Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: opera
Song Meaning of “Tosca / Act 3: “E lucevan le stelle”” by Giacomo Puccini
The song ‘Tosca / Act 3: “E lucevan le stelle”‘ by Giacomo Puccini is a heartbreaking aria from the third act of the opera Tosca. It is sung by the character of Cavaradossi, a painter who is facing his impending death. The song is a sorrowful lament of the loss of his beloved Tosca, and serves as his final goodbye to her.
The lyrics express deep feelings of sadness and sorrow at the painful parting that is about to happen. The phrase “e lucevan le stelle”—literally “and the stars were shining”—refers to the beauty of the night, in contrast to the pain of the moment. The wordless chorus emphasizes the emotionality of Cavaradossi’s last moments, and expresses his longing for the return of his beloved.
Ultimately, this song speaks to the sorrowful end of a passionate love story, and the tragedy of having to part ways with one’s beloved. Cavaradossi bids goodbye to Tosca as he stares into the night, desperately hoping that their beloved love affair could have had a different ending.