More recently, its principal conductors have included Pierre Monteux (1961–64), Istvan Kertesz (1965–68), André Previn (1968–79) and Claudio Abbado (1979–88). From 1988-1995, the American Michael Tilson-Thomas took over, and in 1995, became principal guest conductor. Sir Colin Davis served as the LSO's Principal Conductor from 1995-2006, and in 2007 took the post of President of the orchestra. On 1 January 2007, Valery Gergiev became the LSO's Principal Conductor. Previn holds the title of Conductor Laureate. In 2006, Daniel Harding became the co-principal guest conductor alongside Tilson Thomas. Richard Hickox is the Associate Guest Conductor of the LSO.
The LSO became the first British orchestra to play overseas when it went to Paris in 1906. The LSO was due to sail on the RMS Titanic for a concert in New York in April 1912 but fortunately had to change the booking at the last minute. It was also the first to play in the United States, in 1912, and in 1973 it was the first to be invited to take part in the Salzburg Festival. It continues to make tours around the world.
In 1966 the London Symphony Chorus (LSC) was formed to complement the work of the LSO. with more that two hundred amateur singers, the LSC maintains a close association with the LSO; however it has developed an independent life, which allows it to partner other leading orchestras.
The LSO has long been considered the most extraverted of the London orchestras. For most of its life it refused to allow women to become members, ostensibly on the grounds that women would affect the sound of the orchestra (there has been a similar controversy at the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra). There is an air of youthful high spirits to much of its music-making that is shown off in performances of such composers as Berlioz and Prokofiev. The LSO has often had internationally-known players as wind soloists, including such artists as James Galway (flute), Gervase de Peyer (clarinet), Roger Lord (oboe), Osian Ellis (harp), John Georgiadis (violin) and Barry Tuckwell (horn). Like most ensembles, the orchestra has a great ability to vary its sound, producing very different tone colours under such diverse conductors as Stokowski (with whom it made a series of memorable recordings), Adrian Boult, Jascha Horenstein, Georg Solti, André Previn, George Szell, Claudio Abbado, Leonard Bernstein, John Barbirolli, and Karl Böhm, who developed a close relationship with the orchestra late in his life. Böhm and Bernstein each held the title of LSO President in their later years.
Clive Gillinson, a former cellist with the orchestra, served as the LSO's Managing Director from 1984 to 2005, and is widely credited with bringing great stability to the LSO's organization after severe fiscal troubles.[1] Since 2005, Kathryn McDowell is the Managing Director of the LSO.[2]
Puccini: Gianni Schicchi
London Symphony Orchestra 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
Ma per buttarmi in Arno
O Dio, vorrei morir
Babbo, pietà, pietà
Babbo, pietà, pietà
The lyrics of O mio babbino caro, which translates to "Oh my dear father", are sung by the character Lauretta in the opera Gianni Schicchi, composed by Giacomo Puccini. The song talks about Lauretta's desire to go to Porta Rossa to buy a ring because she is in love. She tells her father that if her love is not returned, she will throw herself off the Ponte Vecchio into the Arno River. The lyrics are emotional and express her desperation and love for her father.
The song is a beautiful Italian aria that showcases Puccini's incredible talent as an operatic composer. It has become one of the most popular and beloved pieces from Gianni Schicchi, with its memorable melody and tender lyrics. The song has been covered by numerous artists and continues to be a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
O mio babbino caro
Oh my dear father
Mi piace è bello, bello
I like him, he's 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 suffering and tormented
O Dio, vorrei morir
Oh God, I wish to die
Babbo, pietà, pietà
Father, have mercy, have mercy
Babbo, pietà, pietà
Father, have mercy, have mercy
Lyrics © Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN), Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: BRIAN J. CULBERTSON, MICHELLE CULBERTSON, GIOVACCHINO FORZANO, GIACOMO PUCCINI, Gerard Salesses, Giacomo Puccini (DP), Olivier Toussaint
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind