#jaroussky

Philippe Jaroussky as Ruggiero in Händel’s Alcina, at the Salzburg Festival 2019

"Lasciate Averno" ("Leave Hell") Luigi Rossi, "Orfeo" Philippe Jaroussky Ensemble Artaserse Recorded on 25.8.2016 at the Gstaad Menuhin Festival

~ Translation below! ~

Lasciate Averno, o pene, e me, e me seguite! Quel ben ch’a me si toglie Riman là giù, Né ponno angoscie e doglie Star già mai seco unite. Più penoso ricetto Più disperato loco Del mio misero petto Non hà l’eterno foco; Son le miserie mie solo infinite. Lasciate Averno, o pene, e me, e me seguite! E voi, del Tracio suol piaggie ridenti, Ch’imparando à gioir de la mia Cetra Gareggiaste con l’Etra. Hor, all’aspetto sol de’ miei tormenti, D’horror vi ricoprite. E tu, Cetra infelice, Oblia, gli accenti tuoi già sì canori. E per ogni pendice Vien pur meco Piangendo i miei dolori. Son le gioie per noi tutte smarite Lasciate Averno, o pene, e me, e me seguite! Ma che tardo à morire, Se può con lieta sorte Ricondurmi la morte Alla bella cagion del mio languire? A morire!

~ Leave hell, Oh pain, and follow me, The beloved one who was taken from me stays below. Agony and grief Must part us. The harshest corner, The most desolate part of my heart, Does not burn with eternal fire. Only my miseries are infinite. Leave hell, oh pain, and follow me! And you, the laughing shores of Thrace, Who learned to rejoice in the song of my lyre And vied with heaven’s vault, Now, seeing some of my torment, Hide yourself in dismay. And you, unhappy lyre, Forget your sounds once so melodious, And over every hillside Come with me Ever lamenting my grief. Joys are for us utterly lost. Leave hell, oh pains, and follow me! But why delay dying, but why delay dying, If, with happy fortune, Death can lead me again to the lovely cause of my pining? Ah! To die!