Signore, ascolta! explained

"Signore, ascolta!" ("My lord, listen!") is a soprano aria in act one of the opera Turandot by Giacomo Puccini. The Italian lyrics were written by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni.

It is sung by Liù (a slave girl) to Prince Calaf, with whom she is secretly in love. Liù sings this aria begging Calaf not to risk his life for his love to a beautiful but cold Princess Turandot, who set a condition that any man who wishes to marry her must first answer her three riddles, and if he fails, he will be beheaded.[1]

Liù's words touch the Prince's heart, and he replies with "Non piangere, Liù" ("Don't cry, Liù").

Libretto

Signore, ascolta! Deh, signore, ascolta!Liù non regge piùSi spezza il cuore!Ahimè, quanto camminocol tuo nome nell'animacol nome tuo sulle labbraMa se il tuo destino,doman, sarà deciso,noi morrem sulla strada dell'esilio.Ei perderà suo figlio...io l'ombra d'un sorriso!Liù non regge piùha pietà![2] My lord, listen, ah! listenLiù can bear it no more!My heart is breakingAlas, how long have I travelledwith your name in my soul,your name on my lips!But if your fateis decided tomorrowwe'll die on the road to exileHe will lose his son...And I, the shadow of a smile!Liù can bear it no moreAh, have pity!

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.aria-database.com/search.php?individualAria=314 "Signore, ascolta!"
  2. Book: Turandot. libretto. 29. 1926. G. Ricordi & Co..