Jessye Norman & Katherine Ciesinski sing Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour

Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour» (often referred to as the «Barcarolle») is a piece from The Tales of Hoffmann (1881), Jacques Offenbach's final opera. A duet for soprano and mezzo-soprano, it is considered the most famous barcarolle ever written and described in the Grove Book of Operas as «one of the world's most popular melodies.«The text, concerning the beauty of the night and of love, is by Jules Barbier. Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour, Souris à nos ivresses ! Nuit plus douce que le jour ! Ô belle nuit d'amour ! Le temps fuit et sans retour Emporte nos tendresses; Loin de cet heureux séjour Le temps fuit sans retour ! Zéphyrs embrasés. Versez-nous vos caresses ! Zéphyrs embrasés. Donnez-nous vos baisers ! Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour, Souris à nos ivresses ! Nuit plus douce que le jour ! Ô belle nuit d'amour !