Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Belle nuit ô nuit d'amour
Chorus Pro Arte Lausanne Du Brassus Dame Joan Sutherland Huguette Tourangeau L'Orchestre de la Suiss Lyrics

The song "Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour" is taken from the famous French opera, Les Contes d'Hoffmann ("The Tales of Hoffman") by Jacques Offenbach. This song is sung by two characters in the opera, Giulietta and Nicklausse, as they celebrate the night of love. The lyrics depict the beauty of the night and the sweetness of love, which is expressed through the repetition of the phrase 'Ô belle nuit d'amour' (Oh beautiful night of love). The characters ask for the zephyrs (breezes) to give them their kisses, which symbolize the romantic emotions associated with the night of love.

The chorus of the song, "Ah! Souris à nos ivresses! Nuit d'amour, ô nuit d'amour!" (Ah! Smile at our drunkenness! Night of love, oh night of love!), captures the intoxicating and passionate nature of love. The repetition of "Souris à nos ivresses" (Smile at our drunkenness) reinforces the idea of being lost in love and the overwhelming feeling it can bring. The lyrics highlight how fleeting and impermanent love can be, as they lament how time takes away their tenderness and happiness.

Overall, "Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour" is a song that celebrates the beauty and the fleeting nature of love, and how it can make one feel intoxicated and euphoric.