Tu se' morta

This recitative/aria is from Monteverdi's opera, L' Orfeo, written in 1607. I have reconceived the work from its original monody with basso continuo accompaniment to an a cappella choral setting. While the melodic and harmonic material is essentially Monteverdi's, the work has been expanded and 'colorized' to give it additional hints of 21st century expressivity. Performers should feel free to experiment with freedom, rubato, and a variety of vocal colors, to accentuate the meaning and sound of the lyrics.

L'Orfeo is considered by many to be the first great Italian opera. In this work, the great poet and singer Orpheus laments the loss of his true love, Euridice.

Lyrics

Tu se' morta, se' morta, mia vita, You are dead, you are dead, my life, ed io respiro; tu se' da me partita, And I breathe; you have left me, se' da me partita per mai più, You have left me forevermore, mai più non tornare ed io rimango-- Never to return, and I remain-No, no, che se i versi alcuna cosa ponno, No, no, if my verses have any power, N'andrò sicuro a' più profondi abissi, I will go confidently to the deepest abysses, E, intenerito il cor del Re de l'ombre, And, having melted the heart of the king of shadows, meco trarrotti A riveder le stelle, Will bring you back to me to see the stars again, O se ciò negherammi empio destino, Or, if pitiless fate denies me this, Rimarrò teco in compagnia di morte. I will remain with you in the company of death. Addio terra, addio cielo, e Sole, addio. Farewell earth, farewell sky, and sun, farewell.