Io son fenice (Orazio Vecchi)

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(Posted 2023-12-04) CPDL #77846:

Editor: Gerhard Weydt (submitted 2023-12-04). Score information: A4, 3 pages, 83 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Original pitch and note values. All three stanzas underlaid.

(Posted 2017-11-19) CPDL #47478:

Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2017-11-19). Score information: A4, 2 pages, 38 kB Copyright: CPDL

Possible error(s) identified. See the discussion page for full description.

Edition notes: Reformatting of #2975, with minor adjustments to the underlay.

(Posted 2001-07-25) CPDL #02875:

Editor: Stuart McIntosh (submitted 2001-07-25). Score information: A4, 2 pages, 32 kB Copyright: Personal

Possible error(s) identified. See the discussion page for full description.

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: Io son fenice
Composer: Orazio Vecchi

Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Canzonetta

Language: Italian
Instruments: a cappella, none

First published: 1580 in Canzonette a quattro voci, libro 1 (Orazio Vecchi), no. 17
2nd published: 1593 in Canzonette a quattro voci, no. 17
Description: In his fourth book of canzonette Vecchi offered a riposta (answer): Non ha finto amator.

External websites:

Original text and translations

Italian text

Io son fenice e voi sete la fiamma
che m’arde a dramma.
Ma la morte m’è dolce e sì gradita
che per anco morir ritorno in vita.

Voi sete il Sol, ed io liquida cera,
onde convien ch’io pera.
Ma la morte m’è dolce e sì gradita
che per anco morir ritorno in vi-ta.

Voi sete bella, e si ve n‘avvedete
ch’ogni hor più m’accendete,
dunque, ben mio, non è miracol s’io
sempre rinovo e struggo il piacer mio.

German translation

Angeblicher Liebhaber, Eure Flamme
hat nicht im Geringsten Treue.
Und Ihr wollt, dass sie mir willkommen sei?
Nur die Treue ist für Liebende Leben.

Eure Treue ist wie weiches Wachs,
das an der Sonne sich auflöst und zergeht.
Und Ihr wollt, dass sie mir willkommen sei?
Nur die Treue ist für Liebende Leben.

Doch ohne Treue nehmt Ihr nicht wahr,
dass Ihr Euch vergeblich entzündet;
daher geht entweder oder täuscht nicht vor,
dass ich einem treulosen Liebhaber mein Herz gäbe.

Translation by Gerhard Weydt

English translation

Pretending lover, your flame has not
even a small degree of fidelity.
And you think it would be welcome to me?
Only fidelity is life for lovers.

Your fidelity is like soft wax
that will dissolve and melt away under the sun.
And you think it would be welcome to me?
Only fidelity is life for lovers.

But without fidelity you do not discern
that you catch fire in vain;
hence you should either go away or no longer pretend,
that I would give my heart to a perfidious suitor.