Philippe Jaroussky: L´Eraclito amoroso - Strozzi

Barbara Strozzi: L'Eraclito amoroso,
from Cantate, ariette e duetti, Op. 2 (1651)

Philippe Jaroussky, countertenor

Le Concert d'Astrée,
conducted by Emmanuelle Haïm

From the album Lamenti ( Virgin ),
pre-released on 15 September 2008 and will be available as a CD on 29th
Italian libretto:

Udite, amanti,
la cagione, oh Dio!
ch´a lagrimar mi porta.

Oh Dio! nell´adorato
e bello idolo mio,
che si fido credei,
la fede è morta.

Vaghezza ho sol di piangere,
mi pasco sol di lagrime.
Il duolo è mia delizia,
e son miei gioie i gemiti.

Ogni martire aggradami,
ogni dolor dilettami.
I singulti mi sanano,
i sospir mi consolano.

Oh Dio, nell´adorato
e bello idolo mio,
che si fido credei,
la fede è morta.

Ma, se la fede negami
quell´incostante e perfido,
almen fede serbatemi
sino alla morte, o lagrime.

Ogni tristezza assalgami,
ogni cordoglio eternisi.
Tanto ogni male affligami
che m´uccida e sotterrimi.


English translation:

Hear, lovers,
the reason, oh heavens!
that leads me to weep.

Oh heavens! in my cherished
and beautiful beloved,
that I thought so faithful,
faith is dead.

My only pleasure is weeping,
I only revel in my tears.
Grief is my delight,
and wailing is my joy.

Every torture enchants me,
every pain pleases me.
Sobbing heals me,
Sighing comforts me.

Oh heavens! in my cherished
and beautiful beloved,
that I thought so faithful,
faith is dead.

But, if this inconstant and treacherous lover
denies me his faith,
at least, O tears,
be faithful to me until death.

May every sadness assail me,
every mourning last forever.
So much sorrow afflicts me,
that it kills me, and buries me.

Video and translation by MehdiCaps.