DAILY DOSE of BEETHOVEN (December 10, 2020)

Benito Mussolini's fascists took power in Italy in 1922. That same year, Italian priest and composer, Licinio Refice, composed an opera dedicated to Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music. It wasn’t until 1934 that was produced in Rome, where it was a huge hit.

Refice composed the opera “Cecilia” for the great soprano Claudia Muzio (he also wrote many other pieces for her, stating that she “had God in her throat”. ) He also composed this beautiful song for her.

In this gorgeous rare performance, Muzio singing in 1935, the year before her death, with the composer conducting.

The poem is:

Ombra di nube
Era il ciel un arco azzurro di fulgor;
Chiara luce si versava sul mio cuor.
Ombra di nube, non mi offuscare;
Della vita non velarmi la beltà.
Vola, o nube, vola via da me lontan;
Sia disperso questo mio tormento arcan.
Ancora luce, ancora azzurro!
Il sereno io vegga per l'eternità

Translation:
There once was, in the sky, a blazing arc of azure,
Clear light poured over my heart.
Shadow of a cloud, do not obfuscate me,
In this life, do not veil my inner beauty.
Fly away cloud, fly far from me
Let this moment of my torment be dispersed
Once again light, once again Azure!
May the serene see for eternity.

Our 24-hour Beethoven 250th birthday celebration begins at 12 AM, Wednesday, December 16, 2020. Join us! Free and live-streaming on YouTube live: