(from Puccini's "La Boheme")



[Mimi and Rodolfo are getting acquainted fast. Outside, Rodolfo's friends call him to join them. He would rather stay with Mimi, but she shyly suggests they all go out together. "Tell me you love me," he pleads. She hold back, at first, but as this duet ends, they sing together for the first time and their first word is "Love."]



Rodolfo:

O soave fanciulla, o dolce viso

di mite circonfuso alba lunar,

in te ravviso il sogno

ch'io vorrei sempre sognar!



Mimi:

(Ah, tu sol comandi, amor!)



Roldolfo:

Fremon nell'anima

dolcezze esteme, (ecc)

Nel baccio freme amor!



Mimi:

(Oh come dolci scendono

le sue lusinghe al cor...

Tu sol comandi, amor!)



M: No per pieta!



R: Sei mia!



M: V'asepttan gli amici...



R: Gia mi mandi via?



M: Vorrei dir... ma non osso.



M: Se venissi con voi?



R: Che? Mimi!

Sarebbe cosi dolce restar qui.

C'e freddo fuori.



M: Vi staro vicina!



R: E al ritorno?



M: Curioso!



R: Dammi il braccio, o mia piccina...



M: Obbedisco, signor!



R: Che m'ami...di...



M: lo t'amo.



Rodolfo E Mimi:

Amor! Amor! Amor!





[Translation:]



Oh Sweet Little Lady



Rodolfo:

Oh! sweet little lady! Oh sweetest vision,

with moonlight bathing your pretty face!

The dream that I see in you

is the dream I'll always dream!



Mimi:

(Oh, you rule alone, Love!)



Rodolfo:

Deep in my soul trembles

the deepest of passions, etc.

Our kisses shudder with love!



Mimi:

(How gently now his words of praise

make their way into