Vissi d'arte

Tosca's aria from Tosca, music by Puccinin
Translation by Rebecca Burstein

I lived for my art, I lived for love,
I never did harm to a living soul!
With a secret hand I relieved as many misfortunes as I knew of.
Always with true faith my prayer rose to the holy shrines.
Always with true faith I gave flowers to the altar.
In the hour of grief why, why, o Lord, why do you reward me thus?

I gave jewels for the Madonna’s mantle,
and I gave my song to the stars, to heaven,
which smiled with more beauty.
In the hour of grief why, why, o Lord, why do you reward me thus?

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Vissi d’arte, vissi d’amore, non feci mai male ad anima viva!
Con man furtiva quante miserie conobbi aiutai.
Sempre con fè sincera la mia preghiera ai santi tabernacoli salì.
Sempre con fè sincera diedi fiori agl’altar.
Nell’ora del dolore perchè, perchè, Signore, perchè me ne rimuneri così?
Diedi gioielli della Madonna al manto,
e diedi il canto agli astri, al ciel,
che ne ridean più belli.
Nell’ora del dolor perchè, perchè, Signor, ah, perchè me ne rimuneri così?

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Listen to an a 90 year old recording on cylinder. (Click on play arrow in the right hand boxed area to start.)

http://www.archive.org/details/vissidart1913