Leyla Gencer, or Ayşe Leyla Çeyrekgil (October 10, 1928 - May 10, 2008) was a world-renowned Turkish operatic soprano. Known as "La Diva Turca" (The Turkish Diva) and "La Regina" (The Queen) in the opera world, Gencer was a notable bel canto soprano who spent most of her career in Italy, from the early 1950s through the mid-1980s, and had a repertoire encompassing more than seventy roles. She made very few commercial recordings; however, numerous bootleg recordings of her performances exist. In particular, Gencer was associated with the heroines of Donizetti... en.wikipedia.org Lyrics & English Translation Here is the dreadful field where Death is matched with crime! There are the gallows . . . The plant is there, it spreads green at the foot. Let me approach. Ah, my heart freezes! Even the sound of my own footsteps, everything here Fills me with horror and dread! And if I must die? To die! Very well, since it is my fate, Such is my duty, let it be fulfilled, and so be it.! [She is about to proceed.] But when that herb Has been torn from the dry stem by my hand, And when in my feverish mind That heavenly image dies, What remains to you, once love is lost . . . What remains to you, my poor heart! Ah! Who is weeping, what force holds me back? Does the bleak path hinder me? Come, courage . . . and be made of stone, Do not betray me, cease from tears; Or cease beating and die, Be annihilated, my poor heart! [A bell is heard striking the hour.] Midnight! . . . Ah, what do I see
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