"THE SPELL"

[operafantomet]

One of the most beautiful songs I know is by Mikis Theodorakis, a Greek composer born of the island of Chios. He's most know for his "Zorba the Greek" movie music, but he's also composed lots of choral and operatic work, fusing Greek folk tones with the classical tone of the west. Think Carmina Burana gone Greek.

I posted a Norwegian translation of a song from "Axion Esti" earlier this year (can be seen here: http://operafantomet.livejournal.com/118454.html ). I really wish I had something similar for "Ta magia" (τα μάγια), because it is gorgeous. It was only at my fifth or sixth re-listening I noticed it opens with two cities on Lesvos - Molyvos and Mytilene. Mikis Theodorakis lived on Lesvos his youth, so I shouldn't really be surprised... But it's cool.

It was originally performed by Maria Farantouri (I think). Her rendition is amazing. findabair, I have sent you a CD with various muic; "Ta magia" is number three there. Hopefully I will have sorted out more of the lyrics by then...

Στο Μόλυβο (Mólyvos), στη Μυτιλήνη (Mytiléne)
θα βρω μια μάγισσα (mágista = witch) που λύνει
τα μάγια (ta mágia = the spell) που σου έχουν κάνει
και την καρδιά (kardiá = heart) σου έχουν μαράνει

Κι όταν λυθούν τα μαύρα (maúra = black) μάγια (mágia = spell)
κάτω απ' των άστρων (astron = stars) την ανταύγεια
σ' ένα κοχύλι θα κλειστούμε (kleistoúme = key, unlock)
και (kai = and) στο βυθό θ' αγκαλιαστούμε

Να μην μας δει ανθρώπου (anthrópou = human, person?) βλέμμα
γιατί τα μάγια (magia = spell) σαν το αίμα
φεύγουνε και ξαναγυρνάνε
και την αγάπη (agapi = love, beloved?) τυραννάνε (tyrannáne = tyranne-something)

(A so-so English translation, not by me:)

In Molyvos, in Mytilene
I will find the witch that unties
the magic that you have made
and the heart you have withered

And when they are untied
A black magic under from stars
(?) in shell we are closed
and in bottom we will be embraced

We do not see person look because
magic as the blood they leave also
recognize and the love tyranne (?)

I wish I had a better translation - verse two and three above hardly makes sense.