Felice me (Jacques Arcadelt)

From ChoralWiki
Revision as of 03:40, 14 January 2015 by Agarvin (talk | contribs) (I can find no evidence this is Ariosto's work. It's not listed in N.V., nor is it in any volume of Ariosto I have.)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Music files

L E G E N D Disclaimer How to download
ICON SOURCE
File details.gif File details
Question.gif Help


Editor: Walker Boyle (submitted 2010-06-12).   Score information: Letter, 3 pages, 70 kB   Copyright: Public Domain
Edition notes: Updated to v.2.0 in May 2014. Transcribed from 1539 Gardano publication of Arcadelt's first book of madrigals for four voices.

General Information

Title: Felice me
Composer: Jacques Arcadelt

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB

Genre: SecularMadrigal

Language: Italian
Instruments: A cappella

Published: Il primo libro de' madrigali a 4 voci, 1539

Description:

External websites:

Original text and translations

Italian.png Italian text

Felice me, se de i bei lumi un raggio,
che di viltà mi spoglia,
in mio favor s'unisse con la voglia.
Servendo havete a cui par non ha 'l mondo
in questo mortal velo.
Non fora al mio bello stato secondo
se non ch'i viva in cielo.
Ma ahimé! che mi si muove un gelo
e temo non mi toglia
il cor di quel che l'occhio più m'invoglia.

English.png English translation

Happy would I be, if a ray from those beautiful eyes,
which would strip me of cowardice,
were united–for my benefit–with my desire.
You have served the one who has no equal
in this world, under this mortal veil.
There couldn't be a state better than the present one,
short of being in paradise itself.
But, alas!, an icy feeling comes over me
and I am afraid that the heart will draw me away
from the one that most attracts my eye.