Celeste Aida is the romanza in the opera Aida

Aida

Aida sometimes spelled Aïda, is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni, based on a scenario written by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette...

, by Giuseppe Verdi

Giuseppe Verdi

Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi was an Italian Romantic composer, mainly of opera. He was one of the most influential composers of the 19th century...

. It is sung by Radamès, the young Egyptian warrior who wishes to be chosen as a Commander of the Egyptian army. He dreams of gaining victory on the battle field and also for the Ethiopian slave girl, Aida, with whom he is secretly in love.

The aria

Aria

An aria in music was originally any expressive melody, usually, but not always, performed by a singer. The term is now used almost exclusively to describe a self-contained piece for one voice usually with orchestral accompaniment...

takes place in the first act in the hall of the King's palace

Libretto

Se quel guerrier io fossi! Se il mio sogno si avverasse! Un esercito di prodi da me guidato E la vittoria e il plauso di Menfi tutta! E a te, mia dolce Aïda, Tornar di lauri cinto Dirti: per te ho pugnato, Per te ho vinto! Celeste Aïda, forma divina, Mistico serto di luce e fior, Del mio pensiero tu sei regina, Tu di mia vita sei lo splendor. Il tuo bel cielo vorrei ridarti, Le dolci brezze del patrio suol Un regal serto sul crin posarti, Ergerti un trono vicino al sol,

If only I were that warrior! If only my dream might come true! An army of brave men with me as their leader And victory and the applause of all Memphis! And to you, my sweet Aida, To return crowned with laurels, To tell you: for you I have fought, For you I have conquered! Heavenly Aida, divine form, Mystical garland of light and flowers, You are queen of my thoughts, You are the splendour of my life. I want to give you back your beautiful sky, The sweet breezes of your native land, To place a royal garland on your hair, To raise you a throne next to the sun.

External links

• The Aria Database