io fremente
le belle forme disciogliea dai veli!
Svanì per sempre il sogno mio d’amore…
l’ora è fuggita,
e muoio disperato!
E non ho amato mai tanto la vita!

(translation)

And the stars were shining
and smelled the earth,
the door of the garden screeches
and one step touched the sand.
She entered, fragrant,
it fell into her arms.
Oh!
sweet kisses, or languid caresses,
while I quiver
the beautiful forms dissolve from the veils!
My dream of love vanished forever ...
now she fled,
and I die in despair!
And I've never loved life so much!