Accompanied by the San Fransisco-based early music ensemble Voices of Music, the American countertenor Christopher Lowrey sings Antonio Vivaldi’s “Gelido in ogni vena” from the opera Farnace. This performance was recorded during the Voices of Music “Harmonic Labyrinth” concert, December, 2019.
Antonio Vivaldi’s Gelido in ogni vena
“Gelido in ogni vena” is a poignant and expressive aria from Antonio Vivaldi’s opera “Farnace.” This opera, composed in the early 18th century, is one of Vivaldi’s many operatic works, though it is less well-known than his instrumental compositions like “The Four Seasons.” The aria stands out for its emotional depth and the innovative way Vivaldi incorporates material from his other works.
In this particular aria, Vivaldi borrowed the melody from the 1st movement of “Winter” (Allegro non molto) from “The Four Seasons” for both the introduction and the ritornelli. “The Four Seasons” is a set of four violin concertos, each representing a different season, and is among Vivaldi’s most famous works. The Largo from “Winter” is evocative of a bleak, cold landscape, with a distinctive, shivering motif.
The adaptation of this melody in “Gelido in ogni vena” is a testament to Vivaldi’s skill as a composer. He transformed the icy, desolate themes of “Winter” into a powerful operatic expression of despair and anguish. This cross-pollination of themes between the instrumental and operatic realms is a hallmark of Vivaldi’s style and showcases his ability to recontextualize musical ideas effectively.
The term “ritornello,” which is crucial to understanding this aria, refers to a recurring musical passage in Baroque compositions. In the concerto form, it usually involves the full orchestra and provides a structural framework around which solo passages are interwoven. In opera, ritornelli often appear in arias, framing the vocal lines and providing thematic continuity. They typically open the aria and return several times, creating a sense of unity and balance.
In “Gelido in ogni vena,” the ritornello, borrowed from “Winter,” serves to heighten the emotional impact of the aria. Each return of the ritornello reinforces the chilling, sorrowful mood, creating a poignant contrast with the expressive vocal line. This aria is a prime example of Vivaldi’s mastery in blending different musical forms and his innovative approach to composition.
The adaptation of the “Winter” theme in “Gelido in ogni vena” demonstrates Vivaldi’s ingenuity and his ability to infuse his operatic works with the vivid imagery and emotional depth characteristic of his instrumental music. The confidence level in this information is high, as it is supported by musicological analysis of Vivaldi’s compositional techniques and the stylistic features of the Baroque era.
Gelido in ogni vena lyrics [text]
Italian: Gelido in ogni vena
Gelido in ogni vena
Scorrer mi sento il sangue
L’ombra del figlio e sangue
L’ombra del figlio e sangue
M’ingombra di terror
L’ombra del figlio e sangue
M’ingombra di terror
M’ingombra di terror
Gelido in ogni vena
Scorrer mi sento il sangue
Scorrer mi sento il sangue
L’ombra del figlio e sangue
M’ingombra di terror
M’ingombra di terror
M’ingombra di terror
E per magior mia pena
Vedo che fui crudele
A un anima inocente
Al core del mio cor
A un anima inocente
Al core del mio cor
Gelido in ogni Vena
Scorrer mi sento il sangue
L’ombra del figlio e sangue
L’ombra del figlio e sangue
M’ingombra di terror
L’ombra del figlio e sangue
M’ingombra di terror
M’ingombra di terror
Gelido in ogni vena
Scorrer mi sento il sangue
Scorrer mi sento il sangue
L’ombra del figlio e sangue
M’ingombra di terror
M’ingombra di terror
M’ingombra di terror
English translation: Cold in every vein
Cold in every vein
I feel the blood flowing
The shadow of the son and blood
The shadow of the son and blood
I am filled with terror
The shadow of the son and blood
I am filled with terror
I am filled with terror
Cold in every vein
I feel the blood flowing
I feel the blood flowing
The shadow of the son and blood
I am filled with terror
I am filled with terror
I am filled with terror
And to my greater pain
I see I was cruel
To an innocent soul
To the core of my heart
To an innocent soul
To the core of my heart
Cold in every vein
I feel the blood flowing
The shadow of the son and blood
The shadow of the son and blood
I am filled with terror
The shadow of the son and blood
I am filled with terror
I am filled with terror
Cold in every vein
I feel the blood flowing
I feel the blood flowing
The shadow of the son and blood
I am filled with terror
I am filled with terror
I am filled with terror
Sources
- Farnace (Antinio Vivaldi’s opera) on Wikipedia
