Donizetti: Una furtiva lagrima
Luciano Pavarotti; Richard Bonynge: English Chamber Orchestra Lyrics

The song "Una furtiva lagrima" from the opera L' elisir d'amore, tells the story of a young man named Nemorino who is desperately in love with a wealthy and beautiful woman named Adina. In this song, Nemorino is elated to have seen a single tear in Adina's eyes, as he believes it to be a sign that she loves him in return. He describes how, for a brief moment, he was able to feel the beating of Adina's heart and even confused his own sighs with hers. The song then ends with Nemorino expressing the depth of his love for Adina, saying that he would be content to die if he could not have her love.

The music in "Una furtiva lagrima" is incredibly emotive, with sweeping melodies and carefully crafted instrumentation that perfectly capture the intensity of Nemorino's feelings. Pavarotti's powerful vocals add an extra layer of emotion to the song, conveying Nemorino's joy, fear, and desperation with each line. The English Chamber Orchestra provides a beautiful accompaniment, with lush strings and soaring woodwinds that complement Pavarotti's voice perfectly.

Overall, "Una furtiva lagrima" is a beautiful and poignant song that perfectly encapsulates the themes of love, longing, and hope that are central to L' elisir d'amore.