Elena Obraztsova: Bizet - Carmen, 'Seguidilla'

Elena Vasiliyevna Obraztsova (Russian: Елена Васильевна Образцова) (b. in Leningrad, now St Petersburg Russia, on 7 July 1939) is a Russian mezzo-soprano, widely recognised as one of the greatest opera singers of all time, thanks to her outstanding stage presence and the vocal abilities. She has played many roles throughout her career, including performances under the baton of such leading conductors as Claudio Abbado and Herbert von Karajan. In December 1977 she opened the 200th opera season in La Scala singing Don Carlos's Eboli with Abbado as conductor. In June 2007 Obraztsova was appointed artistic director of opera at the Mikhaylovsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. She also trains young soloists in her own cultural center in St. Petersburg. Obraztsova still appears regularly on stage at the Mikhailovsky in the role of the Countess in Tchaikovsky's The Queen of Spades. In 2008 Obraztsova ended her artistic director contract with the Mikhailovsky to concentrate on the competition of her name and the recently announced project of International Academy of Music in St Petersburg. Obraztsova continues her collaboration with the Mikhailovsky in a capacity of the General Director's Artistic Advisor... en.wikipedia.or...
Lyrics & English Translation
Carmen
Right by the walls of Sevilla,
At my old friend Lillas Pastia's,
I'll go to dance the seguidilla
And drink some manzanilla,
I'll go to my old friend Lillas Pastia's.
But all alone it's not much fun,
True pleasure is when you're a pair;
So, to make sure I've got someone,
I'll bring my lover with me there!
My lover man! To hell with him now!
I broke up with him yesterday!
And my poor heart's ripe for a whim now,
My heart is free, it's free to play!
I am pursued by scores of gallants;
But none that I like through and through.
Now here's the weekend - what's the balance?
Who will love me? I'll love him too!
Who wants my soul? It's ripe for mating!
You have arrived right with the tide!
I have no time to waste by waiting,
For with my new man by my side,
Right by the walls of Sevilla,
At my old friend Lillas Pastia's,
I'll go to dance the seguidilla
And drink some manzanilla,
This Sunday I'll go to my old friend Pastia's!
José
Shut up, I'd told you to do no talking to me!
Carmen
I'm not talking to you, I'm singing for my pleasure,
I'm singing for my pleasure!
And I'm thinking! And thinking is not against the law!
I'm thinking of a man of war,
I'm thinking of a man of war who treasures
Me and that I could, oh yes, I could
Have loving feelings for!
He's not a captain, though he's quite proficient,
Not even one rank below, just an NCO;
But for a Gypsy girl that's quite sufficient,
And for me that can be just so!
José
Oh, Carmen, I feel on a bender,
If I yield and if I surrender,
To your promise you will be true,
Oh, Carmen, Carmen, if I love you you'll love me too.
A link to this wonderful artists personal Website: sopranos.freese...
Please Enjoy!
I send my kind and warm regards,