Hayley Westenra : O Mio Babbino Caro

A Gorgeous performance by Hayley Westenra singing "O Mio Babbino Caro" from Giacomo Puccini's Opera "Gianni Schicchi".

Lyrics
O mio babbino caro,
mi piace è bello, bello;
vo'andare in Porta Rossa
a comperar l'anello!
Sì, sì, ci voglio andare!
e se l'amassi invano,
andrei sul Ponte Vecchio,
ma per buttarmi in Arno!
Mi struggo e mi tormento!
O Dio, vorrei morir!

Babbo, pietà, pietà!
Babbo, pietà, pietà!


English translation:

Oh dear daddy
I love him, he is so handsome
I want to go to Porta Rossa
to buy the ring
Yes, yes, I want to go there
And if my love were in vain
I would go to Ponte Vecchio
and throw myself in the Arno
I fret and suffer torments
Oh God, I would rather die
Daddy, have pity, have pity

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Hayley
• Westenra
• Mio
• Babbino
• Caro
• Giacomo
• Puccini
• Gianni
• Schicchi
• classical

[grecko3]

I find it ironic to read people who self proclaims themselves as "singing coach" or "pitch perfect" seems to think they know better than everyone else, including some of the finest sopranos and coaches in the entire world. You people do know that she was first discovered because she herself was pitch perfect, not to mention that she was personally trained by Malvina Major. You think all these people just failed to notice her, in your opinions, flawed voice?

[LittleRusalochka]

grecko3, thats a very good point.

[Tremblador]

To LittleRusalochka: Thanks for the lyrics in both languages. It's good to know what this song is about because it allows me to see which emotions singers try to communicate..

[LittleRusalochka]

You're welcome!

[Tremblador]

To laurendaaephantom : why should everything turn around opera ? Opera is not the ultimate goal of life and an exceptional singer like her doesn't have to be confined in. I agree with sandwich, her voice is beautiful above all.. whatever she sings !

[Astrathiul]

Gee she's pretty...and she sings like an angel...she's gorgeous in all ways!

[arpeggio1358]

@bamahornplayer if you sing in an opera, there is a corredt way to sing. I'm aware that HW isn't an opera singer, but she should look at the English translation and sing it with the proper emotion that goes along with the words. I'm commenting because all opinions are welcome on YT, even if there are people who police certain singers' video sites and try to drive away anyone who disagrees with them.

[bamahornplayer]

@arpeggio1358

Technically, there is no "correct" way to sing an aria. It all depends on the listener's taste. Like, there is no right way to paint a painting, or carve a sculpture. And if you don't like her singing this song, why are you commenting on it?

[arpeggio1358]

@SickMouth Exactly. This is an aria in which a girl is threatening to throw herself in a river and commit suicide if she can't marry the boy she loves. It definitely shouldn't be sung "sweet and cute". Listen to Ruth Ann Swenson's version or that of Montserrat Caballe, to hear this aria sung correctly.

[arpeggio1358]

@stefunny93 I agree completely, but the pop opera fans can't tell the difference between popera and opera...and they think opera fans are just a bunch of snobs.

[arpeggio1358]

@grecko3 She has a nice voice, she simply doesn't have an operatic voice. She should stick to pop music. There's nothing wrong with being a pop or pop opera singer. This type of singer just shouldn't be confused with actual opera singers. Nobody disputes the fact that Westenra has talent.

[mattthepie]

A travesty. Any anus can sing Opera with a mic right in their face and a total disregard for phrasing and breathing. Go back to Lloyd Webber...

[milenymama]

Pięknie !

[SickMouth]

She hits the right notes and has a nice vocal quality. Talented indeed. But she sounds the same in every song -- like it's all the same happy emotion. This is supposed to be a very dramatic piece, and she sings it like she's putting on makeup.  If she works on conveying emotion in her voice instead of just sounding sweet and cute, then she'll be all set to sing works like this.

[JeuxRAE]

I like this version, I feel like listening to a nightingale. Her voice may not as deep or big as others (I dunno the term for that) but this is so good :-)