Entertainment Music "Ritorna vincitor" Lyrics and Text Translation Aida's Aria from Verdi's Opera, Aida Share PINTEREST Email Print US opera singers Guang Yang (left; Amneris) and Indra Thomas (right; Aida) perform on stage during the rehearsal of Verdi’s opera ‘Aida’ on the Bregenz festival floating stage on July 18, 2009, in Bregenz, Austria. Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images Music Classical Music Lyrics Basics Operas Rock Music Pop Music Alternative Music Country Music Folk Music Rap & Hip Hop Rhythm & Blues World Music Punk Music Heavy Metal Jazz Latin Music Oldies Learn More By Aaron Green Music Expert B.A., Classical Music and Opera, Westminster Choir College of Rider University Aaron M. Green is an expert on classical music and music history, with more than 10 years of both solo and ensemble performance experience. our editorial process Aaron Green Updated March 15, 2017 Ritorna Vincitor in the Context of the Opera Sung in the first act of Giuseppe Verdi’s famous opera, Aida, (read the synopsis of Verdi’s Aida) by the Ethiopian king’s daughter, Aida, “Ritorna vincitor” is a moving aria that expresses Aida’s conflicting feelings. Aida, a captured and captive prisoner of the Egyptians forced to serve the Egyptian princess Amneris, fell in love with an Egyptian warrior named Radames, doesn't know of her royal lineage. When the Egyptian High Priest commands him to fight against the approaching Ethiopian armies that have come to Aida's rescue, she is overwhelmed. Should she choose between the love of Radames or the love of her homeland and family? Ritorna Vincitor Italian Lyrics Ritorna vincitor!E dal mio labbro uscì l'empia parola!Vincitor del padre mio di luiChe impugna l'armi per mePer ridonarmi una patria,Una reggia e il nome illustreChe qui celar m'è forza!Vincitor de'miei fratelli ond'io lo vegga,Tinto del sangue amato,Trionfar nel plauso dell'Egizie coorti!E dietro il carro,Un Re, mio padre di catene avvinto! L'insana parola o Numi sperdete!Al seno d'un padre la figlia rendete,Struggete le squadre dei nostri oppressor!Ah! sventurata! Che dissi?E l'amor mio?Dunque scordar poss'io questo fervido amoreChe, oppressa e schiava,Come raggio di sol qui mi beava?Imprecherò la morte a Radamèsa lui ch'amo pur tanto!Ah! non fu interra mai da più crudeliAngoscie un core affranto! I sacri nomi di padre d'amante,Nè profferir poss'io nè ricordarPer l'un per l'altro confusa tremanteIo piangere vorrei pregar.Ma la mia prece in bestemmia si mutaDelitto è il pianto a me colpa il sospirIn notte cupa la mente è perdutaE nell’ansia crudel vorrei morir Numi, pietà del mio soffrir!Speme non v'ha pel mio dolorAmor fatal tremendo amoreSpezzami il cor, fammi morir! Ritorna Vincitor English Translation Return victorious!And from my lips came the impious word!Victorious over my fatherAnd his troops wielding their weapons for meTo rescue me and tack me back to my homeland,My royal palace and my illustrious nameThat here I am forced to conceal!Victorious over my brothers I may see him,Blood stained loved,Triumph in the acclamation by Egypt’s forces!And behind his chariot,A King, my father in chains! These insane words, oh gods, please forget!Let the daughter return to her father’s breast,Destroy the squadrons of our oppressor!Ah! unfortunate! What did I say?And my love?Can I then forget this ardent loveThat, oppressed and enslaved,is like the blessed rays of the sun?I curse the death of Radamesto him whom I love so much though!Ah! there has never been anything as cruel as thisAnguish of a broken heart! The sacred names of my father and my lover,Neither of which I can call uponI am confused for each one, I am tremblingI cry, I pray.But my prayer changes to cursingCrime is the fault of my tears and sighsIn the dark night, my mind is lostAnd I would die in this cruel world. Gods, have pity on my suffering!There is no hope for my sorrowFatal love, tremendous loveBreak my heart and let me die! Notable Performances of Ritorna Vincitor If you're not familiar with this aria, I've picked out a few of my favorite YouTube recordings for you to listen to and watch. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Leontyne Price (Watch on YouTube) Violeta Urmana (Watch on YouTube) Nina Stemme (Watch on YouTube) More Arias from Aida “Celeste Aida” - sung by Radames in the first act“O Patria Mia” - sung by Aida in the third act