Celeste Aida

Celeste Aida ("Heavenly Aida") is the romanza in the opera Aida, by Giuseppe Verdi. It is sung by Radamès, the young Egyptian warrior who wishes to be chosen as a Commander of the Egyptian army. He dreams of gaining victory on the battle field and also for the Ethiopian slave girl, Aida, with whom he is secretly in love.

The aria takes place in the first act in the hall of the King's palace

Libretto

Italian	Translation in English
Se quel guerrier io fossi! Se il mio sogno si avverasse! Un esercito di prodi da me guidato E la vittoria e il plauso di Menfi tutta! E a te, mia dolce Aïda, Tornar di lauri cinto Dirti: per te ho pugnato, Per te ho vinto! Celeste Aïda, forma divina, Mistico serto di luce e fior, Del mio pensiero tu sei regina, Tu di mia vita sei lo splendor. Il tuo bel cielo vorrei ridarti, Le dolci brezze del patrio suol Un regal serto sul crin posarti, Ergerti un trono vicino al sol,	If only I were that warrior! If only my dream might come true! An army of brave men with me as their leader And victory and the applause of all Memphis! And to you, my sweet Aida, To return crowned with laurels, To tell you: for you I have fought, For you I have conquered! Heavenly Aida, divine form, Mystical garland of light and flowers, You are queen of my thoughts, You are the splendour of my life. I want to give you back your beautiful sky, The sweet breezes of your native land, To place a royal garland on your hair, To raise you a throne next to the sun.

Italian

Translation in English

Se quel guerrier io fossi!
Se il mio sogno si avverasse!
Un esercito di prodi da me guidato
E la vittoria e il plauso di Menfi tutta!
E a te, mia dolce Aïda,
Tornar di lauri cinto
Dirti: per te ho pugnato,
Per te ho vinto!

Celeste Aïda, forma divina,
Mistico serto di luce e fior,
Del mio pensiero tu sei regina,
Tu di mia vita sei lo splendor.
Il tuo bel cielo vorrei ridarti,
Le dolci brezze del patrio suol
Un regal serto sul crin posarti,
Ergerti un trono vicino al sol,

If only I were that warrior!
If only my dream might come true!
An army of brave men with me as their leader
And victory and the applause of all Memphis!
And to you, my sweet Aida,
To return crowned with laurels,
To tell you: for you I have fought,
For you I have conquered!

Heavenly Aida, divine form,
Mystical garland of light and flowers,
You are queen of my thoughts,
You are the splendour of my life.
I want to give you back your beautiful sky,
The sweet breezes of your native land,
To place a royal garland on your hair,
To raise you a throne next to the sun.

External links

The Aria Database