The Drinking Song from "La Traviata"

Ah, sometimes Italian tv really does outdo itself! Tonight, Rai Uno is showing Verdi's La Traviata filmed on location in Paris and at Versailles, conducted by Zubin Mehta.

While not quite as engrossing as good opera is live (What can I say? Opera can be an acquired taste... like anchovies!), it's still quite good eye- and ear-candy!

After again hearing the "Drinking Song" or "Brindisi," I was tempted to wait until New Year's to post the lyrics, but I was so taken with them that I decided I didn't want to wait! Enjoy!!

THE DRINKING SONG

Let us drink from the goblets of joy

adorned with beauty,

and the fleeting hour shall be adorned

with pleasure.

Let us drink to the secret raptures

which love excites,

for this eye reigns supreme in my heart...

Let us drink, for with wine

love will enjoy yet more passionate kisses.

With you I can spend

the time with delight.

In life everything is folly

which does not bring pleasure.

Let us be happy, fleeting and rapid

is the delight of love;

it is a flower which blooms and dies,

which can no longer be enjoyed.

Let us be happy, fervent

and enticing words summon us.

(Be happy ... wine and song

and laughter beautify the night;

let the new day find us in this paradise.)

Life is nothing but pleasure,

as long as one is not in love.

Don't say that to one who is ignorant.

That is my fate ...

Be happy ... wine and song

and laughter beautify the night;

let the new day find us in this paradise.

(For the original lyrics in Italian, you can check out for example the Andrea Bocelli Lyrics Archive...)