Barbara Strozzi
2.05

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La fanciulletta semplice

Originally for Soprano and basso continuo.
Original Language: Italian

Spesso per entro al petto
mi passa un non so che,
e non so dir s'egli è
o martire o diletto.
Talor mi sento uccidere
da incognito rigor,
sarebbe pur da ridere
che fosse il mal d'amor.

Qualor mi s'apresenta
di Clori il bel seren,
mi nasce un foco in sen
che piace e in un tormenta.
Mi sento il cor dividere
tra il gelo e tra l'ardor,
sarebbe pur da ridere
che fosse il mal d'amor.

I più solinghi orrori
frequento volontier,
ma sento un mio pensier
che dice: "E dove è Clori?"
Or chi mi sa decidere
che sia questo furor?
Sarebbe pur da ridere
che fosse il mal d'amor.

Poet:
Giacinto Andrea Cicognini
English

The Simple Maiden

Sometimes within my heart
something goes on, I don’t know what,
and I can’t say if it's
torture or delight.
Then I feel that I'm dying
of an unknown affliction.
It would sure be funny
if it turns out to be lovesickness.

Whenever I’m near
fairest Clori,
a fire is lit in my breast
that pleases and torments at the same time.
I feel my heart divided
between ice and flame.
It would sure be funny
if it turns out to be lovesickness.

I'll gladly accept
the direst solitude,
but I hear a thought
that says “So where’s Clori?”
Who can help me figure out
what this turmoil is all about?
It would sure be funny
if it turns out to be lovesickness.

Translated by:

Richard Kolb

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Cover of La Fanciulletta Semplice

La Fanciulletta Semplice

Published by Cor Donato Editions in historically correct modern transcription, including critical introductory notes on the work, editorial procedures, original texts with new English translations, and other contextual information about the piece.

Now available at CorDonatoEditions.com!

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Find recordings...

  • Arie Antiche

    Maria Bayo, soprano

    Claves (1999) [Audio CD, Digital / MP3]

    • Track #6 - La fanciulletta semplice - Spesso per entro al petto, Op 2 (S, hps) [2:58]
    Purchase →
  • Passioni, Vizi, e Virtù

    Consort Baroque Laurentia, Peggy Bélanger, soprano, Michel Angers, theorbo

    stradivarius (2014) [Audio CD, Digital / MP3]

    • Spesso per en tro al petto, Op 2 (S, th) [2:56]
  • Recital

    Gérard Souzay, baritone, Dalton Baldwin, piano

    Claves (2011) [Audio CD]

    • La fanciuletta semplice - Spesso per e ntro al petto, Op 2 (B, piano) [2:17]
  • The Gentle Muse (Currently Out of Print)

    Songs by Francesca Caccini, Isabella Leonarda, & Barbara Strozzi

    Jane Edwards, soprano, Erin Helyard, Marshall McGuire

    Artworks Music

    • Spesso per entro al petto, Op 2 (S, bc)
  • To the Unknown Goddess

    A Portrait of Barbara Strozzi

    Catherine Bott, soprano, Paula Chateauneuf, chitarrone/baroque guitar, Timothy Roberts, harpsichord, Frances Kelly, harp

    Carlton (1997) [Digital / MP3]

    • La fanciulletta semplice - Spesso per entro al petto, Op 2 (S, bc) [2:35]
    Purchase →
  • Women's Voices

    five centuries of song

    Neva Pilgrim, soprano, Edward Smith, harpsichord

    Leo (1999) [Audio CD]

    • La fanciulletta semplice - Spesso per entro al petto, Op 2 (S, hpsc) [2:43]
    Purchase →
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