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    AC Benus
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Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

Translation Trashbin - 4. Se il vuoi saper

...from the perfect Valentine's Day opera...

Performance Translation from:

L’arbore di Diana

by Lorenzo da Ponte,

Music by Vicente Martín y Soler, 1787

 

AMOR:

Misero,

arresta il passo,

o morto sei!

 

Doristo:

Ah!

 

Amore:

Non temer: amico

ti sono, e tu nol sai.

 

Doristo:

Amico? Oh, bella!

Io non ti ho visto mai.

 

Amore:

Guardami un po’.

 

Doristo:

T’ho visto.

 

Amore:

Non mi conosci?

 

Doristo:

No.

 

Amore:

Non sai dunque chi sono?

 

Doristo:

Non lo sò.

 

AMOR:

Se il vuoi saper,

Io sono Amor

Il mio poter

Ti dica il cor.

 

Lo stral quest’è

Che ti piagò

Non credi a me?

Ti ferirò.

 

----------------------------------------------

 

CUPID:

Don’t be dumb,

Halt your step or

Prepare to die!

 

Doristo:

Ah!

 

CUPID:

Have no fear, my buddy,

I’m on your side, you should know.

 

Doristo:

His ‘buddy’? Oh, that’s great.

I’ve never seen you, sooo.

 

CUPID:

Take a good look then.

 

Doristo:

I’m lookin’.

 

CUPID:

Don’t recognize me?

 

Doristo:

Nope.

 

CUPID:

You still don’t know who I am?

 

Doristo:

Still a ‘no.’

 

CUPID:

I am Love,

I'll have you know

Sprung from above

Complete with bow.

 

The hearts I pick

Hither dither flit

With my arrow-prick

Not knowing they’re hit.

 

 

----------------------------------------------

 

Go min. 2:02 for the start of the scena:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9ss-zQr45c

 

 

_

Copyright © 2018 AC Benus; All Rights Reserved.
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Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Chapter Comments

9 hours ago, Freerider said:

You made an interesting piece again.

Your translation does not have the "darker" tone of the original. Was that intentional?

Yes. That's why this is called a trashbin. I make no claim to any sort of precision with these performance translations. 

 

As always, the poet's work has already been translated by the composer. My job, as I see it, is to bring the intent of the combination of music and lyrics alive for the audience. It should always seem natural and not 'smell of translation.'  Here, Amore's performance (throughout the entire score) has nothing dark about him; insistent, yes. Cupid insists all, included the maiden-zone clutching god Diana, melt under the heat of love :)     

 

Thanks for the comments, and thanks for the 'like.'

 

 

Edited by AC Benus
  • Like 2
14 hours ago, AC Benus said:

Yes. That's why this is called a trashbin. I make no claim to any sort of precision with these performance translations. 

 

As always, the poet's work has already been translated by the composer. My job, as I see it, is to bring the intent of the combination of music and lyrics alive for the audience. It should always seem natural and not 'smell of translation.'  Here, Amore's performance (throughout the entire score) has nothing dark about him; insistent, yes. Cupid insists all, included the maiden-zone clutching god Diana, melt under the heat of love :)     

 

Thanks for the comments, and thanks for the 'like.'

 

 

 

Thanks for providing more context.

I quoted "darker", because just in the part you selected there is a threat of hurt for not believing in love.

 

 

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