Mirella Freni: Mascagni - L'Amico Fritz, 'Son pochi fiori'

Mirella Freni, birth name Mirella Fregni, (born 27 February 1935, Modena, Italy) is an Italian opera soprano whose repertoire includes Verdi, Puccini, Mozart and Tchaikovsky. Freni was married for many years to the Bulgarian bass Nicolai Ghiaurov, with whom she performed and recorded. She was awarded the Italian Cavaliere di Gran Croce and the French Légion d'honneur in March 1993. The University of Pisa awarded her an honorary degree in 2002 for her “great contribution to European culture... Lyrics & English translation Just a few flowers, humble violets, they are the breath of April with their tender fragrance; And for you I have snatched them from the sunshine.... If they could speak You would hear them say: We are timid and shy daughters of spring We are your friends; We shall die this evening, but we are happy to wish you, who love the unfortunate: may heaven grant you all the good things th