Italian master Cilea’s third opera, L’Arlesiana, based on Alphonse Daudet’s play, received its premiere in 1897 at the Teatro Lirico in Milan. Georges Bizet’s incidental music to the same play is frequently performed by orchestras throughout the world. The celebrated tenor, Enrico Caruso, created the role of Federico, whose lament, È la solita storia del pastore, has become a favorite of tenors ever since. Federico is in love with a girl from Arles, despite the fact that his family has betrothed him to another woman. 

Program Note by David B. Levy, ©2026

Original Text: 

E' la solita storia del pastore...

Il povero ragazzo volvea raccontarla,

e s'addormi.

C'è nel sonno l'oblio,

Come l'invidio!

Anch'io vorrei dormir così

nel sonno almeno l'oblio trovar!

La pace sol cercando io vò:

vorrei poter tutto scordar.

Ma ogni sforzo è vanno..

Davanti ho sempre di lei

il dolce sembiante!

La pace tolta è sempre a me...

Perché degg'io tanto penar?

Lei!... sempre mi parla al cor!

Fatale vision, mi lascia!

mi fai tanto male! Ahimè!

Translation: 

It's the usual story of the shepherd ...

The poor boy wanted to say it,

but fell asleep.

In sleep there is oblivion.

How I envy him!

If only I could find sleep like this -

to find, at least, oblivion in my sleep!

I only want to find peace:

if only I could forget everything.

But all my struggle is in vain..

I still see her sweet face before me!

And peace has left me for ever...

why do I have to suffer so much pain?

She always speaks straight to my heart!

Oh fatal vision, leave me alone!

You wound me so much!

Oh poor me!