Pourquoi Me Revéiller

Luciano Pavarotti's rendition of 'Pourquoi Me Revéiller' is a poignant aria from the opera 'Werther' by Jules Massenet. The aria is sung by the character Werther, who is deeply in love with Charlotte, a woman who is married to another man. The title translates to 'Why awaken me?' and the lyrics reflect Werther's despair and inner turmoil as he contemplates the futility of his love and life.

The 'souffle du printemps' or 'breath of spring' mentioned in the lyrics symbolizes a new beginning or a reawakening. However, for Werther, this reawakening is unwelcome. He questions why he should be stirred from his melancholic state when he knows that his future holds 'storms and sadness.' The spring's caress, which should be gentle and refreshing, instead reminds him of the joy he cannot have. The reference to the 'voyageur' or 'traveler' who will come and remember his former glory is a metaphor for the reflection on past happiness and the contrast with his present misery.

Pavarotti's powerful tenor voice brings an emotional depth to the aria, conveying the character's sense of loss and longing. The performance captures the essence of Werther's character—a man caught between his love for Charlotte and the realization that his love will remain unrequited. The aria is a moment of introspection, where Werther grapples with the pain of his unfulfilled desires and the inevitability of his own despair.