Meco all'altar di Venere
Encyclopedia
"Meco all'altar di Venere" is an aria
from the opera
Norma
by Vincenzo Bellini
, sung by the character Pollione in act 1, scene 2.
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...
from the opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
Norma
Norma (opera)
Norma is a tragedia lirica or opera in two acts by Vincenzo Bellini with libretto by Felice Romani after Norma, ossia L'infanticidio by Alexandre Soumet. First produced at La Scala on December 26, 1831, it is generally regarded as an example of the supreme height of the bel canto tradition...
by Vincenzo Bellini
Vincenzo Bellini
Vincenzo Salvatore Carmelo Francesco Bellini was an Italian opera composer. His greatest works are I Capuleti ed i Montecchi , La sonnambula , Norma , Beatrice di Tenda , and I puritani...
, sung by the character Pollione in act 1, scene 2.
Libretto
| Original Italian | English translation |
|---|---|
Era Adalgisa in Roma; Cinta di bende candide,— Sparsa di fior la chioma. Udia d'Imene i cantici, Vedea fumar gl'incensi; Eran rapiti i sensi— Di voluttade e amore |
Was Adalgisa bending; Bound in her locks in hue divine Rivall'd were lilies blending; Softly her hand she press'd in mine, Air breath'd with incense around us. Sweeter delights await us— Thy holiest pleasures, love! |
Viene a locarsi un' ombra, L'ampio mantel Druidico Come un vapor l'ingombra. Cade sul l'ara il folgore, D'un vel si copre il giorno, Muto si spande intorno— Un sepolcrale orror. |
Fashion'd itself from nothing, Mists, like a Druid mantle laid, Around it ghastly floated. Tempest his legion flames arrayed, Daylight shrank out all sickly, Hideous, 'mid darkness, thickly Sepulchred horrors move. |
Io non mi trovo accanto, N'odo da lunge un gemito, Misto de' figli al pianto,— Ed una voce orribile, Echeggia in fondo al tempio: "Norma così fa scempio Di amante traditor!" |
There at the altar kneeling. Mocking my search, a stifled moan On o'er the night came stealing; While in a deep, mysterious tone, Re-echo'd thro' the temple: "Norma thus makes example Of traitors false to love." |