Per questa bella mano

"Per questa bella mano", K. 612, is a concert aria by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, composed in Vienna. It is dated 8 March 1791 on Mozart's own catalogue. Sung by a solo bass with an obbligato double bass. It is well known by players of the double bass, with difficult scale work and double stops. It may have been composed as an interlude in a performance of an opera buffa, written by another composer. The aria remains a popular and often performed concert piece today.[1][2]

Description

The piece is in two sections; a slow 6/8 andante, finishing with an allegro in common time. The text is a romantic declaration of love. The aria is in the key of D major.[2]

History

The original singer was Franz Xaver Gerl, who notably sung the roles of Don Giovanni, Figaro and Sarastro. The original double bass player was Friedrich Pischlberg.[2]

Instrumentation

The orchestra consists of a flute, two oboes, two bassoons, two French horns and strings.[3]

Text

The text of this aria is from the comic opera Le vicende d'amore, written by Giambattista Neri.

Per questa bella mano
Per questi vaghi rai
Giuro, mio ben, che mai
Non amero che te.

L'aure, le piante, i sassi,
Che i miei sospir ben sanno,
A te qual sia diranno
La mia costante fe.

Volgi lieti o fieri sguardi,
Dimmi pur che m'odi o m'ami,
Sempre accesc ai dolci dardi,
Sempre tuo vo' che mi chiami,
Ne cangiar puo terra o cielo
Quel desio che vive in me.

By this fair hand,
by these lovely eyes,
I swear, my dearest, that never
will I love anyone but you.

The breezes the plants, the stones,
which know my sighs full well,
will tell you how constant
is my fidelity.

Turn your proud gaze happily on me
and say whether you hate or love me!
Ever inflamed by your tender glances,
I want you to call me yours forever;
neither earth nor heaven can change
that desire which dwells within me.[1]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference MozartForum was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

References

  1. ↑ Schrott, Allen. "Per questa bella mano", aria for bass, double bass & orchestra, K. 612 at AllMusic. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 Pajot, Dennis. "The Misunderstood Bass Aria "Per questa bella mano" K612". Mozart Forum. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
  3. ↑ The New Grove Mozart, ISBN 0-333-34199-6, p. 189
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