au Fond du Temple Saint

Not fondue and not cheesy. Just maybe the best male duet in all opera. The words follow. If you want to think of opera as a "sung" motion picture that is fine and I have some confidence that people used to see opera as that type of entertainment. We get the latest Mel Gibson, 19th century Paris got the latest Bizet opera.  If you view opera as just an early version of a talking and sung movie it might be a lot more accessible.  It should be something natural to see and this duet is as good as it can possibly get.



Byrn sings the character of Zurga and Andrea sings the part of Nadir

BRYN

It was in the evening!
In the air cooled by a breeze,
The brahmanes with faces flooded with light,
Slowly called the crowd to prayer!

ANDREA
At the back of the holy temple,
decorated with flowers and gold,
A woman appears!

BRYN
A woman appears!

ANDREA
I can still see her!

BRYN
I can still see her!

ANDREA
The prostrate crowd
looks at her amazed
and murmurs under its breath:
look, this is the goddess
looming up in the shadow
and holding out her arms to us.

BRYN
Her veil parts slightly.
What a vision! What a dream!
The crowd is kneeling.

BRYN & ANDREA
Yes, it is she!
It is the goddess,
more charming and more beautiful.
Yes, it is she!
It is the goddess
who has come down among us.
Her veil has parted and the crowd is kneeling.

ANDREA
But through the crowd
she makes her way.

BRYN
Already her long veil
hides her face from us.

ANDREA
My eyes, alas!
Seek her in vain!

BRYN
She flees!

ANDREA
She flees!
But what is this strange flame
which is suddenly kindled in my soul!

BRYN
What unknown fire is destroying me?

ANDREA
Your hand pushes mine away!

BRYN
Your hand pushes mine away!

ANDREA
Love takes our hearts by storm
and turns us into enemies!

BRYN
No, let nothing part us!

ANDREA
No, nothing!

BRYN
Let nothing part us!

ANDREA
No, nothing!

BRYN
Let us swear to remain friends!

ANDREA
Let us swear to remain friends!

BRYN
Let us swear to remain friends!

BRYN & ANDREA
Oh yes, let us swear to remain friends!
Yes, it is her, the goddess,
who comes to unite us this day.
And, faithful to my promise,
I wish to cherish you like a brother!
It is her, the goddess,
who comes to unite us this day!
Yes, let us share the same fate,
let us be united until death!