Madre pietosa Vergine

Aprile Millo (born April 14, 1958) is an American operatic soprano of Italian and Irish ancestry who is particularly admired for her interpretations of the works of Giuseppe Verdi. Possessing a spinto voice of power, warmth and temperament, Millo became one of the most celebrated opera singers of the late twentieth century. Although she has performed at many of the world's leading opera houses and with many orchestras and ensembles internationally, Millo has spent much of her career appearing in productions at the Metropolitan Opera. Aprile Millo was born in New York City, the daughter of two opera singers, tenor Giovanni Millo (John Hamill) and soprano Margherita Girosi. Millo became interested in music at an early age and received her musical education primarily from her parents. Millo is noted for the beauty of her voice and her nuanced interpretation. On April 4, 1986, Donal Henahan wrote in the New York times of Millo's performance in Don Carlo: "Miss Millo sounds more and more like the Verdi soprano we've been waiting for." Later in 1986 (June 18), reviewing a Metropolitan Opera production of Aida in Central Park, Mr. Rockwell wrote, "Miss Millo has a real Verdi sound...her darkly yet delicately colored lower voice, full of urgency in the phrasing, and her overall mastery of this role from a technical and interpretive standpoint, are already very moving. Her performance reached its high point just where it must, in the third act, when Aida grows from a supplicating ingenue into a woman torn by her conflicts. With singing like this, nothing could dull the intensity of Verdi's drama. The concert formality, the populist setting, the amplification, all fell away in the face of real operatic drama embodied in song. If Mr. Domingo and Mr. Pavarotti can match that in the next two parks openers, the Met and its fans will be fortunate indeed."...

Lyrics & English Translation


LEONORA
I'm here at last! Thanks be to Thee, O God!
This is my last refuge! I am here!
I am trembling! My dreadful story is known
at the inn - my own brother was telling it!
If he had discovered me! Heavens! He said
that Don Alvaro was sailing to the West!
He did not fall dead that night
when I, soaked in my father's blood,
followed him, but lost him! And now he leaves me,
he flees from me! Ah, I cannot bear such anguish!
She falls to her knees.
Mother, merciful Virgin,
forgive my sin.
Help me to erase that ingrate
from my heart.
In this seclusion
I will expiate my guilt.
Have mercy on me, Lord;
do not forsake me.

[The organ accompanying the monks' morning prayers is heard.]

CHORUS OF MONKS
[within]
Venite, adoremus et procedamus ante Deum.
Ploremus coram Domino, qui fecit nos.

LEONORA
[rising]
Ah, those sublime hymns
and organ harmonies
rising like incense
to God in Heaven
inspire my soul
with faith, comfort and peace!
Let me hasten to the holy refuge.
She moves forward.
Dare I at this hour?
[halting]
Someone might surprise me.
Oh wretched Leonora,
do you tremble? The pious monk
will not refuse to shelter you.
Do not forsake me, help me,
have mercy, Lord!
Do not abandon me, O Lord;
have mercy on me!

CHORUS OF MONKS
Ploremus coram Domino, qui fecit nos.


A link to this wonderful artist's personal website:

Please Enjoy!

I send my kind and warm regards,