CDLXXVII. MOZART, Wolfgang Amadeus: "Vado, ma dove? Oh dei!" K. 583

CDLXXVII. MOZART, Wolfgang Amadeus (1756-1791)

"Vado, ma dove? Oh dei!" K. 583 (1789)
Kiri Te Kanawa, soprano
Wiener Kammerorchester
György Fischer, cond.
(4:05)

Martin y Soler

Mozart never turned down a friend in need. Soler needed an aria for his opera, Il burbero di buon core, with a libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte, who also wrote a few for Mozart.

I go, but where, Ye gods
If for his torments, my sighs
Heaven feels no pity?
You speak to my heart
Guide my steps, love
Remove that hesitation that makes me doubt

The singer (Madama Lucilla) starts by singing Vado (I go), but there is a pause, and she more quietly asks Ma dove? (but where?).

In the next section, the orchestra plays mournfully and slowly in concert with the text You speak to my heart / Guide my steps love / Remove that hesitation.

None of the live performances were up to this recording of the great Kiri Te Kanawa.