Born Constantino Rossi in Ajaccio, Corsica, France, he became a tenor of French cabaret and one of the great romantic idols of his time. Gifted with an operatic voice, a "Latin Lover" persona made him a movie star as well. Over his career, Rossi made hundreds of records and appeared in more than 25 films, the most notable of which was the 1953 production, Si Versailles m'était conté directed by Sacha Guitry. His romantic ballads had women swooning and his art-songs by Jules Massenet (1842-1912), Reynaldo Hahn (1875-1947), and other composers helped draw sold out audiences wherever he performed.
As a young man, he played guitar and sang at a variety of small venues in his hometown of Ajaccio before going on to perform in Marseilles and at resort clubs along the French Riviera. In the early 1930s he went to Paris and within a few years achieved enormous success, joining a Columbia Records roster that included the biggest stars of the day such as Lucienne Boyer, Damia, Pills et Tabet, Mireille, and Jean Sablon.
Rossi's success was greatly aided by songwriter Vincent Scotto (1876-1952), who wrote his first hits and collaborated with him for many years, composing and arranging many Rossi songs. Prior to World War II. Rossi was a major box office attraction in the French speaking world but expanded his audience to America with a 1938 visit followed up by wartime tours across the USA and Canada. In 1946, his song "Petit Papa Noël" sold more than thirty million copies worldwide. A Christmas classic for the family, the song still sells by the thousands each Yuletide season. The recipient of many musical awards, including the prestigious Grand Prix du Disque, Tino Rossi is the most popular personality to ever come from Corsica other than Napoleon Bonaparte.
In 1947 he married Lilia Vetti, a young dancer he met while making a film. They would have a son together in a marriage that lasted for a lifetime. A star of film and the operetta scene, Tino Rossi's career also evolved into the television era, appearing in a number of popular variety shows. Age, and the advent of rock and roll in the 1960s saw him take backstage with the new generation of music lovers but he remained enormously popular with a following built up over fifty years of performing.
In 1982, for his contribution to France and its culture, President François Mitterrand named Tino Rossi a Commander of the Legion of Honor. That same year Rossi gave his last public performance at the Casino de Paris, a show that popular demand turned into a three month stint.
Tino Rossi died of pancreatic cancer in 1983 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, France. His body returned to his native Ajaccio for burial in the family plot at the local cemetery. His hometown named a street and the sailing harbor in his honor and at Nogent-sur-Marne, on the River Marne in Paris, there is a square named Tino Rossi Square.
Printemps à Rio
Tino Rossi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Qui monte dans le ciel éclatant
Murmure des jardins vibrante harmonie
Extase du Brésil au printemps
La voix des oiseaux se prolonge
Au gré de la brise sur la mer
Mon Dieu que de bleu !
Mon Dieu que de songesRio de Janeiro
Chante l'amour, chante dans l'air
J'écoute la chanson de la vie
Qui monte dans le ciel éclatant
Murmure des jardins, vibrante harmonie
Extase du Brésil au printemps
La voix des oiseaux se prolonge
Au gré de la brise sur la mer
Mon Dieu que de bleu !
Mon Dieu que de songes
Rio de Janeiro
Chante l'amour, chante dans l'air
The lyrics of Tino Rossi's song "Printemps à Rio" evoke a sense of serenity and harmony with nature. In the opening lines, the singer describes listening to the "song of life" that rises into the bright sky, symbolizing the beauty and joy of existence. The reference to the vibrant harmony of the gardens and the ecstasy of Brazil in spring suggests a celebration of vitality and the awakening of nature. The imagery of the voice of birds carrying across the sea emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living things and the continuity of life's beauty.
As the lyrics continue, the repetition of the phrase "Mon Dieu que de bleu!" (My God, how blue!) conveys a sense of wonder and awe at the natural world, particularly the vivid blue skies and waters of Rio de Janeiro. The mention of "songes" (dreams) suggests a longing for the beauty and freedom represented by this idyllic location. The city of Rio de Janeiro is portrayed as a place where love and music permeate the air, creating a sense of enchantment and romance.
The repetition of the opening stanza reinforces the singer's deep connection to the beauty and vitality of Rio de Janeiro in the springtime. The mention of the sea breeze and the ongoing song of the birds emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and the eternal quality of beauty in the world. The lyrics convey a sense of gratitude and reverence for the natural world, as well as a profound appreciation for the sensory experiences of sight and sound.
Overall, the lyrics of "Printemps à Rio" celebrate the enchanting beauty of nature, particularly in the context of Rio de Janeiro during the spring season. The song conveys a message of joy, wonder, and connection to the natural world, inviting listeners to appreciate the harmony and vitality of life. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Tino Rossi captures the essence of spring in Rio de Janeiro, painting a picture of a place where love, music, and nature come together in a harmonious and transcendent experience.
Line by Line Meaning
J'écoute la chanson de la vie
I listen to the song of life
Qui monte dans le ciel éclatant
Rising in the dazzling sky
Murmure des jardins vibrante harmonie
Whisper of gardens, vibrant harmony
Extase du Brésil au printemps
Ecstasy of Brazil in spring
La voix des oiseaux se prolonge
The voice of birds continues
Au gré de la brise sur la mer
By the breeze over the sea
Mon Dieu que de bleu !
My God, how much blue!
Mon Dieu que de songes
My God, how many dreams
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Chante l'amour, chante dans l'air
Singing love, singing in the air
Lyrics © RAOUL BRETON EDITIONS, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Charles TRENET
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@francisclaude.picaris.8742
Voilà une chanson signée par son ami CHARLES TRENET que chante TINO ROSSI.