"LAstratto" (The distracted one) - by Barbara Strozzi

Performers:
Rachel Smyth-Godinger, Soprano
Paul Kerekes, Harpsichord
Joe Martin, Page Turning

Synopsis: An indecisive diva (sound familiar?) laments a bad boyfriend, it seems, and decides to drown her sorrow in song. Unfortunately, she doesnt find a single song she likes, so she writes one herself, and, exhausted, says she doesnt want to sing anymore.

Text:
Voglio, si, vo cantar!
Forse cantando trovar pace potessi al mio tormento-
Ha d'opprimere il duol forsa il concento

Si, si, pensiero aspetta-
A sonar cominciamo
E al nostro senso una canzon troviamo!

"Hebbi il core legato un di
d'un bel crin..."
La stracerei! Subito che apro un foglio-
Sento che mi raccorda il mio cordoglio

"Fuggia la notte, e sol spiegava intorno"
Eh! Si confondo qui la notte e il giorno!

"Volate o furie,
E conducete un miserabile
al foco eterno"
Ma, che fo nell' inferno?

"Al tuo ciel, vago desio,
Spiega l'alle e vanne"
Ah fe! Che quel che ti compose-
poco sapea dell' amoroso strale:
Desiderio d'amante in ciel non sale!

"Godero sotto la luna"
Hor questa si che peggio!
Sa il destin degli amanti-
E vuol fortuna?

Misero i guai
M'handa me stesso - Astratto
E cercando un soggetto per voler lo dir sol cento
Non ho detto

Chi nel carcere d'un crine
I desiri ha prigionieri
Per sue crude, aspre ruine
Nemen suoi sono i pensieri

Chi ad un vago alto splendore
di fedel la liberta
schiavo al fin tutto d'amore
Nemen sua la mente havra

Quind'io, misero e stolto
Non volendo cantar,
Cantato ho molto!

Translation:
I want toSING!
So that perhaps singing can bring peace
To ease my torment
Because it has the power to overcome pain

Ah yes, be still my thoughts -
Lets begin to make music!

And see if we cant find a good piece.

Long ago my heart was bound by beautiful tresses
(I should rip this one up) - As soon as I turn a page
I feel reminded of my grief.

The night has flown away!
And the sun spreads all around
(Eh! And this one confuses night and day!)

Fly, oh furies
And take this miserable wretch

to the eteeeeeeeeeeernal hellfire
(But what am I doing in hell anyway?)

Fly to heaven, oh fickle desires-
(Feh! Whoever wrote this is clueless.)
Lovers desires, are not heavenly

Enjoy yourself in the moonlight
(Now, this ones worse!)
It knows the fate of lovers

And yet expects good fortune?
Miserable troubles have rendered me:
DISTRACTED!
And searching for one subject,
I have found a hundred
And still havent said what I want to say.

Whoever is bound by loves tresses
And held prisoner by desire
For their cruel, bitter ruin
Isnt even left with at least his own thoughts

Whoever falls for a tall, handsome wanderer
And is faithful - giving up their liberty...
And becomes a slave to love
In the end doesnt even keep their mind

So I, miserable and foolish

Not wanting to sing
Have sung A LOT!

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