Offenbach – Beautiful Night, Oh Night of Love (Barcarolle) – Netrebko & Garanča
Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour (Beautiful night, oh night of love) often referred to as the Barcarolle is a piece opening Offenbach’s final opera third act set in Venice, The Tales of Hoffmann. 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. It is sung by the characters Giulietta – the protagonist Hoffmann’s love, a Venetian courtesan – and Nicklausse – Hoffmann’s poetic muse, in disguise as his faithful male companion.
