Nel puro ardor (Euridice)

[opera_cat]

"Nel puro ardor," aria from from Jacopo Peri's opera Euridice (1600). I found this simple and beautiful piece in a book of Italian art songs, but it is originally from an opera. It is sung by the shepherd Tirsi (alto).

Nel puro ardor della più bella stella,	In the pure heat of the most beautiful star,
Aurea facella di bel foco accendi,	kindle your golden torch of beautiful fire,
E qui discendi su laurate piume,	and descend here on wings wreathed with laurel,
Giocondo Nume, e di celeste fiamma	cheerful Divinity, and with heavenly flame
L'anima infiamma.	light their souls.
Lieto Imeneo d'alta dolcezza un nembo	Joyous Hymen, make a cloud of deep sweetness
Trabocca in grembo ai fortunati amanti,	overflow into the lap of the fortunate lovers,
E tra bei canti di soavi amori	and among beautiful songs of sweet love
Sveglia nei cori una dolce aura, un riso	awaken in their hearts a sweet breeze, a smile
Di paradiso!	of Paradise!

Note: Hymen is the Roman god of marriage.