Da voi parto, amate sponde,
I leave you, beloved city,
Ma da voi non parte il cor.
But my heart remains with you.
Troppo a me foste seconde,
You supported me so well,
Troppo prodighe d'amor.
Were so generous with your love.
Ah! dov'è quell'alma ingrata
Ah! Where is that ungrateful soul
Che d'un popolo sì altero,
Who could ever forget
Così nobile e sincero
The friendship of such fine people,
Obbliar possa il favor?
So noble and sincere?
Da voi parto, ecc.
I leave you, etc.
Quando l'aure intorno
When you hear soft breezes
Sussurar dolci udirete,
Whisper round about you,
O d'amor la notte e il giorno
Or by night and day
L'usignuolo favellar,
The nightingale sing of love,
Dite pur: questo è Rossini
Then say: That is Rossini
Che dispiega i suoi desiri,
Confessing his devotion,
E un crescendo di sospiri
And a crescendo of his sighs
Fa sull'Istro risuonar,
Will resound upon the Istrian shore,
E un crescendo, ecc.
And he's making a crescendo, etc.
THE VISIT OF the Naples Opera to Vienna in the spring of 1822 was Rossini's
First foreign tour. The city was so beset with Rossini fever that one newspaper
Likened the atmosphere to an idolatrous orgy. Rossini met Beethoven – 'the
Butterfly crossed the path of the eagle' mused Robert Schumann – and was
Royally entertained by Prince Metternich. To mark his departure on 22 July,
Rossini penned his 'Farewell to the Viennese'. It begins in the minor as a
Reluctant leave-taking of the 'beloved shores'. In stanza three, the coloratura
Becomes progressively more elaborate as Rossini, assuming a madrigalist's guise,
Celebrates the nightingale's song. Finally, in full mock-heroic style, he bids
Farewell with a trademark 'crescendo' of sighs. It is a witty, eloquent piece, which
He would later adapt for use in London and Paris.
Addio ai viennesi, Ferdinando Pichl, Vienna, 1822