Barbara Strozzi
1.07

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L'Affetto Umano

Quartet originally for Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass, and basso continuo.
Original Language: Italian

Vago, instabil, leggiero è il nostro affetto,
Si cangiano i desir cangiando gl'anni;
Ché di quel che fanciul tanto t’affanni,
Superbetto Garzon non hai diletto.

Di colei che si dolce hor m’arde il petto,
La più matura età scuopre gl’inganni;
Ma gl'andati piacer, vecchio, condanni
Ch’a lasciar i piacer ti vedi astretto.

Così col tempo andiam di voglie in voglie:
Gioco, vezzi, delitie, amori e studi
Son finti scherzi e mascherate doglie;

E la sorte chiamando e i cieli crudi,
Caduchi più de le caduche foglie.
Nudi venghiamo e ce n’andiamo ignudi.

Poet:
Giulio Strozzi
English

Human Passion

Fleeting, unstable, and fickle is our passion,
our desires change with changing years;
what so preoccupies you as a child
gives you no pleasure as a youth.

Of her that today enflames my breast so sweetly,
greater maturity uncovers her deceits;
older, you condemn departed pleasures
as you find yourself forced to abandon them.

Thus as time passes we go from desire to desire:
games, charms, delights, loves, and studies
are feigned trifles and disguised sorrows;

and though we call fate and the gods cruel,
we fall more surely than falling leaves.
Naked we arrive and we depart naked.

Translated by:

Richard Kolb

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Cover of L'Affetto Humano

L'Affetto Humano

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.

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Find recordings...

  • Barbara Strozzi: Il Primo de Madrigali

    Orlando di Lasso Ensemble

    Thorofon Records (2000) [Audio CD, Digital / MP3]

    • Disc #2 / Track #10 - L'Affetto Humano (SATB, lute, hps, org) [3:46]
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  • Primo Libro de' Madrigali

    La Venexiana

    Cantus (2000) [Audio CD, Digital / MP3]

    • L'affetto umano - Vago, instabil, Op 1 (SATB, bc) [3:50]
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