Papillon - Rémi St-Jacques, performed by Da Camera Singers Edmonton

Papillon, composed by Rémi St-Jacques
Performed by Da Camera Singers Edmonton,
Laura Hawley, Artistic Director,
Kim Cousineau, pianist
Corey Haberstock, Classical Acoustic Engineer
dacamerasingers.ca
March, 2024
Score: cypresschoral....
Text: Alphonse de Lamartine (1790-1866)
Naître avec le printemps, mourir avec les roses,
Sur l’aile du zéphyr nager dans un ciel pur,
Balancé sur le sein des fleurs à peine écloses,
S’enivrer de parfums, de lumière et d’azur,
Secouant, jeune encor, la poudre de ses ailes,
S’envoler comme un souffle aux voûtes éternelles,
Voilà du papillon le destin enchanté!
Il ressemble au désir, qui jamais ne se pose,
Et sans se satisfaire, effleurant toute chose,
Retourne enfin au ciel chercher la volupté.
Translation:
To be born with spring, to die with the roses,
On the wing of the zephyr swimming in a pure sky,
Swung on the breast of the flowers barely hatched,
Enthralled by the scents, light and azure,
Shaking, young still, the powder of its wings,
To fly like a blow to eternal arches,
Here is the butterfly’s enchanted destiny!
It looks like desire, that never rests,
And without being satisfied, brushing all things,
Returns at last in heaven to seek sensuousness.