Lyrics to ‘Barcarolle,’ sung by mezzo Elina Garanca and soprano Anna Netrebko, from the third act of The Tales of Hoffman by Offenbach (full libretto in French with English translation here):
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! Vos baisers! vos baisers! ah! Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour Souris à nos ivresses Nuit plus douce que le jour Ô belle nuit d’amour! Ah! souris à nos ivresses! Nuit d’amour, ô nuit d’amour! Ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! Lovely night, oh night of love Smile upon our joys! Night much sweeter than the day Oh beautiful night of love! Time flies by, and carries away Our tender caresses for ever! Time flies far from this happy oasis And does not return Burning zephyrs Embrace us with your caresses! Burning zephyrs Give us your kisses! Your kisses! your kisses! ah! Lovely night, oh night of love Smile upon our joys! Night much sweeter than the day Oh beautiful night of love! Ah! smile upon our joys! Night of love, oh night of love!Update, 8/16/2010, Mon.:
I’m including this bonus video to establish the context for the duet — opera definitely brings the heat: