This charming song, "Forbidden Music, " is actually a song within a song. A girl thinks about a serenade that a handsome young man sings to her every evening, wonders why her mother doesn't like her to sing it, but since her mother isn't here, now she can sing it all she likes. The text and music are a combination of innocence and sensuality that give the singer scope for characterization as well as lovely singing. The song starts with the girl describing how a young man sings underneath her balcony every evening, and the music is smooth and light, but becomes more excited as she sings "Oh, how sweet the melody is, oh, it's so beautiful, I love it so much!" She pauses to wonder why her mother doesn't let her sing it herself, and the music becomes slightly defiant as she declares, "She's not here, and I want to sing it, these lines that make me quiver." The music becomes sensual and passionate, as she continues singing, and by the end of the quoted serenade, it's fairly clear to the audience, if not the girl, just why her mother has forbidden this song! "I want to kiss your black hair, your lips, your solemn eyes, I'd like to die with you, heavenly angel, oh, my beautiful beloved, my treasure...hold me, my dear, hold me to your heart, make me feel the intoxication of love!"

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