Carlo Bergonzi: Giordano - Andrea Chenier, 'Un dì, all'azzurro spazio'

Carlo Bergonzi (born 13 July 1924) is an Italian operatic tenor. Although he performed and recorded some bel canto and verismo roles, he is above all associated with the operas of Giuseppe Verdi, including a large number of the composer's lesser-known works that he helped revive. Essentially a lyric tenor with spinto capabilities, Bergonzi was greatly admired during the peak of his career for his beautiful diction, smooth legato, warm timbre and elegant phrasing. Above all he was acclaimed for his attention to the style required in Verdi's operas... en.wikipedia.or...
Lyrics & English Translation
You have struck me here
Where I, jealous,
Conceal the most pure beating of my soul
Now you will see, young lady, what a poem
Is the word "Love"
Here a reason for ridicule!
One day to the blue spaces
I looked profoundly,
And to the fields filled with violets,
Rained the gold of the sun,
And illuminated of gold the earth,
It seemed the Earth an immense treasure,
And to her the skies served as a coffin.
Up from the earth to my face
Came a lively caress, a kiss.
I shouted, overcome by love.
I love you who kiss me
Divinely beautiful,
My homeland!
And I wanted, with great love, to pray!
I passed through a door at a church;
There a priest, in the alcove of the saints
And of the Virgin, he was gathering gifts...
And to the deaf ear,
An old man, trembling, in vain
Was asking for bread,
And in vain extended his hand
I went into a workman's hut;
A man there was offending, swearing at the earth
That the treasury barely fills
And against the heavens he was swearing,
And against men
The tears of his children.
In so much misery the patrician line,
What do they do?
Only your eye
Expresses humanely here,
A look of pity,
Where I looked at you,
You like an angel
And I said;
Here the beauty of life!
But, then, to your words
A new sadness
Has gripped my heart
Oh beautiful young lady,
Don't discredit the words of a poet
Listen!
You don't know love.
Love, a divine gift, don't scoff at it,
The life and soul of the world is love!
Please Enjoy!
I send my kind and warm regards,