Le papillon et la fleur, Op. 1 No. 1 by Gabriel Fauré sung by Irini Kyriakidou

Irini Kyriakidou Soprano and Laura Ward Pianist perform Gabriel Fauré's Le papillon et la fleur www.opusopera.org Lyrics-French and English Le papillon et la fleur Poem: Victor Hugo La pauvre fleur disait au papillon céleste: Ne fuis pas! Vois comme nos destins sont différents. Je reste, Tu t’en vas! Pourtant nous nous aimons, nous vivons sans les hommes Et loin d’eux, Et nous nous ressemblons, et l’on dit que nous sommes Fleurs tous deux! Mais, hélas! l’air t’emporte et la terre m’enchaîne. Sort cruel! Je voudrais embaumer ton vol de mon haleine Dans le ciel! Mais non, tu vas trop loin! – Parmi des fleurs sans nombre Vous fuyez, Et moi je reste seule à voir tourner mon ombre À mes pieds. Tu fuis, puis tu reviens; puis tu t’en vas encore Luire ailleurs. Aussi me trouves-tu toujours à chaque aurore Toute en pleurs! Oh! pour que notre amour coule des jours fidèles, Ô mon roi, Prends comme moi racine, ou donne-moi des ailes Comme à toi! The Butterfly and the Flower English Translation © Richard Stokes The humble flower said to the heavenly butterfly: Do not flee! See how our destinies differ. Fixed to earth am I, You fly away! Yet we love each other, we live without men And far from them, And we are so alike, it is said that both of us Are flowers! But alas! The breeze bears you away, the earth holds me fast. Cruel fate! I would perfume your flight with my fragrant breath In the sky! But no, you flit too far! Among countless flowers You fly away, While I remain alone, and watch my shadow circle Round my feet. You fly away, then return; then take flight again To shimmer elsewhere. And so you always find me at each dawn Bathed in tears! Ah, that our love might flow through faithful days, O my king, Take root like me, or give me wings Like yours! Translations by Richard Stokes, from A French Song Companion (Oxford, 2000) "Gabriel Urbain Fauré (12 May 1845 – 4 November 1924) was a French composer, organist, pianist, and teacher. He was one of the foremost French composers of his generation, and his musical style influenced many 20th-century composers. Among his best-known works are his Pavane, Requiem, nocturnes for piano and the songs "Après un rêve" and "Clair de lune". Although his best-known and most accessible compositions are generally his earlier ones, Fauré composed many of his most highly regarded works in his later years, in a more harmonically and melodically complex style." (Wikipedia)