E lucevan le stelle was the last romanza in the opera Tosca by Giacomo Puccini. It is sung by Tosca's lover, the painter Mario Cavaradossi (tenor), when lamenting his coming execution. this is a Romanza Page. ... The Teatro alla Scala in Milan. ... Original poster Tosca is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, based on Victorien Sardous drama, La Tosca. ... Giacomo Puccini Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini (December 22, 1858 – November 29, 1924) was an Italian composer whose operas, including La bohème, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly, are among the most frequently performed in the standard repertoire[1]. Some of his melodies, such as O mio babbino caro...

Lyrics

Cavaradossi:

E lucevan le stelle,

e olezzava la terra

stridea l'uscio d'ellorto

e un passo sfiorava la rena.

Entrava ella fragrante,

mi cadea fra la braccia.

O dolci baci, o languide carezze,

mentr'io fremente le belle forme disciogliea dai veli!

Svanì per sempre il sogno d'amore.

L'ora fuggita, e muoio disperato!

E non ho amato mai tanto la vita!

English translation:

And the stars seemed to shine,

and the sweet scents of the earth

how the creaking gate whispered

and a footstep skimmed over the land.

How she then entered so fragrant,

and fell into my arms.

Oh, sweetest of kisses, languorous caresses,

while I stood trembling, searching her features concealed by her mantle!

My dreams of pure love,

forgotten forever, as I desperately die!

and never before have I loved life like this!

External links

• YouTube - Domingo canta E lucevan le stelle Spanish tenor Placido Domingo sings E Lucevan Le Stelle in this video from the 1990 Three Tenors' concert in Rome.