Sunday Brunch – Miah Persson Sings Mozart

The text of this recitative and aria is attributed to Lorenzo da Ponte. It was written originally as an insertion aria for Idamente for a performance in Vienna. Mozart wrote this new setting for his original Susanna: Nancy Storace, and most likely played the piano in the first performance. I like this aria partly for its hybrid status of aria/piano concerto, not to mention the lovely music and thoughtful word setting.

I’ve also been thinking that even though she’s not a mezzo, Miah Persson would be an awesome Idamente. And maybe an even more awesome Elettra! This is from her 2006 recording of Mozart Arias.

Ch'io mi scordi di te? Che a lui mi doni puoi consigliarmi? E puoi voler che in vita? Ah no! Sarebbe il viver mio di morte assai peggior. Venga la morte, intrepida l'attendo. Ma, ch'io possa struggermi ad altra face, ad altr'oggetto donar gl'affeti miei, come tentarlo? Ah, di dolor morrei! Non temer, amato bene, per te sempre il cor sarà. Più non reggo a tante pene, l’alma mia mancando va. Tu sospiri? O duol funesto! Pensa almen, che istante è questo! Non mi posso, oh Dio! spiegar. Stelle barbare, stelle spietate, perchè mai tanto rigor? Alme belle, che vedete le mie pene in tal momento, dite voi, s’egual tormento può soffrir un fido cor?

You ask that I forget you? You can advise me to give myself to her? And this while yet I live? Ah no! My life would be far worse than death! Let death come, I await it fearlessly. But how could I attempt to warm myself to another flame, to lavish my affections on another? Ah! I should die of grief! Fear nothing, my beloved, my heart will always be yours. I can no longer suffer such distress, my spirit fails me. You sigh? O mournful sorrow! Just think what a moment this is! O God! I cannot express myself. Barbarous stars, pitiless stars, why are you so stern? Fair souls who see my sufferings at such a moment, tell me if a faithful heart could suffer such torment?