Have you ever wondered the story within the songs that Jonathan sings? Did you know for instance that ‘Che Gelida Manina’ from Jonathans Believe Album is from the Italian Opera - La bohème. The story is about a love affair between a poor poet and a poor seamstress in the 19th centuary, set in Paris.
Che Gelida Manina is sung when the seamstres comes to Rodolfo room, as she needs a match to light her candle. They find themselves in darkness together as Rodolfo candle also goes out. Pretending to look for her key in the room which is ’lost’ on the floor, Rodolfo finds her hand in the darkness. He then sings to her about is ambitions and declares his love for her.
Che Gelida Manina translated to English.
How Cold Your Little Hand Is
How cold your little hand is.
Will you let me warm it for you?
Why bother looking?
It's dark and we won't find it.
It's our good luck though,
this night's filled with moonlight,
up here the moonlight could rest on our shoulders.
Please wait my dear young lady,
and I will quickly tell you who stands before you, and what I do, how I make my living.
May I?
Who am I? What am I? I am a poet.
What keeps me busy? Writing.
And what do I live on? Nothing.
In poverty I'm cheerful,
I am a prince who squanders
arias and couplets of longing.
And as for hopes and dreams of love
and castles in the air,
Miss- I am a millionaire.
My fortress could be broken in,
robbed clean of the fine jewels I store,
if the thieves were eyes like yours.
And now that I have seen you,
all of my lovely dreaming,
all of the sweetest dreams I've dreamt,
quickly have slipped away.
This theft does not upset me,
because such treasures mean nothing
now that I'm rich with sweet hope.
And now that you have met me,
I ask you please,
Tell me, lady, who you are, I ask you please.
If you have enjoyed reading this, maybe you would like to research one of the songs that Jonathan sings, then post about it on the Forum? Don’t forget, to put it into your own words, as copy and paste may have copy right issues.
Wiki has the story too
Nabucco is the opera which is considered to have permanently established Verdi's reputation as a composer. He commented that "this is the opera with which my artistic career really begins. And though I had many difficulties to fight against, it is certain that Nabucco was born under a lucky star".[2]
It follows the plight of the Jews as they are assaulted, conquered and subsequently exiled from their homeland by the Babylonian King Nabucco (in English, Nebuchadnezzar II). The historical events are used as background for a romantic and political plot. The best-known number from the opera is the "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves", Va, pensiero, sull'ali dorate / "Fly, thought, on golden wings", a chorus which is regularly given an encore in many opera houses when performed today.