Soave sia il vento
I don’t know what it’s been like down your way over the past couple of days but it’s been very windy around these parts. In fact I had to spend a couple of hours this afternoon repairing the damage done to my garden by a lump of a tree that fell down during Friday on account of the gales. If you’ve been affected by the stormy weather yourself I offer you this beautiful performance of the trio Soave sia il vento from Mozart’s Cosi fan Tutte as compensation.
Soave sia il vento,
Tranquilla sia l’onda,
Ed ogni elemento
Benigno risponda
Ai nostri desir
Hoping I’ve got the subjunctives right I’ll translate this as
May the wind be gentle,
may the waves be calm,
and may every one of the elements
respond warmly
to our desire
February 5, 2011 at 9:09 pm
That is lovely.
February 8, 2011 at 12:54 am
I loved it too and your translation!
May 21, 2011 at 12:15 pm
[…] been called up for active service. Don Alfonso joins Fiordiligi and Dorabella in the sumptuous trio Soave sia il vento as the men appear to sail off for battle. The ladies are heartbroken and pledge fidelity to their […]
November 5, 2011 at 9:09 pm
I suggest an improved third line to your excellent translation:
“and may every element”
February 1, 2012 at 4:02 pm
Thanks for this – I’m going to try it on my saxophone – better if you know the words to play the meaning!
May 19, 2013 at 9:43 pm
I’m learning this now, I love it; I hope I can get close to the obvious feeling of joy shown by don alfonso on his exit, having completely nailed it! Good translation thanks.
January 12, 2016 at 8:30 am
Not bad… but my favorite is the 2006 Salzburg one : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-wXtUfPI_E