Practical method of singing

Song Cycle by Nicola Vaccaj (1790 - 1848)

View original-language texts alone: Metodo pratico di Canto Italiano

1. La scala
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Manca sollecita
più dell’usato
ancor che s’agiti
con lieve fiato
face che palpita
presso al morir.

 ...

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
1. Scales
Language: English 
A torch is apt to flutter and
goes out quicker than usual, 
as if with deathly pallor, 
although it tenuously might be revived
with a light breath.

[ ... ]

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2018 by Andrew Schneider, (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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This text was added to the website: 2018-06-07
Line count: 9
Word count: 46

Translation © by Andrew Schneider
2. Intervalli di terza
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Semplicetta tortorella,
Che non vede il suo periglio,
Per fuggir da crudo artiglio,
Vola in grembo al cacciator.

 ...

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
2. For thirds
Language: English 
The innocent turtledove
that does not see the danger it is in
will fly from predators' harsh claws
straight into the hunter's lap.

[ ... ]

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2018 by Andrew Schneider, (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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Translations of title(s):
"Intervalli di terza" = "For thirds"
"Semplicetta tortorella" = "Innocent turtledove"



This text was added to the website: 2018-03-31
Line count: 8
Word count: 48

Translation © by Andrew Schneider
3. Intervalli di quarta
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Lascia il lido, e il mare infido
A solcar torna il nocchiero,
E pur sa che menzognero
Altre volte l'ingannò.

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
3.
[Translation not yet available]
4. Intervalli di quinta
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
 ... 

Avvezzo a vivere
Senza conforto
In mezzo al porto
Pavento il mar.

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
4. Fifths
Language: English 
[ ... ]

Accustomed to living
a life deprived of comfort,
I fear the sea
even in the midst of port.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2018 by Andrew Schneider, (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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This text was added to the website: 2018-06-07
Line count: 8
Word count: 39

Translation © by Andrew Schneider
5. Intervalli di sesta
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
 ... 

Bella prova è d'alma forte
L'esser placida e serena
Nel soffrir l'ingiusta pena
D'una colpa che non ha.

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
5. Sixths
Language: English 
[ ... ]

A great proof of a courageous soul
is being peaceful and serene
whilst suffering an unjust punishment
for a crime for which one is blameless.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2018 by Andrew Schneider, (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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Translations of title(s):
"Guarda se pria in questa fronte" = "Look first upon this face"
"Intervalli di sesta" = "Sixths"



This text was added to the website: 2018-06-07
Line count: 8
Word count: 49

Translation © by Andrew Schneider
6. Intervalli di settima
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Fra l'ombre un lampo solo
Basta al nocchier sagace
Che già ritrova il polo,
Che riconosce il mar.

 ...

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
6. Sevenths
Language: English 
The wise helmsman
only needs one flash of lightning
to find the correct pole
and recognize the sea
on which he treads in the shade.

[ ... ]

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2018 by Andrew Schneider, (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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Translations of title(s):
"Fra l'ombre un lampo solo" = "Amongst the shades"
"Intervalli di settima" = "Sevenths"



This text was added to the website: 2018-06-07
Line count: 10
Word count: 47

Translation © by Andrew Schneider
7. Intervalli di ottava
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Quell'onda che ruina
 ... 
Balza, si frange e mormora,
Ma limpida si fa.
 ...

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
7.
[Translation not yet available]
8. I semitoni
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
 ... 

Delira dubbiosa,
Incerta vaneggia
Ogni alma che ondeggia
Fra i moti del cor.

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
8.
[Translation not yet available]
9. Modo sincopato
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Nel contrasto amor s'accende,
Con chi cede o chi s'arrende
Mai sí barbaro non è.

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
9.
[Translation not yet available]
10. Introduzione alle volate
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Come il candore
D'intatta neve
È d'un bel core
La fedeltà.

Un'orma sola 
Che in sé riceve
Tutta ne invola
La sua beltà.

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
10. Introduction to runs
Language: English 
How the purity
of an undisturbed patch of snow
is like a loving heart's 
faithfulness!

It takes only one footprint
to rob it of all
that is beautiful.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2018 by Andrew Schneider, (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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Translations of title(s):
"Come il candore" = "How the purity"
"Introduzione alle volate" = "Introduction to runs"



This text was added to the website: 2018-05-16
Line count: 7
Word count: 28

Translation © by Andrew Schneider
11. Le appoggiature sopra e sotto
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Senza l'amibile
Dio di Citera
I dí non tornano
Di primavera
Non spira un zeffiro,
Non spunta un fior.

L'erbe sul margine
Del fonte amico,
Le piante vedove
Sul colle aprico
Per lui rivestono
L'antico onor.

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
11.
[Translation not yet available]
12. L'acciaccatura
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Benché di senso privo
Fin l'arboscello è grato
A quell'amico rivo
Da cui riceve umor:

Per lui di fronde ornato
Bella mercé gli rende
Dal sol quando difende
Il suo benefattor.

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
12.
[Translation not yet available]
13. Introduzione al mordente
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
 ... 

La gioia verace
Per farsi palese
D'un labbro loquace
Bisogno non ha.

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
13. Introduction to the mordent
Language: English 
[ ... ]

True joy
has no need
of a mouth's speech
to make itself evident.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2019 by Andrew Schneider, (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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This text was added to the website: 2019-10-21
Line count: 8
Word count: 35

Translation © by Andrew Schneider
14. Lo stesso in diversi modi
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
L'augelletto in lacci stretto
Perché mai cantar s'ascolta?
Perché spera un'altra volta
Di tornare in libertà.

 ...

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
14.
[Translation not yet available]
15. Introduzione al gruppetto
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
 ... 

Quando accende un nobil petto
È innocente e puro affetto,
Debolezza amor non è.

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
15.
[Translation not yet available]
16. Il gruppetto
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Più non si trovano
Tra mille amanti
Sol due bell'anime
Che sian costanti,
E tutti parlano
Di fedeltà!

 ...

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
16. Turns
Language: English 
Amongst a thousand lovers,
no more can even one pair
of constant lovers be found,
yet everyone talks of faithfulness!

[ ... ]

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2018 by Andrew Schneider, (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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Translations of title(s):
"Il gruppetto" = "Turns"
"Più non si trovano" = "Amongst a thousand lovers"



This text was added to the website: 2018-04-05
Line count: 8
Word count: 38

Translation © by Andrew Schneider
17. Introduzione al trillo
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Se povero il ruscello
Mormora lento e basso,
Un ramoscello, un sasso
Quasi arrestar lo fa.

 ...

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
17.
Language: English 
If the stream is weak 
It murmurs, slow and low,
A twig, a stone,
Almost cause it to stop.

[ ... ]

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2023 by Kendree Chen, (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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This text was added to the website: 2023-08-09
Line count: 9
Word count: 45

Translation © by Kendree Chen
18. Le volate
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Siam navi all'onde algenti
Lasciate in abbandono,
Impetuosi venti
I nostri affetti sono,
Ogni diletto è scoglio,
Tutta la vita è un mar.

 ...

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
18. For runs
Language: English 
We are ships on a chilly ocean,
abandoned to our own devices;
our emotions are violent winds.
Every delight is like a rock;
all of life is a sea.

[ ... ]

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2018 by Andrew Schneider, (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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Translations of title(s):
"Siam navi all'onde algenti" = "We are ships on a chilly sea"
"Le volate" = "For runs"



This text was added to the website: 2018-03-31
Line count: 10
Word count: 54

Translation © by Andrew Schneider
19. Modo per portare la voce
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Vorrei spiegar l'affanno,
Nasconderlo vorrei,
E mentre i dubbi miei
Cosí crescendo vanno,
Tutto spiegar non oso,
Tutto non so tacer.
Sollecito, dubbioso,
Penso, rammento e vedo,
E agli occhi miei non credo,
Non credo al mio pensier.

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
19.
[Translation not yet available]
20. L'altro modo
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
O placido il mare
Lusinghi la sponda,
O porti con l'onda
Terrore e spavento:
È colpa del vento,
Sua colpa non è.

 ...

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
20. The other mode
Language: English 
Whether the sea caresses
the grateful shore in peace,
or mayhap carries with the waves
terror and fear,
it is the wind's fault,
not that of the sea.

[ ... ]

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2018 by Andrew Schneider, (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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Translations of title(s):
"O placido il mare" = "Whether the sea peacefully caresses"
"L'altro modo" = "The other mode"



This text was added to the website: 2018-05-16
Line count: 10
Word count: 48

Translation © by Andrew Schneider
21. Il recitativo
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
La Patria è un tutto
di cui siam parti,
al cittadino è fallo
considerar se stesso
separato da lei:
l'utile o il danno
ch'ei conoscer dee solo
è ciò che giova
o nuoce alla sua patria
a cui di tutto è debitor.
Quando i sudori e il sangue
sparge per lei
nulla del proprio ei dona,
rende sol ciò che n'ebbe.
Essa il produsse,
l'educò, lo nudrí:
con le sue leggi
dagl'insulti domestici
il difende,
dagli esterni con l'armi.
Ella gli presta nome,
grado ed onor,
ne premia il merto,
ne vendica le offese,
e madre amante,
a fabbricar s'affanna
la sua felicità,
per quanto lice
al destin dei mortali
esser felice.

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
21. Recitative
Language: English 
Our country is a whole,
of which we all are but parts.
It is a failing in a citizen
to consider himself
as separate from it.
The only usefulness or liability
that he should know of in himself
is that which benefits 
or harms the country 
to which he owes everything.
When he sweats and bleeds 
for his country,
he merely renders back unto her
that which he received from her 
in the first place.
This country produced,
educated, and nourished him.
With her laws, 
she defends him 
from domestic threats,
with her arms, from external enemies.
She bestows upon him
name, rank, and honor,
rewards his valor,
avenges the wrongs he has suffered,
and, as a loving mother,
she frets over how to ensure his happiness,
in howsoever much 
the fate of mortals
permits him 
such contentment.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2018 by Andrew Schneider, (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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Translations of title(s):
"Il recitativo" = "Recitative"
"La patria è un tutto" = "Our country is a whole"



This text was added to the website: 2018-08-19
Line count: 31
Word count: 138

Translation © by Andrew Schneider
22. Riepilogo
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Alla stagion de' fiori
E de' novelli amori,
È grato il molle fiato
D'un zeffiro legger.
O gema fra le fronde,
O lento increspi l'onde,
Zeffiro in ogni lato
Compagno è del piacer.

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by Pietro Antonio Domenico Bonaventura Trapassi (1698 - 1782), as Pietro Metastasio
22. Recapitulation
Language: English 
In the season of flowers
and new loves,
the soft wind is grateful to encounter
a sprightly zephyr.

Whether he moans 'neath the bushes,
or slowly ripples the waves,
Zephyrus is in all places
the faithful companion of Pleasure.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2018 by Andrew Schneider, (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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This text was added to the website: 2018-06-07
Line count: 8
Word count: 39

Translation © by Andrew Schneider