April 26, 2023

Io t’abbraccio

Synopsis: At the beginning of the opera, Rodelinda, Queen of Lombardy, thinks her husband Bertarido has died and she mourns him. Bertarido, however, is hiding to avoid assassination by the powers who attempt to usurp his throne. After a series of misunderstandings, Rodelinda and Bertarido reunite, only to be immediately captured; Bertarido’s life is in mortal danger. Rodelinda and Bertarido think this is a final farewell. 

Io t’abbraccio,

I embrace you                 

E più che morte        

And more than death

Aspro e forte

More bitter and harsh

È pel cor mio questo addio,        

Is for my heart this farewell,

Che il tuo sen             

Which your heart

Dal mio divide.

From mine separates.

Ah, mia vita!

Ah, my life!

Ah, mio tesoro!

Ah, my treasure!

Se non moro

If I do not die

È più tiranno quell’affanno

Then how cruel is that distress

Che dà morte e non uccide.

Which brings death but does not kill.

Scherza infida

Synopsis: Unknowingly witness to a plot by his nemesis Duke Polinesso, Ariodante sees the love of his life and betrothed entering the quarters of the Duke late at night. He is immediately overcome and about to take his own life when he is stopped by his brother at the last second. Ariodante bitterly decries the betrayal by his love and swears to come back and haunt her before leaving to walk out into the river and let it sweep him away.

Scherza infida

Frolic, faithless one,

In grembo al drudo.

In the embrace of your lover.

Io tradito a morte in braccio

I, betrayed, in death’s embrace,

Per tua colpa ora men vo.

Because of your fault now I go forth.

Ma a spezzar l’indegno laccio

But to break this vile bond,

Ombra mesta, e spirto ignudo

As a ghost and fleshless spirit

Per tua pena io tornerò.

I will return to haunt you.

Scherza infida

Frolic, faithless one,

In grembo al drudo.

In the embrace of your lover.

Io tradito a morte in braccio

I, betrayed, in death’s embrace,

Per tua colpa ora men vo.

Because of your fault now I go forth.

Mi Palpita il cor

Recitatvie

Mi palipita il cor

My heart is throbbing,

Né intendo perché,

But I neither understand why

Agitata è l’alma mia,

Nor know why

Nè so cos’è, no.

My soul is agitated, no.

Tormento e gelosia, sdegno 

Torment and jealousy, anger

Affanno e dolore,

Anguish and grief,

Da me che pretendete?

What do you expect from me?

Se mi volete amante,

If you want me as a lover,

Amante io son,

Your lover I will be,

Ma, oh Dio!

But, oh God!

Non m’uccidete,

Do not kill me,

Ch’il cor, fra tante pene,

Because amidst so much pain, my heart

Più soffrire non può le sue catene.

Can no longer endure its chains.

Aria

Ho tanti affanni in petto

So much worry troubles my breast,

Che qual sia il più tiranno,

That which is the most cruel,

Io dir nol so, no.

I cannot say, no.

So ben che dò ricetto

I know well that I harbor

A un aspro e crudo affanno,

To a bitter and harsh anguish,

E che morendo io vò.

And that I am dying.

Ho tanti affanni in petto

So much worry troubles my breast,

Che qual sia il più tiranno,

That which is the most cruel,

Io dir nol so, no.

I cannot say, no.

Recitative

Clori di te mi lagno,

Clori, I complain about you,

E di te, o nume, figlio di Citerea,

And of you, oh god, son of Cytherea,

Ch’il cor feristi

Because you wounded my heart

Per un ache non sa

For one who knows not

Che cosa è amore.

What love is.

Ma se, d’egual saetta,

But if you, with the same arrow,

A lei feristi il core,

Wounded their heart,

Più lagnarmi non voglio;

I would complain no more;

E reverente, innanti al simulacro tuo,

And respectful before your statue,

Prostrato a terra,

Prostrate on the ground,

Umil, devoto adorerò quel Dio,

Humble, devoted I shall adore the God

Che fé contento

Who made me happy

E pago il mio desio.

And satisfied my desire.

Aria

Se un di m’adora

If, one day, my cruel one

La mia crudele,

Shall adore me

Contento allora il cor sarà.

My heart will then be content.

Che sia dolore,

What be sorrow,

Che sia tormento,

What be torment,

Questo mio seno

My heart will no longer know

Più non saprà.

What sorrow and torment are.