Nellie Melba (1861-1931) sings "Air des bijoux" (Jewell Song) from the opera Faust.

Issued on Victor 88066, take 2, recorded 27 March 27, 1907.

Take 4 was also issued on 88066 but was recorded on August 24, 1910.

"Ah! je ris de me voir" is Marguerite's most famous aria from Act III of the French opera Faust by Charles-François Gounod (libretto by Jules Barbier).

This is often called the Jewel Song. The young Marguerite has found a casket of jewels at her door--quite a mystery!. She tries them on and stares in the mirror, imagining herself to be royal. She also thinks of Faust, singing that if he could see her now, he would find her to be enchanting.

French Lyrics

Ah! je ris de me voir
si belle en ce miroir,
Ah! je ris de me voir
si belle en ce miroir,
Est-ce toi, Marguerite, est-ce toi?
Réponds-moi, réponds-moi,
Réponds, réponds, réponds vite!
Non! Non! ce nest plus toi!
Non...non, ce nest plus ton visage;
Cest la fille dun roi;
Ce nest plus toi,
Quon salut au passage!
Ah sil était ici!
Sil me voyait ainsi!
Comme une demoiselle
Il me trouverait belle, Ah!
Comme une demoiselle,
Il me trouverait belle!
Achevons la métamorphose,
Il me tarde encor dessayer
Le bracelet it le collier!
Dieu! cest comme une main,
Qui sur mon bras se pose! ah! ah!
Ah! je ris
de me voir si belle dans ce miroir!

HERE IS THE ENGLISH

Ah! I laugh to see myself
so beautiful in this mirror,
Ah! I laugh to see myself
so beautiful in this mirror,
Is it you, Marguerite, is that you?
Answer me, answer me,
Respond, respond, respond quickly!
No! No! That is no longer you!
No... no, this is no longer your face;
It is the daughter of a king
It is no longer you,
One must greet her as she passes!
Ah if only he was here!
He would see me thus
Like a lady
He would find me beautiful, Oh
Like a lady,
He would find me beautiful!
Let us complete my metamorphosis,
I am late, but I look forward to try on
this bracelet and necklace!
God! It's like a hand
Which arises on my arm! Ah! Ah
Ah! I laugh
to see myself so beautiful in this mirror!

Nellie Melba "Air des bijoux" (Jewell Song) from Faust on Victor 88066

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