It is a song full of contrasts. Some of these contrasting parts are nostalgic but most of the song is fierce! It is a scream of proud dying fighters. Turbulent times during battle of Szeget (when this battle happened) and turbulent times when opera was written- it all reflects in dynamic and contrasts within this song. All in all- I am impressed by these voices and their artistic reflection.
Respect for Japan, these is a great performance... part from history (wikipedia): "For over a month from 5 August to 7 September,[8] with a small force of roughly 2,300-2,500 soldiers, mostly Croats,[10] heroically defended the small fortress of Szigetvár against the whole Ottoman army of over 100,000 soldiers and 300 cannons, led by Suleiman in person. They did so without reinforcements which were promised by the Hungarian-Croatian King,[17] and against Suleiman's offer of Croatian land to Zrinski.[8] The siege of Szigetvár ended with every remaining member of the garrison in a desperate and suicidal charge from the fortress led by Zrinski on 7 September 1566"
You forget to mention the number of Turks slain... Imagine walking into Europe with an army of 120 000 men and a group 50 times smaller manages to kill nearly all of them.
To battle, to battle! Unsheathe your swords, brethren, Let the foe see how we die! Our city already burns, The heat is already reaching us: Their roar resounds, Their rage is rampant! Our chests flare up as that fire, The roar is silenced by the rattling of our swords! Like brothers, All of you, kiss Zrinski Follow him to the gates, You, faithful heroes! Now, brothers! Load the rifles, pistols, Our thunders, our bang, Let them roar, topple, harry! Let us grind our fierce swords, Make them cut harder, harder! Good bye and be well, Our home, forever now, Oh, farewell, From everywhere around us Cruel enemy is upon you Already they plan To bury your sacred body, But they won't! All your sons move to fight for you! Our home, you will stand forever! To battle! To battle! For our home, for our home now to battle! Even as infernal host Raises its blade at it; Come to battle! We are few, but fearless! Who will crush him? Death to the devil, death! To die for your homeland is such delight! Against our foe! He must, he must fall
Domo arigato dear Japanese friends! "Za domovinu mrijeti kolika je slast,prot dušmaninu,mora on mora past" How sweet is to die for homeland Against the foe he must,must fail!
