Libiamo ne' lieti calici

Libiamo ne'lieti calici (Drinking Song) is the most famous duet from Verdi's La traviata, one of the most well known fragments of opera around the world, and an obligatory performance (as is this opera itself) for any great tenor. The song is categorised as a Brindisi, which encourages alcoholic drinking. Those who have performed it include Luciano Pavarotti, Giuseppe di Stefano, Teresa Stratas, Nino Machaidze , Plácido Domingo, Raimo Sirkiä, José Carreras, Enrico Caruso, Andrea Bocelli, Angela Gheorghiu, Violetta Villas, Anna Netrebko, Tarja Turunen and many others. The words were written by Francesco Maria Piave.

The scene

The duet is performed in the first act of the opera, at Violetta Valéry's house, and it is sung by Alfred Germont and Violetta. Alfred is a young man in love with Violetta. The scene is a late-night party at Violetta's house. Alfred is convinced by Gastone (Alfred's friend) and Violetta to show off his voice. He sings this drinking song.

Libretto

Old Italian (spoken by the upper social class of the 1850s) Alfred Libiamo, libiamo ne'lieti calici che la bellezza infiora. E la fuggevol, fuggevol ora s'inebrii a voluttà Libiam ne'dolci fremiti che suscita l'amore, poiché quell'ochio al core onnipotente va. Libiamo, amore, amor fra i calici più caldi baci avrà Coro Ah! Libiam, amor, fra' calici più caldi baci avrà Violetta Tra voi tra voi saprò dividere il tempo mio giocondo; Tutto è follia, follia nel mondo ciò che non è piacer Godiam, fugace e rapido e'il gaudio dell'amore, e'un fior che nasce e muore, ne più si può goder Godiamo, c'invita, c'invita un fervido accento lusinghier. Coro Godiamo, la tazza, la tazza e il cantico, la notte abbella e il riso; in questo, in questo paradiso ne scopra il nuovo dì Violetta La vita è nel tripudio Alfred Quando non s'ami ancora Violetta Nol dite a chi l'ignora, Alfred E'il mio destin così... Tutti Godiamo, la tazza, la tazza e il cantico, la notte abbella e il riso; in questo, in questo paradiso ne scopra il nuovo dì.

Translation to Modern English   Alfred Let's drink, let's drink from this merry chalice that beauty so truly enhances And the brief moment will be happily inebriated with voluptuousness Let's drink for the ecstatic feeling that love arouses Because this eye aims straight to the almighty heart Let's drink, my love, and the love among the chalices will make the kisses hotter Chorus The chalices will make the kisses hotter Violetta With you all, I can share my happiest times Everything in life which is not pleasure is foolish Let's enjoy ourselves for the delight of love is fleeting and quick It's like a flower that blooms and dies And we can no longer enjoy it So enjoy; A keen and flattering voice invites us! Chorus Be happy; The wine and singing beautify both the night and the laughter Let the new day find us in this paradise Violetta Life means celebration Alfred Only if one hasn't known love Violetta Don't tell someone who doesn't know Alfred But this is my fate... All Be happy; The wine and singing beautify both the night and the laughter Let the new day find us in this paradise

External links

• Free sheet music of Libiamo ne'lieti calici for Piano from Cantorion.org
• Plácido Domingo and Teresa Stratas singing "The drinking song"
• Traviata music score