Enrico Caruso - Rigoletto Ella mi fu rapita 1913

From Verdi's opera Rigoletto. Digitally remastered. Original recording from 24. February 1913.

More Caruso info on my website: http://www.enricocaruso.dk

Text Italian:

Ella mi fu rapita!
E quando, o ciel? Ne brevi
Istanti prima che il mio presagio interno
Sullorma corsa ancora mi spingesse!
Schiuso era luscio! E la magion deserta!
E dove ora sarà quellangiol caro?
Colei che prima potè in questo core
Destar la fiamma di costanti affetti?
Colei sì pura, al cui modesto sguardo
Quasi spinto a virtù talor mi credo!
Ella mi fu rapita!
E chi lardiva?
Ma ne avrò vendetta.
Lo chiede il pianto della mia diletta.
Parmi veder le lagrime
Scorrenti da quel ciglio,
Quando fra il dubbio e lansia
Del sùbito periglio,
Dellamor nostro memore
Il suo Gualtier chiamò.
Ned ei potea soccorrerti,
Cara fanciulla amata;
Ei che vorria collanima
Farti quaggiù beata;
Ei che le sfere agli angeli
Per te non invidiò.

English Translation:

She was stolen from me!
But when, o Heaven? In those few moments
before an inner foreboding impelled me
to retrace my former steps!
The gate was open, the house deserted!
Where can that sweet angel be now,
she who first could wake in my heart
the flame of constant love?
She so pure, before whose modest gaze
I often feel myself overcome by virtue!
She was stolen from me!
Who would have dared?
Ill be revenged on him.
My dear ones laments demand it.
I seem to see the tears
flowing from those eyes,
when in the doubt and fear
of sudden danger,
remembering our love,
she called for Gualtier.
He could not help you,
dearly beloved maid,
he who would give his soul
to make you happy in this world,
he who for you
would not envy the angels in their spheres.