Legendary Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti sings Chitarra Romana (which means “Roman Guitar”), a 1934 Italian folk song composed by the Italian composer Eldo Di Lazzaro (21 February 1902 – 29 November 1968) with lyrics by the Italian lyricist Bruno Cherubini (1897-1947) and Eldo Di Lazzaro. This performance was recorded during a concert at New York’s Central Park on June 28, 1993. Pavarotti was accompanied by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Leone Magiera. More than 500,000 listeners gathered for Pavarotti’s free performance on that day.
Chitarra Romana lyrics
“Chitarra Romana” (Roman Guitar) is a classic Italian song, often associated with the city of Rome. The song praises the enchanting sound of a guitar playing in the streets of Rome, evoking the unique romantic and nostalgic atmosphere of the Eternal City.
Italian: Chitarra Romana
Sotto un manto di stelle
Roma bella mi appare,
solitario il mio cuor disilluso d’amor
vuol nell’ombra cantar.
Una muta fontana
e un balcone lassù,
o chitarra romana
accompagnami tu.
Suona suona mia chitarra
lascia piangere il mio cuore,
senza casa e senza amore
mi rimani solo tu.
Se la voce è un po’ velata
accompagnami in sordina,
la mia bella fornarina
al balcone non c’è più.
Lungotevere dorme
mentre il fiume cammina,
io lo seguo perché mi trascina con sé
e travolge il mio cuor.
Vedo un ombra lontana
e una stella lassù,
o chitarra romana
accompagnami tu.
Solo…
Se la voce è un po’ velata
accompagnami in sordina,
la mia bella fornarina
al balcone non c’è più.
O chitarra romana
accompagnami tu!
![Pavarotti sings Chitarra Romana [Medison Square Garden, 1987]](https://cdn-0.andantemoderato.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Pavarotti-sings-Chitarra-Romana-1987-1024x576.jpg)
English: Roman Guitar
Roman guitar
Under a mantle of stars
Rome appears to me as, beautiful
my lonely heart – disillusioned with love –
wants to sing in the shadow
A silent fountain
and a balcony above
O Roman guitar,
please accompany me.
Play, play, oh my guitar
let my heart cry
homeless and loveless
I have only you left.
If my voice is a bit veiled
please accompany me on the sly
my beautiful baker girl
is no longer on the balcony.
The road along the Tiber sleeps
while the river walks by
I follow it because it drags me with itself
and drowns my heart.
I see a distant shadow
and a star above
O Roman guitar
accompany me.
Lonely…
If my voice is a bit veiled
accompany me on the sly
my beautiful baker girl
is no longer on the balcony.
O Roman guitar
please accompany me.
Sources
- Chitarra Romana on Wikipedia
- Chitarra Romana lyrics on the Lyrics Translate website
- Chopin: Scherzo No. 3 [İlyun Bürkev] - September 14, 2024
- César Franck: Violin Sonata [Argerich, Capuçon] - September 8, 2024
- Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 23 “Appassionata” [Anna Fedorova] - September 7, 2024