“M’appari, tutt’amor”

You may have listened to “M’appri, tutt’amor” (“You appear to me, full of love”) as a popular Italian opera aria with a beautiful melody, such as that sung by Jussi Bjorling in his tender way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFnHkOX_bbQ&feature=related;

and Placido Domingo’s expressive yearning: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU6F3_XMU_w&feature=related]

陈耀国译 Tr. YK Chan

The market at Richmond

 

M'appari.....tutt'amor,
你出現……….滿載愛情,
il mio sguardo.....l'incontro:
一瞥之下……..我們相会:
bella si.....che il mio cor,
多麼漂亮………..使我的心,
ansioso a lei volo:
要飛躍去靠近你:
mi feri, m'invaghi
我受創,燃心焰
quell'angelica belta,
天使般的艳丽,
sculta in cor dall'amor 
把愛情刻進我的心
cancellarsi non potra:
不能擦掉它
il pensier di poter
单是想着她
palpitar con lei d'amor,
就呼应我熱情的心跳,
puo sopir il martir
缓和我的遭难
che m'affana e stranzia il cor e stranzia il cor

却令我憂傷,令我心碎,令我心碎!

M'appari.....tutt'amor,
你出現……….滿載愛情,
il mio sguardo.....l'incontro:
一瞥之下……..我們相会:
bella si.....che il mio cor,
多麼漂亮………..使我的心,
ansioso a lei volo:
要飛躍去靠近你:

Marta, Marta, tu sparisti

瑪太,瑪太,你消失了,

e il mio cor col tuo n’ando!

我的心也跟你離去!

Tu la pace  mi rapisti,

你偷掉了我心安,

di dolor io moriro.

我將憂伤而逝,

di dolor morro,  ah, morro!

我就死去,阿,我將消逝!

This tenor aria actually is from a German opera “Martha 玛太” [See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_(opera)] by Friedrich von Flotow (1812-1883) with German libretto.  The original German aria is “Ach, so fromm, ach so traut” (“Oh so sweet! Oh so true!”  The romantic comic opera is based on a Scottish story of idealized love that crosses the class boundary between royalty and peasantry.

The German tenor , Fritz Wunderlich, sings it perfectly

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGuWTAzUfF0&feature=related]

Placido Domingo, who is very versatile, also sings the original version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAW-R0K1U5Y&feature=related

Compare the Italian lyrics to the original German below.  The English translation that follows is not mine.—YK

Ach! so fromm, ach so traut,
Hat mein Auge sie erschaut;
Ach! so mild, und so rein
Drang ihr Bild in’s Herz mir ein.
Banger Gram, eh’ sie kam,
Hat die Zukunft mir umhüllt,
Doch mit ihr blühte mir
Neues Dasein lusterfüllt.
Weh! Es schwand, was ich fand, ach!
Mein Glück erschaut ich kaum,
Bin erwacht und die Nacht
Raubte mir den süssen traum.
Ach! so fromm, ach so traut,
Hat mein Auge sie erschaut;
Ach! so mild, und so rein
Drang ihr Bild in’s Herz mir ein.
Martha! Martha!
Du entschwandest, und mein Glück
Nahmst Du mit Dir;
Gib mir wieder, was Du fandest,
Oder teile es mit mir.

Oh so sweet! Oh so true!
This is how my eyes saw you;
Oh so kind and so pure!
Of this my heart was very sure.
Before you came was only sorrow.
Worried gloom was my tomorrow.
Then with you life blossomed new,
Only joy with you I knew.
Alas! Alas! you did not stay,
My happiness it went away.
Sleepless nights do I endure,
My sweetest dream has gone for sure.

Oh so sweet! Oh so true!
This is how my eyes saw you;
Oh so kind and so pure!
Of this my heart was very sure.
Martha! Martha!
You went from me
And took my happiness with thee;
Bring back to me what once you brought,
Or send me just some word or thought.

Top 10 Reasons to Get Rid of the Long Form of Statscan Census

(Through Rose-Coloured Glasses)

1. Because I said so, I am the boss
2. Lack funding, already spent a billion a few weeks ago
3. People don’t care, doing them a favour, save them time, fine and possible jail time anyway
4. Easier to hide unfavourable statistics
5. This is essentially gutting the Census, stupid
6. It’s just some numbers, no big deal
7. We are the new crusaders of ordinary citizens’ privacy
8. We will set up a committee to study it
9. Long Form pain for Short Term gain
10. Testing, testing, 123 …….. Fall Election is coming

All of Your Trouble (and You) will Perish Like Bubble

(Through Rose-Coloured Glasses)

Attention all students, no blowing bubbles in the school yard.

This aggressive activity is banned within 5 metres of our school. This is a secretive law passed recently by your big brother, our government, in Ontario.

From now on, all schools will be patrolled by the fully geared anti-riot police force, i.e. the Bubbles Brigade.

Please study the accompanied YouTube video carefully.

Especially for those potential schoolyard bullies, please note carefully, you are not allowed to use your fists during any encounter with your fellow students. You can only use threat, and word of war, unless touched by a bubble.

Then Attack! That is the signal, the 莫須有罪名 you are waiting for, for a pre-emptive attack.

If you learn well, fellow bullies, one day you can be Officer Bubbles too.

正所謂
只許POLICE 濫用公權
不許百姓吹 BUBBLE

WYKwinos Report No. 7

Date/Time: July 16, 2010, 7 p.m.(roughly 3 hours)

Place: Fantaxia Restaurant樂逍遙

1nd Bottle Miguel Torres Vina Esmeralda      
Varietal: Winery/Producer: Miguel Torres S.A.
Type: White Wine Year: 2009
Cost: $12.95 Region: Penedes, Spain
Food to pair: 千島香芒帶子 LCBO #: 113696 
Remarks: A pretty blend of Moscatel de Alejandria and Gewurztraminer, Vina Esmeralda has a very seductive floral/perfumed nose. Aromas such as honeysuckle, ripe pear, custard apples, vanilla and spun sugar can all be found here. It’s a fine partner for lightly spiced seafood dishes, avocado salad or berbed chicken breast
2st Bottle Burgo Viejo Reserva 2001 Rioja          
Varietal: Winery/Producer: Bodegas De Familia Burgo Viejo  
Type: Red Wine Year: 2001  
Cost: $19.95 Region: Rioja, Spain  
Food to pair: 花彫美極牛柳粒 LCBO #: 168823  
Remarks: Deep garnet colour. This blend of Tempranillo, Graciano and Carignan features a complex collection of aromas, including plum, olive, smoked meat, strawberry and oak (they use both French and American barrels). Dry with pleasingly mature flavours and still-moderate tannins to suggest further ageing potential (2-4+ years). Medium bodied with a substantial finish. Enjoy it with roast leg of lamb or roast beef.  
3rd Bottle Bodegas Lan Crianza 2005        
Varietal: Winery/Producer: Bodegas Lan, S.A.   
Type: Red Wine Year: 2005  
Cost: $15.95 Region: Rioja, Spain  
Food to pair: 紅燒黃琪班 LCBO #: 166538  
Remarks: Light scents of crushed rose petals and frisky cherry tomato flavors give this a bright, zesty tone. The tannins are also light, with a gravelly feel. This is a versatile red for olives and jamón Serrano or more substantial meat such as duck. One of the Best Buys of 2009. Score – 90. (Wine & Spirits Buying Guide, 2010)  
   
4th Bottle Torres Gran Coronas Reserva (V)        
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Winery/Producer: Miguel Torres S.A
Type: Red Wine Year: 2005
Cost: $17.45 Region: Penedes, Spain
Food to pair: 鹽焗走地雞 LCBO #: 36483
Remarks: A stunningly delicious and balanced red with full-bodied notes of black fruit, vanilla smoke, dark spices and rich mocha goodness. Crack it open beside the barbecue. This wine is part of the Vintages Essentials Collection. Food matches: braised veal blade and root vegetables, roast pork tenderloin.

« Plaisir d’amour » Jean de Florian (1755-1794)

A song from Célestine by Jean Paul Égide Martini (1741-1816)

爱情之乐” ( ) .狄佛罗里阑   

马丁尼"西拉丝汀"剧插曲

Tr. YK Chan 陈耀国译

Comments: This classical French love song (Joy of Love) was originally intended for the male voice singing about his lost love (of a woman named Sylvie).  However, there are many interpretations by female singers as shown in the links below.  I find that of Victoria de Los Angeles the most outstanding in portraying a languishing lover.  I am also surprised and impressed by the Chinese-Canadian countertenor, D. Kai Ma, in comparison with Elizabeth Schwarzkopf and Janet Baker.  The contralto voice of Marian Anderson gives a dark and heavy version.

Of the popular simplified English versions of this song, Joan Baez offers a sweet and meditative folksy soprano voice, which is self-accompanied on the guitar, singing the first and last stanza in French (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA63-slwZCs).  Elvis Presley sang the melody in the pop song “Can’t help falling in love”. 

Note that the reference to flowing water in the lyrics parallels that in Jia BaoYu’s singing of “Song of the Red Bean” in Dream of  Red Mansions.

Of the tenor voice, I prefer Fritz Wunderlich’s expression of lost love. 

Performed by Fritz Wunderlich (tenor): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kICm5Lb04c&feature=related

By Jose’ Van Dam (baritone): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9-N1JKWmtM&feature=related

By Tito Schipa (tenor): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88qCOensANw&feature=related

By Victoria de Los Angeles (soprano): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU2yiR5DTyk&feature=related

or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CBbi3o8k7I

By D. Kai Ma (馬稚凱) (counter-tenor): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjA9wszGM0I or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBh0q3OhYEM&feature=related

By Elizabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjBNp07_qok&feature=related

By Janet Baker (mezzo): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWNiKOBu3jE&feature=related

By Marian Anderson (contralto): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L856hexNxUU&feature=related

 

Plaisir d’amour

爱情之乐 

ne dure qu’un moment,

不过一阵子,

Chagrin d’amour dure toute la vie.

爱情之惆怅却一世长

J’ai tout quitté pour l’ingrate Sylvie.

我与忘恩的西尔维分手

 
Elle me quitte et prend un autre amant.

她与我分手却另寻新欢

Plaisir d’amour ne dure qu’un moment,

爱情之乐不过一阵子,

 
Chagrin d’amour dure toute la vie.

爱情之惆怅却一世长


Tant que cette eau coulera doucement

此水尚静静的长流

 
Vers ce ruisseau qui borde la prairie,

向那草原边的溪涧,

 
Je t’aimerai, me répétait Sylvie,

我愿向西尓维重复申诉我爱你,

 
L’eau coule encore, elle a changé pourtant.

此水仍在长流,她却已变心

 

Plaisir d’amour

爱情之乐 

 

ne dure qu’un moment,

不过一阵子,


Chagrin d’amour dure toute la vie.

爱情之惆怅却一世长 

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

In 1968, this was the name of a movie

Today, this is a vivid portray of a number of the youngsters…. 

….the post-80’s …. also…. 

….the students in the Ebenezer School for the Visually Impaired!

As reported on Ming Pao Daily (07/13/10) …..a 17-year-old student hanged herself inside the closet of the Ebenezer School, the last day of school before the Summer Holiday…..a student who had finished her study in the last year of this school (Form 3).

Imagine how much more loss the students in Ebenezer experience when their contemporaries with vision are lost in their families, in the cyberspace, in their social circle, in their academics, in their future direction and in umpteen other things in life.

The students in Ebenezer

….are more than visually impaired or challenged

….some have associated health problems e.g. brain tumour, speech challenge, limbs challenge etc.

….some are withdrawn

….some are emotionally disturbed

….some are rich and well-attended to (e.g. piano lessons) but always ‘home alone’ with the maid….as the parents are at work

….some are not well-off.

There is one teenager who comes across as optimistic and out-spoken….but who knows what is inside his heart.    

The 17-year-old had also painted herself as ‘normal’ in front of social workers or counselors. 

Two things are common in the students in the school….

….they love and need attention and

….they love and need to have someone to talk to. 

That’s why sometimes, I defied my objective (practise English with the students) and talked to them in Cantonese.  I tried to bring the child out, to draw them out from their inner world.  I tried to be silly with them….so they have some fun.

Do their parents take time or have time to talk to them, understand their emotions and their non-material need?

The school has 80 students today and some classes are mixed-grade.  I read on the newspaper about a month or two ago that the Education Bureau (EB) was considering cutting back on the teachers as the student enrolment is declining.

I am not an expert in the academic arena.  I don’t want to be seen talking like an advisor.  But deep down in my heart, I wish…..

….EB fully understands that the teacher-to-student ratio for this type of special education should be different from that in regular schools

….the Principal has enough facts and figures to fight for the current, if not a lower, ratio

….the school has more access to student counseling resources… to help each student feel useful, plan and work towards their goal …way .. way… way before they complete their study (F3) in the school.   The 17-year-old was a good singer in school.

The 17-year-old….another example of  天涯何處覓知心 …. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter!

Moment of Silence

(Through Rose-Coloured Glasses)

Last night, a bird kept crying outside somewhere, persistently for over half an hour, until hoarse, then silence. We thought she must have lost her children to some predator.

This morning we received an email, our friend passed away Monday.

It must be a sign.

Last Christmas, we got together. He was in good health. We even talked about retirement and such. Then 2 months ago, he was in hospital, with a big tummy of fluid and wasting away. That was a  virulent case of invasive stomach cancer.

He was optimistic. He said, “Doesn’t matter what kind of treatment, but has to be fast.” Seize the time; that was the spirit. He sort of got his wish, not in the treatment (he opted for none at the end), but the duration and suffering of his illness.

Two weeks later, he was already talking about after life, how some people struggled to the end, reluctant to face death, and lingered and stayed around even after life. But there are those who moved decidedly on to their next life. He bravely accepted his eternity and fate.

Now he has moved on.

Bon Voyage, dear friend.

Object of Our Affection

(Through Rose-Coloured Glasses)

We all love God, family and soccer, though not always in that order. And it all depends on what year it is, of the World Cup and you have a rich aunt in the family, who may leave you everything.

Traditionally, Sunday belongs to the Lord. He rules the pews of all churches. His word of wisdom whips the faithful into a religious frenzy with sermons of sin and redemption and charges the air with the electric buzz of his spirit.

But not this past Sunday.

Our Lord, please forgive all my brothers and sisters. They have sinned by flocking to the nearest restaurant / bar with the largest TV HD screen, instead of to Church. They’re so vain, dressed in orange, or yellow and red and blow their own vuvuzela horn.

But it was worth their while, to play hooky. After waited for the full 116 boring minutes, went even into extra time, the expected actually happened. Somebody finally scored (his real name is Andres Inlesta, of Spain).

The fans were rewarded. The World Cup and its new master were paired-up. This stirred up an electric frenzy and extreme maddened celebrations; fans spilled into the streets everywhere. But sorry to point out, though, my Lord, this frenzy surpassed all the other Sundays’.

And this also elevated Paul, the psychic octopus to the instant celebrity status, with a 100% accuracy in predicting winners of all the semi-final and final matches of this World Cup.

So my advice is, for those who do not have a rich aunt in your family to love, (and those who just lost the WYKAAO World Cup Soccer Fun Contest), start your Octopusy diet now, it may increase your accuracy in predicting the future winning lottery numbers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya85knuDzp8

“Choeur des Soldats ” Jules Barbier (1825-1901) et Michel Carré (1821-72)

Chorus from Gounod’s opera “Faust”

“士兵合唱曲”     (法) 巴比尔 与 卡雷 谱词

古诺歌剧 « 浮士德 » 合唱曲

Best Version with Lyrics   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck-Ph-Zb2MI

Performed by Chœurs des Opéras de Région, Chorégies d’Orange, théâtre antique – 5 août 2008 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36Kg7esN93E

 
 
Gloire immortelle
De nos aïeux,
Sois-nous fidèle,
Mourons comme eux!
Et sous ton aille,
Soldats vainqueurs,
Dirige nos pas, enflamme nos cœurs!
 
Pour toi, mère patrie,
Affrontant le sort
Tes fils, l’âme aguerrie,
Ont bravé la mort!
Ta voix sainte nous crie:
En avants, soldats!
Le fer à la main, courrez aux combats! 
 
Gloire immortelle
De nos aïeux,
Sois-nous fidèle,
Mourons comme eux!
Et sous ton aille,
Soldats vainqueurs,
Dirige nos pas, enflamme nos cœurs!

 
Vers nos foyers hâtons le pas!
On nous attend; la paix est faite!
Plus de soupirs! ne tardons pas!
Notre pays nous tend les bras!
L’amour nous rit, l’amour nous fête!
 
Et plus d’un cœur frémit tous bas
Au souvenir de nos combats!

 
Gloire immortelle
De nos aïeux,
Sois-nous fidèle,
Mourons comme eux!
Et sous ton aille,
Soldats vainqueurs,
Dirige nos pas, enflamme nos cœurs!
  

 

Tr. YK Chan 陈耀国译  for Bastille Day (14 July, RF) and Army Day 建軍節 (1 August, PRC)

 

我們效忠 

先祖 

不朽的荣耀 

我們若能和他们一样阵亡
在你翼下
胜利的士兵 

帶领我们的步伐激发我们的雄心 

 

献给,亲愛的祖国,
面臨现境
你的兒女,堅强的志魂,
都願誓死
我们吶喊祢神圣的呼声
士兵們,前进!
手拿刀枪衝鋒战斗吧 

 
 
我們效忠 

先祖 

不朽的荣耀 

我們若能和他们一样阵亡
在你翼下
胜利的士兵 

帶领我们的步伐激发我们的雄心

  

环繞我們的家园,加緊步伐! 

他们等候我们,获取和平! 

一再叹息!但我們不会延迨! 

祖国祈待着我們! 

爱向我們欢笑,我們喜爱欢庆! 

多少懇诚的心灵 

怀念着我们的战役!

 

我們效忠 

先祖 

不朽的荣耀 

我們若能和他们一样阵亡
在你翼下
胜利的士兵 

帶领我们的步伐激发我们的雄心

外國的月亮

(Through Rose-Coloured Glasses)

中國人的心態, 甚為複雜, 很多時, 好像總是拿不定主意。

拿我們那個 Superior – Inferior Complex 的矛盾心理来説, 一方面, 我們肯定是大漢沙文; 中華民族, 穩據宇宙中心, 是顧名思義的中國。周圍的, 都是野蠻民族, 都是洋鬼子; 但另方面, 我們又尚崇洋, 外國的月亮特別圓, Make in China 相等於便宜貨式, 要用上来路貨, 才是上等人, 才够面子。

所以, 開門做生意, 還是擺脫不了這套陳舊思想。在中國, 有等公司, 一定要請一位洋人, 来作公司的代言人, 活招牌 (只要是洋臉孔, 有無經驗不大要緊), 就感到十分有體面了。

請個白種人顧員, 是否就是跟, 要住洋樓, 養番狗, 同樣的崇洋心理作怪, 還是”洋為中用”又一例証 !?

其實, 骨子裡, 還有點自卑感。中國人民早巳站起来了, 尤其在今天, 是個新紥之星, 經濟強國, 為什麼我們還是患着老毛病, 看不起自己。一心以為, 請個洋人充門面, 就是棒, 就能提高聲譽, 招来生意, 客似雲来矣。

這 “洋奴性” , 是個惡性腫瘤, 是個頑疾, 要痊愈, 是否還需倚靠, 外國昌明的醫學呢? 外國的月亮, 真的是特別圓嗎?