Sunday 24 June 2012

a little music by Rameau

On our flight home from Copenhagen I watched this movie called Les Choristes, (the choir) in it there is this piece by Jean-Philippe Rameau from 1683 entitled Ô Nuit, (oh night), it is taken from the opéra Hippolyte et Aricie in it a duet by two priestess of Diana sing Rendons un éternel hommage.

Today is 24 June, Summer Solstice and this is an annual Feast since time immemorial my ancestors the Gauls celebrated by lighting a huge bonfire to the Gods so that the Sun would return quickly in the morning. I think this piece is appropriate to this day. It is also a National Holiday in Québec.



The words are really poetic and beautiful in a very 17th century French.  Speaking of the night and its great qualities.

Ô nuit ! Qu'il est profond ton silence
Quand les étoiles d'or scintillent dans les cieux
J'aime ton manteau radieux
Ton calme est infini
Ta splendeur est immense

Ô nuit ! toi qui fait naître les songes
Calme le malheureux qui souffre en son réduit
Sois compatissante pour lui
Prolonge son sommeil, prend pitié de sa peine
Dissipe la douleur, nuit limpide et sereine.

Ô Nuit ! Viens apporter à la terre
Le calme enchantement de ton mystère.
L'ombre qui t'escorte est si douce,
Si doux est le concert de tes voix
chantant l'espérance,
Si grand est ton pouvoir transformant tout
en rêve heureux.

Ô Nuit ! Ô laisse encore à la terre
Le calme enchantement de ton mystère.
L'ombre qui t'escorte est si douce,
Est-il une beauté aussi belle que le rêve ?
Est-il de vérité plus douce que l'espérance ?









2 comments:

  1. I seldom if ever hear anything by Rameau; he doesn't seem to be popular here in the States; I wonder why?

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    1. I think it may to do with the fact that it is 17th century French Baroque and this may be a little out of reach for most people. I like the last line Est-il de vérité plus douce que l'espérance. Is there sweeter truth than hope.

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