E lucevan le stelle

E lucevan le stelle (Italian for "And it lit up the stars " ) is an aria in Giacomo Puccini's opera Tosca, which premiered on January 14, 1900 Teatro Costanzi in Rome.

The piece is one of the most famous and popular opera arias. It was written in B minor, with a libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica. It is in the third act of the opera Tosca 's lover of the painter Mario Cavaradossi (tenor ), sung as this is allowed to write one last farewell letter to Tosca shortly before his execution.

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E lucevan le stelle, olezzava e la terra stridea l' uscio dell'orto ed un passo sfiorava la rena. Entrava ella fragrante, fra le braccia mi cadea. O dolci baci, o languide Carezze, mentr'io fremente le belle forme disciogliea dai veli! Svanì per semper il sogno mio d' amore. L' ora è fuggita, e Muoio disperato! E non ho amato mai tanto la vita!

And it lit up the stars, and it smelled the earth it creaked the garden gate and steps roamed over the sand. She came in, fragrant, fell into my arms. Oh! Sweet kisses, O longing Kosen, while I, trembling the beautiful body revealed! Forever my love dream is gone. The hour is over and I die in despair! And did that life is never so loved!