Charles Gounod (1818-1893):
Que vois-je la??Ah! Je ris de me voir si belle (The Jewel Song)
(from Faust) (1859)
Text: Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, after Johann Wolfgang von Goethe?s drama
Faust, Part I (in the French translation by Gérard de Nerval)
Original Key/Recorded Key (aria): E Major
Teach-Track begins: 2 mm. before ?Que vois-je la??
Accompaniment Track begins: same as teach-track
Pianist: Daniel Michalak
Je ris de me voir Si belle en ce miroir, Ah!
I laugh to me see So beautiful in this mirror, Ah!
(I laugh on seeing myself so lovely in this mirror, Ah)
Est-ce toi, Marguerite, Est-ce toi?
Is it you, Marguerita, Is it you?
Réponds-moi, réponds vite !
Answer me, answer quickly!
Non! ce n'est plus toi! non,
No! it is no longer you! no,
Ce n'est plus ton visage; C'est la fille d'un roi,
It is no longer your face; It is the daughter of a king,
Qu'on salue au passage!
That one salutes at the passing!
(To whom all bow in passing)
Ah s'il était ici! S'il me voyait ainsi!
Ah if he were here! If he me saw thus!
(Ah if only he were here! If only he could see me like this)
Comme une demoiselle Il me trouverait belle,
Like a young lady He me would find beautiful
(He would find me as beautiful as a young lady)
Achevons la métamorphose.
Let us finish the metamorphosis.
(Let us complete the transformation)
Il me tarde encor d'essayer Le bracelet et le collier!
I am anxious still to try (on) The bracelet and the necklace!
Dieu! c'est comme une main, qui sur mon bras se pose!
Lord! it is like a hand, that on my arm is placed!