Thread: Friedrich von Flotow

Friedrich von Flotow wrote an opera called Martha. One of the arias from this opera is "Ach! so fromm, ach! so traut" ("M’apparì tutt’amor"). The first performance of this aria is by Alfredo Kraus.



The next is by Dennis Christopher in the movie Breaking Away.



Here is an English translation of the lyrics:

When first I saw that form endearing,
Sorrow from me seem'd to depart:
Each graceful look, each word so cheering,
Charm'd my eye and won my heart.

Full of hope, and all delighted,
None could feel more blest than I;
All on earth I then could wish for,
Was near her to live and die:

But alas! 'twas idle dreaming,
And the dream too soon hath flown;
Not one ray of hope is gleaming;
I am lost, yes I am lost, for she is gone.

When first I saw that form endearing,
Sorrow from me seem'd to depart:
Each graceful look, each word so cheering,
Charm'd my eye and won my heart.

Martha, Martha, I am sighing,
I am weeping still for thee;
Come thou lost one, come though dear one,
Thou alone can'st comfort me:

Ah! Martha return! Come to me.

The Last Rose of Summer performed by Celtic Woman:

The Overture from Martha: