The spring rolls into May with plentiful rains creating many a vernal pool in Central Massachusetts. All trees are budding up and we await the return of a soothing green canopy. Birds are starting to return from winter grounds. The wood thrush is on the way. We await in joyful expectation of the lovely forest trill. Spring gardeners are pruning blossoming fruit trees. The earth opens to the sun.
Thoughts turn to Italy and previous travels to this lovely country in the month of May. This season will be devoted to horses, gardens and home. However, it’s always possible to connect to Italy through foods, wines, and music. Two wonderful tenors from Italy herald the return of spring in song.
Piero Barone of Naro, Sicily provides a charming rendition of the ballad, “Non Ti Scordar di Me”, in English, Don’t You Forget About Me. This recording by Maria Sergeeva of IL Volo Russia was captured in Taormina Sicily in the Teatro Antico, an ancient outdoor amphitheater overlooking Mount Aetna.
Don’t Forget About Me
by Ernesto de Curtis and Domenico Furnò
The swallows left
From my cold and sunless country,
Searching for Springs full of violets
And lovely and happy nests.
My little swallow left
Without leaving me a kiss
She left without a goodbye
Don’t forget about me:
My life is tied to you
I love you more and more
In my dream you stay
Don’t forget about me
My life is tied to you
There’s always a nest
In my heart for you
Don’t forget about me
A visit to the city of Ragusa Sicily is remembered for the swallows winging around the Church domes. Famed Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti sang the lovely, “Rondine al Nido” in English Swallows Nests. Recorded in Central Park New York City. I love this song.
Rondine Al Nido
by Vincenzo de Crescenzo
Under the eaves of the old tower,
as the almond tree blossoms,
a friendly swallow has returned.
Every year she returns,
always in the same day.
She crosses mountains and sea
to get back here.
Only love flees
and does not return.
It makes you hope in vain,
but it does not return.
It makes you hope in vain,
but it does not return.
II
In the soft twilight of evening
springtime is passing.
The swallows chatter in their flight —
they are drunk with light and air.
But I am sad and lonely.
You do not cross mountains and sea
to come back to me.
My little one,
You were my whole life,
but you ran away,
never to return.
You ran away,
never to return!
Both of these recordings are captured live with an orchestra. The quality of the singers notes and those of the musical instruments blend beautifully. Both singers understand the need to pace and match note and tone with the violin or flute.
The tales are sad, singing of love lost and the hope spring brings of renewing bonds of love. Such beautiful voices. Life brings fresh, first green of springtime. The heart remembers what it was like to be in love and laments the loss. Something is lost, yet, the season rolls on.
Blessings of Springtime in song.
*While this review is a bit dated, it’s a chronicle of attendance to Il Volo concerts.
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