Patter songs - what the always-reliable Wikipedia describes as " moderately fast to very fast tempo with a rapid succession of rhythmic patterns in which each syllable of text corresponds to one note" - are a wonderful feature of comic opera. It's almost impossible to listen to one and not smile, even if you don't understand what's being said. In fact, when it comes to your enjoyment, the translation really doesn't matter. If you don't believe me, listen to the famous "A un dottor della mia sorte" from Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville), written by the master of patter, Rossini, and performed by a master of patter, John del Carlo. He's singing here with Joyce DiDonato.
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