Oh Beautiful Night Of Love

There is a song I did not want to miss out today. It’s something I have been looking forward to sharing every since I saw this theme on Jim’ list weeks ago. Jim Adams, aka Newepicauthor, the creator of A Unique Title For Me, is hosting SONG-LYRIC-SUNDAY and this week he has chosen the theme: DUETS

The thing about duets is…some of them are a bit cheesy aren’t they. I can think of lots of duets, but not a lot of them work for me in all honesty. I think partly because two superstars sometimes team up to sing a song, but there is sometimes a certain cohesiveness lacking. It sometimes seems like they just wanted to do a duet for the sake of it. But hey, duets look like fun, so I don’t begrudge them having a little fun.

However, when it comes to opera, duets can be rather spectacular. So I have decided to feature one of my favourite duets, “Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour”, (The Barcarolle) which is from The Tales of Hoffman. You may already know this stunning duet. If you don’t, you are listening to a beautiful melody from Offenbach’s final opera. Apparently Jules Barbier wrote the lyrics.

Prepare to be dazzled!

Oh and I forgot to mention, I first heard this gorgeous music in the incredible Italian film “La Vita È Bella”. That scene when he is looking up at her and willing her just to look at him.

English Translation

Lovely night, oh, night of love

Smile upon our joys!

Night much sweeter than the day

Oh beautiful night of love!

Time flies by, and carries away

Our tender caresses for ever!

Time flies far from this happy oasis

And does not return

Burning zephyrs

Embrace us with your caresses!

Burning zephyrs

Give us your kisses!

Your kisses! Your kisses! Ah!

Lovely night, oh, night of love

Smile upon our joys!

Night much sweeter than the day

Oh, beautiful night of love!

Ah! Smile upon our joys!

Night of love, oh, night of love!

Ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah!

 

French Words

Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour

Souris à nos ivresses

Nuit plus douce que le jour

Ô,belle nuit 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!

Vos baisers! Vos baisers! Ah!

Belle nuit, ô, nuit d’amour

Souris à nos ivresses

Nuit plus douce que le jour,

Ô, belle nuit d’amour!

Ah! souris à nos ivresses!

Nuit d’amour, ô, nuit d’amour!

Ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah!