Opera title: | I Puritani |
Composer: | Vincenzo Bellini |
Language: | Italian |
Synopsis: | I Puritani Synopsis |
Libretto: | I Puritani Libretto |
Translation(s): | English |
Type: | aria |
Role(s): | Elvira |
Voice(s): | Soprano |
Act: | 1.15b |
Previous scene: | Cavalier se te duopo di consiglio |
Next scene: | Sulla virginea testa |
I puritani (1834)
Opera in three acts by Vincenzo Bellini.
*The composer's final piece
Above, is the sublime ensemble 'Oh! vieni al tempio...' from the third scene of the first act of the opera. Maria Callas is Elvira, Giuseppe di Stefano is Arturo and Piero Campolonghi is Riccardo. This performance took place on the eve of May 29th, 1952 at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, Mexico and was conducted by Guido Picco with the Orchestra e Coro del Palacio de Bellas Artes.
Below is a synopsis from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia of the prior happenings, context and story of this scene:
"Observed by Arturo and Enrichetta, Elvira appears singing a joyful polonaise (Son vergin vezzosa), but she engages the Queen in conversation asking for help with the ringlets of her hair. To allow that to happen, she removes her wedding veil and places it over Enrichetta's head. Both Arturo and Enrichetta realise that this may allow them to escape, and as they proceed, they are challenged by Riccardo who believes the woman to be Elvira. He almost provokes a fight with Arturo until he discovers that she is not Elvira; then, he is content to allow them to pass, swearing not to reveal any information.
When the wedding party enters, they ask for Arturo. They then learn, largely from Riccardo, that he has fled with Enrichetta. Pursuit is organised. Becoming increasingly distraught, Elvira believes that she sees Arturo: (Aria; then ensemble: Oh, vieni al tempio, fedele Arturo / "Ah! come, ah! come! Oh! come to the church, faithful Arturo".) It is increasingly clear that she has gone mad.
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Ah sì.
Son vergin vezzosa in vesta di sposa;
son bianca ed umile qual giglio d'april,
ho chiome odorose cui cinser tue rose,
ho il seno gentile del tuo monil.
Qual mattutina stella
bella voglio brillar;
del crin le moli anella
mi giova ad aggraziar,
Oh, yes;
I'm a charming virgin in a wedding dress
I'm white and humble as an April lily,
I have perfumed hair which is bound
by your roses,
I have my gentle breast to wear your necklace.
Like a morning star
beautifully I wish to shine;
in my hair the heavy ring
is useful to make it graceful
Sheetmusic for aria | ![]() |
Sheetmusic for opera | ![]() |
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DVD/CD's for this opera | on Amazon.com |