Lyrics:

(from Pucinni's 'Tosca')

[The painter Cavaradossi has been sentenced to death for helping to hide an escaped political prisoner. As he awaits his fate, he sings of the sweet memories of his beloved Tosca and his dashed dreams.]

E lucevan le stelle
E olezzava le terra
Stridea l'uscio dell'orto
E un passo sfiorava la rena
Entrava ella, fragrante
Mi cadea fra le braccia
Oh! dolci baci, o languide carezze
Mentr'io fremente
Le belle forme discogliea dai veli!
Svani per sempre il sogno mio d'amore
L'ora e fuggita
E muoio disperato!
E non ho amato mai tanto la vita!

[English translation:]

[How The Stars Seemed To Shimmer]

How the stars seem to shimmer
The sweet scents of the garden
How the creaking gate whispered
And a footstep skimmed over the sand
How she then entered, so fragrant
And then fell into my two arms!
Ah sweetest of kiss, languorous caresses
While I stood trembling
Searching her features concealed by her mantle
My dreams of pure love, forgotten forever!
All of it's gone now!
I die hopeless, despairing
And never before have I loved like this!