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Did you know that when you translate something, you use your learned language to bring it into your native tongue? One reason is because we use idioms and they’re harder to learn in the new languages. Here are a few Italian songs and arias with the translation as well as the Google translate version. Always remember when using a translation site, that it might not recognize some of the words like ‘sol’ and ‘ben’ in the examples provided.

Italian Song – Google Translate – Translation Provided

per la gloria d’adorarvi – for the glory of adoring you – for the love my heart doth prize

Alma del core – soul of the heart – fairest adored

come raggio di sol – as a ray of sol – as on the swelling wave

sebben crudele – although cruel – Tho’ not deserving

vittoria mio core -victorious my heart is- victory my heart

danza danza fanciulla gentile – gentle girl dance dance – dance, oh dance, maiden gay

caro mio ben – dear my Ben – Thou all my bliss

O del mio dolce ardor – or my sweet ardor – O thou belov’d

Songs and lyrics from other languages such as these may also have a time aspect involved – these examples are from the 17th and 18th centuries, and if you looked at English from that time you’d notice it had changed. Modern translation software is only prepared for what’s currently in use, so don’t go correcting your teachers just because we found it on the web. Translations are always tricky and require a deep knowledge of both the language and the context of the ideas.

The votes are in! You may remember the survey we administered from June 7-12 on a theme for our upcoming summer recital (Aug 28th-29th) in the Music Lab. We got a lot of great ideas. Some of my favorites ranged from “My Little Pony” to “80s Punk Rock” and even just the word “fun”, but the overwhelming majority of the votes went to one theme.

I’m pleased to announce our summer recital will be the Beach! We are still in the planning phase but students are encouraged to start rehearsing songs with the beach or a summer theme! Look out for more info coming soon!

~Jonathan Rhymond, Lab Lead