This edition was prepared by André Vierendeels — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
A donna bella e crudele
Staff Notation • Secular, Arias
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A donna bella e crudele by Barbara Strozzi — Lyrics
Perle car'e pregiate dall' ocean venute,
perche state frà due labbra che son mute?
Gite à bocca che risponda,
o tornate in grembo all' onda.
Neve, tu che cadesti sovra un alpestre scoglio,
perche resti in quel sen pieno d'orgoglio?
Trova un petto piu gentile,
o ritorn'all Alpe vile.
Oro, che nobil vanto sei dell' indico lido,
perche tanto orn'il crine à volto insido?
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About A donna bella e crudele
This aria, set in Italian, opens with a plea to precious pearls, asking why they are trapped between silent lips. The singer urges them to seek a voice that will respond or return to the ocean depths. The text continues, comparing snow, gold, and blood to the beloved's features, lamenting their presence on a proud, unfeeling, or ungrateful face. The singer implores these elements to find a more welcoming place, otherwise to return to their origins. The aria concludes by addressing the stars shining in the beloved's eyes, questioning their radiance on such stern features and asking them to seek gentler eyelids or return to the heavens.
