ACT THREE: E lucevan le stelle (Cavaradossi) - Giuseppe Di Stefano, Victor De Sabata, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano

E lucevan le stelle,

E olezzava la terra

Stridea l’uscio dell’orto,

E un passo sfiorava la rena.

Entrava ella, fragrante,

Mi cadea fra le braccia.

Oh!

dolci baci, o languide carezze,

Mentr’io fremente le belle forme discogliea dai veli!

Svani per sempre il sogno mio d’amore…

L’ora e fuggita e muoio disperato!

E non ho amato mai tanto la vita!

How the stars seemed to shimmer,

The sweet scents of the garden,

How the creaking gate whispered,

And a footstep skimmed over the sand,

How she then entered, so fragrant,

And then fell into my two arms!

Ah sweetest of kiss, languorous caresses,

While I stood trembling, searching her features

Concealed by her mantle.

my dreams of pure love,

Forgotten forever!

all of it’s gone now!

I die hopeless, despairing, and never before

Have I loved life like this!