Hello everyone! Zoe and I got together again today to record some music for Steem (pun intended). Today we were really fortunate because Gustavo (from @bebethlehem) offered to help us film using some of the church's equipment. As a result, I will be donating 15 percent of this article's rewards to the church account. I'm really excited to share this piece, so here are the lyrics and the recording we made. After the video, I will have some information about the hat I'm wearing, and some background information:

Lyrics (source) and Recording

Italian	English
O mio babbino caro	Oh my dear papa
Mi piace, è bello, bello	I like him, he is so handsome.
Vo’ andare in Porta Rossa	I want to go to Porta Rossa
A comperar l’anello!	To buy the ring!
Sì, sì, ci voglio andare!	Yes, yes, I want to go there!
E se l’amassi indarno,	And if my love were in vain,
Andrei sul Ponte Vecchio,	I would go to the Ponte Vecchio
Ma per buttarmi in Arno!	And throw myself in the Arno!
Mi struggo e mi tormento!	I am pining, I am tormented!
O Dio, vorrei morir!	Oh God, I would want to die!
Babbo, pietà, pietà!	Father, have pity, have pity!
Babbo, pietà, pietà!	Father, have pity, have pity!

I also added subtitles in English and Italian to the YouTube video.

Zoe's Etsy

I recently purchased a custom made hat from Zoe, and decided to wear it in this recording. I think it came out fabulous (it is a frog eating a cookie), and so I wanted to advertise Zoe's Etsy. She makes some incredible custom made items crocheting, and I invite anyone interested to check out her Etsy.

Background of the Piece

Source about aria
Source about opera

This opera, entitled Gianni Schicchi was written as a one act comedy meant to be performed alongside other one act operas by Puccini. The opera's plot is centered around the will of Buoso Donati. The family gathers in his bedroom around his body, and discusses the will (which they can't find) each obviously hoping to be included in the inheritance. One relative says that they heard that Schicchi left his fortune to a monastery, and terrifies the other family members who frantically search for the will. It is Rinuccio who finds the will, and he is certain that when they open it, he will be included in the inheritance from his uncle, and asks for permission from Zita to marry Lauretta who is the daughter of Gianni Schicchi, a peasant newcomer to Florence. Zita says yes if Rinuccio has inherited the money.

When they read the will, they learn that Donati did in fact leave his fortune to a monastery. Because he has not been included in the inheritance, Rinuccio is informed that he is not allowed to marry the daughter of a peasant (that being Gianni Schicchi). Schicchi picks up on what is going on, and announces he will have nothing to do with the family because of the way they are treating him. This aria, O mio babbino caro, is his daughter Lauretta's plea to her father for his blessing.

Previous Recordings

Handel's O care selve (5/20/2021)

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Conclusion

Thanks for reading this! A special thanks to @zzoebee for making this beautiful recording with me, and many thanks to the church for allowing us to use their facilities and equipment! Make sure to check out the @bebethlehem account later tonight for another performance by Zoe, and a post about this week's service! Please remember that feedback is always appreciated, and have an amazing day!