CARMINA BURANA - The Chicago Bar Association

CBA SYMPHONY & CHORUS OFFICIAL PROGRAM
TEXT
34 | CBA SYMPHONY & CHORUS
Blanziflor et Helena
24. Ave Formosissima
(choir)
Ave Formosissima,
Gemma pretiosa,
Ave, decus virginum,
Virgo gloriosa,
Ave, mundi luminar,
Ave mundi rosa,
Blanziflor et Helena,
Venus generosa.
Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi
25. O Fortuna
(choir)
O Fortuna, velut Luna
statu variabilis,
Semper crescis, aut decrescis:
vita detestabilis
Nunc obdurat et tunc curat
ludo mentis aciem,
Egestatem, potestatem
dissolvit ut glaciem.
Sors immanis et inanis,
rota tu volubilis,
Status malus, vana salus
semper dissolubilis,
Obumbrata et velata
michi quoque niteris;
Nunc per ludum dorsum nudum
fero tui sceleris.
Sors salutis et virtutis
michi nunc contraria,
Est affectus et defectus
semper in angaria.
Hac in hora sine mora
corde pulsum tangite;
Quod per sortem sternit fortem,
mecum omnes plangite!
Blanchefleur and Helen
24. Hail to the most lovely
(choir)
Hail, most beautiful one,
Precious jewel,
Hail, epitome of maidens,
Glorious maiden,
Hail, light to the world,
Hail, rose of the world,
Blanziflor and Helen
Noble Venus
Fortune, Empress of the World
25. O Fortune
(choir)
Oh, Fortune, like the moon,
constantly changing,
you always wax or wane;
Life is hateful,
Now in jest it hardens, then eases
the mind’s keenness.
Poverty, power --it
dissolves like ice.
Fate monstrous and meaningless,
you are a turning wheel,
Status is unlucky, health unreliable,
always on the point of vanishing,
Obscured and veiled,
you press on me.
Now in jest, a naked back
I offer to your villainy.
A fate of health and strength
is now denied me.
There is always both good will
and weakness in [Fortune’s] service.
In this hour, without delay,
strike a beat on the strings;
Since by chance [Fortune] strikes down the strong,
all join me in this sad song.