Tarquinio Merula: Hor ch'è tempo di dormire; Voices of Music with Jennifer Ellis Kampani

Of one the finest songs written for solo voice in the 17th century: Tarquinio Merula's Canzonetta Spirituale sopra alla nanna, Hor ch'è tempo di dormire (Venice, 1639). Composed over a bass line consisting of only two repeated notes, Merula writes a soaring melodic line, setting a poem in which the Virgin Mary watches her sleeping son and experiences a waking dream about his future. Featuring Jennifer Ellis Kampani, soprano; William Skeen, viola da gamba; David Tayler, archlute, and Hanneke van Proosdij, baroque organ. Live HD video from the Voices of Music Venetian Christmas Vespers concert, December, 2013.
Hor ch'è tempo di dormire
Dormi dormi fi glio e non vagire,
Perchè, tempo ancor verrà
Che vagir bisognerà.
Deh ben mio deh cor mio Fa,
Fa la ninna ninna na.
Chiudi, quei lumi divini
Come fan gl'altri bambini,
Perchè tosto oscuro velo
Priverà di lume il cielo.
Deh ben mio ...
Over prendi questo latte
Dalle mie mammelle intatte
Perchè ministro crudele
Ti prepara aceto e fiele.
Deh ben mio ...
Amor mio sia questo petto
Hor per te morbido letto
Pria che rendi ad alta voce
L'alma al Padre su la croce.
Deh ben mio del ...
Posa hor queste membra belle
Vezzosette e tenerelle
Perchè poi ferri e catene
Gli daran acerbe pene.
Deh ben mio ...
Queste mani e questi piedi
Ch'or con gusto e gaudio vedi
Ahimè com'in varij modi
Passeran acuti chiodi!
Questa faccia gratiosa
Rubiconda hor più di rosa
Sputi e schiaffi sporcheranno
Con tormento e grand'aff ano.
Ah con quanto tuo dolore
Sola speme del mio core
Questo capo e questi crini
Passeran acuti spini.
Ah ch'in questo divin petto
Amor mio dolce diletto
Vi farà piaga mortale
empia lancia e disleale.
Dormi dunque figliol mio
Dormi pur redentor mio
Perchè poi con lieto viso
Ci vedrem in Paradiso.
Hor che dorme la mia vita
Del mio cor gioia compita
Taccia ognun con puro zelo
Taccian sin la terra e'l Cielo.
E fra tanto io che farò
Il mio ben contemplerò
ne starò col capo chino
Sin che dorme il mio Bambino.
Now that it's time to sleep,
sleep, son, and don't cry;
for the time will come soon enough
when crying is needed.
O my dearest, my heart:
lullaby and sleep now
Close those divine eyes
as other babies do;
for soon a dark veil
will deprive the sky of light
O my dearest, my heart . .
Or take this milk
from my immaculate breasts;
for a cruel magistrate
is preparing vinegar and gall for you.
O my dearest, my heart . . .
My love, let this breast
be now a soft bed for you,
before, with a loud voice, you give
your soul to the Father, on the cross.
O my dearest...
Rest now your beautiful small limbs,
so charming and delicate;
for later, irons and chains
will cause them bitter pains.
O my dearest, my heart . .
These hands and feet,
which now you behold with zest and joy--
alas, in how many ways
will sharp nails pierce them!
This graceful face,
ruddier than a rose--
spitting and slaps will defile it
with torture and great suffering.
Ah, with how much pain for you,
O only hope of my heart,
this head and this brow
will be pierced by sharp thorns.
For in this divine breast,
O my sweet and delightful love,
an impious traitorous spear
will make a mortal wound.
Sleep, therefore, my son,
sleep then, my Savior;
for later with joyful faces
we'll see each other in Paradise.
Now that you are sleeping, O my life,
O complete joy of my heart,
let all be quiet with pure zeal,
even the earth and the heavens.
Meanwhile, what shall I do?
I will watch my dear,
not letting my head bow
as long as my baby sleeps.
Translation: Lawrence Rosenwald

[@VoicesofMusic]

This is just amazing.

[@c.g.marseille4510]

yes, dit is extreem mooi, de muziek en de zang, de klanken, en bovenal de tekst van het lied/gedicht

[@c.g.marseille4510]

I was looking for but did not found, who knows de name of the poet of this beautiful poem ?

[@concentusxl]

Questa ninna nanna è costruita sopra un basso di sole due note... incredibile ! Maria culla il piccolo Gesù presagendo la sua fine dolorosa sulla croce. Pura poesia di parole e di suoni. Greetings from Italy.

[@WolfyGreen]

The hypnotic alternation of the two bass notes evokes the rising and falling breathing of the sleeping son; while the meditation of his mother expands through the bitterness of death towards a different order of hope. It is a marvelously moving depiction of a universal maternal affection - thank you for uploading.

[@VoicesofMusic]

You are very welcome!

[@ChrisBreemer]

Great comment, thanks !

[@c.g.marseille4510]

Thanks Wolfy for your words , it's true you say

[@tatalito]

a "perfect definition" , Wolfy

[@robertlanghammer]

Music like this will be known and loved tomorrow, next week, in a year and in the centuries that will come long after we have gone. And such excellent and moving interpretations like your work does not only help to bring such outstanding music to a whole new generation of listeners here on KZbin but is simply a great pleasure to watch and listen.

[@ChrisBreemer]

This is almost painfully beautiful... Such depth achieved with only a few notes and the simplest of means. Repetitive yet mesmerizing. Light years away from the senseless poppy drivel that is nowadays most people's idea of music. A most wonderful performance from all, especially the singer with her perfectly suited and pitched voice. Thanks so much for this !

[@wjue]

Sublime ! Je ne cesse de revenir écouter cette interprétation !

[@kittichord]

Breathtaking singing; the continuo group demonstrates a flawless artistry.

[@jacklisiecki2389]

Wow! Sung with great emotion that is conveyed to the listener. An outstanding performance. Brava!

[@gianfrancoorienti8739]

Meraviglioso. Brava Jennifer wonderful Ensemble.

[@c.g.marseille4510]

Many many thanks, ook Lawrens Rosenwald voor de vertaling !

[@tansman1]

Jennifer, That was so beautiful !

[@kristenrosales2919]

This is hauntingly beautiful melody. I am transfixed to this song.

[@TheDRACOMUNDI]

Beautiful.....

[@ericgodfrey9484]

A mesmerizing piece in a stunning performance. My wife and I watched/listened in awe.

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thanks so much!

[@AndreaMariaArias]

Your performance is celestial. This is pure art!

[@danielperroni3884]

Maravilhosa Soprano-Dramático. belíssima voz..! Amazing Dramatic Soprano, beautiful voice..!

[@user-uw9qe7ew4e]

Очень впечатлило это произведение! Тонкое исполнение! Прекрасно! Благодарю за запись!

[@MichelBruin76]

Un répertoire que j'ai découvert avec Montserrat Figueras et que je retrouve dans cette interprétation sublime de Jennifer Ellis Kampani

[@elodieadams68]

I am in awe of what this period of Christianity could inspire to a musician. Absolutely in awe.

[@jblazar]

I just did a search for other performances of this on KZbin. None come even close to Jennifer's tear-inducingly beautiful performance. I was at the Palo Alto performance and must say the acoustics in this recording at the SF venue are better, but both are fantastic. The insistent repetitive bass line on the viol, theorbo and organ are perfect accompaniment. This solo is one of the best I can remember ever hearing. Bravo!!!!

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thanks Bill, I'm so glad we recorded it. And it is all one take....

[@joaolima39]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3m8eWuJpMh5gsk

[@tatalito]

really amazing...I'm wordless..

[@jgcaesar4]

Mesmerizing.

[@danielwaitzman2118]

Ineffably gorgeous!

[@467ABBA]

Solo queda cerrar los ojos y dejar que el lamento llegue a lo más profundo del corazón

[@MMilhazesDanca]

It is so beautiful !! Waves of a deep love !!!

[@USQFoodie]

Beautiful Indeed. The late Monserrat Figueras has recorded an equally haunting version. I believe I heard her perform it with Jordi Savall and Hesperion XX in Geneva or Neuchatel in the 90s.

[@davidmatcham3415]

Unbelievably beautiful singing!Love it.

[@maejmettler]

Beautiful

[@brightstar4702]

Grazie!

[@kkiijjii]

日本語しか理解できないですが、心が救われる歌です

[@doctorfate77]

Stunning, Jenny.

[@davidbellugi]

A magnificent performance!

[@listenerJW]

The best of the new year. Lovely voice and interpretation - wonderful ensemble with the theorbo, viol and gentle baroque organ

[@M.R.A.11811]

The end makes me almost cry. Maravilhoso.

[@AndreFelipeJunqueiradeSouza]

Wonderful voice, nice performance, great sound and ambience! Thanks a lot.

[@caioviana]

incrível. Não canso de ouvir.

[@alvaromunoz934]

beautiful, thanks!!!!

[@OBATET]

Excellent! Sublime!

[@spuddyl9938]

Beautiful. I missed you guys.

[@nutapete2011]

Another great work. BRAVO

[@diegoteruel7069]

Heartbreaking, unbeatable and wonderful interpretation of the music of Tarquinio merula, sublime musician of the venetian school and with a superb text!😍😍

[@VoicesofMusic]

:)

[@Eleuthero5]

Jennifer Ellis Kampani's voice is a slice of heaven. I think she also sang in "Su la setra amorosa" by Jordi Savall's group.

[@VoicesofMusic]

Jennifer Ellis Kampani's voice is a slice of heaven indeed :) Jordi Savall's "Su la cetra" was sung by Montserrat Figueras, may she rest in peace.

[@haimlute]

Pure beauty!!!

[@daviddelmonte9669]

Beautiful!

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you!

[@youtito9472]

Braviii

[@caronovellezealandes]

Superb! A wonderful work and one I will listen to many times.

[@Fell_Wanderer]

its hard not to switch off once you start listening..

[@melisandedebussy]

esto es el cielo, que maravilla!

[@QuillClassics]

Beautiful once again!

[@VoicesofMusic]

A nice piece for your ensemble~!

[@QuillClassics]

Hmmm ...

[@archiecook55]

My professor in my music theory class showed this to my class!

[@VoicesofMusic]

Fabulous.

[@user-uw9qe7ew4e]

Очень талантливая и артистичная певица! Удивительное впечатление!

[@arleteaguerra]

Maravilhoso!!

[@jblazar]

I just figured out how to use my big screen smart TV to watch KZbin videos. What an amazing performance! No matter how many times I watch it, I'm moved.

[@wb6kuw]

How do you do it?

[@jblazar]

Jeff DeMarco My remote has an 'Internet" button. From there, I can select KZbin and enter 'Voices of Music' and then select this video.

[@VoicesofMusic]

Bill Lazar If you have the Vimeo app you can see the Videos in HD.

[@SantiagoGarcia-od5gr]

Magnífica, magistral melodía. Una poderosa voz.

[@sueleeks9243]

What a discovery - Merula's music and this stunning voice.

[@VoicesofMusic]

Agree!

[@_NeveahWatson]

Mother's love......... ❤

[@AlessioAndres]

The sound of Merula is wow

[@VoicesofMusic]

Agree!

[@waelatef347]

رائع

[@user-ri9ym4ls1q]

💌

[@lodovicosforza]

Voices of Music and its directors, lutenist David Tayler & harpsichordist Hanneke van Proosdij, will be featured at the 2016 Berkeley Festival and Exposition, June 5-12. They'll be performing a full concert with violinist Rachel Podger as well as providing continuo for 'Concerto Palatino' and "Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra.' www.berkeleyfestival.org/

[@c.g.marseille4510]

en wat een schitterend gedicht, in het Engels en in de vertaling van Lawrence Rosenwald

[@NoNo-vy3dg]

What language is this? I want to say Italian but I know so little about European languages that I don't even know what it is.

[@VoicesofMusic]

17th century Italian.

[@NoNo-vy3dg]

Thank you