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"Stride la vampa" Lyrics and English Text Translation

Azucena's Aria from Verdi's Il Trovatore

By , About.com Guide

When it premiered in 1853, Giuseppe Verdi's opera, Il Trovatore, was an instant success. Now, over 150 years later, it is one of the most performed operas in the world. With a gripping story and fantastic music, it is easy to see why. Below is Azucena's aria, sung early in the second act. Here, the old gypsy woman recounts her undying vengeance against the Count who murdered her mother many years before.

Italian Text
Stride la vampa!
La folla indomita
corre a quel fuoco
lieta in sembianza;
urli di gioia
intorno echeggiano:
cinta di sgherri
donna s' avanza!
Sinistra splende
sui volti orribili
la tetra fiamma
che s'alza al ciel!
Stride la vampa!
giunge la vittima
nerovestita,
discinta e scalza!
Grido feroce
di mortr levasi;
l' eco il ripete
di balza in balza!
Sinistra splende
sui volti orribili
la tetra fiamma
che s'alza al ciel!

English Translation
Screeches the blaze!
The restless mob
runs to the fire
with happy faces;
shouts of joy
echo around;
surrounded by killers
a woman is brought forth!
Evil shines
upon horrible faces
beside the gloomy flame
that rises to the sky!
Screeches the blaze!
The victim arrives
dressed in black,
disheveled, barefoot!
A fierce shout
of death arises;
the echo repeats
from hill to hill!
Evil shines
upon horrible faces
beside the gloomy flame
that rises to the sky!

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