Renata Tebaldi - "O Divine Redeemer" - By Charles Gounod

I had the privilege of hearing and meeting the great "Queen of Italian Opera," Renata Tebaldi, when the Kennedy Center hosted one of her last performances in the mid-seventies. The concert had ended and I followed a group that seemed to know where they were going. I later learned they were from the Italian Embassy and I had followed them to a receiving line in the Green Room, where a very gracious Renata Tebaldi greeted each of us and signed our programs.

This performance of Charles Gounod's great hymn makes clear why Tebaldi remains one of the world's most acclaimed and beloved sopranos.

Ah! turn me not away, receive me, tho' unworthy!
Hear Thou my cry, behold, Lord, my distress!
Answer me from Thy throne, haste Thee, Lord, to mine aid,

Thy pity show in my deep anguish!
Let not the sword of vengeance smite me,
Tho' righteous Thine anger, O Lord!
Shield me in danger, O Regard me! On Thee, Lord, alone will I call.

O Divine Redeemer! O Divine Redeemer!
I pray Thee, grant me pardon, and remember not my sins!

Forgive me, O divine Redeemer!
Night gathers round my soul; fearful I cry to Thee;
Come to mine aid, O Lord! Haste Thee, Lord, haste to help me!

Hear my cry, Save me, Lord, in Thy mercy;
Hear my cry! Come and save me, O Lord!

O, divine Redeemer! I pray Thee, grant me pardon,
And remember not, O Lord, my sins!

Save, in the day of retribution, from Death shield Thou me, O my God!

O, divine Redeemer, have mercy! Help me, my Savior!