Show Synopsis:
A young seminarian flees the French Revolution and is asked by a man to watch over a young boy, before the man is killed. The seminarian hides in the mountain with the child while the child, who is female and not male, grows up. They fall in love and the seminarian is forced to be a priest, so he cannot have a relationship with the girl.
Fun Facts:
1) The opera is based on a poem by Alphonse de Lamartine of the same title.
2) This is Godard's most famous composition, and is often also called "Berceuse," which is "lullaby" in French.
3) Bing Crosby recorded a popular version of this song with the violinist Jascha Heifetz.
"Beneath the quiv'ring leaves, where shelter comes at last,
All sadness sinks to rest, or glides into the past;
Her sweet eyes prison'd now, in their soft silken bars,
O! my love, calm she sleeps beneath the trembling stars.
Ah! wake not yet from thy repose,
A fair dream spirit hovers near thee,
Weaving a web of gold and rose,
Through dream land's happy isles to bear thee!
Sleep, love, it is not yet the dawn,
Angels guard thee, sweet love, til morn!
Far from the noisy throng, by song birds lulled to rest,
Where rock the branches high by breezes soft carres'd;
Softly the days go on, by sorrow all unharm'd,
Thus may life be to thee a sweet existence charm'd."