The aria was first performed at the premiere of Gianni Schicchi on 14 December 1918 at the Metropolitan Opera in New York by the popular Edwardian English soprano Florence Easton. It has been sung by many sopranos. Dame Joan Hammond won a Gold Record in 1969 for 1 million sold copies of this aria.
The aria is frequently performed in concerts and as an encore in recitals by many popular and crossover singers.
O mio babbino caro
Giacomo Puccini Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
mi piace, è bello, bello.
Vo'andare in Porta Rossa
a comperar l'anello!
Sì, sì, ci voglio andare!
e se l'amassi indarno,
andrei sul Ponte Vecchio,
Mi struggo e mi tormento!
O Dio, vorrei morir!
Babbo, pietà, pietà!
Babbo, pietà,
The song O mio babbino caro (Oh my dear papa) is a soprano aria from Giacomo Puccini's opera, Gianni Schicchi. The opera is set in Florence, Italy, and tells the story of the wealthy Buoso Donati, whose death sparks a family feud over his inheritance. The aria is sung by Lauretta, daughter of the titular character Gianni Schicchi, who is in love with Rinuccio, the son of a rival family. In the aria, Lauretta begs her father to allow her to marry Rinuccio by offering to throw herself into the river if he refuses.
The lyrics are straightforward and simple, but the aria is emotionally charged and powerful due to the soaring melody and the poignant orchestration. The opening lines, "O mio babbino caro, mi piace, è bello, bello," convey Lauretta's love for her father and her desire to convince him to let her marry. The subsequent lines, "Vo'andare in Porta Rossa a comperar l'anello!" express her eagerness to purchase a ring as a symbol of her commitment.
The second stanza is more despairing, as Lauretta pleads with her father to be merciful. When she says, "andrei sul Ponte Vecchio, ma per buttarmi in Arno!" she is not only expressing desperation but also invoking the iconic location where people go to commit suicide. The aria ends with the repeated plea "Babbo, pietà" ("Father, have mercy"), which showcases the depth of Lauretta's emotions and the urgency of her plea.
Line by Line Meaning
O mio babbino caro,
Oh my dear father,
mi piace, è bello, bello.
I like him, he is handsome, handsome.
Vo'andare in Porta Rossa
I want to go to Porta Rossa
a comperar l'anello!
to buy the ring!
Sì, sì, ci voglio andare!
Yes, yes, I want to go there!
e se l'amassi indarno,
And if my love is in vain
andrei sul Ponte Vecchio,
I would go to Ponte Vecchio
ma per buttarmi in Arno!
But to throw myself in the Arno!
Mi struggo e mi tormento!
I am consumed with longing and torment!
O Dio, vorrei morir!
Oh God, I wish to die!
Babbo, pietà, pietà!
Father, have pity on me, have mercy!
Babbo, pietà
Father, have mercy
Contributed by Colin D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-nn7np6vv7c
Счастья и здоровья ,успехов!!!
Слушайте настоящую музыку и будете счастливы и здоровы. / Listen to real music and be happy and healthy!!! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN4ocByPdisi-fcrHGeTTNg/videos
П.И. Чайковский "Средь шумного бала" _ Наталия Михалева ,сопрано/ Ирина Васильева ,фортепиано https://youtu.be/3CYetKGvLIA
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https://youtu.be/oE6ftg04hhU
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41 видео https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN4ocByPdisi-fcrHGeTTNg/videos
@kaya_yt
This is my favorite performance of O mio babbino caro. Her voice is absolutely heavenly.
@chaconazo7
you really need to see Maria Calla's perform or Montserrat Caballe
@daveroberts1
I have...no question Renee Fleming's iS the finest rendition@@chaconazo7
@augustocondor5714
@@chaconazo7 Lucia Popp
@user-vf5ft8pw6d
I am not so sure, but some people such as chaconazo7 are obsessed with their first love.@@daveroberts1
@garyjackson1264
What wonderful parents in the audience to expose their children to such beautiful music sang so sublimely.
@theressamurphy2996
Just lovely 😍
@myredute
I think you mean "sung so sublimely".
@garyjackson1264
@@myredute Sorry teacher.
@myredute
@@garyjackson1264 Apologies accepted!