The aria "Dove Sono i bei momenti" from W.A.Mozart's opera "Le Nozze di Figaro" which translates to "Where are those happy moments" is sung by the Countess (soprano), during Act 3, Scene 8 (The Aria Database).
Countess Rossina Almaviva is the young Rosina form Gioachino Rossibi's opera The Barber of Seville (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), who is now married to the Count she fell in love with. (Oxford Reference)
In this aria, the Countess is sitting in her room, waiting for her maid Susanna to arrive. She is expecting an update on their plan to teach a lesson to her husband, the Count. While waiting, the countess is thinking about the plan, whether she would like to proceed with it or not, while at the same time thinking of the happy moments she spent with the husband, but are now gone. (Madison Opera)
Musically, the recitativo before the aria creates a dramatic atmosphere as her anger for the Count grows stronger. During the aria however, the climax is reached with the high A at the very end. The aria has very long phrases which require a very good breath control as well as technique. Mozart was able to compose arias that, when sung with great technique and musicality can portray the singer's voice colours and textures. (Madison Opera)
The arias libretto is translated as follows: (The Aria Database).
E Susanna non vien! Sono ansiosa
Susanna's not come! I'm impatient
di saper come il Conte
To know what the Count said
accolse la proposta. Alquanto ardito
To her proposal; the plan seems to me
il progetto mi par, e ad uno sposo
Somewhat rash, and with a husband
sì vivace, e geloso!
So impetuous and jealous
Ma che mal c'è? Cangiando i miei vestiti
But where's the harm? To change my clothes
con quelli di Susanna, e i suoi co' miei...
With those of Susanna, and hers with mine,
al favor della notte... oh cielo, a quale
Under cover of darkness ... Oh heavens!
umil stato fatale io son ridotta
To what humiliation am I reduced
da un consorte crudel, che dopo avermi
By a cruel husband, who after having
con un misto inaudito
Deceived me, in a strange mixture
d'infedeltà, di gelosia, di sdegni,
Of infidelity, jealousy and disdain,
prima amata, indi offesa, e alfin tradita,
First loved me, then neglected and finally
fammi or cercar da una mia serva aita!
Now forces me to seek help from my servant!
Dove sono i bei momenti
Where are those happy moments
di dolcezza e di piacer,
Of sweetness and pleasure?
dove andaro i giuramenti
Where have they gone,
di quel labbro menzogner?
Those vows of a deceiving tongue?
Perché mai se in pianti e in pene
Then why, if everything for me
per me tutto si cangiò,
Is changed to tears and grief,
la memoria di quel bene
Has the memory oft hat happiness
dal mio sen non trapassò?
Not faded from my breast?
Ah! Se almen la mia costanza
Ah! if only my constancy
nel languire amando ognor,
In yearning lovingly for him always
mi portasse una speranza
Could bring the hope
di cangiar l'ingrato cor.
Of changing his ungrateful heart!
You can read more facts about the opera "Le Nozze di Figaro" in the blog: Le Nozze di Figaro - Facts About The Opera
You can read the opera's synopsis in the blog: Opera - Le Nozze di Figaro - Synopsis
Reference:
The Aria Database -Dove Sono i bei momenti
Madison Opera - Aria Focus: Dove Sono
Oxford Reference - Countess Rosina
2024
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