Chi vol haver felice e lieto il core (Claudio Monteverdi)
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- CPDL #20713: Finale 2010
- Editor: Andrew Owen (submitted 2009-12-29). Score information: Letter, 6 pages, 82 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: This edition is directly taken from the score parts of the first edition, available at the IMSLP, published in 1638. Slurs added.
- CPDL #07715: Capella
- Editor: Björn Sothmann (submitted 2004-08-04). Score information: A4, 7 pages, 40 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes:
General Information
Title: Chi vol haver felice e lieto il core
Composer: Claudio Monteverdi
Number of voices: 5vv Voicing: SSATB
Genre: Secular, Madrigal
Language: Italian
Instruments: Basso continuo
Published: Venice: Alessandro Vincenti, 1638
Opus/Catalogue Number: SV 162
Description: This madrigal was the seventeenth of the madrigals published in Monteverdi's eighth book of madrigals.
External websites: IMSLP Entry for the Eighth Book of Madrigals
Original text and translations
Italian text
Chi vol haver felice e lieto il core,
non segua il crudo Amore,
quel lusinghier ch'ancide
quando più scherza e ride;
ma tema di beltà, di leggiadria
l'aura fallace e ria.
Al pregar non risponda, alla promessa
non creda; e se s'appressa,
fugga pur, che baleno è quel ch'alletta,
né mai baleno Amor, se non saetta.
English translation
Whoever wants to have a happy and joyful heart,
shouldn't follow cruel love,
that sycophant that kills
when it is most joking and laughing;
but he should fear the fallacious and pleasing
aura of beauty and loveliness.
To its supplications he shouldn't respond, in its promises
he shouldn't believe; and if it appears,
he should flee, since that spark is what allures,
since Love's spark never comes without a thunderbolt.