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Perle care e pregiate dall'ocean venute, perché state fra due labbra che son mute? Gite a bocca che risponda o tornate in grembo all'onda. Neve, tu che cadesti sovra un alpestre scoglio, perché resti in quel sen pieno d'orgoglio? Trova un petto più gentile o ritorna all'Alpe vile. Oro, che nobil vanto sei dell'Indico lido, perché tanto orni il crine a volto infido? Vanne a men severa fronte o ritorna in seno al monte. Sangue, che sulle rose ha Ciprigna versato, chi ti pose ostro bel su volto ingrato? Corri a guance più serene o alla dea torna in le vene. Stelle, voi che negl'occhi splendete di costei, che vi tocchi d'illustrare occhi sì rei? Gite a ciglia meno altere o tornate all'alte sfere.
About the headline (FAQ)
Text Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author, "A donna bella e crudele" [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Timothy Hoekman , "Allemanda", 2002, published 2010, first performed 2004 [ baritone and harpsichord ], from Suite italiana, no. 2, confirmed with a concert programme booklet [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Barbara Strozzi (1619 - 1677), "A donna bella e crudele", op. 3 no. 4, published 1654 [ soprano, continuo ], from Cantate, ariete a una, due, e tre voci, no. 4 [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Timothy Hoekman) , copyright ©, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "À une dame belle et cruelle", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Guy Laffaille [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2017-05-21
Line count: 30
Word count: 124
Les perles chères et précieuses viennent de l'océan, pourquoi restez-vous entre deux lèvres qui sont muettes ? Allez dans une bouche qui répond ou retournez dans le giron de l'onde. Neige, toi qui tombes sur un roc alpestre pourquoi restes-tu sur ce sein si plein d'orgueil ? Trouve un cœur plus gentil ou retourne dans les misérables Alpes. Or, cette noble fierté du littoral indien pourquoi de cette manière ornes-tu la chevelure d'un visage perfide ? Va sur un front moins sévère ou retourne au sein de la montagne. Sang, que sur les roses Vénus a versé, qui a posé ce beau rouge sur ce visage ingrat ? Cours vers des joues plus sereines ou retourne dans les veines de la déesse. Étoiles, vous qui dans ses yeux brillez à elle, pourquoi vous mêlez-vous d'orner des yeux si coupables ? Allez vers des cils moins altiers ou retournez dans les plus hautes sphères.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from Italian (Italiano) to French (Français) copyright © 2017 by Guy Laffaille, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Based on:
- a text in Italian (Italiano) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist , "A donna bella e crudele"
This text was added to the website: 2017-06-29
Line count: 30
Word count: 148