Ghena Dimitrova: Il Trovatore, ’Vanne, Iasciami... D’amor sull’ali rosee... Miserere’

Ghena Dimitrova (Bulgarian: Гeна Димитpова) (6 May 1941--11 June 2005) was a Bulgarian operatic soprano. Her voice was known for its power and extension used in operatic roles such as Turandot in a career spanning four decades. She started singing in the school choir and her powerful voice led to her being offered a place at the Sofia Conservatory studying under Cristo Brambarov between 1959 and 1964. While she was initially classified as a mezzo-soprano, she was recognised as a soprano in her second year. She made her Italian debut as Turandot in Treviso in 1975, and essayed the same role for her 1983 La Scala debut opposite tenor Plácido Domingo in Franco Zeffirelli’s lavish production. Her Turandot is also preserved in a video of the Arena di Verona production from 1983, with Nicola Martinucci and Cecilia Gasdia. In 1988, she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York performing the same role. Dimitrova once said of the role: “Turandot may not be my favorite part, but it shows off the voice to great advantage. The way the music is written, you need a voice like a trumpet to do it justice.“ Her debut in the United States was in 1981 performing the role of Elvira in Ernani. She sang at the Barbican Arts Centre in Ponchielli’s La Gioconda in 1983 before making her Covent Garden debut in the same year... Lyrics & English Translation The night was still and quiet and beautiful in the terse sky the silvery moon showed her glad and full face... Suddenly the stillness of the night was broken by weal and sweet harmony - the notes of a lute - (and a troubador sang a melancholy song.) Those verses were humble like the invocation of a man praying to God. (In that song a name was constantly !...) So I rushed to the balcony... It was him! It was him!... I felt the joy that only angels are allowed to feel!... To my heart, to my blissful glance, the earth seemed like Paradise. Have mercy on a soul about to set out Upon hat journey from Which there is no returning! Have mercy on it, divine bounty, May it not fall prey to death! That sound, those sad and Solemn prayers fill the air With sombre terror! The anguish with which I am filled Checks the breath on my lips and stops My very heartbeat! [Oh! Death is ever Slow in coming To him who longs to die! Farewell.] Oh heaven! [Farewell, Leonora, farewell! I feel my senses fail me...] Have mercy on a soul about to set out Upon that journey from Which there is no returning! Have mercy on it, divine bounty, May it not fall prey to hell! Above the dreadful tower. [Have mercy! Alas! It seems as if death... Have mercy! On wings of darkness Have mercy!] Oh, those portals, perhaps, Have mercy! Will open for him Only when his body Is already cold, ...when his body is cold! [Have mercy! I am paying with my blood The love I centred on you! Do not forget me Leonora, farewell, Leonora, farewell, farewell!] I forget you! Me, forget you! Have mercy! I am paying with... my blood... You, you! Forget you! Have mercy! the love I centred on you! A link to this wonderful artists personal Website: Please Enjoy! I send my kind and warm regards,