O soave fanciulla

"O soave fanciulla" (Oh lovely girl) is a romantic duet from the first act of Giacomo Puccini's 1896 opera La bohème It is sung as the closing number in act 1 by Rodolfo (tenor) and Mimì (soprano).

Music

The duet, between 5 and 6 minutes in length, is written in the common time time signature, the key of A major, but ending in C major. The last bar in the orchestra is characterized by descending harp harmonics through the final C major chord.[1]

When Mimì and Rodolfo realize they are in love (unison "A! tu sol comandi, amor!"/"Fremon già nell'anima"), the music returns to the opera's love leitmotif from Rodolfo's aria "Che gelida manina" ("talor dal mio forziere"). They leave the stage together singing "Amor!". Mimì's last note is a high C, marked perdendosi (fading away), and while an E below is written for Rodolfo, many tenors also sing the high C, making the last note unison. Following Rodolfo's "Che gelida manina" and Mimì's "Sì, mi chiamano Mimì", the duet concludes one of most romantic passages in all of opera.[2]

Libretto

The libretto is by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. Rodolfo and Mimì have met for the first time a few minutes ago. He told her about his life ("Che gelida manina"), and asked her to tell him about hers ("Sì, mi chiamano Mimì"). In this duet, "O soave fanciulla", they realize that they have fallen in love.

Rodolfo's friends call him to join them but he would rather stay with Mimì, but she shyly suggests they all go out together. Rodolfo remarks how cold it is outside, but Mimì promises to stay near to him. She leaves the possibility of a later return to the garret open. They leave the stage.[3][4]

	Literal translation	Singable translation
Mimì si è avvicinata ancor più alla finestra per modo che i raggi lunari la illuminano: Rodolfo, volgendosi, scorge Mimì avvolta come da un nimbo di luce, e la contempla, quasi estatico. Rodolfo: O soave fanciulla, o dolce viso di mite circonfuso alba lunar, in te, ravviso il sogno ch'io vorrei sempre sognar! Entrambi M: Ah, tu sol comandi, amor! R: Fremon già nell'anima le dolcezze estreme Mimì: assai commossa Tu sol comandi, amore! Entrambi Rodolfo cingendo colle braccia Mimì' R: Fremon nell'anima dolcezze estreme, fremon dolcezze estreme, M: quasi abbandonandosi Oh come dolci scendono le sue lusinghe al core... Insieme M: Tu sol comandi, amor! R: nel baccio freme amor! Rodolfo bacia Mimì Mimì: svincolandosi No per pieta! Rodolfo: Sei mia! Mimì: V'aspettan gli amici... Rodolfo: Gia mi mandi via? Mimì: titubante Vorrei dir... ma non osso. Rodolfo: con gentilezza Di? Mimì: con graziosa furberia Se venissi con voi? Rodolfo: sorpreso Che? Mimì! insinuante Sarebbe cosi dolce restar qui. C'e freddo fuori. Mimì: con grande abbandono Vi staro vicina! Rodolfo: E al ritorno? Mimì: maliziosa Curioso! Rodolfo: Aiuta amorosamente Mimì a mettersi lo scialle Dammi il braccio, o mia piccina... Mimì: Dà il braccio a Rodolfo Obbedisco, signor! S'avviano sottobraccio alla porta d'uscita Rodolfo: Che m'ami...di... Mimì: con abbandono Io t'amo. Insieme Amor! Amor! Amor!	At the window, Mimì is illuminated by the moon's rays. Turning, Rodolfo sees Mimì wrapped in a halo of moonlight. He comtemplates her, in ecstasy. Rodolfo: Oh lovely girl, oh sweet face bathed in the soft moonlight, I see you in a dream I'd dream forever! Both M: Ah! Love, you rule alone! R: Already the soul trembles extreme kindness Mimì: very moved Ah! Love, you rule alone! Both Rodolfo putting his arms around her R: The soul trembles the heights of tenderness trembling are the heights of tenderness M: almost surrendering How sweet his flatteries enter my heart... Together M: You rule alone, oh love! R: Love trembles at our kiss! kisses her Mimì: freeing herself No, I beg you! Rodolfo: You're mine now! Mimì: Your friends are still waiting... Rodolfo: So soon must I leave you? Mimì: hesitant I dare not... say what I'd like. Rodolfo: with kindness Tell me? Mimì: with graceful cleverness If I came with you? Rodolfo: surprised What? Mimì! insinuating It would be so fine to stay here. It's freezing outside. Mimì: with great abandon I'd be right beside you! Rodolfo: What about later? Mimì: mischievous Who knows? Rodolfo: helping lovingly Mimì to put on her shawl Take my arm, my dear young lady... Mimì: gives Rodolfo her arm I obey, my dear sir! they exit arm in arm Rodolfo: Do you love me, say... Mimì: with abandon I love you.. Together Love! Love! Love!	Rodolfo: Lovely maid in the moonlight, Your face entrancing like radiant seraph from on high appears As thus I watch you, The dream that I would ever dream returns. Both M: Love alone o'er hearts has sway ... R: Heart to heart, and sould to soul love binds us in his fetters. Mimì: Ah love, to thee do we surrender Both R: Love now shall rule our hearts alone shall rule our hearts alone M: Sweet to my soul the magic voice of love its music chanteth Together Life's fairest flower is love ... Mimì: No, I pray you! Rodolfo: My sweethart! Mimì: Your comrades await you. Rodolfo: Do you then dismiss me? Mimì: I should like no, I dare not ... Rodolfo: Say! Mimì: Could I not come with you? Rodolfo: What? Mimì! It would be much more pleasant here to stay, Outside it's chilly. Mimì: I'll be always near you! Rodolfo: On returning? Mimì: Who knows, sir? Rodolfo: Take my arm, my little maiden Mimì: Very well, I obey. Rodolfo: You love me? Say ... Mimì: I love thee. Both My love![5]

References

1. Arthur Groos and Roger Parker: Giacomo Puccini – La bohème, Cambridge Opera Handbooks, Cambridge University Press, 1986, ISBN 9780521319133, pp. 16–17
2. "La bohème – in-depth guide" by Stu Lewis, p. 5, Kansas City Lyric Opera Guild, 2013
3. "O soave fanciulla". opera-arias.com.
4. "O soave fanciulla". Music Lyrics Database site
5. Piano vocal score, translated by William Grist, pp. 79–84, William and Gayle Cook Music Library, Indiana University School of Music

External links

• List of notable recordings by Neil Kurtzman, medicine-opera.com
• O soave fanciulla on YouTube, performed live by Renata Tebaldi and Jussi Björling, 1956
• "O soave fanciulla" on YouTube, Renata Scotto and Luciano Pavarotti, Metropolitan Opera, 1977
• End of act 1 on YouTube, Cheryl Barker, David Hobson, Baz Luhrmann's production for Opera Australia, 1993