La Ci Darem La Mano , by Wolgang Amadeus Mozart
Arr. For two guitars by Ian Thomson (1941-2015)
"Là ci darem la mano" (Italian for "There we will give each other our hands") is a duet for the characters Don Giovanni (baritone) and Zerlina (soprano) in Mozart's 1787 opera “Don Giovanni” (act 1, scene 9).
The duet, with words by Lorenzo Da Ponte (1749 - 1838) , is sung during the first act of the opera. Don Giovanni has just met Zerlina and her betrothed, Masetto. In an attempt to distract Masetto and have him removed from the scene, Giovanni offers to host a wedding celebration for the couple at his castle. When Masetto has left, Giovanni attempts to seduce Zerlina to accompany him to his castle. However, after the end of the duet Donna Elvira arrives and thwarts the seduction, and leaves with Zerlina.
Lorenzo Da Ponte was an Italian and later American. He wrote the libretti for 28 operas, three were Mozart’s most celebrated operas - “Don Giovanni” , “The Marriage of Figaro” and “Cosi fan Tutte”. He was a close friend of Mozart. Later he became the first professor of Italian literature at Columbia University, and helped introduce Italian opera to America.
The English translation of the Italian is -
Don Giovanni -
Give me thy hand, oh fairest,
Whisper a gentle 'Yes',
Come, if for me thou carest,
With joy my life to bless.
Zerlina -
I would, and yet I would not,
I dare not give assent,
Alas! I know I should not...
Too late, I may repent.
Don Giovanni -
Come, dearest, let me guide thee.
Zerlina -
Masetto sure will chide me!
Don Giovanni -
Danger shall ne'er come nigh thee!
Zerlina -
Ah ... that I could deny thee!
Don Giovanni -
Let's go! Let's go!
Zerlina -
Let's go!
Both -
With thee, with thee, my treasure,
This life is nought but pleasure,
My heart is fondly thine.
15 сен 2024
