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"O soave fanciulla" ("O gentle maiden") is a romantic duet from the first act of Giacomo Puccini's 1896 opera La bohème. It is sung as the closing number in act 1 by Rodolfo (tenor) and Mimì (soprano) where they realise they have fallen for each other.
Music
The duet, between 5 and 6 minutes in length, is written in the common time time signature, the key of A major, but ending in C major. The last bar in the orchestra is characterized by descending harp harmonics through the final C major chord.
When Mimì and Rodolfo realize they are in love (unison "A! tu sol comandi, amor!"/"Fremon già nell'anima"), the music returns to the opera's love leitmotif from Rodolfo's aria "Che gelida manina" (talor dal mio forziere). They leave the stage together singing Amor!. Mimì's last note is a high C, marked perdendosi (fading away), and while an E below is written for Rodolfo, many tenors also sing the high C, making the last note unison. Following Rodolfo's "Che gelida manina" and Mimì's "Sì, mi chiamano Mimì", the duet concludes one of the most romantic passages in all of opera.
Libretto
The libretto is by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. Rodolfo and Mimì have met for the first time a few minutes ago. He told her about his life ("Che gelida manina"), and asked her to tell him about hers ("Sì, mi chiamano Mimì"). In this duet, "O soave fanciulla", they realize that they have fallen in love.
Rodolfo's friends call him to join them but he would rather stay with Mimì, but she shyly suggests they all go out together. Rodolfo remarks how cold it is outside, but Mimì promises to stay near to him. She leaves the possibility of a later return to the garret open. They leave the stage.
| Italian lyrics | Literal translation | Singable translation |
|---|---|---|
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Mimì si è avvicinata ancor più alla finestra per modo che i raggi lunari la illuminano: Rodolfo, volgendosi, scorge Mimì avvolta come da un nimbo di luce, e la contempla, quasi estatico. |
At the window, Mimì is illuminated by the moon's rays. Turning, Rodolfo sees Mimì wrapped in a halo of moonlight. He contemplates her, in ecstasy. |
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References
- Arthur Groos and Roger Parker: Giacomo Puccini – La bohème, Cambridge Opera Handbooks, Cambridge University Press, 1986, ISBN 9780521319133, pp. 16–17
- Stu Lewis (2013), "La bohème – in-depth guide", p. 5, Kansas City Lyric Opera Guild
- "O soave fanciulla", opera-arias.com
- "O soave fanciulla", Music Lyrics Database
- Piano vocal score, translated by William Grist, pp. 79–84, William and Gayle Cook Music Library, Indiana University School of Music
External links
- List of notable recordings by Neil Kurtzman, medicine-opera.com
- "O soave fanciulla" on YouTube, performed live by Renata Tebaldi and Jussi Björling, 1956
- "O soave fanciulla" on YouTube, Renata Scotto and Luciano Pavarotti, Metropolitan Opera, 1977
- End of act 1 on YouTube, Cheryl Barker, David Hobson, Baz Luhrmann's production for Opera Australia, 1993
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