Ombra mai fù

"Ombra mai fù" is an aria from the opera "Serse (Xerxes)" by George Frideric Handel.

The title, which translates from the Italian as "Shade never was", is the first aria of the opera. It is sung by the main character, Serse (or "Xerxes"), in praise of a tree's shade as he sits underneath it. It is commonly known as Handel's "Largo", although the original tempo was larghetto.

The opera was a commercial failure, lasting only five performances in London after its premiere. In the 19th century, however, the aria was rediscovered and became one of Handel's best-known pieces. It has often been arranged for other instruments, including solo organ, solo piano, violin and piano, and string ensembles, often with the full title "Largo from "Xerxes"." Handel adapted the aria from the setting by Bononcini who, in turn, adapted it from the setting by Francesco Cavalli. All three composers had produced settings of the same opera libretto by Niccolò Minato.

Lyrics

:" Ombra mai fù:" di vegetabile,:" cara ed amabile,:" soave più.

: Never was there : a shade of a plant: more dear and lovely,: or more gentle.

References/External Links

* [http://www.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Ombra_mai_fu_(George_Frederic_Handel) Choral Public Domain Library]
* [http://www.classicistranieri.com/musicacreativa/main.htm Creative Commons MP3 Recording at Musica Creativa.org]
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