Giovanni Paisiello (1740-1816) was one of the most successful and influential opera composers of the Classical era. Donne vaghe comes from his comic opera La serva padrona. The opera tells the story of a clever maid, Serpina, who schemes her way into marrying her master, Uberto. In this aria, Serpina playfully mocks flirtatious women, showing her confidence, as well as her wit and spirited character. Paisiello’s lively rhythms, graceful melodies, and clear phrasing create a light entertaining moment. Donne vaghe, stands as an example of Paisiello’s ability to blend humor with sophistication.
Donne vaghe
Donne vaghe, i studi nostri Son' le grazie, sono i vezzi. far che piaccia e che s'apprezzi un bel labbro di rubin.
Acquistar d'un vecchio il core
Con la scuola del bel sesso -
Procurar io voglio adesso Di tirarlo al mio gran fin Adesso, adesso –
Text by Gennaro Antonio Federico
Lovely ladies, we study grace and charm. we strive to make pleasing and appreciated a beautiful ruby-red lip. To acquire the heart of an old man with the art of womanly wiles. I will now try to force him to do my will now, now.
Translation by Bard Suverkrop
Leonard Berstein (1918-1990) was one of the most influentialAmerican musicians of the 20th century.As a composer, conductor, pianist, and passionate educator, he believed music should be accessible to everyone. His song cycle I Hate Music!, written in 1942, offers a perspective on the world through the eyes of a young girl. The five short songs explore childhood curiosity, wit and imagination with lively rhythms, jazzy harmonies and vibrant lyricism. The text, written by Bernstein himself, flows with natural speech patterns of a child blending conversation with melodic beauty. Despite the bold title, I Hate Music! is not a rejection of art, but a celebration of the creative spirit children brings to exploring the world. Bernstein included specific directions for performers, instructing that “coyness is to be assiduously avoided” and that the songs should be delivered with “natural, unforced sweetness”. The performer should capture the real voice of a child rather than trying to exaggerate the innocence in a theatrical way. He believed humor and innocence would shine best when treated with sincerity and understanding.
I Hate Music! captures the spirit of curiosity and imagination that makes being an educator so rewarding. Through the young girl’s eyes, we are reminded that true learning is fearless and filled with wonder. Performing I Hate Music! reminds me to embrace those qualities in my teaching, encourage students to express themselves authentically, ask questions freely, and find a love for learning.
I Hate Music!
I. My Name is Barbara (For reference)
My mother says that babies come in bottles; but last week she said they grew on special baby-bushes.
I don’t believe in the storks, either! They’re all in the zoo, busy with their own babies!
And what’s a baby-bush, anyway!?
My name is Barbara.
II. Jupiter Has Seven Moons
Jupiter has seven moons or is it nine?
Saturn has a million, billion, trillion sixtynine;
And ev’ry one is a little sun, with six little moons of its own!
But we have only one!
Just think of all the fun we’d have if there were nine!
Then we could be just nine times more romantic!
Dogs would bay ’til they were frantic! we’d have nine tides in theAtlantic! The man in the moon would be gigantic! But we have only one! Only one!
III. I Hate Music!
I hate music!
But I like to sing!
But that’s not music, not what I call music. No, sir. Music is a lot of men in a lot of tails, making lots of noise like a lot of females; Music is a lot of folks in a big dark hall, where they really don’t want to be at all; with a lot of chairs and a lot of airs, and a lot of furs and diamonds!
Music is silly!
I hate music!
But I like to sing!
IV.ABig Elephant and a Little Elephant
Abig Elephant and a little Elephant were walking down the street.
The little Elephant was the son of the big Elephant;
but the big Elephant was not the father of the little Elephant:
You see the riddle is, if the little Elephant was the son of the big Elephant, but the big Elephant was not the father of the little Elephant, who was he?
I’ll give you two measures: His mother!
V. I’m a Person Too
I just found out today that I’m a person too, like you:
I like balloons; lots of people like balloons: But ev’ryone says, “Isn’t she cute? She likes balloons!”
I’m a person too, like you! I like things that ev’ryone likes: I like soft things and movies and horses and warm things and red things:don’t you?
I have lots of thoughts; like what’s behind the sky;
and what’s behind what’s behind the sky: But ev’ryone says, “Isn’t she sweet? She wants to know ev’rything!”
Don’t you?
Of course I’m very young to be saying all these things in front of so many people like you; but I’m a person too!
Though I’m only ten years old; I’m a person too, like you!
Text by Leonard Bernstein
Kirke Mechem (b. 1925) is anAmerican composer who has enjoyed an unusually long, productive, and influential music career with a catalogue of over 250 titles in almost every form. His comic opera, Tartuffe, follows the hypocritical Tartuffe, who pretends to be a holy man while