e lucevan le stelle

Just watching Classic Arts Showcase - Pavarotti just sang what I believe is my favorite tenor aria - E lucevan le stelle - but to be honest - I never knew the exact translation of the words - I just knew it was his final love letter to Tosca in Jail. They had subtitles on the tv. and the last lyrics are:

My dreams of pure love,
forgotten forever! All of it's gone now!
I die hopeless, despairing, and never before
have I loved life like this!

or

Now, my dream of love has vanished forever.
My last hour has flown, and I die hopeless!
And never have loved life more!

At any rate - it reminded me of my post a few nights ago where I talked about last fall - and how strange the pain was almost addicting -

But Pavarotti is brilliant - and just got a five minute standing ovation - and is now doing a reprise of the song - which I will sit back and enjoy...