Merula’s strophic marvel, Folle è ben che si crede. 4K UHD video from the La Bella più Bella concert, January, 2016.
Jennifer Ellis Kampani, soprano; Hanneke van Proosdij, harpsichord; David Tayler, archlute; Elizabeth Blumenstock & Lisa Grodin, baroque violins, and William Skeen, baroque cello.
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Folle è ben che si crede
Che per dolci lusinghe amorose
O per fiere minaccie sdegnose
Dal bel idolo mio rittraga il piede
Cangi pur suo pensiero
Ch’il mio cor prigioniero
Spera che goda la libertà
Dica chi vuole dica chi sa.
Altri per gelosia
Spiri pur empie fiamme dal seno
Versi pure Megera il veneno
Perchè rompi al mio ben la fede mia
Morte il viver mi toglia
Mai fia ver che si scoglia
Quel caro laccio che preso m’ha
Dica chi vuole dica chi sa.
Mad is the man who thinks
that for sweet and amorous flattery,
or proud and haughty threats,
I would turn my steps away from my beautiful idol.
Let him give up his belief
that my imprisoned heart
hopes to enjoy liberty.
Let those speak who wish; let those speak who know.
Let others, out of jealousy,
breathe foul flames from their hearts;
let the Fury Megera pour forth her venom
to destroy my trust in my beloved.
Death may snatch my life away,
but never will it loosen
this precious bond that’s possessed me.
Let those speak who wish; let those speak who know. —translation: Lawrence Rosenwald
DARWIN'S TREE 