Scorsero Quattro Lustri

Four Decades Have Passed - Ulisse sings in the burning ruins of Troy

Benjamin Vaughan - Bass-Baritone Solo

Setting of text from Giacomo Badoaro's 
Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria

Photo and photo edit: Susie Vaughan
Place: The Red House, Painswick Rococo Gardens

 

 

 

SCORSERO QUATTRO LUSTRI
Four Decades Have Passed
Setting of text from Giacomo Badoaro’s 'll Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria'

all’invecchiato male 
non promettete più pace o salute. 
Scorsero quattro lustri 
dal memorabil giorno 
in cui con sue rapine 
il superbo Troiano 
chiamò l’alta sua Patria alle ruine. 
A ragion arse Troia, 
poiché l’Amore impuro, 
ch’è un delitto di foco, 
si purga con le fiamme. 
A ragion arse Troia, 
poiché l’Amore impuro, 
ch’è un delitto di foco!

(Hope - when you have) aged badly, 
you no longer promise peace or health.  
Four decades have passed 
since the memorable day 
when with his robberies 
the superb Trojan 
called his high homeland to ruins.  
With good reason, Troy burned, 
since impure Love, 
which is a crime of fire, 
must be purged with flames.  
With good reason, Troy burned, 
since impure love, 
which is a crime of fire!
 

Translated by Susie Vaughan

 

Listen to: Scorsero Quattro Lustri