O s'io potessi donna (Jacquet de Berchem)

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• (Posted 2026-01-12)  CPDL #88055:         

Editor: Pothárn Imre (submitted 2026-01-12).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 75 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transcribed from 1539 print. Original key (chiavi naturali) and note values. Since the text varies slightly in the various editions of this work, I used the text of Berchem's other setting, in the 1561 Capriccio print.

• (Posted 2018-08-20)  CPDL #50922:         

Editor: Walker Boyle (submitted 2018-08-20).   Score information: Letter, 4 pages, 129 kB   Copyright: Public Domain

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: O s'io potessi donna
Composer: Jacquet de Berchem
Lyricist:

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Madrigal

Language: Italian
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1539 in Il primo libro de' madrigali a 4 voci (Jacques Arcadelt), no. 1.20
    2nd published: 1564 in Septiesme livre des chansons à quatre parties (Pierre Phalèse), Edition 3
    3rd published: 1584 in Pratum musicum (ed. Emanuel Adriaenssen) – arr. for two voices and lute, Edition 1, no. 13
Description: 

Original text and translations

Italian text O s'io potessi donna Dir quel che nel mirar voi prov'e Sento invidioso farei chiunch'e contento Splende nel vostro viso'un vivo sole E da begl'occhi piove Foco d'amor che m'ard'e strugge'l core E da gl'accesi labri un fiato move Di si grate parole che piu l'accende E fa dolce l'ardore O che felice'amore Via piu d'ogn'altro'il mio di foco'e vento Beato viv'a rimirar v'intento. English text Oh, if only I could, my lady, Tell what I feel when I gaze upon you, I would make envious whoever is content. A living sun shines in your face, And from your beautiful eyes, it rains A fire of love that burns and consumes my heart, And from your enflamed lips, a breath moves Of such sweet words that it fuels the fire, And makes the burning sweet. Oh, what a happy love, Far more than any other, mine is of fire and wind, Blessed to live, I intend to gaze upon you.