Entertainment Music "Stride la Vampa" Lyrics and English Text Translation Print Mandl / Getty Images Music Classical Music Lyrics Basics Operas Rock Music Pop Music Alternative Music Country Music Folk Music Rap & Hip Hop Rhythm & Blues World Music Punk Music Heavy Metal Jazz Latin Music Oldies Learn More By Aaron Green Aaron Green Music Expert B.A., Classical Music and Opera, Westminster Choir College of Rider University Aaron M. Green is an expert on classical music and music history, with more than 10 years of both solo and ensemble performance experience. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on 01/31/19 When it premiered in 1853, Giuseppe Verdi's opera, "Il Trovatore" (Italian for "The Troubadour"), was an instant success. The aria "Stride la Vampa" is an aria from the second act, performed by the gypsy woman Azucena. History of the Opera "Il Trovatore" Based on the 1836 play "El Trovador" by Antonio Garcia Gutierrez, and with a libretto by Salvadore Cammarano, "Il Trovatore" premiered in 1953 at the Teatro Apollo in Rome. It was not an immediate critical success, but its racy, unconventional plot made it wildly popular with contemporary audiences. Plot of the Opera "Il Trovatore" The opera centers around Azucena and her quest for vengeance against the Count di Luna. He was responsible for burning Azucena's mother at the stake because the woman bewitched the count's infant brother. Azucena kidnapped the child and apparently killed him, but Count di Luna believes the child may yet be alive and has vowed to find Azucena. The story takes place in Spain during a Civil War. The count is pursuing Leonora, a noblewoman who does not return his affections. The troubadour of the opera's title is actually a rebel leader, Manrico, who serenades Leonora to get the count's attention. The count challenges Manrico to a duel, but Manrico is unable to kill the count despite gaining the advantage. Then, in a stunning plot twist, Azucena is revealed as Manrico's mother. Or so he thinks, as it turns out he's the infant brother the count believed was dead. Oh, and remember Leonora, the woman the count is obsessed with? She's fallen in love with Manrico and takes poison to avoid betraying him with the count. When the count executes Manrico, Azucena has her revenge—Count di Luna has killed his own brother. Azucena sings "Stride la Vampa" At the beginning of Act 2, Azucena recalls the fire that killed her mother in the aria "Stride la Vampa" (which translates as "the flames are roaring). She describes her drive to see vengeance on Count di Luna. Italian Text of "Stride la Vampa" Stride la Vampa!La folla indomitacorre a quel fuocolieta in sembianza;urli di gioiaintorno echeggiano:cinta di sgherridonna s' avanza!Sinistra splendesui volti orribilila tetra fiammache s'alza al ciel!Stride la vampa!giunge la vittimanerovestita,discinta e scalza!Grido ferocedi mortr levasi;l' eco il ripetedi balza in balza!Sinistra splendesui volti orribilila tetra fiammache s'alza al ciel! English Translation of "Stride la Vampa" The fire roars!The restless mobruns to the firewith happy faces;shouts of joyecho around;surrounded by killersa woman is brought forth!Evil shinesupon horrible facesbeside the gloomy flamethat rises to the sky!The fire roars!The victim arrivesdressed in black,disheveled, barefoot!A fierce shoutof death arises;the echo repeatsfrom hill to hill!Evil shinesupon horrible facesbeside the gloomy flamethat rises to the sky!