Di Quella Pira!

Just heard Di Quella Pira from Il Trovatore sung by Luciano Pavarotti. It takes its place today among my favourite arias.

Manrico's passionate aria from Il Trovatore is one of the most elegant pieces of music I've heard. It is a difficult aria to perform with a pronounced vibrato on certain parts and a sustained high C.

The sound of the Aria itself is very grand and lifting- it ends with a call to arms where the brass comes in with the orchestra lifting to a full and pounding end. This Aria is a great example of the genius of Verdi who could handle light music like waltzes with finesse and loud pieces like this with impressive technique and raw power.

Manrico
Di quella pira l'orrendo foco
tutte le fibre m'arse, avvampò!
Empi, spegnetela, o ch'io fra poco
col sangue vostro la spegnerò!
Era già figlio prima d'amarti,
non può frenarmi il tuo martir.
Madre infelice, corro a salvarti,
o teco almeno corro a morir!

Ruiz, soldiers
All'armi! All'armi! Eccone presti
a pugnar teco, o teco a morir!
All'armi! All'armi!

All'armi!

Manrico
The horrid flames of that fire
set alight my whole being!
You wicked ones, put out the fire
or I shall extinguish it with your own blood!
I was her son before I loved you
your pain cannot restrain me.
Wretched mother, I hurry to save you,
or at least to die with you!

Ruiz, soldiers
To arms! To arms! We are ready
To fight with you, to die with you!
To arms! To arms!

To arms!