Vaga luna, che inargenti

Vincenzo Bellini (1801–1835), the composer of "Vaga luna, che inargenti"

"Vaga luna, che inargenti" (Beautiful moon, dappling with silver) is an arietta composed by Vincenzo Bellini to an anonymous Italian text and dedicated to Giulietta Pezzi. It was published in 1838 by Casa Ricordi in Tre ariette inedite along with two other Bellini songs, "Il fervido desiderio" and "Dolente immagine di Fille mia". It was also amongst the fifteen Bellini songs published by Ricordi under the title Composizioni da Camera in 1935, the centenary of the composer's death. Composed in the bel canto style, it is a frequent recital piece, and has often been recorded. Its original key is in A-flat major with a tempo of andante cantabile.

Lyrics

Vaga luna, che inargenti queste rive e questi fiori ed inspiri agli elementi il linguaggio dell'amor; testimonio or sei tu sola del mio fervido desir, ed a lei che m'innamora conta i palpiti e i sospir. Dille pur che lontananza il mio duol non può lenire, che se nutro una speranza, ella è sol nell'avvenir. Dille pur che giorno e sera conto l'ore del dolor, che una speme lusinghiera mi conforta nell'amor.

Beautiful moon, dappling with silver These banks and flowers, Evoking from the elements The language of love Only you are witness To my ardent desire; Go tell her, tell my beloved How much I long for her and sigh. Tell her that with her so far away, My grief can never be allayed, That the only hope I cherish Is for my future to be spent with her. Tell her that day and night I count the hours of my yearning, That hope, a sweet hope beckons, And comforts me in my love.

Sources

• Paton, John Glenn (2004). Gateway to Italian Songs and Arias: High Voice. Alfred Music Publishing, pp. 130–135. ISBN 0-7390-3547-9

External links

• "Vaga luna, che inargenti": Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• "Vaga luna, che inargenti" on YouTube, Luciano Pavarotti, James Levine, Lincoln Center 1988