William Wu (吳文修) sings "E lucevan le stelle (星光燦爛)" from "Tosca" by Puccini. Live, Berlin, 1975.
Maestro William Wu (吳文修教授, 1935-2009) was a primo dramatic tenor of the National Opera House in Berlin during 1973-79. His biography has been included in Who’s Who in Opera, The New York Times, since 1976, where he was further selected as one of the 50 leading classical singers in the world. His outstanding performance as Radames in Verdi’s Aida in Tokyo won him the 1984 Vienna World Opera Award. His faultless vocalization is mainly based upon anatomic physiology and modern sound science fascinating with uniquely perfect high notes and solid middle register. It is the profound feelings in the every note he sings that is particularly touching. Among his numerous students in Taiwan and Japan, baritone Te-Tsung Hsu (許徳崇) is one of the best and tenor Yun-Seng Giang (姜雲生) used to receive the most care.
For more nice-listening singing of Maestro William Wu, please visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/312817434432486
[Synopsis of “E lucevan le stelle” from “Tosca” by Puccini]
Mario Cavaradossi is a painter in love with the singer Floria Tosca. This romantic aria is sung in act 3 by Cavaradossi (tenor) while he waits for his execution on the roof of Castel Sant'Angelo. He thinks back nostalgically and lovingly to the times with his beloved. First he wants to write farewell words to his lover but he is overwhelmed by the thoughts of Tosca.
[歌劇《托斯卡》的男高音詠嘆調「星光燦爛」的劇情概要]
在歌劇《托斯卡》第三幕中，畫家卡瓦拉多西即將在監獄被執行死刑。他本想寫幾句告別的話給愛人托斯卡，但滿腦子盡是回想過去和托斯卡在一起時的美好光景而無法下筆。
[Italian lyrics of “E lucevan le stelle” from “Tosca” by Puccini]
E lucevan le stelle ...
ed olezzava la terra
stridea l'uscio dell'orto ...
e un passo sfiorava la rena ...
Entrava ella fragrante,
mi cadea fra le braccia.
O! 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 muoio disperato!
E non ho amato mai tanto la vita,
tanto la vita!
[English translation of the lyrics of “E lucevan le stelle” from “Tosca” by Puccini]
And the stars were shining,
And the earth was scented.
The gate of the garden creaked
And a footstep grazed the sand...
Fragrant, she entered
And fell into my arms.
Oh, sweet kisses and languorous caresses,
While trembling I stripped the beautiful form of its veils!
Forever, my dream of love has vanished.
That moment has fled, and I die in desperation.
And I die in desperation!
And I never before loved life so much,
Loved life so much!
[歌劇《托斯卡》的男高音詠嘆調「星光燦爛」的歌詞中譯]
星光在閃耀，
大地散發著芳香。
花園的大門嘎地一聲被打開，
她在沙土上留下一個腳印…
香噴噴的進來了，並倒在我懷裡。
啊，甜蜜的親吻、慵懶的愛撫，
我顫抖著剝去美麗的面紗！
愛情的夢想已永遠破滅。
美好的時光都已過去，我將絕望地死去。
絕望地死去！
我從未如此熱愛生命，
如此熱愛生命！