"Ombra mai fu ..."

Inspired by the aria "Ombra mai fu" from the Opera "Xerxes" by G.F.Händel(1685-1759)

The aria, from the Italian as "Never was a shade" is sung by the main character, Xerxes I of Persia, admiring the shade of a plane tree.

"Frondi tenere e belle
del mio platano amato
per voi risplenda il fato.
Tuoni, lampi, e procelle
non v'oltraggino mai la cara pace,
nè giunga a profanarvi austro rapace.

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

"Tender and beautiful fronds
of my beloved plane tree,
let Fate smile upon you.
May thunder, lightning, and storms
never bother your dear peace,
nor may you by blowing winds be profaned.

A shade there never was,
of any plant,
dearer and more lovely,
or more sweet."

Libretto by Nicolò Minato (1627-1698)

Daniels youtu.be/wa1e49KLXNU
Bartoli youtu.be/MugXdU-h6UU
Scholl youtu.be/N7XH-58eB8c
Domingo youtu.be/zXEY43CQBuk