Una furtiva lagrima

"Una furtiva lagrima" (A furtive tear) is the romanza from act 2, scene 8[1] of the Italian opera L'elisir d'amore by Gaetano Donizetti.

It is sung by Nemorino (tenor) when it appears that the love potion he bought to win the heart of his dream lady, Adina, is working.

To win her heart, he buys a love potion with all the money he has in his pocket.

It is actually a cheap red wine sold by a traveling quack doctor—but when he sees Adina weeping, he assumes the "elixir" has worked and she has fallen in love with him.

[2] In an opera about fake potions and feigned emotions, Donizetti invests this aria with considerable pathos.

The last occurrence of the word chiedo is a coloratura melisma of 24 notes covering F3 to G4.

Si può morir d'amor", which is heard in most of the romanza's performances.

Una furtiva lagrima negli occhi suoi spuntò: Quelle festose giovani invidiar sembrò.

Un solo istante i palpiti del suo bel cor sentir!

Literal translation A furtive tear in her eyes appeared: Those festive young girls she seemed to envy.

Poetic translation[4] Softly a furtive teardrop fell, shadowed her sparkling eyes; Seeing the others follow me has caused her jealous sighs.