La Bohème, Act I: "O soave fanciulla" by Mirella Freni (2024)

La Bohème, Act I: "O soave fanciulla"

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O soave fanciulla, o dolce viso
Di mite circonfuso alba lunar
In te ravviso il sogno ch'io vorrei sempre sognar
Fremon già nell'anima le dolcezze estreme
Tu sol comandi, amore

Fremon nell'anima dolcezze estreme
Fremon dolcezze estreme

Nel bacio freme amor

No, per pietà
Sei mia
V'aspettan gli amici
Già mi mandi via?
Vorrei dir, ma non oso
E di'
Se venissi con voi?
Che? Mimì
Sarebbe così dolce restar qui, c'è freddo fuori

Vi starò vicina
E al ritorno?
Curioso
Dammi il braccio, o mia piccina
Obbedisco, signor
Che m'ami, di'
Io t'amo

Amore, amor, amor

The song, O Soave Fanciulla, which translates to “Oh Sweet Girl” is a romantic duet that appears in Act I of the Italian opera, La Bohème. The song is sung by the young lovers, Rodolfo and Mimì, who are experiencing their first true moments of love. Rodolfo begins by describing Mimì’s sweet and delicate features and how she reminds him of the dream he always wished to dream. He expresses how her presence brings extreme sweetness to his soul and how she commands his love. Mimì responds by questioning if Rodolfo is sending her away so soon, and he insists he is not. They both declare their love for each other in a beautiful and passionate way, using repeated phrases of “Amor” to express their intense feelings.

The lyrics of the song perfectly capture the feeling of being in love, with Rodolfo and Mimì expressing their admiration for each other's beauty and acknowledging the intense emotions they feel. The way in which they exchange phrases and repeat words like “Amor” reflects the excitement and passion that comes with new love. The song has since become one of the most beloved and famous Italian arias depicting true love.

O soave fanciulla, o dolce viso
Oh gentle maiden, oh sweet face

Di mite circonfuso alba lunar
Wrapped in the mild radiance of the moon

In te ravviso il sogno ch'io vorrei sempre sognar
In you, I see the dream that I always wish to dream

Fremon già nell'anima le dolcezze estreme
I already feel in my soul the extreme sweetness

Tu sol comandi, amore
Only you command, my love

Nel bacio freme amor
Love trembles in the kiss

No, per pietà
No, please

Sei mia
You are mine

V'aspettan gli amici
Your friends are waiting

Già mi mandi via?
Are you already sending me away?

Vorrei dir, ma non oso
I want to say, but I dare not

E di'
And say

Se venissi con voi?
If I come with you?

Che? Mimì
What? Mimì

Sarebbe così dolce restar qui, c'è freddo fuori
It would be so sweet to stay here, it is cold outside

Vi starò vicina
I will stay close to you

E al ritorno?
And on the return?

Curioso
Curious

Dammi il braccio, o mia piccina
Give me your arm, oh my little one

Obbedisco, signor
I obey, sir

Che m'ami, di'
Say that you love me

Io t'amo
I love you

Amore, amor, amor
Love, love, love

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