SQUILT Set 1, #2 - "Parigi, O Cara" by Giuseppe Verdi

Title: Parigi, O Cara
Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
Genre: Opera

Notes: One book calls Giuseppe Verdi the "king of opera," and you could maybe say that back in the 1800s, seeing an opera would be like us watching a movie. Operas often tell very complex stories, and this is true of "La Traviata" - the opera where we hear the duet, "Parigi, O Cara."

"La Traviata" is of the Italian "tragic" style, where the ending is not what we would call a happy ending. This song, though, comes near the end of the opera and shows the two main characters singing about their love for each other. Here is the translation of the words:

ALFREDO AND VIOLETTA
Not man or devil, my angel,
Shall ever part you from me again.

ALFREDO
We'll leave Paris, my dearest,
Together we'll go through life.
In reward for your past sorrows,
You'll bloom into health again.
Breath of life, sunshine you'll be to me,
All the years to come will smile on us.

VIOLETTA
We'll leave Paris, my dearest,
Together we'll go through life.

ALFREDO
Yes.

VIOLETTA
In reward for past sorrows,
I shall bloom into health again.
Breath of life, sunshine you'll be to me,
All the years to come will smile on us.
Ah, no more!
Let's go to church, Alfredo,
And give thanks for your return.

The two singers in this video are Luciano Pavarotti and Joan Sutherland - both amazing singers that some would say are "one of a kind."

Related Composers: Giacomo Pucini, Georges Bizet, Richard Wagner, W.A. Mozart, Gioachino Rossini

**Disclaimer: While I believe that all of the SQUILT music chosen is appropriate for classroom use, some songs may not completely align with a Christian worldview. Songs done by related artists are also not guaranteed to be in line with the values of a Christian worldview. Parents should help their children develop discernment in this area.**