Barcarolle from The Tales of Hoffmann by Jacques Offenbach Sarah Crane and Hayley Sugars and the Toowoomba Chorus Premiered in 1881. Libretto by Jules Barbier
In The Tales of Hoffmann, a poet tells the story of his three loves; Olympia – a mechanical doll, Antonia – a famous singer, and the courtesan Giulietta. This barcarolle, a traditional Venetian song, is heard in the beginning of Act 3, by Hoffmann’s third love, the courtesan Giulietta, in her Venetian palace and Hoffmann’s muse Nicklausse.
TRANSLATION Reference: https://lyricstranslate.com/en/ barcarolle-barcarolle.html
NICKLAUSSE AND GIULIETTA Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour Souris à nos ivresses Nuit plus douce que le jour Belle Onuit d’amour! Le temps fuit et sans retour Emporte nos tendresses Loin de cet heureux séjour Le temps fuit sans retour Zéphyrs embrasés Versez-nous vos caresses Zéphyrs embrasés Donnez-nous vos baisers! Ah! souris à nos ivresses! Onuit d’amour, nuit d’amour!
Lovely night, o night of love Smile upon our pleasures Night more sweet than day Oh beautiful night of love! Time flies by and without return Takes away our tender caresses Far from this happy oasis Time flies without return Burning zephyrs Embrace us with your caresses Burning zephyrs Give us your kisses! Ah! Smile upon our joys! Night of love, oh, night of love!