Dear lutenisnts, especially French lutenists, perhaps this slightly off topic, but I just played to the tubes a solo theorbo arrangement of one song by Lully: Heureux qui peut plaire (Cadmus et Hermione, 1673). Playing this kind of "hard-core" stuff is a little tricky - you need to know also the text, and also the listeners need to know it, I suppose. Quite similiar also with the renaissance intabulations?
Anyhow, I made a "Google translation", which is far from perfect. And now to my question: Is there any kind French soul there, who could correct my machine translation to proper English? (The tube-addresses of the solo are http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RQXZCHytpY http://www.vimeo.com/4548408 ) So here is the text and its machine translation: Jean-Baptiste Lully: Heureux qui peut plaire [from 'Cadmus et Hermione', 1673] Palès, Melisse et Pan (ensemble): Heureux qui peut plaire! Heureux les amants! Leurs jours sont charmants: L'Amour sçait leur faire Mille doux moments. Que sert la jeunesse Aux coeurs sans tendresse? Qui n'a point d'amour N'a pas un beau jour. Second couplet En vain l'Hiver passe, En vain dans les champs Tout charme nos sens, Une âme de glace N'a point de Printemps. Il faut se défaire d'un coeur trop sévère, Qui n'a point d'Amour N'a pas un beau jour. --------------------------------- "Google translation" to English: Happy those that can be pleased! Happy lovers! Their days are charming: Love them sçait Thousand sweet moments. That serves youth In hearts without love? Who did not love Does not have a beautiful day. Second verse In vain the winter, In vain in the fields Any charm our senses, Soul of ice Spring did not. We must get rid a heart too severe Who did not love Does not have a beautiful day. Thanks in advance! All the best, Arto To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
