Maria Callas (1923-1977)
Recorded live at the Palais Garnier on the 19th of December 1958, this concert marked the soprano’s debut at the Paris Opera. The aria “Casta Diva” comes from Vincenzo Bellini’s opera Norma. It is a moment of stillness and calm before an oncoming war.
Norma, the head priestess, leads her people in a mesmerising prayer to the Moon goddess.
Casta Diva
Casta Diva, che inargenti
queste sacre antiche piante,
a noi volgi il bel sembiante
senza nube e senza vel.
Tempra, o Diva,
tempra tu de’ cori ardenti
tempra ancora lo zelo audace,
spargi in terra quella pace
che regnar tu fai nel ciel.
Chaste Goddess
Chaste Goddess, covering with silver
These sacred ancient plants,
Turn towards us your beautiful face
Cloudless and unveiled.
Temper, oh Goddess,
Temper the ardent hearts
And even temper the audacious zeal,
Spread the same peace on earth
That you make reign in heaven.
Αγνή Θεά
Αγνή Θεά, που ασημώνεις
αυτά τα ιερά αρχαία φυτά,
στρέψε σ’ εμάς την όμορφη θωριά σου,
ανέφελη κι ακάλυπτη.
Γαλήνεψε, ω Θεά,
ηρέμησε τις φλογερές καρδιές
κι ακόμα καταπράυνε το θρασύ ζήλο,
άπλωσε στη γη την ίδια ειρήνη
που κάνεις να βασιλεύει στον ουρανό.
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