Quell'ombra esser vorrei (Claudio Monteverdi)

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(Posted 2022-03-15) CPDL #68442: (LilyPond)

Editor: Allen Garvin (submitted 2022-03-15). Score information: Letter, 4 pages, 74 kB Copyright: CC BY NC

Edition notes:

(Posted 2014-04-24) CPDL #31767:

Editor: Peter Rottländer (submitted 2014-04-24). Score information: A4, 4 pages, 109 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Original key.

(Posted 2014-04-24) CPDL #31768:

Editor: Peter Rottländer (submitted 2014-04-24). Score information: A4, 4 pages, 108 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Fourth down, according to chiavette convention. Suitable for STTBarB.

(Posted 2012-11-10) CPDL #27563: (MuP)

Editor: Vincent Carpentier (submitted 2012-11-10). Score information: A4, 4 pages, 53 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: Quell'ombra esser
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. 10
Description:

External websites:

Original text and translations

Italian text

Quell’ombra esser vorrei
che’l dì vi segue leggiadretta e bella,
che s’or son servo, i’ sarei vostr’ancella.

E quando parte il sole,
m’asconderei sotto quei bianchi panni:
lasso, ben negli affanni,
ombra ignuda d’uom vivo, Amor, mi fai,
ma non mi giungi a la mia donna mai.

English translation

I would love to be that shadow
that follows you by day, graceful and pretty,
for if I already am enslaved,
[I would then be your maid too.
And at sunset I would hide
under those white garments:
alas!, amidst much sorrow you turn me,
Love, into the mere shadow of a living man,
but never join me to my mistress.

Translation by Campelli

French translation

Je voudrais bien être cette ombre
qui vous suit le jour, gracieuse et belle,
car étant déjà votre esclave,
[je deviendrais aussi votre demoiselle.
Et au coucher du soleil
je me cacherais sous ces draps blancs:
hélas, Amour, plongé dans les tourments
tu me transformes en spectre d’homme vivant,
mais jamais avec mon amour tu me réunis.

Translation by Campelli