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Sunday 2 November 2014

The Toreador Song (Bizet)

Georges Bizet
Title: Toreador Song 
Composer: Georges Bizet
Composed in 1873 - 1874

The Toreador Song is the popular name for the aria "Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre" from the opera Carmen, composed by Georges Bizet to a libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy. It is sung by the bullfighter Escamillo as he enters in act 2 (toréador is an old Spanish term for "bullfighter") and describes various situations in the bullring, the cheering of the crowds and the fame that comes with victory. Elements of this aria re-appear later in Carmen: of note "Toréador, en garde", which follows shortly after "Votre toast…".

Music
  • Bass-baritone couplet has a vocal range from A3 to F4 
  • Tessitura from B-flat3 to E-flat
  • Time Signature is common time (4 4)
  • Key is A-flat major with the refrain in F major
  • Tempo indication is allegro molto moderato

Text of the Song

Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre,
Señors, señors car avec les soldats
oui, les toréros, peuvent s'entendre;
Pour plaisirs, pour plaisirs,
ils ont les combats !

Your toast, I can give it back to you,
Señores, Señores,because with soldiers
yes, toreros can get along;
For the pleasures, for the pleasure
they fight!

Le cirque est plein, c'est jour de fête !
Le cirque est plein du haut en bas;
Les spectateurs, perdent la tête,
Les spectateurs s'interpellent
À grand fracas !

The circus is full, it is a celebrating day!
The circus is full from top to ground;
The crowd goes mad,
the crowd is arguing
with great deal!

Apostrophes, cris et tapage
Poussés jusques à la fureur !
Car c'est la fête du courage !
C'est la fête des gens de cœur !
Allons ! en garde !
Allons ! allons ! Ah !

Apostrophes, shouts and noises
Push to the breaking point!
Because it is the celebration of courage!
It is the celebration of the braves of heart!
Let's go! On guard! Let's go!
Let's go!Ah!

(Refrain x2)
|: Toréador, en garde ! Toréador !
Toréador !
Et songe bien, oui,
songe en combattant
Qu'un œil noir te regarde,
Et que l'amour t'attend,
Toréador, l'amour, l'amour t'attend ! :|

(Chorus x2)
|:Toreador, on guard! Toreador!
Toreador!
And think well, yes think
as you are fighting
that a dark eye is watching you,
and that love is waiting for you,
Toreador, love, love is waiting for you! :|

Tout d'un coup, on fait silence,
On fait silence… ah ! que se passe-t-il ?
Plus de cris, c'est l'instant !
Plus de cris, c'est l'instant !

All at once, we are silent,
we are silent,... Oh, what is happening?
No more shouts, this is it!
No more shouts, this is it!

Le taureau s'élance
en bondissant hors du toril !
Il s'élance ! Il entre, il frappe !…
un cheval roule,
entraînant un picador,
"Ah ! Bravo ! Toro !" hurle la foule,
le taureau va... il vient...
il vient et frappe encore !

The bull is rushing
while jumping out of its fence!
He is rushing in! He's entering, hitting!
A horse is falling,
Dragging down a picador.
"Ah! Bravo! Toro!" the crowd is calling,
The bull goes on... he comes...
he comes, hitting once more!

En secouant ses banderilles,
plein de fureur, il court !
Le cirque est plein de sang !
On se sauve… on franchit les grilles !
C'est ton tour maintenant !
Allons ! en garde ! allons ! allons ! Ah !

While shaking his banderillas ,
full of rage, he runs!...
the circus is full of blood !
We flee... we pass the gates!
It's your turn now!
Let's go! On guard! Let's go! Let's go! Ah!

(Refrain x2)
|:Toréador, en garde ! Toréador !
Toréador !
Et songe bien, oui, songe en combattant
Qu'un œil noir te regarde,
Et que l'amour t'attend,
Toréador, l'amour, l'amour t'attend ! :|

(Chorus x2)
|: Toreador, on guard! Toreador!
Toreador!
And think well , yes think as you are fighting
that a dark eye is watching you,
and that love is waiting for you,
Toreador, love, love is waiting for you! :|

L'amour ! L'amour ! L'amour !
Toréador, Toréador, Toreador !

Love! Love! Love!
Toreador, Toreador, Toreador!

Toreador Song video:


Carmen Act II (Toreador Song) score pdf file:

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