As a child and young adult, Battle was both a good student and a good singer, but her ambitions were not grand. She was awarded a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in Ohio, but she chose to major in music education rather than risk a performance career. In 1971, with both bachelor's and master's degrees, Battle set out to teach music to Cincinnati's inner-city youth. While teaching 5th and 6th grade music, she continued to study voice privately, which resulted in an audition with Thomas Schippers (then conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra). He was so moved by Battle's remarkable voice that he hired the almost totally inexperienced singer to perform at the 1972 Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy.
Azulao
Kathleen Battle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Vai ver minha ingrata
Diz que sem ela o sertão não é mais sertão
Vai, voa azulão, vai cantar companheiro, vai
Vai azulão, azulão companheiro, vai
Vai ver minha ingrata
Diz que sem ela o sertão não é mais sertão
Vai azulão, azulão companheiro, vai
Vai ver minha ingrata
Diz que sem ela o sertão não é mais sertão
Vai, voa azulão, vai cantar companheiro, vai
Vai azulão, azulão companheiro, vai
Vai ver minha ingrata
Diz que sem ela o sertão não é mais sertão
Vai, voa azulão, vai cantar companheiro, vai
Vai, Vai,
Companheiro, vai
The lyrics to Kathleen Battle's song "Azulao" tell a story of a blue bird that is asked to go and see the singer's ungrateful lover. The bird is asked to tell her that without her, the sertão (desert-like region in Brazil) is no longer the same. The repetition of the phrase "vai azulão, azulão companheiro, vai" (go blue bird, blue bird companion, go) emphasizes the urgency and importance of the message that the singer wants to convey to her lover.
The lyrics are often interpreted as a metaphor for someone who is homesick and missing their loved ones, especially someone who is far away from their native land. The blue bird is seen as a messenger, a companion, and a symbol of hope for someone who is lost and longing for home. The blue color of the bird is also significant as it represents the vast sky and the endless possibilities of the future.
The song is a traditional Brazilian folk song, originally written by Jayme Ovalle with lyrics by Manuel Bandeira. It has been performed by many artists including Kathleen Battle, who is known for her soprano voice and her interpretation of classical and traditional music.
Line by Line Meaning
Vai azulão, azulão companheiro, vai
A bluebird is called upon to go on a mission with his companion and fly afar.
Vai ver minha ingrata
The bluebird is asked to visit the ungrateful love and look upon her.
Diz que sem ela o sertão não é mais sertão
He is told to tell her that the wild land is barren and miserable without her.
Vai, voa azulão, vai cantar companheiro, vai
Fly away, bluebird, sing and tell her, my friend.
Vai, Vai,
Go, go,
Companheiro, vai
My friend, go.
Writer(s): Manoel Bandeira, Jayme Ovalle
Contributed by Hunter V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.