Amor, deh, dimmi (Giovanni Maria Nanino)

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(Posted 2025-05-04) CPDL #84789:

Editor: Gerhard Weydt (submitted 2025-05-04). Score information: A4, 4 pages, 131 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transposed down a minor thid for SATTB because of the chiavette used.

(Posted 2025-05-04) CPDL #84788:

Editor: Gerhard Weydt (submitted 2025-05-04). Score information: A4, 4 pages, 133 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Original pitch.

General Information

Title: Amor, deh, dimmi
Composer: Giovanni Maria Nanino
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 5vv Voicing: SSAAB
Genre: Secular, Madrigal

Language: Italian
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1583 in Harmonia celeste (ed. Andreas Pevernage), Edition 1, no. 23
2nd published: 1584 in Spoglia amorosa (Scotto) – part 1 only, no. 11
3rd published: 1589 in Harmonia celeste (ed. Andreas Pevernage), Edition 2, no. 23
4th published: 1592 in Spoglia amorosa (Gardano), no. 22
Description:

External websites:

Original text and translations

Italian text

Amor, deh dimmi come
Sta nel cor di costei l’orgoglio ‘l gielo ?
D’Angiol’ il viso ha pur, d’Angiol’ il nome!
Che se la su nel cielo
Non si trova pietà più ch’in costei,
Poca sorte è la tua d’esser fra i Dei.

German translation

Amor, ach sage mir, wie
kann in ihrem Herzen solch Hochmut und Kälte sein?
Vom Engel hat sie das Antlitz, vom Engel den Namen!
Wenn dort oben im Himmel
sich nicht mehr Barmherzigkeit findet als in ihr,
dann ist dein Los, einer der Götter zu sein, ein erbärmliches.

Translation by Gerhard Weydt

English translation

Amor, alas, tell me, how
can there be in her heart such pride and ice?
From an angel she takes the face, the name!
If up there in heaven
isn’t to be found more pity than in her,
then your lot to be one of the Gods is a miserable one.