During the week, the furkids promised some of their Twitter friends that they would go all operatic this Sunday. But opera is BIG music so they’ve decided to work their way up to it.
After much discussion, they decided to begin with the Three Tenors – Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo and José Carreras – singing O Sole Mio. It’s one of the most beloved of their repertoire, not only by the audience but by the tenors themselves. It’s worth watching the video all the way through just to see the by-play between the three of them as they work out whose turn it is to sing which part of the song!
While they sing the original Italian lyrics, the Funday Furkids team decided a translation into English (while keeping just the one line in the original Italian) would be easier for their audience. O Sole Mio has been sung in English many times but always with newly-minted lyrics, never with a direct translation. The furkids decided that the latter is more fun.
While it is undoubtedly more fun for them, it also needs some explanation. O sole mio directly translates as Oh my sun or my own sun. By this, the singer means he’s filled with sunshine when he sees the radiance of his beloved’s face.
Okay, are you all set? The jukebox is full of Italian coins this week, as befits a Neapolitan song, so it’s all ready to go. Just press play then scroll down for the lyrics and sing along!
Well, even though he’s a cartoon Bugs Bunny is a rabbit. And Loony Tune’s What’s Opera Doc was something I remember loving while growing up (still do) even if the music and background theme is Wagner (The Ring – a series of three classic operas). It’s funny how people who “don’t like opera) actually enjoy bits of it, not knowing where the music comes from. Once in college and a member of The Marjorie Lawrence Opera Theater I learned just how much opera, if only in small amounts was out there – not only widely known but enjoyed. For example Pagliacci’s Lament, which to people of my generation and older was better known sung to the words of: “No More Rice Krispies; We’re out of Rice Krispies!”
That’s so true, Denis. So many peeps just don’t realise that some of the music they hear and love is opera, or that opera can be so adaptable and so much fun! The furkids – and Bugs Bunny is one of them – get it. They love opera!
Hopefully you guys are back for good. What a headache for all of you.
This is a good sign of happy normality, Hopefully no more technical problems. 🙂
Fingers and toes crossed, Concinnity!
Oh Cmae! How wonderful to see you!
Yes, I really do hope the technical issues are a thing of the past. It’s been a very stressful few months, especially so this past week. But we’re here and we’re staying and we’re determined to be bigger and better than ever!
Bravo!!!
Grazie!
So lovely and adorable! Thank you for making our Sundays special, Michelle!
PURRRFECT for this cold, rainy New England day. Thanks for this; have always loved this piece from the Three Tenors.
{{{Michelle}}} – bless you. I love this. I’m running late doing stuff – my son was here for a bit – and need to catch up. So just a quick visit tonight but I’ll come back tomorrow for a more leisurely one. Skritches to Ms. Loula. moar {{{HUGS}}}
And now I’ve had a more leisurely visit. A respite from the evils of the world of which there are way too many to count much less bring up inside this wonderful, caring, space.
I do not know whether it’s just me or if everybody else encountering issues with your blog.
It appears as if some of the text in your posts are running off the screen. Can somebody else please provide
feedback and let me know if this is happening to them too?
This may be a issue with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
Thanks