Sempre Libera
The aria, Sempre Libera, is sung primarily by Violetta at the end of Act 1. She has been told by Alfredo that he is in love with her. Conflicted by her feelings for him and her wish to stay "free," she sings this aria. Due to her occupation as a courtesan, she wishes to stay single and "free to frolic rom joy to joy" rather than being tied down by love. When it seems that her mind is made up, Alfredo sings to her of the beauties of love. She again is conflicted, this time leaning more on the side of love! Suddenly, she snaps back into reality and repeats her text from before explaining that she cannot fall in love. Alfredo sings to her again as she repeats the text "my thoughts" over and over again. Perhaps her thoughts have changed! The act concludes as Alfredo carries Violetta away.
Video of Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazón at the Salzburg Festival. This performance of La Traviata was conducted by Carlo Rizzi and directed by Willy Decker.
Click the icon to download the "Sempre Libera" vocal score, including English translation.
Italian
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[Violetta:]
Sempre libera degg´io
folleggiare di gioia in gioia,
vo´che scorra il viver mio
pei sentieri del piacer.
Nasca il giorno, o il giorno muoia,
sempre lieta ne´ ritrovi,
a diletti sempre nuovi
dee volare il mio pensier.
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[Alfredo:]
Amor è palpito dell´universo intero,
misterioso, altero,
croce e delizia al cor.
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[Violetta:]
Oh! Oh! Amore!
Follie! Gioir!
English Translation
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[Violetta:]
Always free I must be
I frolic from joy to joy,
Flowing along the surface
Of life's river as I please.
As the day is born, or as the day dies,
Always happily I turn
To the new delights
That make my thoughts fly.
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[Alfredo:]
Love is a heartbeat throughout the universe,
mysterious, altering,
tormenting and delighting my heart.
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[Violetta:]
Oh! Oh! Love!
Madness! Rejoice!