Questo specchio ti dono (Claudio Monteverdi)

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(Posted 2014-06-15) CPDL #32264:

Editor: Peter Rottländer (submitted 2014-06-15). Score information: A4, 5 pages, 170 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

(Posted 2011-02-26) CPDL #23209: (MuP)

Editor: Vincent Carpentier (submitted 2011-02-26). Score information: A4, 5 pages, 65 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: MUP file is zipped.

General Information

Title: Questo specchio ti dono
Composer: Claudio Monteverdi
Lyricist: Girolamo Casoni

Number of voices: 5vv Voicing: SSATB
Genre: Secular, Madrigal

Language: Italian
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1590 in Il secondo libro de madrigali a cinque voci (Claudio Monteverdi), no. 18
Description:

External websites:

Original text and translations

Italian text

Questo specchio ti dono, Rosa,
tu damm'or che l’età consente,
ch’io colga il tuo bel fior primo ridente.
Se ciò non voi, te mira,
cara fanciulla ivi due volt'e poi,
o caduchi onor tuoi,
vermiglia in sul matin, belle e gentile,
di sera ti vedrai pallida e vile.

English translation

I give you this mirror, Rose;
you in return let me, now that age consents it,
pick that beautiful flower which was just laughing.
If you do not consent, look at yourself
in the mirror twice, dear girl, and later
–o ephemeral charms of yours-
you'll see yourself aglow in the morning,
fair and kind, and at night pale and vile.

Translation by Campelli

French translation

Je te fais cadeau de ce miroir, Rose,
et permets-moi, puisque l'âge y consent,
que je cueille ta belle fleure jadis riante.
Si tu ne le veux pas, chère demoiselle,
regarde-toi deux fois dans le reflet et, là,
–tes charmes caducs–
tu te verras vermeille au matin, belle et gentille,
au soir pâle et abominable.